Romance – Page 58 – Books-n-Kisses

December 10, 2015December 6, 2015

Kelly reviews Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward

TITLE: Blood Kiss
SERIES #: Black Dagger Legacy#1
CHARACTERS: Craeg & Paradise
AUTHOR: J.R, Ward
PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The legacy of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues in a spin-off series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author…
Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.
And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field, and off.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Great start to Ms. Ward’s spin off series. Blood Kiss reminded me of why I fell in love with the Black Dagger Brothers in the first place. We got back to basics in Blood Kiss, back into the training center and back with the story focused on the Brotherhood. I was really happy that there was not much focus on the Lessers. While this new series is highly focused on the new recruits we get to see the Brothers again up close and personal.
1st up Butch and Marissa. I have always loved Butch from day one (okay he was a bit of an Asshat in the beginning with the whole Beth thing…. but he is awesome). It was great to have a closer look at Butch and Marissa’s relationship. One that always seemed so perfect on the outside, but we learn that there are problems. It was great to see them both step out of their comfort zone to make sure the other knew where they stood. Oh and Marissa, DANG girl you rock all kinds of awesome. Just wait and see 🙂
As for our new kids. I like them a lot, okay there are a few that get on my nerves and a few that I thought that underneath all of the tough I am an island stuff are going to be great characters and I can not wait to see where they all go and what the future holds for this series.

Favorite lines:
“…Since one of you is already on the horizontal, no one has to worry about fighting Hollywood over here.”
“Personally, I’m about to cry over that,” Rhage said……

“And to show there’s no hard feelings for you being a douche just now, I’ll set you up with a good TV, internet and a twelve month calendar of Rhage so you have something pretty to look at.”

“You ever do females?”–This whole conversation had me rolling on the ground.

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

December 10, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Redemption Bay by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Redemption Bay
SERIES #: Haven Point #2
CHARACTERS: McKenzie & Ben
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point—a place made for second chances…

McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her beloved hometown of Haven Point. It may be small and struggling, but it’s never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family’s factory, leaving the town’s economy in shambles. Now he’s back—his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point’s sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.

What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? He left Haven Point behind years ago, for good reason. Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie—its fiery young mayor—he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it’s least expected.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts So I didn’t seem to get a bunch about this book. Ben is there to see if Haven Point is where Aidan, who we met in book #1, should open up a new portion of his business but Ben has bad memories of his home town. McKenzie is the new mayor and loves her town even though she was brought there as a child under difficult circumstances.

Ok so first Aidan has a new life with Eliza that sorta centers around Haven Point so why is he sending in Ben to check out the town (possible spoiler for this sentence: I half expected Aidan to say I knew we would build here but I wanted you to start over, etc so we would know why Aidan made this happen but that didn’t happen). The town doesn’t like Ben for reasons that the reader understands but I am not sure why Ben doesn’t like the town. I mean I understand the basic but it just seems odd.

The book is a little wordy and repeats things a number of times but that is ok. There was an odd connection between Kenz and Ben if you ask me. I mean they have great moments but then other times there is so much opposition between them that I am not sure it will work.

That all being said I enjoyed the story. Not as much as book one but it is still a good story and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

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

December 9, 2015December 9, 2015

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews The Christmas Wager by Delilah Marvelle

TITLE: The Christmas Wager
SERIES #: A Happy Christmas #1
CHARACTERS: Miss Barrington
AUTHOR: Delilah Marvelle
PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A mysterious key to an attic that cannot be found…
A ghost with good but overly ambitious intentions…
And a forgotten wager that is about to turn Miss Barrington’s life into a holiday mess.

Are you ready for the outrageously funny and Happy Christmas Series?
WARNING: THERE IS A LOT OF MAGIC AND ROMANCE IN THIS BOX.

