Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews The Trouble With Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

trouble-with-mistletoeTITLE: The Trouble with Mistletoe
SERIES #: Heartbreaker Bay #2
CHARACTERS: Keane Winters & Willa Davis
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: September 27, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
If she has her way …
Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her …
He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.
Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him …
Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice …
Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work

REVIEW:
Ms. Shalvis is one of my favorite authors and I always love picking up one of her stories. The Trouble with Mistletoe, book two in her new Heartbreaker Bay series, is another really good read. I love that Ms. Shalvis is able to create a world that makes me want to move to that town and create characters that make me wish were my group of friends.
Willa and Keane’s story is so much fun. I really enjoyed reading their story. I also love Ms. Shalvis ability to make us fall in love with the secondary characters. I really can’t wait to see what is next in 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 The Sound Of Rain by Gregg Olsen

sound-of-rainTITLE: The Sound Of Rain
CHARACTERS: Nicole Foster
AUTHOR: Gregg Olsen
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/13/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Former homicide detective Nicole Foster has hit rock bottom. Driven off the force by her treacherous partner and lover, she’s flat broke and struggling with a gambling addiction. All Nicole has left is the dream of a warm bed at a homeless shelter and the haunting memories of three-year-old Kelsey Chase—whose murder case ended her career.

As Nicole obsesses over the old facts, she realizes everything about that case felt off: a disinterested mom, a suicidal pedophile, and too many questions left unanswered. When the little girl’s grieving father begs Nicole for help, she’s drawn back into the investigation…and given one shot at redemption.

But the deeper Nicole digs, the more evil she uncovers, including betrayals that hit painfully close to home. Will a shocking discovery be the key to finally getting justice for Kelsey and resurrecting her own life?

REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts Ok so I enjoyed this book for the most part however some things really got on my nerves. First the mom of the missing girl. I mean really what mom brings her 3 year old child out to the car and leaves her in it because she is acting up in the car. And then she goes home and goes to bed? Come on. What kind of a mom is this? One that got on my nerves is what.

Danny is a bit of a pain as well. I swear I would have looked over my shoulder and said “I don’t know if it is possible but can you breathe on my neck a little hotter please?” because he is always right over Nicole’s shoulder when she works. He is also egotistical and takes a lot of Nicole’s credit. Something about him is just, well, irritating.

And finally there is Nicole. She is a doormat when it comes to other people. She is good at her job but lousy at standing up for herself. And while she can come up with retorts she never says them outloud. Why bother coming up with them then?

Now the thriller/suspense part of this is great. I had an idea of who did it but wasn’t sure with all the twist and turns in the story. As much as the people drove me nuts in this story they drove me just crazy enough that I kept wanting to read the story.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly reviews Alien Nation by Gini Koch

alien-nationTITLE: Alien Nation
SERIES #: Katherine “Kitty” Katt #14
CHARACTERS: Kitty, Jeff, Christopher *yay*, the whole AC crew and a few unwanteds
AUTHOR: Gini Koch
PUBLICATION DATE: December 6, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s a typical day of bureaucracy and stress for President and First Lady Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini, made more stressful when alien spacecraft are spotted making a beeline for Earth, none of them from the Alpha Centauri system. Then a cryptic request from an old adversary pulls Kitty out of the White House and into an explosion—and an even more explosive situation. Not only is the Mastermind back in the game, influencing the Club 51 True Believers to find and destroy all Centaurion bases, but he’s also found a dangerous benefactor and created some frightening new cloning abilities.
And, just to make things a little more challenging, those alien spacecraft are coming to ask Kitty for protection, and asylum on Earth. Police stations being blown up and war helicopters in play aren’t enough to keep Kitty down, especially when she’s got some new alien friends helping out. But what these aliens share will rock the world—the other aliens on their way to Earth are fleeing an enemy so terrifying that even a Z’porrah ship is trying to get to Earth for safety and protection. And if Earth isn’t able to stop this threat, there may not be anything left of humanity. Now Kitty and Company have to figure out where the Mastermind is and stop him, before any new aliens land. And then they have to save the world from a deadly invasion. Or, as Kitty calls it, Thursday.

