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#TBT Kimberly reviews When Darkness Comes by Alexandra Ivy – Catch Up From The Beginning

when darkness comesTITLE: When Darkness Comes
SERIES #: Guardians Of Eternity #1
CHARACTERS: Abby & Dante
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/15/07
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s been a hell of a day for Abby Barlow. In just a few hours, she’s survived an explosion, watched her employer die, had a startling dream, and now she finds herself in a seedy Chicago hotel with the sexy, unearthly Dante, a vampire she both desires and fears.

For 341 years, Dante has stood as guardian to The Chalice, a mortal woman chosen to hold back the darkness. A terrible twist of fate has now made Abby that woman. Three hours ago. Dante would have used all his charms to seduce her. Now she is his to protect. And he will do so until his very death.

A terrifying plan has been set in motion, one that will plunge Dante and Abby into an epic battle between good and evil – and a desperate race to save their love…

REVIEW:
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This is the book that started my love affair with paranormal and Alexandra Ivy… The vampire Dante is sex personified… hot!!! There is so much to this story and so many characters that it will keep your turning the page and never wanting the story to end.

I could tell you everything about this story and not stop talking but then I would say too much and trust me you want to read this one for yourself.

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

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Kelly reviews Going The Distance by Jennifer Fusco

going the distanceTITLE: Going the Distance
SERIES #: Ringside #2
CHARACTERS: Michael Perez & Ava Phillips
AUTHOR: Jennifer Fusco
PUBLICATION DATE: March 15, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The most restricted boxer at Las Vegas’s Stamina gym lets himself unravel in the second Ringside novel from the author of Fighting For It…

A dedicated fighter, Middleweight Michael Perez is willing to do whatever it takes to reach the top, and with his next fight scheduled at Madison Square Garden he’s almost there. A self-proclaimed control freak, he plans to drive himself cross country to the fight. But when his manager insists a sports reporter tag along, thinking it will be good for public relations, Michael finds himself under the watchful eye of Ava Phillips.

Ava Phillips has made a career out of exposing the underbelly of professional sports. Her instincts tell her that sexy, moody Michael Perez’s squeaky clean image is a cover for something more intriguing. Sharing the drive from Nevada to New York, Ava’s interest turns physical. But as their relationship heats up and Ava unearths his past, will she expose Michael’s darkness or succumb to the passions of a relationship she’s only ever read about?

REVIEW:
Another excellent installment in Ms. Fusco’s Ringside series. I just love this series!!! I love Michael and Ava. I loved the tension between these two. Both are stubborn and want to win. But sometimes in a game of will’s you don’t have a clear winner. Well unless you count us readers. We win big with Going The Distance.
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Fusco has in store for us next!!!

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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They’re Back!!!!! The Rising Storm Series is back with Two Midseason stories. Today we bring you #1

Rising Storm - Header banner

 

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy…

Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.

But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets. Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart. The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.

Reading like an on-going drama in the tradition of classic day and night-time soap operas like Dallas, Dynasty, and All My Children, Rising Storm is full of scandal, deceit, romance, passion, and secrets.

With 1001 Dark Nights as the “producer,” Julie Kenner and Dee Davis use a television model with each week building on the last to create a storyline that fulfills the promise of a drama-filled soap opera. Joining Kenner and Davis in the “writer’s room” for the Midseason Episodes of this serial opera are bestselling authors Lexi Blake and Larissa Ione who have brought their vision of Storm to life.

So get ready. The storm is coming.

Rising Storm - Midseason 1

Secrets, Sex and Scandals …

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy… Get ready. The storm is coming.

In the wake of Dakota’s revelations, the whole town is reeling. Ginny Moreno has lost everything. Logan Murphy is devastated by her lies. Brittany Rush sees her family in a horrifying new light. And nothing will ever be the same…

 

The pregnant girl with a hat in the field of wheat on a sunset

Experience Rising Storm Here…

Rising Storm Midseason Episode 1 (March 29): Lexi Blake’s After the Storm
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Rising Storm Midseason Episode 2 (April 5): Larissa Ione’s Distant Thunder
Amazon ** Kobo ** iTunes ** Barnes & Noble ** GooglePlay ** All Romance EBooks

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 Check out this fantastic excerpt from AFTER THE STORM!

“I didn’t know I was pregnant until I woke up from the accident.” Ginny’s voice was an impassioned whisper. “I found out two things that changed my life in that moment. I found out that my best friend was gone and that I was pregnant. And I prayed so hard that I hadn’t lost all of Jacob forever.”

Forever. That’s what she was looking at. She was looking at an entire lifetime of being a mother without a son. She loved her daughters dearly, but she would mourn Jacob forever. And this selfish girl was equating her pain as though they were the same. As though one night of spreading her legs gave her the right to mourn him.