London, England – Winter of 1860
When all the ladies of London realize that handsome and refined gentleman, the Duke of Ainsley, is formally looking for a wife, only weeks before Christmas, a mad dash to claim him begins. Miss Barrington knows her chances with the duke are incredibly good given what her close gypsy friend had once foretold, but a forgotten wager with her greatest nemesis, American millionaire, Mr. Redstone, is about to bring on complications and…chaos.

Will she claim the dashing and respectable duke once foretold by the stars? Or will she fall for Mr. Redstone and go against destiny? Only the days leading up to Christmas will tell!

REVIEW:
Okay how do I put this nicely….. Ms. Marvelle, thank you for writing this story I enjoyed every page. But darn it all I don’t know if I can wait another year for the next installment 🙂
The Christmas Wager was a great Christmas love story set in the mid-1800’s and told in only a Ms. Marvelle can tell it. Not only do we get an epic love story but we get a little history lesson with it.
I loved Felicity. She is the type of girl you want as a best friend. She is honest to a fault and one you have her loyalty you will have it for always. Maxwell…. Maxwell…. Maxwell. He is just the right mix of gentlemen and rake that all women want. It was a lot of fun watching these two circle each other.
I don’t want to give anything away, but know this if you pick up a copy of The Christmas Wager this Christmas you will be very happy.
Until next year, a whole 365 days away……

Favorite lines
“Do you always wander up to windows and accuse men of flirting with you for it? Because this would be a first for me.”

“In case you were wondering, I’m available, a full twenty and since I’m all about being honest, I should probably disclose I’ve been arrested fourteen times.”

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

December 9, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Last Chance Hero by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: Last Chance Hero
SERIES #: Last Chance #9
CHARACTERS: Sabrina & Ross
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ross Gardiner has had his fill of difficult relationships. Returning to Last Chance after a rough divorce, the town’s handsome new fire chief just wants safety and stability-a tall order given his dangerous job and the way he has the attention of all the single women in town. All except Sabina Grey, the girl who stole his heart when they were teenagers.

Sabina knows a lot about playing it safe. Always the good girl, she’s now responsible for her antiques store and caring for her sister. But having Ross in town brings back the memory of one carefree summer night when she threw caution to the wind-and almost destroyed her family. Now that they are both older and wiser, will the spark still be there, even though they’ve both been burned?

REVIEW:
DNF – I have not read the rest of this series. I picked up this book from NetGalley thinking I had but as soon as I read the first chapter I was like “what series is this?” and went back and looked and nope this was not the series I thought I was requesting. And I just couldn’t read it.

I have not looked it up but I would bet this author is a northerner who thinks she is a southerner. She probably spent summers visiting or something but never really got the language down. The line that put me over the edge was….

“It hadn’t taken Momma more than a minute to start ladling on the guilt just like gravy on her pot roast. And Momma never stinted on gravy.”

The writing cheesy and didn’t flow. I just couldn’t get much into this book when I realized I have so many more books that I want to read.

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

December 8, 2015December 7, 2015

Spotlight & Review of Kate Douglas’ Intimate

We are super excited to host Kate Douglas today and help her continue her celebration on her newest release.

A little about Kate:

Kate Douglas was first published in contemporary romance and then successfully moved to erotic paranormal romance with her long-running Wolf Tales series at Kensington Publishing. In 2010 she was awarded RT Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding body of work in erotic romance. Kate continues to write within the world of her sexy shapeshifters with her new Spirit Wild series which follows the second generation of Chanku shapeshifters from Wolf Tales, now published independently. She has her first romantic suspense novella with St. Martin’s Press coming out in May 2015 in the Hot Alphas anthology with Lora Leigh. Kate’s first novel in the series–Intimate–which is set in California’s wine country, is due to release in November 2015.

Learn more about Kate and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter @wolftales | Goodreads | Email kate@katedouglas.com

*****

TITLE: Intimate
CHARACTERS: Jake & Kaz
AUTHOR: Kate Douglas
PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From bestselling author Kate Douglas comes the first book in a sensational new series set in California wine country—a place where love is always intoxicating…

HER BEAUTY IS POWERFUL.