REVIEW:
Book 14!!! Crazy to think that we are 14 books into this series. Ms. Koch does an amazing job of keeping each story fresh and new even when/if the storyline carries over to another book. About the only bad thing I can say is that the cast of characters is so vast that I sometimes get confused on who and where we meet some of the side characters. But Ms. Koch does a pretty good job of reminding us as to when-ish we met said characters.
I really liked this book. I like that Kitty finally got someone to see that she is indeed “nuts” and the one in charge of everyone. My favorite part of this book was Kitty freaking out on Christopher (who is my favorite). I think I might have died laughing a little bit here. I also really liked the Chuck-a-Lowes!!! All in all another great story by Ms. Koch. I can’t wait to see what is next for Kitty, Jeff and crew.
And yes, this is book 14. While I think you should start from the beginning because, you will get to know Kitty, Jeff, Christopher and Chuckie so much better. But you could possible pick up one of the books and kinda know what is happening. But I say start at the beginning and experience all of Kitty and her awesomeness

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kissin’ the week of December 5th-11th Goodbye

12.05.16

Kelly reviews Defy The Dawn by Lara Adrian

12.06.16

Kelly reviews The Hero by Donna Grant

12.07.16

Spotlight feature of The Hero by Donna Grant

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Miracle On 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan

12.08.16

Kimberly reviews When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz

12.09.16

Kimberly reviews Size Matters by Alison Bliss

12.11.16

Twelve Days of Bookmas by Jayne Ann Krentz Day 11+ a giveaway

Twelve Days of Bookmas by Jayne Ann Krentz Day 11+ a giveaway

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Books-n-Kisses is happy to have Jayne Ann Krentz on the blog today for day 11 of her Twelve Days of Bookmas.  We are also excited to help her celebrate her newest release When All The Girls Have Gone. Which both Kimberly and Kelly loved (make sure to check out our reviews below). So without further fanfare I am turning the blog over to Jayne Ann.

TWELVE DAYS OF BOOKMAS

By Jayne Ann Krentz

In which I answer the twelve questions that I am most frequently asked and recommend a book for that hard-to-buy for person on your holiday list.

 

ELEVENTH DAY OF BOOKMAS

Question # 11:  What’s with the dust bunnies?

Don’t get me started.  The dust bunnies have taken over my Jayne Castle world.  Go back.  Save yourselves.  Send help.

Ahem, where was I? Oh, right – trying to explain the dust bunnies. For those who don’t read my stories of futuristic paranormal romantic-suspense — written under my Jayne Castle name — this must seem like very weird territory. (It’s actually weirder than you can possibly imagine).   If you do read those books then you know what this is about.  Dust bunnies are native to the planet Harmony.  They are playful, cheerful creatures who are fascinated by bright, sparkly objects.  They are also capable of forming a psychic bond with their chosen human companion.

But dust bunnies have a dark side.  As the saying goes, by the time you see the teeth it’s too late.  Here’s the thing, though: they are fiercely loyal to their human friends.  If you happen to have a dust bunny pal you can rest assured the little dude will have your back in a bar fight.

Day 11 Book Recommendation for Holiday Gifting:

Considering the other-worldly subject matter of this blog it seems only fitting that today’s recommendation is an other-worldly title.  I’m going to go with a tale of high adventure and cool science set in the near future.  I absolutely loved this book.  The movie was terrific, as well.  If you’ve got a science nerd on your holiday shopping list I can recommend the following (assuming she or he hasn’t already read it).  THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir.

 

******

when-all-the-girlsTITLE: When All The Girls Have Gone
CHARACTERS: Charlotte & Max
AUTHOR: Jayne Ann Krentz
PUBLICATION DATE: November 29, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jayne Ann Krentz, the New York Times bestselling author of Secret Sisters, delivers a thrilling novel of the deceptions we hide behind, the passions we surrender to, and the lengths we’ll go to for the truth…

When Charlotte Sawyer is unable to contact her step-sister, Jocelyn, to tell her that one her closest friends was found dead, she discovers that Jocelyn has vanished.

Beautiful, brilliant—and reckless—Jocelyn has gone off the grid before, but never like this. In a desperate effort to find her, Charlotte joins forces with Max Cutler, a struggling PI who recently moved to Seattle after his previous career as a criminal profiler went down in flames—literally. Burned out, divorced and almost broke, Max needs the job.

After surviving a near-fatal attack, Charlotte and Max turn to Jocelyn’s closest friends, women in a Seattle-based online investment club, for answers. But what they find is chilling…

When her uneasy alliance with Max turns into a full-blown affair, Charlotte has no choice but to trust him with her life. For the shadows of Jocelyn’s past are threatening to consume her—and anyone else who gets in their way…

Make sure to check out Kimberly’s review HERE & Kelly’s review HERE

 

jak

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name, as well as futuristic and historical romance novels under the pseudonyms Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick, respectively. Learn more at about JayneAnn on her blog and connect with her on Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY TIME

To enter for a chance to win a copy of Amanda Quick’s Otherwise Engaged.  