“I think you woke up and realized you had two options. Take care of that baby alone or worm your way into Jacob’s family and his money.”

“I never cared about the money.”

Celeste wasn’t going to listen to that tripe. “Of course you did. Not enough to keep your legs closed. You say you loved Jacob but how long did you wait before you hopped into bed with that Murphy boy? Did you even break it off with my brother-in-law? How many men do you need on your string?”

“I’ve never slept with Logan, but I will admit that I’m in love with him. I love him in a way I never loved Jacob. Jacob was my best friend, but I know now that he wasn’t my soul mate. I pray with everything I am that this is his child, that we receive a miracle because I don’t want him to be lost forever, but I won’t hide what I feel for Logan and I won’t pretend it’s nasty. Not even to placate you, Celeste. I want to make things right between us and that means apologizing to you. Celeste, I’m so sorry I hurt you. I never meant to. I should have been braver. I should have been stronger, but I woke up and the world had crashed around me and I wanted the love you could give me. That all of you could give me. I’m sorry that it brought you so much pain.”

Something about the way she was standing there enraged Celeste. How could she stand there looking so innocent? How could she say exactly the right things to garner empathy? Celeste didn’t want to empathize. She wanted to fight and tear up things and destroy the world around her because it seemed so damn intent on destroying her. She wanted to burn it all down.

She didn’t feel her hand snap back, didn’t quite understand what she was doing. The world seemed tinged in red at the corners as though rage now filtered her vision. And it slowed everything down. In horror she realized she was going to strike Ginny Moreno. Her hand was going to bring justice her words never could.

And then it slapped against flesh. A strong hand circled her wrist and Travis stared down at her like he had no idea who she was.

 

copyright szefei

 

 

Author pic- Lexi BlakeAbout Lexi Blake:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Visit Lexi Blake’s website and follow her on:

 

Rising Storm Website | Facebook | Twitter | 1001 Dark Nights | Rising Storm on Goodreads

 

 

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#TBT Kimberly reviews Beyond The Misty Shore by Vicki Hinze – Catch Up From The Beginning

beyondTITLE: Beyond The Misty Shore
SERIES #: Seascape Trilogy #1
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: Vicki Hinze
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/14/11
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Whimsy. Serenity. And a Touch of Magic. The Seascape Inn.

Marketing executive Maggie Wright and artist T.J. MacGregor are linked by a mysterious car accident that killed Maggie’s cousin, Carolyn, T.J.’s fiancée. When Maggie arrives on the Maine coast determined to get answers from T.J., she discovers a tortured man who is bound to the Seascape Inn by supernatural forces. Despite the tragedy that stands between them, Maggie and T.J. begin to fall in love, seeking answers and a healing spirit they may never achieve.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release from 2011.
I want so badly to tell you about this book and why you should read it but there are not enough words to tell you how wonderful this book is. It is rare I give a book 5 stars but this book is most deserving. There is something magical about this book. It feels like a romance novel from years gone by even though it is set in the present. It makes you believe you are there and watching the love unfold instead of turning pages. Seascape Inn is a place you want to visit.

This book reads like a movie. Have you seen the movies “Somewhere In Time” or “The Two Worlds of Jenny Logan”? OK this is dating myself but then if you have not seen them you should. Anyway, this book has the feel of these timeless movies. The softness of love as it grows between the characters and the mystical spirit that is there to guide not haunt make this book worth the read. More than worth the read it is worth owning the book and never letting it go. Luckily this is the 1st in a trilogy and I can not wait to enjoy the other two books.

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

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Kimberly reviews Sherlock Holmes And The Tangled Skein by David Stuart Davies

SH and Tangled SkeinTITLE: Sherlock Holmes And The Tangled Skein
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: David Stuart Davies
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/04/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the autumn of 1888, and following the successful conclusion of the investigation into the affair of the Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson have returned safely from Dartmoor, convinced that their most recent nemesis has met a sticky ending.

But when a strange package arrives and turns out to be an attempt on Holmes’ life, the detective and Watson are faced with an even darker mystery.

A peculiar cat-and-mouse game involving a lethal murderer ensues and Miss Lydgate, a distressed young woman, arrives with a cryptic warning for Watson.

Things soon spiral rapidly out of control and Holmes calls on his local street urchins, The Baker Street Irregulars, to keep a keen eye out for information.

Professor Van Helsing is also in town, visiting the Royal Society to discuss the phenomenon of Vampires.

Holmes is disgusted and dismisses such talk as supernatural nonsense, insisting that ‘the cult of undead’ is outside the boundaries of rational science.

Inspector Lestrade, however, has bigger problems — there have been murders on Hampstead Heath and there is heightened talk of a strange phantom lady.

When the police force reach out to Holmes for help, both he and Watson decide to take matters into their own hands.