They call her Kaz. She’s a gorgeous model with a good head for business—until now, at least. Kaz has just been fired from her latest photo shoot for having the wrong tattoo in the wrong place at the wrong time. But a chance encounter with photographer Jake Lowell could make everything right again . . . if Kaz is willing to accept his proposition. What does she have to lose?

HIS DESIRE IS DANGEROUS.

Jake has been searching for the perfect model to pose for a body-jewelry shoot—one that will leave no room for modesty. Is Kaz, who is nothing if not professional, ready to bare it all for a man she is not sure she can trust? It’s an offer that’s too good to refuse . . . and as Kaz finds herself growing more comfortable with Jake, the attraction between them reaches arousing new heights. But while the artist and his subject learn more about each other in the intimacy of wine country, evil lurks in the shadows—and soon it becomes clear that someone else has designs on them.

REVIEW:
This was a great story!!! Ms. Douglas has done an amazing job with this story. I really joyed Jake & Kaz’s story. Both have had some terrible events happen in their past. But those things made them the people they are today.
I will tell you that the story line moves really, really fast in this story. But it was not a forced fast. It felt very natural. Jake and Kaz are just too good together to think otherwise.
I really enjoyed the suspense part of the story too. I might have been a little slow on figuring out who was doing what. But it was a really good right. I am already looking forward to seeing what happens next.

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

December 8, 2015December 6, 2015

Kelly reviews She Can Kill by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: She Can Kill
SERIES #: She Can…..#5
CHARACTERS: Cristan Rojas & Sarah Mitchell
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: December 8, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Reformed assassin Cristan Rojas just wants to raise his daughter in peace. But after twelve years on the run, he learns that even the quiet little town of Westbury, Pennsylvania, has many hidden dangers. Although he can’t shake the feeling he’s under surveillance, Cristan’s attraction to Sarah Mitchell continues to grow, as do his concerns that his secret past could jeopardize anyone who gets too close to him.

Sarah is ready to start her life over with her children, a new job, and a budding romance. Her newfound happiness is threatened when her ex-husband becomes increasingly violent—and she soon learns her ex isn’t the only person stalking her.

Cristan fears someone from his past has arrived in town, someone far worse than a jealous ex. Someone who may be responsible for a brutal—and unsolved—murder a dozen years ago. To protect Sarah and his daughter, he must shine a light into the darkest recesses of his nightmarish past.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts She Can Kill is like a room of mirrors. You can see your enemy in the reflection but when you turn they are no longer there.

In She Can Kill we get to learn more about Cristan and his past. We get to learn that not all is as it seems in his life. We learn that this time his choice to stay may just be the the last choice he ever makes. We also get to see how Sarah (Rachel’s sister (bk 2)) is doing. Which is not great. Sarah finds herself on the wrong end of a very angry ex-husband.

She Can Kill has a lot going on. Just when you think you have the enemy in your sights they have moved. I really enjoyed Cristan and Sarah’s story. They both are dealing with choices from their past haunting them in the present. They both care deeply for their children and are willing to go to any lengths to keep them safe. While I kinda figured out the who’s, but the ending shocked me. The why’s were a real shocker to me.
It is so hard to write a review and not give away anything. So I will stop while I am ahead and spoiler free. But know that Ms. Leigh has written another excellent story.
I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

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.

December 8, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Can’t Fight This Feeling by Christie Ridgway

TITLE: Can’t Fight This Feeling
SERIES #: Cabin Fever #3
CHARACTERS: Angelica & Brett
AUTHOR: Christie Ridgway
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome back to charming Blue Arrow Lake as temptation sizzles in a glittering new romance from USA Today bestselling author Christie Ridgway…

Blue-collar landscaper Brett Walker has no interest in the Hollywood vacationers flocking to his hometown in the California mountains. But the scarred ex-soldier does have a duty to protect Blue Arrow Lake—and the family ski resort—from a serial burglar. So when he suspects a break-in, he takes action…and ends up catching sinfully tempting down-on-her-luck heiress Angelica Rodriguez. She reminds him of trouble, but he can’t deny her a safe place to stay—in one of his cabins.

Angelica has plenty of reasons to distrust—losing her money to her father’s legal woes being one of them. Getting up close and naughty with rough, tough and sexy Brett tempts her out of her comfort zone and into the arms of a man who’s not from her wealthy world. She’s after safety and he’s chasing justice, but the fire between them might reveal that all they want is each other.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I will start by saying that by the end of the book I really enjoyed it. I had a hard time in the beginning. Brett seemed rude and had a preconceived notion of rich people. He seemed a bit egotistical as well and he really didn’t sit well with me. Yes there is a reason behind his attitude but for some reason it didn’t read right if you know what I mean. Angelica is someone I liked. She has had a lot thrown at her quickly and yet is still ok with what is going on. I spent the first half of the book wanting to ask her why she was interested in Brett and telling her to get over it.

But then something changed (mostly). Brett easied a little and I found I liked him. I never really fell for him. Until the near end of the book I am not sure there was a lot of chemistry. Well that may not be right. There was chemistry and then not and then there is and then there’s not….. I have read the first two books in the series and Brett has always seemed this way to be honest so I wasn’t expecting to fall for him but I still enjoyed the story. Like I said Angelica is great. She is the type of woman we should all try to be (again, mostly). She falls but gets back up. She proves she is not some richie rich that can’t do anything, no matter how many times Brett treats her that way. She works hard and still smiles.

Like I said I enjoyed the story even though it took me a little bit to get into it but once I was I liked it. I look forward to Mac and Zan’s story next.

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

December 7, 2015December 6, 2015

Kimberly reviews Risk It by Jennifer Chance

TITLE: Risk It
SERIES #: Rule Breakers # 4
CHARACTERS: Rand & Dani
AUTHOR: Jennifer Chance
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/02/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jennifer Chance’s Rule Breakers series turns up the heat as a wealthy playboy and a beautiful con artist engage in a high-stakes game of seduction.

As dominating in business as he is in bed, Rand Sterling Winston, IV, always gets what he wants. And even before he realizes that she’s scammed him into paying triple the cost for her friend’s painting, he wants Dani Michaels. To catch her alone, Rand demands she personally deliver his purchase. The attraction between them is immediate and electric, and he knows she feels it, too. So when the part-time petty thief rebuffs his advances, he gives her a choice: a night in jail or an evening with him.

Despite her checkered past, Dani has never met someone like Rand: brooding, intense, and oh-so tempting. Only a man with a broken soul could make losing control feel this dangerous. Still, when Rand proposes a no-strings, no-holds-barred affair, Dani’s more than a little intrigued. It’ll be the trickiest con she’s ever run and a chance to indulge her steamiest fantasies—nothing more. But as their encounters grow increasingly intimate, Dani uncovers a vulnerable side to Rand’s steely exterior . . . and opens her heart to the ultimate risk.

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts Well you know how you read a series and there is just one that blows you away and one that doesn’t? Well this is the one that doesn’t. I have enjoyed the rest of the series but something about this story just didn’t sit well. First the characters have no chemistry. There is way too much head talk for me. And honestly I really never even liked Rand. I mean this is a romance and he is out looking to get laid more than halfway into the book? Not something I like.

Once thing the author is good at is the sex scenes and this is not different. But I wish I hadn’t had to read the rest of the book to get to the good parts.

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

December 4, 2015November 29, 2015

Kelly reviews Intimate by Kate Douglas

TITLE: Intimate
CHARACTERS: Jake & Kaz
AUTHOR: Kate Douglas
PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From bestselling author Kate Douglas comes the first book in a sensational new series set in California wine country—a place where love is always intoxicating…

HER BEAUTY IS POWERFUL.

HIS DESIRE IS DANGEROUS.

