Romance – Page 40 – Books-n-Kisses

April 7, 2017April 2, 2017

Kimberly Fighting Attraction by Sarah Castille

TITLE: Fighting Attraction
SERIES #: Redemption #4
CHARACTERS: Penny & Jack
AUTHOR: Sarah Castille
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/04/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
My sweet, sexy Penny has a dark side. Just like me.
I will have her. And then I will lose her, and suffer a lifetime of regret.

Rampage. Everyone loves him. He is Redemption’s top heavyweight fighter and the biggest gossip in the gym. But he isn’t the teddy bear everyone thinks he is. He’s hiding a dark secret-and he hates himself for it.

Twice a week, Rampage transforms into Master Jack, a notorious dom only the most hard-core submissives will play with. How can he-a Southern gentleman, bred to respect and protect women-want to dominate them?

But Penny Worthington wants him. Beneath her pearls, kitten heels, and prim British exterior beats a tortured heart…Master Jack is the only one who can set her free.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Holy Smokes! This story is sweet, dark, sexy and intense. Penny and Jack both have a secret that they keep hidden from everyone including those closest to them. Both are into pain. Giving and receiving it. They seem perfect for each other but are they really?

This is really really dark and yet Sarah Castille manages to lighten it up. Penny has suffered since she was young at the hands of men she thought loved her and when she starts to feel she is not lovable or worthwhile she starts cutting to feel the pain. Her emotional pain is palpable and you hurt for her. Jack needs to give pain. He wants to inflict as much as he can to get out the stresses in his life. But are these the same kind of pain that they should be together?

The out of the bedroom/club scenes between Jack and Penny are so cute. He is so different in the real world and while overly protective and possessive he wants to care for the one woman who understands him. I loved the playfulness they have together. I love all the guys of Redemption to be honest. I just want to climb into the book and hang out with these guys and girls. While the couple is the main focus the others take care of their own.

Any fan of this series, of romance, of erotica/BDSM will love this story. But understand the darkness isn’t the bedroom/club scenes it is the inner turmoil and scenes of emotional to physical pain that pulls at the readers heart.

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

April 6, 2017April 2, 2017

Kelly reviews Wild Ride by Julie Ann Walker

TITLE: Wild Ride
SERIES #: Black Knight Ink #9
CHARACTERS: Ozzie & Samantha
AUTHOR: Julie Ann Walker
PUBLICATION DATE: April 4, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The hero we’ve all been waiting for…

Ethan “Ozzie” Sykes

Former Navy SEAL

Underground operator for Black Knights Inc., the covert government defense firm disguised as a custom motorcycle shop.

In a black-on-black international mission that went seriously sideways, Ozzie was badly injured—now he’s stuck at BKI headquarters in Chicago, champing at the bit to get out into the field again. To his disgust, he’s tasked with distracting Chicago Tribune ace reporter Samantha Tate, who’s been trying to dig up the dirt on BKI for years. Turns out Samantha’s beauty, intelligence and sense of humor are a seriously big distraction, and Ozzie’s losing his desire to keep her at bay.

Ozzie’s tired of hiding, and Samantha may be the best-and worst—person to share his secrets with…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts OZZIE!!!!!!
Need I say more? Oh, I do? So telling you that Ozzie finally gets his story is not enough for you? Telling you that Ozzie is awesome is not enough? Telling you that we learn so much more about Ozzie and his history that is beyond heartbreaking is not enough? Telling you the Samantha Tate is a rock star reporter that will not ever give up? How about Ozzie and Samantha in the kitchen. Sharing a nice meal together? What more do you want from me????
But seriously, I loved Ozzie’s book. I loved that we get to know him so much better than just the sweet, sexy, Star Trek lovin’ and lover of everything 80’s computer nerd. I really enjoyed the talk between Becky and Ozzie. Yes, there might have been a tear or a lot… If you are a BKI fan you will LOVE Ozzie’s book. If you are new to this series you really should read this series in order so that you get a better understand of the world. Plus you get a lot of Ozzie throughout the whole series. And of course we get to see a lot of Christian. Can’t wait for his book.