The chilling discovery that awaits them on the Heath leads them back to Devon and the bleak terrain of Dartmoor.

The nightmare that is the tangled skein is now in full force and time is running out.

Whilst investigating mysterious circumstances at a finishing school for aristocratic girls, they encounter the true embodiment of evil, Count Dracula, the Lord of the Undead …

The Tangled Skein is one of Sherlock Holmes’ most exciting and dangerous cases, peppered with elements of the supernatural.

REVIEW:
Sherlock Holmes vs Count Dracula. How could anyone pass this up? Well part of me wishes I had and yet I am glad I didn’t. Can you tell I am on the fence about this book?

Written originally in 1992 apparently this is a re-release. Any fan of SH should pick it up just to be sure they have read them all but don’t expect this SH to be what AC Doyle’s originally wrote.

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

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Kimberly reviews No One Knows by J.T. Ellison

no one knowsTITLE: No One Knows
CHARACTERS: Aubrey Hamilton
AUTHOR: J.T. Ellison
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/22/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In an obsessive mystery as thrilling as The Girl on the Train and The Husband’s Secret, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison will make you question every twist in her page-turning novel—and wonder which of her vividly drawn characters you should trust.

The day Aubrey Hamilton’s husband is declared dead by the state of Tennessee should bring closure so she can move on with her life. But Aubrey doesn’t want to move on; she wants Josh back. It’s been five years since he disappeared, since their blissfully happy marriage—they were happy, weren’t they?—screeched to a halt and Aubrey became the prime suspect in his disappearance. Five years of emptiness, solitude, loneliness, questions. Why didn’t Josh show up at his friend’s bachelor party? Was he murdered? Did he run away? And now, all this time later, who is the mysterious yet strangely familiar figure suddenly haunting her new life?

In No One Knows, the New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Nicholas Drummond series expertly peels back the layers of a complex woman who is hiding dark secrets beneath her unassuming exterior. This masterful thriller for fans of Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Paula Hawkins will pull readers into a you’ll-never-guess merry-go-round of danger and deception. Round and round and round it goes, where it stops…no one knows.

REVIEW:
Everyone loves a good psychological thriller. Well if they don’t they should. And this would be a good one to pick up. Ellison takes us on a ride that thrilling and enjoying and yet has a bit of a twist.

I am a fan of books that I can’t figure out. While i spend my time trying to figure it out I love when it comes in and I got it wrong. But then again I like when I get it right too. The characters are really interesting and well formed. I enjoyed meeting them all.

This book will keep you thinking and those really are best kind.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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#TBT Kelly reviews The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy – Catch up from the beginning

Accidental werewolfTITLE: The Accidental Werewolf
SERIES #: Accidentally #1
CHARACTERS: Keegan Flaherty & Marty Andrews
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
NARRATOR: Meredith Mitchell
PUBLICATION DATE: February 5, 2008
RUN TIME 10 hours & 14 minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Marty Andrews gets bitten by a mangy mutt while walking her teacup poodle, her blond hair darkens, the hair on her legs starts growing at an alarming rate, and her mood swings put her dream job as a sales rep for Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics in serious jeopardy.
Then a drool-worthy man shows up at her door claiming that he accidentally bit Marty. And since he’s a werewolf, she is now, too. Thinking Keegan Flaherty is clearly insane, Marty refuses to believe a word until a kidnapping makes her realize there’s more at stake than just her highlights. And she must put her out-of-control life in the hands of the man who makes her blood run wild in more ways than one

REVIEW:
I have to say that this story started a little slow for me. It seemed to take a long time for Marty & Keegan to get things together. But after it got going I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed Marty’s obsession with color wheels and Keegan’s obsession with Marty. The twists and turns on the who done it kept me guess for a while. I was wrong on some parts and right on others. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I listened to this book on audio. Meredith Mitchell did a pretty good job of narrating this. There were a few things that were a little ho hum in her reading. I was not over wilde about all the male voices, some of them were a little to high pitched for my liking (but the one really did fit the character). And the sexy scense were a little blah in the reading, not a whole lot of feeling behind them. But I can understand that, it has to be terrible hard to read a sexy scene out loud.
A couple funny lines from Marty and Keegan:
“Holy Fur and Fury!!” Marty
“That is how Muff nailed me.” Keegan
If you are looking for a fun read I would suggest picking up a copy of this book or head over to audible and listen to the sample.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the audio book from Tantor 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 Let It Breathe by Tawna Fenske

let it breatheTITLE: Let it Breathe
CHARACTERS: Clay Henderson & Reese Clark
AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske
PUBLICATION DATE: March 22, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Forbidden fruit can be downright intoxicating.

