Category: Romance

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Kimberly reviews Upon A Mystic Tide by Vicki Hinze

upon a mystic tideTITLE: Upon A Mystic Tide
SERIES #: Seascape Trilogy #2
CHARACTERS: Bess & John
AUTHOR: Vicki Hinze
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/08/11
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With their painful divorce looming on the horizon, radio psychologist Bess Cameron and her soon-to-be-ex-husband, John Mystic, meet at Maine’s Seascape Inn to finalize the terms of a property settlement. Bess believes John is in love with someone else, and she’s determined to move on without him. Their marriage appears doomed until the Inn’s matchmaking ghost, Tony, and its irrepressible owner, Miss Hattie, take matters in hand. Sometimes you have to leap upon a mystic tide and have faith the sand will shift and an island will appear . . .

The second book of bestselling author Vicki Hinze’s Seascape Trilogy brings readers back to the gentle magic of a place where love is always stronger than the fragile boundaries of life.

REVIEW:
This is one of my favorite series of all time. There is just something special about this story, this series and the Seascape Inn.

This trilogy is about love. Love that transcends time. I could talk about this book for pages and pages but it really just comes down to if you enjoy a romance book with everything you could ever ask for than this book is it.

Get these books and just know you will want to read them over and over.

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

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Kimberly reviews Dark Witch & Creamy by H.Y. Hanna

dark witch creamyTITLE: Dark, Witch & Creamy
SERIES #: Bewitched by Chocolate #1
CHARACTERS: Caitlyn & James
AUTHOR: H.Y. Hanna
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A witch, a kitty and dark chocolate magic…
Caitlyn is used to being the ugly duckling in her glamorous showbiz family… until the day she learns that she was adopted as an abandoned baby. Now, her search for answers takes her to the tiny English village of Tillyhenge where a man has been murdered by witchcraft – and where a mysterious shop selling enchanted chocolates is home to the “local witch”…

Soon Caitlyn finds herself fending off a toothless old vampire, rescuing an adorable kitten and meeting handsome aristocrat Lord James Fitzroy… not to mention discovering that she herself might have magical blood in her veins!

When she’s dragged into the murder investigation and realises that dark magic is involved, Caitlyn is forced to choose. Can she embrace her witchy powers in time to solve the mystery and save those she loves?

WARNING: May contain traces of “Hahaha!”

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Ok so this story is cute but a bit boring. I can honestly say that was no “Hahaha!” from this book for me. Again it is cute but just not what I expected.

While I did mostly like this story it is a bit slow and none of the characters have much of a connection. I enjoyed the Widow Mags. She is just such a witchy (pun intended) woman with such attitude but really is sweet in her heart of hearts. I like the cousin connection as well. Caitlyn is a bit odd but I liked her too but just didn’t think she has much connection with anyone except the widow and her cousin.

I find it hard to say what I liked about this story but I did. I would read another from this author and in this series.

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

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Kelly reviews The Hardest Hit by Jennifer Fusco

the hardest hitTITLE: The Hardest Hit
SERIES #: Ringside #3
CHARACTERS: Trevor Redding & Chelsea Fox
AUTHOR: Jennifer Fusco
PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Vegas. You’ve got ringside seats to the world’s hottest boxing match. Watch fearless champions. Meet the women that knock them off their feet. Fans of Katy Evans, Jamie McGuire and RJ Prescott – let’s get ready to ruuummble.
Trevor Redding has two families: the boxers at Stamina Gym and the dancers at The Gentlemen’s Club, where he works as a bouncer. So when one of the dancers is attacked, he rushes to the rescue, winding up in the hospital himself. Being his own boss, he’s not interested in what Dr Chelsea Fox has to say, no matter how stunningly beautiful she is. Concussion or not, he has the biggest fight of his career coming up. Everyone at Stamina is counting on him.
When Chelsea discovers that Trevor will do anything to fight, including hiding his diagnosis, she decides to show her roguishly handsome patient who’s boss – and just how rewarding it is to follow this doctor’s orders.
Ready for another round? Don’t miss Books One and Two in the series, Fighting For It and Going The Distance.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I really enjoyed Trevor and Chelsea’s story. Both characters are tough and determined. But there is something holding them each back. For Trevor it is recent activities and his ability to not fight. For Chelsea it is trying to live up to the standard that everyone else sets on her. I did enjoy the struggle between these two. I do wish that Trevor had been a tad bit more open minded and listened more. And Chelsea while doing the right thing should have just been honest.
I have enjoyed this whole series and hope that this is not the last that we see of this world.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti

justice ascendingTITLE: Justice Ascending
SERIES #: The Scorpius Syndrome #3
CHARACTERS: Tace Justice & Sami Steel
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Tace Justice was a good ole Texas cowboy who served his country and loved his mama. After Scorpius, the world became dark, dangerous, and deadly… and so did he. The Vanguard medic is stronger, faster, and smarter than before, but he’s lost the line between right and wrong. His passion is absolute, and when he focuses it on one woman, there’s no turning back for either of them.

Sami Steel has been fighting to survive right alongside Tace, convincing the Vanguard soldiers she’s one of them. In truth, Sami is a former hacker turned government agent who worked at The Bunker, where scientists stored both contaminants and cures. Only she knows the location, and she’s not telling. Yet when sexual fire explodes between her and Tace, she’ll face even that hell again to save him.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Justice Ascending takes us back into a world that has been destroyed by the Scorpius bacterium and things are not getting any better for the people of Vanguard. Tace Justice has been trying to come to terms with himself after he was affected by Scorpius. Is it bad that I enjoyed reading about Tace’s struggles? Maybe not, it was good to see a vulnerable side to him. I really liked that Sami is tough and wants to be treated the same as any other soldier. Her backstory and the secrets she has been keeping proved very helpful. I enjoyed these two together.

Really enjoyed this book and was happy that Tace and Sami finally got together. I can’t wait to see what happens next. There are so many directions that Ms. Zanetti can go after the events of Justice Ascending. I am very much looking forward to it!

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.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Crossing Hearts by Kimberly Kincaid

crossing heartsTITLE: Crossing Hearts
SERIES #: Cross Creek #1
CHARACTERS: Kimberly Kincaid
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/07/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hunter Cross has no regrets. Having left his football prospects behind the day he graduated high school, he’s happy to carry out his legacy on his family’s farm in the foothills of the Shenandoah. But when a shoulder injury puts him face-to-face with the high school sweetheart who abandoned town—and him—twelve years ago, Hunter’s simple life gets a lot more complicated.

Emerson Montgomery has secrets. Refusing to divulge why she left her job as a hotshot physical therapist for a pro football team, she struggles to readjust to life in the hometown she left behind. The more time she spends with Hunter, the more Emerson finds herself wanting to trust him with the diagnosis of MS that has turned her world upside down.

But revealing secrets comes with a price. Can Hunter and Emerson rekindle their past love? Or will the realities of the present—and the trust that goes with them—burn that bridge for good?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I enjoyed this story. The reason I gave it 3.75 instead of 4 is there are just so many with the second chance at love storyline that it gets to be the same over and over. Now that being said this story was really good.

When Emerson comes home it is not because it is where she wants to be but because she is sick and even though she doesn’t tell her family she still needs to be home. Hunter is a good guy who, of course, never got over his first love. I have to say the sex scenes are worth reading.

The biggest problem was the illness. It just seemed to only be relevant when it was part of the plot and not other times. Meaning she can barely function at one point but can have the hot sex scenes I just talked about and let’s not even discuss the other physical activities she does without mention of hurting but having to push on, etc.

I think the story is good and worth the read.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews The List by Tawna Fenske

the listTITLE: The List
SERIES #: The List #1
CHARACTERS: Simon Traxel & Cassie Michaels
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
PUBLICATION DATE: January 30, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As the millionaire owner of a chain of computer shops, Simon Traxel isn’t normally hands-on with mundane repairs. But when a fretful brunette shows up with her fried laptop and killer green eyes, he makes an exception. And as it turns out, she needs more hands-on help than Simon imagined.

Brainy soil scientist Cassie Michaels has spent her whole life feeling like a grungy tree trunk beside her delicate flower sisters. To make herself more interesting, Cassie invented stories about her wild sex life—stories she’s expected to retell in vivid detail at a bachelorette party. Cassie’s attempt to catalog her biggest whoppers goes awry when she spills wine on her laptop and lands in Simon’s shop with her sexy list frozen on the screen.

But Simon’s interest is piqued, and the two strike a deal to make Cassie’s make-believe sexploits a reality. From steamy public romps gone hilariously awry, to sexy antics with kitchen utensils, their quest to conquer The List is equal parts scorching hot and adorably awkward.