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

April 5, 2017April 2, 2017

Kimberly reviews Forever Mine by Erin Nicholas

TITLE: Forever Mine
SERIES #: Opposites Attract #2
CHARACTERS: Maya & Alex
AUTHOR: Erin Nicholas
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Maya Goodwin doesn’t believe in holding back. Ever. As a cop, she never hesitated to throw herself into harm’s way to save someone. Even after an injury on the job forces her to retire, she’s not afraid to keep risking it all to get the life she wants. With a new career teaching martial arts to kids already underway, she’s looking forward to the future – and taking a chance on the unbelievably hot Dr. Alex Nolan.

Maya – daring and spontaneous – is the exact opposite of what Alex always thought he wanted. But when a nine-year-old daughter he never knew existed shows up on his doorstep, Maya is the one who helps them hold it together. With love on the line, will the guy who’s always played it safe be willing to take the biggest risk of all?

REVIEW:
This is a really cute story. I had a bit of a hard time getting into it but once I was I couldn’t stop reading. Alex and Maya are adorable. They are so different from each other and yet so good together. I really enjoyed the beginning connection between Alex and his new found daughter. He is trying so hard but as a doctor/scientist he is very methodical. How sweet is it that whenever he learns something new about Charli he puts a note in his phone so he doesn’t make any mistakes later on.

This is not a story that will change the world but it is a great beach read that leaves you feel good about life.

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

April 4, 2017April 2, 2017

Kelly reviews This Time Around by Tawna Fenske

TITLE: This Time Around
CHARACTERS: Jack Carpenter & Allie Ross
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
NARRATOR: Carly Robins
PUBLICATION DATE: April 4, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Allie Ross is not living the life she once dreamed. Her law career ended before it ever started, her parents landed in jail for running a Ponzi scheme, and she just inherited her grandmother’s B&B—which is nice, even if it is full of extra-toed cats. As for her love life…she’d rather not talk about it.

When Jack Carpenter reaches out to reconnect with Allie, the girl who broke his heart in college, his plan is to impress her with the adult he’s become. Sure, he was a deadbeat then, but life has forced him to grow up. And it’s a relief to find out that things didn’t necessarily go the way Allie expected either.

As Allie and Jack get reacquainted, they rediscover the things they loved—and hated—about each other. But who they are now isn’t who they were then, and secrets—old and new—will test whether they have a future together, or if the past is destined to repeat itself.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts When we meet Jack he is coming back to Portland Oregon. One of his first order of business is to meet up with his old flame Allie. This first meeting is hilarious. It doesn’t quite go according as planned. When Jack offers to help Allie at the B&B everything changes.
Jack & Allie learn so much about themselves and each other. That had they stayed together their lives may not have turned out as amazing.
This was such a fun second chance at love story. It almost makes me wish I had someone in my past to reconnect….. Nope! I will leave that to Jack and Allie.

I had the honor of listening to this book. I do love me some audio books. This was my first story to have Ms. Robins narrat for me. She did a good job. My biggest issue was the male voices. At times it was a little hard tell the difference between Allie and Jack. I am not sure if it was because I was listening in the car? Or if there was just not enough difference in the depth of the voice.
If you are looking for a fun second chance at true love read you really should pick up a copy of This Time Around! If you are an audio book love go listen to the sample of this story!

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

March 31, 2017March 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews Embracing Love by Alison Mello