Please leave a comment/question for Ms. Krentz and fill out the rafflecopter form below

18667949TITLE: Otherwised Engaged
CHARACTERS: Benedict Stanbrigde & Amity Doncaster
AUTHOR: Amanda Quick
PUBLICATION DATE: April 22, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

Miss Amity Doncaster, world traveler, is accustomed to adventure and risk. Benedict Stanbridge, a man of science and a spy for the Crown, has faced danger in the darker corners of foreign lands. But they are about to face a threat that is shockingly close to home . . .

One does not expect to be kidnapped on a London street in broad daylight. But Amity Doncaster barely escapes with her life after she is trapped in a carriage with a blade-wielding man in a black silk mask who whispers the most vile taunts and threats into her ear. Her quick thinking, and her secret weapon, save her . . . for now.

But the monster known in the press as the Bridegroom, who has left a trail of female victims in his wake, has survived the wounds she inflicts and will soon be on his feet again. He is unwholesomely obsessed by her scandalous connection to Benedict Stanbridge—gossip about their hours alone in a ship’s stateroom seems to have crossed the Atlantic faster than any sailing vessel could. Benedict refuses to let this resourceful, daring woman suffer for her romantic link to him—as tenuous as it may be.

For a man and woman so skilled at disappearing, so at home in the exotic reaches of the globe, escape is always an option. But each intends to end the Bridegroom’s reign of terror in London, and will join forces to do so. And as they prepare to confront an unbalanced criminal in the heart of the city they love, they must also face feelings that neither of them can run away from.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly reviews Size Matters by Alison Bliss

size-mattersTITLE: Size Matters
SERIES #: A Perfect Fit #1
CHARACTERS: Leah & Sam
AUTHOR: Alison Bliss
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/29/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The rules of (fake) engagement . . .
Leah Martin has spent her life trying to avoid temptation. But she’s sick of low-fat snacks, counting calories, and her hyper-critical mom. Fortunately, her popular new bakery keeps her good and distracted. But there aren’t enough éclairs in the world to distract Leah from the hotness that is Sam Cooper – or the fact that he just told her mother that they’re engaged . . . which is a big, fat lie.

Sam sometime speaks before he thinks. So what started out as defending Leah’s date-ability to her judgmental mother soon turned into having a fiancee! Now the plan is to keep up the fake engagement, stay “just friends,” and make Leah’s family loathe him enough to just call the whole thing off . But Sam has an insatiable sweet tooth, not only for Leah’s decadent desserts but her decadent curves. Her full lips. Her bright green eyes. Yep, things aren’t going quite according to plan. Now Sam has to convince Leah that he’s for real . . . before their little lie turns into one big, sweet disaster.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a sweet story even if it has been written a million times. Leah and Sam are faking an engagement but of course end up with a happy ever after.

But even though it has been told before I did enjoy the fact that Leah is not some size two Barbie doll. She is a woman with curves and is an “everyday” woman. It was stereotypical that she runs a bakery and has a very critical mom who is always on her case. Sam is a great guy who just wants to try to help Leah but ends up falling for her.

This isn’t a story that any fan of the genre hasn’t already read but it is sweet and a quick read a fan will enjoy.

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

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz

when-all-the-girlsTITLE: When All The Girls Have Gone
CHARACTERS: Charlotte & Max
AUTHOR: Jayne Ann Krentz
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/29/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jayne Ann Krentz, the New York Times bestselling author of Secret Sisters, delivers a thrilling novel of the deceptions we hide behind, the passions we surrender to, and the lengths we’ll go to for the truth…

When Charlotte Sawyer is unable to contact her step-sister, Jocelyn, to tell her that one her closest friends was found dead, she discovers that Jocelyn has vanished.

Beautiful, brilliant—and reckless—Jocelyn has gone off the grid before, but never like this. In a desperate effort to find her, Charlotte joins forces with Max Cutler, a struggling PI who recently moved to Seattle after his previous career as a criminal profiler went down in flames—literally. Burned out, divorced and almost broke, Max needs the job.