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

December 3, 2015November 29, 2015

Natasha reviews Releasing Her Dragon by Elianne Adams

TITLE: Releasing Her Dragon
CHARACTERS: Stella & Brycen
AUTHOR: Elianne Adams
PUBLICATION DATE: October 27, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Buy in the Flight of Dragons book bundle Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Trapped in her own body, she-dragon, Stella Montrose has no choice but to find her mate. Whether he likes it or not, he either has to claim her, or set her free, otherwise she’ll lose the ability to shift. Sounds simple, only, every time she gets near him, he disappears.

When Brycen Conners signs on to protect an annoying human woman, he never imagined he’d cross paths with his mate. Once the job is done, he’ll do whatever it takes to win her heart. Until then, he has to stay away.

REVIEW:
This novella caught my attention from the very first paragraph. Stella is immediately an intriguing character who I instantly fell in love with. She is a very strong woman and that comes off very clearly in the first pages of the story. Brycen was not my favorite person in the beginning, but he definitely redeems himself and I fall just as fast for him. This story has just the right amount of drama and action for a novella. I don’t think Elianne Adams is capable of writing a bad story. If you’re interested in a quick read where you don’t have to read an entire series, this book will be perfect for you!

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

December 2, 2015November 29, 2015

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Midnight Clear by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: A Midnight Clear
SERIES #: Last Chance #9.5
CHARACTERS: Teri & Tom
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dr. Tom Crawford isn’t feeling the spirit of the season when he arrives in Last Chance. Far from friends and family, he’s the odd man out in this town of gossiping, tight-knit Southerners-until he meets a sweetly sexy single mom who makes him feel welcome. Suddenly the handsome doctor is thinking he’s finally found a place to call home. Local florist Teri Summers has her hands full of mistletoe in preparation for the holiday, yet finding someone to kiss is her last priority. But when the gorgeous new doctor makes a connection with her special needs son, Aiden, Teri finds herself wondering if she’s finally found happiness in this season of joy. For Teri and Tom, Last Chance may be their best chance at love . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a sweet story of believing in the spirit of Christmas and the angels that watch over us. The story is short but will get you in the holiday mood.

Teri is a hard working single mom of a boy who is on the Autistic Spectrum. I truly believe that Hope Ramsey wrote a great interpretation of how life is with a child with Autism. The problems they face with always having to watch what is around the child, what the child eats, even what colors are hard for the child to deal with. It is a life of exhaustion and Ramsey showed that without lecturing about the condition. She did a great job!

Tom is a good guy trying to help the new town as well as Teri and her son. But I feel he oversteps too often. As a single mom I would never allow a man who didn’t know my son and the situation to tell me how I should be raising him. I liked Tom but it really put me off a bit to read.

I think this is a story worth telling and worth reading. Especially if you have someone in your life living the life that Teri is.

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

December 1, 2015November 29, 2015

Kelly reviews Make Me Stay by Jaci Burton

TITLE: Make Me Stay
SERIES #: Hope #5
CHARACTERS: Reid McCormack & Samantha Reasor
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The fifth novel of heartwarming passion in the Hope series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Play-By-Play. Perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis, Rachel Gibson and Bella Andre.

Reid McCormack is back in Hope to renovate the old mercantile. Then he plans to go back to Boston, where he’s built a successful career. But beautiful florist Samantha Reasor is a distraction Reid hadn’t counted on. Samantha intends to convince Reid that Hope is where his heart has always been, and coming home might be the best choice he could ever make.

REVIEW:
Reid is back!!!!
I was super excited to be back in Hope!! I was happy that Reid was back. And even more happy when Samantha goes over to the mercantile and starts chatting up Reid. I loved these two. Samantha is the super sweet town florist, who has a major crush on one Reid McCormack. Ried is back in town to work on his latest project, but once the project he is back to his big city life in Boston. But fate has slightly different plans for the both of them.
As always it was a lot of fun visiting Hope. I really enjoyed Reid & Samantha’s stories. It was so much fun watching these two go round and round. I also loved Reid’s dog. Notty is so awesome!!!
I can’t wait for the next installment in the Hope series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.