TITLE: Embracing Love
SERIES #: Once Broken #1
CHARACTERS: Kenzie & Remy
AUTHOR: Alison Mello
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
McKenzie McCormick moved back home for one reason only, and falling for a soldier isn’t it…
Fort Stewart is only a few miles away, which means her hometown has its fair share of soldiers. But Kenzie chooses to steer clear of them, as she still struggles to cope with the grief of losing her father to war. All she wants to do is help her aunt take care of her ill grandmother—until a gorgeous green-eyed Army Captain moves back into town.
The last thing Captain Remington Bennett expects to find is a pretty brunette while out on his morning run…
Intrigued by the woman he passes almost every morning, Remy is determined to get to know the brown-eyed beauty. Kenzie is reluctant to get too close, but his persistence in pursuing her slowly breaks down her defenses, turning what started out as nothing more than a nod and a shy smile into something neither of them could have predicted.
War has already taken too much from her, and Kenzie can’t afford to lose her heart to a soldier…
Even though the mutual attraction becomes too strong to ignore, Kenzie keeps fighting her feelings for the handsome Captain. But when Remy is called out on a mission and she’s faced with the possibility he might not come back, Kenzie realizes she may have let her only chance at love slip through her fingers.
Now that Kenzie is finally ready to embrace love with the kind of man she has spent her entire life avoiding, it might just be too late…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Ok so this is going to sound like I didn’t like this book because I have a lot to say about it but here is the thing. I did enjoy it. It is not often a story can make tears roll down my cheeks so when this one did I knew I had become invested. So while this may sound like I have a lot of complaints I feel more like this is constructive criticism than anything else.

It took me a little while to get used to the way the author writes. The sentences are very clipped, like “When we arrive, I pull her seat out for her. She sits.” Also in the beginning the sex scenes seem out of the blue. Almost like someone told her to add scenes for more impact. The scenes are also repetitive.

I actually looked to see if this was the author’s first book but it is not. She has had a number of other ones but by the end of the book I was much more familiar with her way of writing and it seemed to be easier to read. And while the sec scenes don’t really improve all that much they just are part of the story and easily read through.

Now I want to say again…. I ended up really liking this story. The background characters are what really make this story. Remy’s family and Kenzie’s Nana are wonderful. I would recommend this story to pretty much anyone and would also say don’t judge a book by its first (or second) chapter.

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

March 30, 2017March 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews Crazy For You by Rachel Lacey

TITLE: Crazy For You
SERIES #: Risking It All #2
CHARACTERS: Emma & Ryan
AUTHOR: Rachel Lacey
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
SHE’S TAKING A WALK ON HIS WILD SIDE

Emma Rush can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a thing for Ryan Blake. Haven’s resident bad boy is just so freakin’ hot-with tattoos, a motorcycle, and enough rough-around-the-edges sexiness to melt all her self-control. Now that Emma’s over being a “good girl,” she needs a little help being naughty . . . and she knows just where to start.

Before Emma’s brother enlisted in the military, he made Ryan promise that he would protect her from everything–including himself. When her brother doesn’t come home, Ryan needs to turn his screwed-up life around to honor his pledge. But he knows he’s still not the right kind of guy for someone as sweet as Emma. Only he can’t stop wanting to be with her. Wanting her. Falling in love with a good girl may be the craziest risk this bad boy can take . . .

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts This story is adorable. We met both of these characters in the first book of the series, Run To You. Emma and Ryan have known each other since childhood. She was his best friends little sister. But until now Ryan never saw her as anything else…. Until now.

In the book it says Ryan is a sheep in wolf’s clothing and I think it is a perfect description. Ryan wants to give Emma the world, even if that includes their romance copying the pages of a romance novel. Emma just wants to live her life. She has always been the quiet little good girl but her life has changed and she just wants some adventure and Ryan in the perfect one to help her out.

I love this bunch of friends. I would want to be a part of this group and have these guys be big brothers and the girls be best friends. I enjoyed the addition of Ryan’s little brother Trent as well.

This is a great book. Perfect beach read or curl up on the couch and relax read. Can’t wait for Jessica and Mark’s story.

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

March 29, 2017March 26, 2017

Kelly reviews The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz

TITLE: The Night Mark
CHARACTERS: Faye Barlow & Carrick Morgan
AUTHOR: Tiffany Reisz
PUBLICATION DATE: March 28, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She has nothing to live for in the present, but finds there’s something worth dying for in the past…
From Tiffany Reisz, the international bestselling storyteller behind The Bourbon Thief and The Original Sinners series, comes an enthralling new novel about a woman swept away by the tides who awakens to find herself in 1921, reunited with the husband she’s been mourning for four years. Fans of Kate Morton and Diana Gabaldon will fall in love with the mystery, romance and beauty of an isolated South Carolina lighthouse, where a power greater than love works its magic.