After surviving a near-fatal attack, Charlotte and Max turn to Jocelyn’s closest friends, women in a Seattle-based online investment club, for answers. But what they find is chilling…

When her uneasy alliance with Max turns into a full-blown affair, Charlotte has no choice but to trust him with her life. For the shadows of Jocelyn’s past are threatening to consume her—and anyone else who gets in their way…

REVIEW:
So let me say that I am a big fan of Jayne Ann Krentz and usually love her books. But this one just didn’t have the same feeling as her usual books do. Not that it was bad. It wasn’t. I just don’t think it was one of Krentz’s best.

Now that being said. The story was interesting. There is a bit of suspense but not a lot since we seem to get the information of “who-dun-it” pretty quickly but the suspense is there is how with Charlotte and Max find out and handle the situation.

I never really felt a full connection between the two leads. I did enjoy the secondary characters. Good or bad they seemed to steal the scenes they were in.

If you are already a fan of Krentz’s don’t miss this book but if you aren’t don’t judge all her books by this one.

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

3hearts-68-77

Spotlight feature of The Hero by Donna Grant

the-hero-blogger-banner-851x315

 

the-hero

Buy Links: Amazon | Kindle B&NNook  | Audible  | BAMIndieBound iBooksKobo

THE HERO’S HOMECOMING

Owen Loughman is a highly-decorated Navy SEAL who has a thirst for action. But there’s one thing he hasn’t been able to forget – his high school sweetheart, Natalie. After over a decade away, Owen is returned home to the ranch in Texas for a dangerous new mission that puts him face-to-face with Natalie and an outside menace that threatens everything he holds dear. He’ll risk it all to keep Natalie safe – and win her heart. . . .

Natalie Dixon has had a lifetime of heartache since Owen was deployed. Fourteen years and one bad marriage later, she finds herself mixed up with the Loughman’s again. With her life on the line against an enemy she can’t fight alone, it’s Owen’s strong shoulders, smoldering eyes, and sensuous smile that she turns to. When danger closes in, she holds close to the only man she’s ever loved…

Make sure to check out Kelly’s review HERE

Add THE HERO to your Goodreads  list.

Excerpt: 

Excitement or dread? She wasn’t sure she knew.

This wasn’t the first time she’d been on the ranch since her breakup with Owen. In fact, she’d been there several times since discovering Ragnarok, but this time was different.

This time, Owen could be there.

“I’m close,” Callie said.

The line disconnected. Natalie didn’t see the black fence that lined either side of the drive, or the cows and horses that grazed peacefully.

Her gaze was locked on the white house that drew closer with each second. By the time she parked in front of the two- story ranch home with its wide, wrap- around porch, all she could think about was the dinner she’d had the week before with Callie, Virgil, and Charlotte.

She put the car in park and glanced around. There was no sign that anyone else was there. Since she expected someone to come out at the sound of her car, she assumed Owen and his brothers hadn’t yet made it to the house.

Or perhaps, luck was on her side, and those choppers hadn’t been bringing the brothers.

She got out of her car, but it was more difficult than she imagined making herself go up the steps to the porch. She might be involved in all of this, but she’d never witnessed a murder scene firsthand.

Frankly, she didn’t want to.

But Orrin’s life was on the line. Everything she and Callie could discover only helped their chances of learning who took Orrin and where Ragnarok was.

She reached the front door. At least she wouldn’t have to see Virgil’s and Charlotte’s bodies. They had already been taken away.

That was her last thought as she walked through the doorway and found herself fl at on her back. Natalie knew the instant the large hands grabbed her that it was Owen.

Her heart skipped a beat, even as she instinctively reacted and used her momentum to pull Owen over her head. She got up, but in the next heartbeat, he had her pinned to the wall.

The heat of him was the first thing she felt. Then it was his hard body trapping her. She felt herself softening, needing to feel him after all these years.

She thought he would threaten her. Instead, he knocked off her cap. His dark brown eyes widened in shock.

How she wished her heart didn’t feel like it was about to explode out of her chest. He was . . . breathtaking. She drank in the very sight of him. Sharp, chiseled features that looked as if they had been fashioned from granite stared back at her. Gone was any hint of the teenager she’d known. Before her stood a man in all his masculine glory.

He’d always been tall, his muscles honed at an early age from working on the ranch. Now, however, Owen filled out his wide shoulders. His light tan tee stretched tightly across his chest, molding to every ripple of muscle in his arms and shoulders. The shirt was tucked into camo pants she imagined were for the desert by their sand and khaki color. His hair was longer, the dark strands shoved away from his face in long waves.