Vineyard manager Reese Clark is determined to bring her family’s Oregon winery into the big leagues, and she knows building a new tasting room and event pavilion is her ticket there. Having her ex-husband’s best friend—and her secret college crush—turn up to head the construction project, however, definitely is not. Between her nauseating lovebird parents; her motorcycle-riding, pot-growing grandfather; and her pet alpaca fond of head-butting groins, Reese has more than enough chaotic characters in her life.

Back in college, Clay Henderson was more likely to be sprawled over a bar than building one. But even if the new clean-living Clay has matured as deliciously as an oak-aged chardonnay, he’s still off-limits. As Reese’s well-laid plans for the winery crumble like bad cork, Clay the bad boy–turned–sober gentleman is sweet enough to rescue Reese from a wardrobe malfunction and still spicy enough to play “I Never” with her. Can he overcome his past rep to offer her a love too heady to ignore?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another great read by Ms. Fenske. I really enjoyed the Let it Breath. I loved Leon. He is just awesome!! Who is Leon you ask? I can’t tell you ;). But you will like him.
I really enjoyed the tension between Clay and Reese. The history that Clay and Reese have is one that is filled with a lot of hurt, booze and unrequited love. I always love a second chance romance story, but Let it Breath is more of a second chance at first love.
I love the way that Ms. Fenske can tell us a story that makes us laugh, cry and want to climb into her story and become a character in her story. I really 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.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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#TBT Kimberly reviews Fated By Rebecca Zanetti – Catch up from the beginning!

Fated CoverTITLE: Fated
SERIES: Dark Predator
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
RELEASE DATE: 03/01/2011
Barnes and Noble |Amazon

SYNOPSIS:
Marry Me! Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to fighting for what she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie. But “whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous-looking stranger with an attitude problem.

Or Else! Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he’s there to protect Cara and Janie. He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice. . .

REVIEW:
I won this book from GoodReads.com and started it the day I got it. I enjoy some vampire books but I would not say they are my top choice(no I have never read Twilight) but I have read Larissa Ione and Alexandra Ivy and maybe another here or there but I have to say this book had me immediately. I would certainly say this book matched or came close to Ione and Ivy. At least to their beginning books. This is the 1st of a series by Zanetti.
Cara is a single mom. Both she and her daughter Janie have physic ability. Talen in a vampire who has been in a truce with the Kurjan’s and has known for centuries that Cara is his mate. These vampires are different then the ones we are used to they can do things others we read about can not. The Kurjan’s are hard to imagine for me. The are a species that has not been portrayed on tv/movies so I have a hard time imagining them. Talen is a dominate vamp (but what vamp isn’t?) but he has a heart of gold and I love the sweetness he feels about Cara even if he doesn’t realize it. If you are not into strong men Talen could get on your nerves but I found him wonderful and sexy and you can feel the love that radiates from Cara and Talen even though neither wants to admit it. Cara is a scientist that feels more comfortable around plants then people. I enjoyed Janie and the vamps interaction with her but there is not enough of her, there is too much time with Cara leaving Janie to be “protected”.
I can’t wait to get the next book that just came out. If you like vampires you will like this. It is one heck of a sexy book!

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Kimberly reviews Far From True by Linwood Barclay

Far From TrueTITLE: Far From True
SERIES #: Promise Falls #2
CHARACTERS: Cal & Barry
AUTHOR: Linwood Barclay
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/22/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Linwood Barclay delivers the second spine-chilling thriller set in the troubled town of Promise Falls, following the electrifying cliffhanger ending of Broken Promise…

After the screen of a run-down drive-in movie theater collapses and kills four people, the daughter of one of the victims asks private investigator Cal Weaver to look into a recent break-in at her father’s house. Cal discovers a hidden basement room where it’s clear that salacious activities have taken place—as well as evidence of missing DVDs. But his investigation soon becomes more complicated when he realizes it may not be discs the thief was actually interested in….

Meanwhile, Detective Barry Duckworth is still trying to solve two murders—one of which is three years old—he believes are connected, since each featured a similar distinctive wound.

As the lies begin to unravel, Cal is headed straight into the heart of a dark secret as his search uncovers more startling truths about Promise Falls. And when yet another murder happens, Cal and Barry are both driven to pursue their investigations, no matter where they lead. Evil deeds long thought buried are about to haunt the residents of this town—as the sins of the past and present collide with terrifying results.

REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts This is the second in a new series from Barclay and I have to say it wasn’t one of my favorites. There just wasn’t a thrill that Barclay’s books usually have. The weird part is I can’t figure out what is off about this book. It was fast paced, there was a thrill to it (even if not as much as normal) and the story is different than every other thriller but something just doesn’t sit right.

There are a bunch of characters in this book and maybe that was it. Maybe taking the time to remember who was who took some away from the story, I’m not sure. Please don’t get me wrong. The story is good. It is just not up to what I expected from Barclay.

You will enjoy this book but don’t compare all Barclay’s books by this one.

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

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