REVIEW:
Another wonderful story from Ms. Reisz. I absolutely love The Bourbon Thief so I was so excited when I say that Ms. Reisz had another story coming out. While this book is not a continuation of The Bourbon Thief the story does include Bride Island. When I started this book I was not sure what was going to happen. But I really enjoyed Faye/Faith’s time traveling romance. Faye’s journey is one that a lot of people can connect with. So many people wish they could go back in time and change something. But the question should be what are you going to give up in the present to relive the past.
If you enjoy time-traveling stories I think that you will enjoy this story very much. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Reisz has in store for us next.

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

March 28, 2017March 26, 2017

Kimberly reviews A Small Town Bride by Hope Ramsay

TITLE: A Small Town Bride
SERIES #: Chapel Of Love #2
CHARACTERS: Amy & Dusty
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsay
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Amy Lyndon is tired of being the Poor Little Rich Girl of Shenandoah Falls. In her prominent family, she’s the ordinary one – no Ivy League education and no powerful career. But when her father tries to marry her off, she knows it’s finally time to stand up for herself, despite the consequences. Now that she’s cut off from the family fortune, her first challenge is to fight her attraction to her handsome new boss.

When Amy shows up looking for work with his landscaping crew, Dusty McNeil thinks there’s no way such a pampered princess will ever get her hands dirty. But as Amy proves him wrong and gets down to the nitty gritty, Dusty’s admiration turns to like, then lust – and then love. But can a high-society woman like Amy ever fall for a man like him?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts So this is a bit of a typical story. Spoiled little rich girl needs to grow up, daddy kicks her out, she hooks up with the bad boy playboy and they fall in love because they both see that the other is not what the expected. We all know this storyline and yet we still come back to it time after time.

The problem was I didn’t find either character had pulled me in. Amy is written very naive and young. When I started the story I wondered if I had picked up a YA by accident but nope Amy is in her 20’s. She is written as a stereotypical rich girl but even if she is spoiled it doesn’t mean stupid but in this book it goes hand and hand.

Dusty seems a bit mean or maybe un-compassionate at first. I mean Amy is homeless, sleeping in her car, has no money and all he does is tell her the best place to park so she can sleep in her car safely? He also sends mixed messages. But the part that drove me a bit crazy was he kept calling his father “Daddy” but doesn’t even like him. I mean he is a man in his 30’s calling his father “Daddy”. It just seemed weird.

Now all that being said the story is good. It is a cute story and even though neither of the characters really caught on for me they are sweet and I look forward to the next in the series.

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

March 22, 2017March 19, 2017

Kimberly reviews Don’t Stop Me Now by Colleen Coleman

TITLE: Don’t Stop Me Now
CHARACTERS: Poppy & Tom
AUTHOR: Colleen Coleman
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/22/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A hilarious feel good read about finding your feet when life pulls the rug out from under you.

Poppy Bloom has a Life Plan: PhD in psychology, research job at her university, and a life of domestic bliss with handsome boyfriend Gregory.

But then she finishes her PhD with no job offer, no relationship, and nowhere to live. Being unemployed and living back at her mum’s house in her vampire-themed childhood bedroom was definitely not the plan.

Poppy is back to square one and miserable, so when she runs into childhood friend Leanne she jumps at the opportunity to catch up. The chance to run into Leanne’s gorgeous brother Tom is just a bonus…

Soon Poppy’s scored an internship at a radio station, a boyfriend, and a whole netball team of friends: things are on the up.

But life has a way of tripping you up when you least expect it, and Poppy soon has to decide where her priorities lie… With new friends, a new career and a new romance, can Poppy keep everyone happy, or is everything about to tumble down around her?

REVIEW:
I have decided that I am not going to request the books that claim to be laugh out loud funny because in all honesty they never seem to be that funny. The story is good. The moral for lack of a better word is good too. Sure we can all come back from the dreams we thought we had and have the reality be even better.

The problem was I really never connected with these characters. I didn’t find it all that funny. I actually felt like it was trying too hard to be funny. I also think I might just not get Brit-lit. That may be my issue with these books!?!?!?

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

March 21, 2017March 19, 2017

Kimberly reviews Bound Together by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Bound Together
SERIES #: Sea Haven/Sisters Of The Heart #6
CHARACTERS: Viktor & Blythe
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/21/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For five years, Viktor Prakenskii has put his life on hold in order to take down the world’s most feared motorcycle club from the inside. But carrying out the insane violence and seeing the club’s exploitation of the innocent has brought his traumatic past roaring back. And there’s only one cure: to see the wife he left behind…

Blythe Daniels thought she’d never see Viktor again after he murdered her stepfather and left without a word. She rebuilt her life without him, becoming a personal trainer and physical therapist…becoming strong enough for others to lean on. But when Viktor comes back to Sea Haven, he’ll make Blythe question everything she thought she knew about good and evil—and the dark desires of the heart…

REVIEW:
Wow what a way to end the series. Christine Feehan is one of the all time best at story telling as far as I am concerned. We finally get Viktor’s story. I really believe the series was wrapped up and brought it all together.

This is a story of a second chance at love and understanding.

I do hope that Feehan figures out a way to bring some of the background characters into another series eventually. Some were great characters.

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

March 17, 2017March 12, 2017

Kimberly reviews There’s Something About Cornwall by Daisy James

TITLE: There’s Something About Cornwall
CHARACTERS: Emilie & Matt
AUTHOR: Daisy James
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/08/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A knight in a shining camper van!

Life is far from picture perfect for food photographer, Emilie Roberts. Not only has her slimy ex cheated on her, he’s also stolen her dream assignment to beautiful Venice! Instead, Emilie is heading to the wind-swept Cornish coast…

Emilie doesn’t think it can get any worse – until disaster strikes on the very first day! And there’s only one man to rescue this damsel in distress: extremely hunky surfing instructor, Matt Ashby.

Racing from shoot to shoot in a bright orange vintage camper van, Matt isn’t the conventional knight in shining armour – but can he make all of Emilie’s fairy tale dreams come true?

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts I had the hardest time with this book. First the author has an odd way of writing. There are typical lines that I assume sounded odd because of it being Brit-Lit but there is more. There are a lot of $5 words that could have been written in normal every day verbiage.

Then there is Emilie who I just never found that I liked. Her confidence is really low because of the breakup with her boyfriend but when Matt comes into her life there just seems to be too much about her ex for me. Then there is the background characters which, again, I just didn’t enjoy.

As I said I had the hardest time with this story. There could have been a number of reason but it really just comes down to “it wasn’t my kind of book”.

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

March 15, 2017March 12, 2017

Kimberly reviews The Beachside Sweet Shop by Karen Clarke

TITLE: The Beachside Sweet Shop
CHARACTERS: Marnie, Josh, Beth & Celia
AUTHOR: Karen Clarke
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/02/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chocolate fudge, butterscotch and raspberry bonbons… treat yourself to some sugary treats, a big slice of friendship and a sprinkling of romance at The Beachside Sweet Shop.

When Marnie Appleton inherited a sweet shop from her grandfather she was determined to do his legacy proud. The shop has been a much-loved feature of the little seaside town of Shipley for years, but now Marnie needs to bring it up to date, and she’s recruited gorgeous new assistant Josh to help.

Marnie gets busy redecorating the shop and choosing delicious new sweets to stock, but things are never that simple: new neighbour Isobel, a fame-hungry blogger, is on a crusade against sugar, and she’ll go to any lengths to secure bad publicity for Marnie’s shop.

Marnie fights back with homemade sugar-free treats, but with her best friend Beth heavily pregnant, her grandmother Celia recovering from an operation, and her very recently ex-boyfriend Alex returning to Shipley with a new love, Marnie has a lot on her plate.

And then there’s Josh, with whom Marnie is struggling to keep her relationship strictly professional…Will both the sweet shop and love flourish?

REVIEW:
2.75 Heart I had the hardest time with this book. First it just didn’t have the lightheartedness that I expected from the description. There is way too much about Marnie wanting to keep the place for her grandfather. Beth and her hubby are not really very interesting to me either. Marnie spends way too much time thinking of Alex and Josh seems too young for Marnie in attitude not years.

This was just not my cup of tea.

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