As they near the end of The List though, Cassie and Simon second guess their pledge to shake hands and say goodbye when they cross off the last item. But will Simon’s big secret make that the one fantasy that can never come true?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the interaction between Simon and Cassie from the first met. It helped that their first meeting was hilarious. I mean who could have had worse luck than Cassie? Well at least at the moment that she had to walk into the Hot Swap Computer store. But from there on she should be thankful for that spilled wine.
And Simon, sweet, sweet Simon. He is very giving and kind and will pretty much perfect.
The two of them together are great and their journey through the List is hilarious, fun and beyond smexy!!
My only fault with this story was that it was a little predictable. But even with that I truly enjoyed the story and can’t wait to see what is next for us in this series. I have a funny feeling that Cassie’s sister is in for a wild ride.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Breath Of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

breath of fireTITLE: Breath of Fire
SERIES #: Kingmaker Chronicles #2
CHARACTERS: Griffin, Cat and Beta Team
AUTHOR: Amanda Bouchet
NARRATOR: Mia Barron
PUBLICATION DATE: January 3, 2017
RUN TIME: 15 Hours & 21 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
SHE’S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD…
“Cat” Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat’s tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what’s a girl to do when she knows it’s her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.
BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom…or not at all.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Again, another amazing story from Ms. Bouchet. I am so in love with the world and her characters both good and bad. Breath of Fire picks up shortly after the end of the events in A Promise of Fire. So many things happen in Breath of Fire that will make you love the characters even more than you did before. But I will say that I think Kato my be my favorite of Beta Team. Cat & Kato form an amazing friendship in this story that at times broke my heart. Seeing Kato behind that wall of ice *tears*. While sad I think it might have been my favorite part of the book.
I so can not wait for the next book in this series. I do truly hope that Ms. Bouchet will continue this world. Because Kato, Flynn and Carver all need their stories told!! Oh and the girls too!!! Oh I can’t wait for Heart on Fire.
Again I let the very talented Mia Barron read this amazing book to me!! I really can’t wait to jump into the next book with her. If you are an audiobook fan I would suggest listening to the sample and judge for yourself.
But whether you buy in paper, ebook or audio you really really really need to read this series. Ms. Bouchet’s take on mythology is epic!!

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti

justice ascendingTITLE: Justice Ascending
SERIES #: The Scorpius Syndrome #3
CHARACTERS: Tace & Sami
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Tace Justice was a good ole Texas cowboy who served his country and loved his mama. After Scorpius, the world became dark, dangerous, and deadly… and so did he. The Vanguard medic is stronger, faster, and smarter than before, but he’s lost the line between right and wrong. His passion is absolute, and when he focuses it on one woman, there’s no turning back for either of them.

Sami Steel has been fighting to survive right alongside Tace, convincing the Vanguard soldiers she’s one of them. In truth, Sami is a former hacker turned government agent who worked at The Bunker, where scientists stored both contaminants and cures. Only she knows the location, and she’s not telling. Yet when sexual fire explodes between her and Tace, she’ll face even that hell again to save him.

REVIEW:
Again I have to say that I am not into the whole post-apocalyptic world that is popular right now but I am into Rebecca Zanetti and will read anything she writes.

Tace is great. Even in the world that I really just don’t understand I really want him to be on my side and want to protect him as well. Sami is strong and yet is the sweetest of women. She would do anything for her friends with just a “please” being said.

I try to put the world out of my head and focus on the people and story. I really don’t want to say too much because I worry it would be negative when I don’t want it to be. As I said this is just not my cup of tea but I wouldn’t miss a Zanetti story for the world, even an apocalyptic world.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly review On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins

on second thoughtTITLE: On Second Thought
CHARACTERS: Ainsley & Kate
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/31/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Following in the footsteps of her critically acclaimed novel If You Only Knew , multi-bestselling author Kristan Higgins returns with a pitch-perfect look at the affection—and the acrimony—that binds sisters together

Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is for Eric to blindside her with a tactless breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her half sister, Kate, who’s already struggling after the sudden loss of her new husband.

Kate has always been so poised, so self-assured, but Nathan’s death shatters everything she thought she knew—including her husband—and sometimes the people who step up aren’t the ones you expect. With seven years and a murky blended-family dynamic between them, Ainsley and Kate have never been overly close, but their shared sorrow dovetails their faltering worlds into one.

Despite the lifetime of history between them, the sisters must learn to put their differences aside and open their hearts to the inevitable imperfection of family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.

REVIEW:
So I liked this story but I wouldn’t say that I loved it. The characters are odd to me. Not so odd that I couldn’t enjoy them but there is just something odd about them. Ainsley just wants to be loved and she sticks with a guy for 11 years even though he is self centered and obnoxious. Kate is older and finds love with Nathan but months after the wedding he dies. Kate is a bit lost and delusional in her desire to be pregnant from her deceased husband.

Now none of that sounds weird but it is. Ainsley and Kate were never close as half sisters but their shared loss brings them together. Of the 450+ pages the first half of book is sadness and loss. A bit of sisters coming together. The second half is them finding what they really want from life. It has a bit of hate to love relationship and friends to lovers relationship.

The problem is I can’t really even say what this story is… It is about love and romance? No. Is it about sisterly bonding? No not really. But I can tell you one thing…..Gram Gram is adorable in her dementia.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Power Game by Christine Feehan

power gameTITLE: Power Game
SERIES #: GhostWalkers #13
CHARACTERS: Zeke & Bellisia
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/24/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When members of a United Nations joint security force are taken hostage by radical terrorists in Indonesia, Captain Ezekiel Fortunes is called to lead the rescue team. Part of a classified government experiment, Zeke is a supersoldier with enhanced abilities. He can see better and run faster than the enemy, disappear when necessary and hunt along any terrain. There are those in the world willing to do anything for power like that…

A formidable spy genetically engineered to hide in plain sight, Bellisia rarely meets a man who doesn’t want to control her or kill her. But Zeke is different. His gaze, his touch—they awaken feelings inside her that she never thought possible. He’s the kind of man she could settle down with—if she can keep him alive…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Man how I love this series! I have been waiting for Zeke’s story. He has powers that even some of the other GhostWalkers do not have but he is so interesting. Zeke has so much to offer and is the ultimate protector to those he loves but he doesn’t feel like he deserves or will ever find love which makes me just sad… but then Bellisia comes into his life and he knows he has to protect her.

Bellisia is an amazing character. She is strong and has special abilities but she is still just a sweetheart. I found her to be my favorite character in the book. She just always held my attention. If it has been a movie she would have held my attention each time she was on screen.

Everyone is this book is great. Since this is the 13th in the series some things can be a bit of the same old same old but with this series it is more than ok. Can’t wait for the next in the series.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Accidentally On Purpose by Jill Shalvis

accidentally on purposeTITLE: Accidentally on Purpose
SERIES #: Heartbreaker Bay #3
CHARACTERS: Archer Hunt & Elle Wheaten
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: January 24, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible 

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s no such thing as a little in love…

Elle Wheaton’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .

There’s no such thing as a little in lust…

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. But now that she’s earned happiness and success, Archer just wants Elle 24/7. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake, and Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .

There is such a thing as…

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Archer is dark and mysterious. But while he seems to have it all together there is always more than meets the eye. Elle puts on a great front of being totally in control and not needing anyone. But she has to learn that sometimes you need a little help from your friends.
I am always excited to pick up one of Ms. Shalvis’ books and from book one in this series I have been waiting and excited about Archer’s book. It is safe to say that I loved it. I can’t wait to see what is next for this series!

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Thirst by Jacquelyn Frank

thirstTITLE: Thirst
SERIES #: The Energy Vampires #1
CHARACTERS: Rafe & Renee
AUTHOR: Jacquelyn Frank
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/17/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A hidden society of vampires—and the humans they love—are at the heart of this opening novel in a biting, all-original series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Nightwalkers saga.

Rafe DaSilva is an energy vampire, soaking up nourishment from the sun—and, only when necessary, drawing sweet sustenance from humans who are pure in body and spirit. As the right-hand man to his queen, Rafe is a key player at a historic peace summit in New York City, which will unite the vampire nations against a common threat: the sycophants, who feed on humanity and kill indiscriminately. But Rafe’s fascination with a beautiful blond police detective may put everything at risk.

Detective Renee Holden has never worked a homicide quite like this. The victim has twin puncture wounds on his neck, and the only eyewitness swears she saw a vampire. Now’s definitely not the time to get distracted by a seductive stranger. But the suave, darkly austere, exotically handsome Rafe DaSilva is a hard man to deny, and as Renee falls under his spell, she also falls prey to his enemies. Desperate to protect her, Rafe lifts the veil on a shadow realm she can only visit—a world of intoxicating power, terrifying dangers, and forbidden pleasures.

REVIEW:
Wow is this book hard to review. The story is interesting…. Sort of. The problem is that there is a lot of things about these vampires that we are not used to hearing. I mean don’t we all know that vampires can not be in the sun and yet this society gets their energy from the sun. What? And they don’t really feed off of blood but off human energy. What? I mean why make him a vampire then?

Then there is Renee. I liked how independent she was and how strong and willing to stand on her own two feet but sometimes her character just takes it a bit too far.

This isn’t a bad story. It just took me a realllllllly long time to read and just never seemed to get my full attention. I finished it though but I doubt I will move on with the series.

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

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