Her surprise at having Owen against her was quickly hidden. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted two more figures. How she wished she would’ve waited for Callie.

“Hi, boys,” Natalie said. It was the only thing she could think of. Owen frowned, the irritation clear in his sensual chocolate gaze. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“She’s looking for me.”

At the sound of Callie’s voice, most of the apprehension left Natalie. Now she wouldn’t have to face the Loughman men on her own.

She barely paid attention to anything going on around her. She was too intent on staring into Owen’s eyes. It was obvious that he was irritated to find her there, but he had yet to release her.

And she didn’t remind him of that fact.

Her allowing him to keep her pinned was an indication of how long it had taken her to get over him. And how she hated herself for it. After all she’d suffered, she should be shoving him away.

Her body had other ideas, however. With her blood burning through her and her nipples hard, she ached for his touch.

Yearned for it.

His eyes dropped to her mouth. Her breath hitched, caught in her throat. Yes! She wanted his kiss. It didn’t matter where they were or who was around.

Dimly, she heard Callie and Wyatt talking. Much to her annoyance, Owen released her. She was more hurt than she wanted to admit.

Perhaps it was for the best. She’d sworn off all men. Especially Owen. She quickly moved to stand beside Callie.

“Someone please tell us what’s going on?” Owen demanded. Callie shrugged. “I work here.”

Natalie looked at Owen and said, “I came to help.”

Owen’s breath locked in his lungs as he stared at Natalie’s long, brown hair streaked with strands of copper.

He wanted those deep green eyes of hers to land on him again, to fill with desire . . . again.

She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

The years had transformed her into a seductress who left him breathless and needy.

The girl had become a woman, and what a woman she was. He knew the weight of her breast in his hand, knew how it felt to sink into her body and hear her scream in pleasure.

And yet, the woman before him now held a hint of wariness that hadn’t been there before. What happened to her to take away that lighthearted girl he once knew?

Copyright © 2016 by Donna Grant and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

 

The Sons of Texas Series

the-protector

 

Add book 2 The Protector to your Goodreads list.
Amazon | Kindle | B&N Nook | BAMiBooksIndieBound KoboPowells Tantor Audio

EVERYTHING’S HOTTER IN TEXAS
When Marine Force Recon captain Cullen Loughman learns that his father’s been kidnapped, he will do whatever it takes to find him. In order to achieve his mission, Cullen will need to team up with the best of the best—someone who just happens to be the most stunning woman he’s ever laid eyes on…

This isn’t the first rodeo for ex—Air Force pilot Mia Carter. Still, Cullen’s bad-boy good looks and charm are distracting her from duty. . .and it appears that the feeling is mutual. As Mia and Cullen make their descent into a dark, dangerous world, their attraction reaches the boiling point. But is their desire worth the risk when a ruthless enemy is waiting in the wings—or will their Lone Star love conquer all?

If you pre-order THE PROTECTOR you will receive a bonus scene that features Owen and Natalie from THE HERO. The scene will NOT be shared anywhere else. It will be exclusive to those who pre-order THE PROTECTOR and fill out this form:

Pre-order form to THE PROTECTOR: http://bit.ly/TheProtectorPO

 

AUTHOR CHAT:

twitter-chat-donna-the-hero

For those hosting before Dec. 9th, please include Donna’s Author Chat as part of your post. All the information is included below.
Date: Thurs., 12/1/2016

Time: 7pm CST / 8pm EST
Link to the FB Event is https://www.facebook.com/events/267169100347430

Hash Tag: #TheHeroDG

 

donna_grant_newAuthor’s Bio & Picture:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children and an assortment of animals in Texas.

Author Links:

Website:  http://www.donnagrant.com/

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant

Twitter: https://twitter.com/donna_grant

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1141209.Donna_Grant

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnagrant1/
Tumblr: http://donnagrantauthor.tumblr.com/

Audible: http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_search_c4_1_2_1_srAuth?searchAuthor=Donna+Grant&qid=1432841454&sr=1-2

Tantor: https://tantor.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=donna+grant

 

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Miracle On 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan

miracle-on-5th-aveTITLE: Miracle On 5th Avenue
SERIES #: From Manhattan With Love #3
CHARACTERS: Eva & Lucas
AUTHOR: Sarah Morgan
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/29/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It will take a Christmas miracle for two very different souls to find each other in this perfectly festive fairytale of New York!

Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. She might be spending the holidays alone this year, but when she’s given an opportunity to house-sit a spectacular penthouse on Fifth Avenue, she leaps at the chance. What better place to celebrate than in snow-kissed Manhattan? What she didn’t expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous—and mysterious—owner.

Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife’s death looming, he’s isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. He wants no interruptions, no decorations and he certainly doesn’t appreciate being distracted by his beautiful, bubbly new housekeeper. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this story a lot. I believe a woman in a book can be 1) Someone you want to be 2) Someone you want to be friends with or 3) Someone you can’t stand. Eva is certainly one that falls into the second category. Eva would be a great friend. Always happy and there for her friends but she is sad on the inside. Always there for someone else but they do not see into her sad soul.

Lucas is a bit of a nightmare at first. I am not a fan of one of the main characters spending their time mourning for a lost love and then bam! they are in love with someone new. And that is a bit of what Lucas does. But once he has fallen the couple really do fit together.

I enjoyed the background characters as well. This is a sweet holiday romance that any fan will enjoy.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews The Hero by Donna Grant

the-heroTITLE: The Hero
SERIES #: Sons of Texas #1
CHARACTERS: Owen Loughman & Natalie Dixon
AUTHOR: Donna Grant
PUBLICATION DATE: December 6, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
THE HERO’S HOMECOMING

Owen Loughman is a highly-decorated Navy SEAL who has a thirst for action. But there’s one thing he hasn’t been able to forget – his high school sweetheart, Natalie. After over a decade away, Owen is returned home to the ranch in Texas for a dangerous new mission that puts him face-to-face with Natalie and an outside menace that threatens everything he holds dear. He’ll risk it all to keep Natalie safe – and win her heart. . . .

Natalie Dixon has had a lifetime of heartache since Owen was deployed. Fourteen years and one bad marriage later, she finds herself mixed up with the Loughman’s again. With her life on the line against an enemy she can’t fight alone, it’s Owen’s strong shoulders, smoldering eyes, and sensuous smile that she turns to. When danger closes in, she holds close to the only man she’s ever loved

REVIEW:
In The Hero the Loughman boys are called home when their father goes missing. When they get home they realize that this is much more than just a missing person case. The Russian’s are involved. And they want the weapon that Orrin stole. I enjoyed this story. I like the Loughman boys.

The Hero is a new series by Ms. Grant. This was a good start to this series. I am looking forward to seeing what happens with Wyatt and Cullen. I am also looking forward to seeing what happens with Orrin.

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.

3hearts-68-77

Kelly reviews Defy The Dawn by Lara Adrian

defy-the-dawnTITLE: Defy the Dawn
SERIES #: Midnight Breed #14
CHARACTERS: Zael & Brynne Kirkland
AUTHOR: Lara Adrian
PUBLICATION DATE: August 31, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Daywalker Brynne Kirkland survived a hellish upbringing as a product of a madman’s lab. Tough, driven, and devoted to her work in law enforcement, Brynne has never dared to risk opening her heart to anyone–least of all a handsome immortal from a world on the verge of war against hers.
Atlantean warrior Zael left the intrigue of his realm several lifetimes ago, along with the battles he fought as one of the queen’s legion. As a free-spirited loner walking the fringe of two worlds–that of his secretive and powerful people, and the outside world belonging to mankind and the Breed–it was never his intention to return to combat and bloodshed. Nor had he imagined that he might ever be tempted into anything stronger than desire . . . until he meets Brynne.
Thrust together as allies of the Order in the fight against a diabolical enemy, Zael and Brynne embark on a mission that will ultimately force them to decide between duty to their people, and a passion that defies all bounds

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts It was good to be back in the Midnight Breed world. This has always been one of my favorite series and I am so happy that Ms. Adrian has continued this series. I was really happy to learn that Defy the Dawn was going to be Zael’s story. We have learned a lot about the Atlantean warrior over the last few books in the new world. But now we get an up close and personally experience with him. We also get to learn a lot more about the Atlantean’s world and what happened to them when the original Gen One’s showed up on earth.
We meet Brynne in the last book and learned about her also. But there were still a lot of questions about who and what she was. We do get to learn more about who she is and what she maybe. But I felt like there is more to Brynne then we know.
Defy the Dawn brings to light a whole new dimension to the battle that the Breeds are facing. Now they have two enemies gunning for them. Ms. Adrian has made the Breed’s future a scary one but I have faith that they will prevail and kick their enemies butts!! I can’t wait to see who and what is next in this series.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts