Kelly reviews Chapelwood by Cherie Priest

chapelwoodTITLE: Chapelwood
SERIES #: The Borden Dispatches #2
CHARACTERS: Lizzie Borden, Simon Wolf and the folks of Birmingham Alabama
AUTHOR: Cherie Priest
NARRATORS:James Patrick Cronin, Julie McKay
RUNTIME: 13 hrs and 32 mins
PUBLICATION DATE: September 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From Cherie Priest, the award-winning author of Maplecroft, comes a new tale of Lizzie Borden’s continuing war against the cosmic horrors threatening humanity…

Birmingham, Alabama is infested with malevolence. Prejudice and hatred have consumed the minds and hearts of its populace. A murderer, unimaginatively named “Harry the Hacker” by the press, has been carving up citizens with a hatchet. And from the church known as Chapelwood, an unholy gospel is being spread by a sect that worships dark gods from beyond the heavens.
This darkness calls to Lizzie Borden. It is reminiscent of an evil she had dared hoped was extinguished. The parishioners of Chapelwood plan to sacrifice a young woman to summon beings never meant to share reality with humanity. An apocalypse will follow in their wake which will scorch the earth of all life.
Unless she stops it.

REVIEW:
When I finished Maplecroft (bk #1 of Borden Dispatches) I sent a message right away to Ms. Priest to ask when the next book would be out. Needless to say I was so beyond excited when Ms. Priest told me that  Chapelwood was coming out. I was so engrossed in Lizzie’s world and the monsters that she fought, that I make Chapelwood an auto buy on audible (which is how I read/listened to Maplecroft too). I will say I was a little sad that the narrators changed. But as I listened I knew that the same narrators couldn’t be used. Chapelwood takes place thirty years after the events of Maplecroft (so make sure you read Maplecroft first, because what happens in Maplecroft is very important).
Chapelwood is the same but very different then Maplecroft, which made this story so awesome. I love the twists and turns that happened in Chapelwood. I really enjoyed how Lizzie gets sucked into the events at Chapelwood. I really enjoyed the new characters that we meet in this book. Ruth is a feisty character and I would like to know more about her.
I don’t want to give anything away because that is how I am. So if you are a fan of Maplecroft (which I would HIGHLY recommend you reading) then you will love Chapelwood.
I am not sure what is next for this series, but I do hope with the way that Chapelwood was left that Ms. Priest plans to revisit this world. There are questions that need to be answered.

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.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Darkness Eternal by Alexandra Ivy

darkness eternalTITLE: Darkness Eternal
SERIES #: Guardians Of Eternity #7.5
CHARACTERS: Uriel & Kata
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For the Guardians of Eternity, battle is a way of life—whether the plight of their world is at stake, or the fate of their heart…

After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of Hell, there’s no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by Uriel’s touch…

REVIEW:
Darkness Eternal was filled with a lot of action, smexy time and of course a hint of crazy. This was a very quick read. And just like any good novella it made you want more even after you are done.
I will say that I am not catch up on this series ( I know, I know I am working on it) but Darkness Eternal can easily be read on it’s own.
I am looking forward to getting catch up on this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Zebra | Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly reviews If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins

if you only knewTITLE: If You Only Knew
CHARACTERS: Jenny & Rachel
AUTHOR: Kristan Higgins
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/25/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sisterhood in all its drama, hilarity and tears is at the heart of New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins’s thoroughly captivating new novel, featuring the wit and romance that readers have come to expect from the much-loved creator of the Blue Heron series…

Wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate understands the happily-ever-after business, yet somehow she’s still involved in her ex-husband’s life. In fact, Owen’s new wife may—inexplicably—be Jenny’s new best friend. Sensing this, well, relationship isn’t helping her move on, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she’ll be able to bask in her sister Rachel’s picture-perfect family life…and hopefully make one of her own.

Her timing couldn’t be more perfect, since Rachel will need her younger sister. Her idyllic marriage has just fallen to pieces in spectacular fashion after she discovers her husband sexting with one of his colleagues. Second chances aren’t in Rachel’s nature, but the desire for an intact family has her rethinking her stance on adultery, much to Jenny’s surprise. Rachel points to their parents’ “perfect” marriage as a shining example, but to protect her sister Jenny may have to tarnish that memory—and their relationship­—and reveal a secret about their family she’s been keeping since childhood.

During this summer of secrets and lies, temptation and revelation, Jenny and Rachel will rely on each other to find the humor in their personal catastrophes, the joy in their triumphs…and the strength to keep hanging on.

REVIEW:
I had a really hard time with this book. I think it was because it was not a romance which is what I am used to by Higgins. This is more like women’s fiction. It is about sisters more than a romance. Don’t get me wrong there is a bit of romance but it is not what I am used to.

I had a hard time with the format of the story as well. Every other chapter was written in the the first person of each sister which distracted me a bit. There is so many que backs to Owen (Jenny’s ex) that is seems she is pathetic. There is just too much talk of cheating in some form or another. Physical is not the only way to cheat.

I don’t know if this is Higgins’ first try at women’s fiction but it is the first I have read from her and while I can’t wait for the next story from Higgins I just wasn’t thrilled with this one.

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

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Kissin’ the week of October 12th-17th Goodbye

10.12.15

Kelly reviews Seducing Seven by MK Meredith

10.13.15

Kimberly reviews Murder Mystery by Gene Thompson

Kelly reviews Stroke Of Midnight by Lara Adrian

10.14.15

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas At Evergreen Inn by Donna Alward

Kelly reviews All The Beautiful Brides by Rita Herron

The Ludzecky Sisters Series By Kathryn Shay

10.15.15

Kimberly reviews The Girl With No Past by Kathryn Croft

Kelly’s review of Dance in the Wind by Jennifer Probst

10.16.15

Kelly reviews Accidentally Ever After by Dakota Cassidy

10.17.15

Kelly reviews Accidentally Ever After by Dakota Cassidy

accidentally ever afterTITLE: Accidentally Ever After
SERIES #: Accidentals #11
CHARACTERS: Nina, Wanda, Marty and the newest Paranormal in Crisis
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: September 29, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | KOBO

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Accidentally Ever After by USA Today bestselling author Dakota Cassidy is a fairy tale romp complete with fairy godmothers, an evil queen, woodland creatures, a Jersey salesclerk on a mission to find Shamalot, and of course a handsome hero. This laugh-out-loud addition to the Accidentally Paranormal series will get you in the holiday mood as the girls from OOPS strut their stuff in a land far, far, far away.

Antonia Vitali’s on the run and in hiding, working as a salesclerk in a designer outlet mall in Jersey. Toni’s life has been on a steady downward decline for three years now, the ghosts of her past always nipping at her heels.

Little does she know, her life’s about to change when the OOPS girls whisk in for a day of Christmas shopping and fall through a wormhole in the store’s dressing room, taking Toni with them!

Now Toni’s got a pair of sparkly purple heels gifted to her by the ​Good Witch of the South—gorgeous heels she can’t take off until she returns them to the king​. With​ a trio of reluctant fairy godmothers​ and​ an ogre named Dannan​,​ ​Toni’s on a mission to get to the castle to ​receive ​a happily-ever-after she never asked for. Along the way, ​she meets an amazingly handsome, utterly chiseled stable boy named Jon Doe, who offers to help them navigate the Not So Sherwod Forest​​ and get them all to Castle Beckett before Christmas Eve.

But if her happily-ever-after is at the castle, why ​would she rather make time with the stable boy? And why does the evil Queen Angria want Toni’s head on a platter?​ And how in the world has she developed her newfound, peculiar…um…talents?​

Join Toni, Marty, Nina, Wanda and Carl, as they journey along the treacherous road to love and eternal happiness in the magical realm of Shamalot!

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Another fun adventure for the ladies of OOPS!!! This book was fun to read. Nina, Wanda and Marty are transported to another world with their latest paranormal crisis. Shamalot was a lot of fun. Ms. Cassidy took quite a few of our favorite fairy tales and through them at the ladies. But I think the best. Honestly the best part of the book was that Nina had to wear a flowing yellow dress, had wings and bluebird surrounding her in song all day long.
Just like everyone of Ms. Cassidy’s book you will laugh, you might cry but it is a guarantee that you will want Nina, Wanda and Marty as your best friends. I can’t wait to see what is next in the Accidental series

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly’s review of Dance In the Wind by Jennifer Probst

Rising Storm - RDL banner

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Jennifer Probst’s DANCE IN THE WIND!! DANCE IN THE WIND is Episode 4 in the Rising Storm Series brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. Grab your copy today!!

 

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,” Elisabeth Naughton 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” is an incredible group of New York Times bestselling authors such as Lexi Blake, Elisabeth Naughton, Jennifer Probst, Larissa Ione, Rebecca Zanetti and Lisa Mondello who have brought their vision of Storm to life.

A serial soap opera containing eight episodes in season one, the season premiere of Rising Storm, CROSSWINDS, debuts September 24th with each subsequent episode releasing consecutively this fall.

So get ready. The storm is coming.

Dance In The Wind teaser 3

*****

26276327TITLE:  Dance in the Wind
SERIES #:  Rising Storm Episode #4
CHARACTERS: The town folk of Storm Texas
AUTHOR: Jennifer Probst
PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |iBooks  | GooglePlay | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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.

During his time in Afghanistan, Logan Murphy has endured the unthinkable, but reentering civilian life in Storm is harder than he imagined. But when he is re-acquainted with Ginny Moreno, a woman who has survived terrors of her own, he feels the first stirrings of hope..

 

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3 1/4
And the plot thickens.  Like any good soap we can’t have anything go smoothly can we?  Nope that would be to easy.  Plus what fun would a soap be if there was no drama?  

I do believe that the small town of Strom, Texas more than likely could live with a little less drama, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

In Dance In the Wind we get to see the return of Logan Murphy the local town hero.  But Logan comes back with a lot of demons and secrets.   Luckily, he finds someone he can share his secrets with.  Someone who will listen to him.  Someone he can trust will never betray or lie to him.    

This series leaves you wanting more, wanting the next episode and hoping beyond hope that there will indeed be a happy ending for all involved.   But with some of the newest secrets revealed I am not sure how that is going to happen.   

Until the next episode.  Watch your back, because you never know who is going to stab you next.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Evil Eye Concepts in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Romantic couple touching and kissing each other
Romantic couple touching and kissing each other

Experience Rising Storm Here…

Rising Storm - Book Banner

Rising Storm Episode 1 (Sept. 24): Julie Kenner’s Tempest Rising
Amazon ** iBooks ** GooglePlay

Rising Storm Episode 2 (Oct. 1): Lexi Blake’s White Lightning
Amazon ** iBooks ** GooglePlay

Rising Storm Episode 3 (Oct. 8): Elisabeth Naughton’s Crosswinds
Amazon ** iBooks ** GooglePlay

Rising Storm Episode 4 (Oct. 15): Jennifer Probst’s Dance in the Wind
Amazon **iBooks ** GooglePlay

Rising Storm Episode 5 (Oct. 22): Larissa Ione’s Calm Before the Storm
Amazon ** iBooks ** GooglePlay

Rising Storm Episode 6 (Oct. 29): Rebecca Zanetti’s Take the Storm
Amazon **iBooks ** GooglePlay

Rising Storm Episode 7 (Nov. 5): Lisa Mondello’sWeather the Storm
Amazon ** iBooks ** GooglePlay

Rising Storm Episode 8 (Nov. 12): Dee Davis’s Thunder Rolls
Amazon ** iBooks ** GooglePlay

Dance In The Wind teaser 1

Author pic - Jennifer ProbstAbout Jennifer Probst:

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012, and spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews.

She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team.

Sign up for her newsletter for a chance to win a gift card each month and receive exclusive material and giveaways.

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

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Author pic - Jennifer ProbstAbout Jennifer Probst:

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012, and spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews.

She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team.

Sign up for her newsletter for a chance to win a gift card each month and receive exclusive material and giveaways.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Kimberly reviews The Girl With No Past by Kathryn Croft

girl with no pastTITLE: The Girl With No Past
CHARACTERS: Lean & Julian
AUTHOR: Kathryn Croft
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A gripping psychological thriller for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

Leah Mills lives a life of a fugitive – kept on the run by one terrible day from her past. It is a lonely life, without a social life or friends until – longing for a connection – she meets Julian. For the first time she dares to believe she can live a normal life.

Then, on the fourteenth anniversary of that day, she receives a card. Someone knows the truth about what happened. Someone who won’t stop until they’ve destroyed the life Leah has created.

But is Leah all she seems? Or does she deserve everything she gets?

Everyone has secrets. But some are deadly.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a really interesting thriller. It takes a little while to warm up to Leah. She is the stereotypical librarian. She lives in her books, has little social life, etc. She wants to start having a social life and takes the current way… going online. But of course that doesn’t work out very well. The story takes place now but has a number of flashbacks that explains Leah’s story and why someone is after her.

I enjoyed the story. I thought the psychological part of it was thrilling. While dark it was really interesting. I haven’t read Gone Girl or The Girl On The Train so I don’t know if it compares but all in all I thought this was good and worth the quick read.

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

3hearts-68-77

The Ludzecky Sisters Series By Kathryn Shay

The Ludzecky Sister Series Banner

Begin Again 
(Ludzecky Sisters #1)
by Kathryn Shay

BEGIN AGAIN tells the story of Paulina Ludzecky who, since her husband died three years ago, runs a contracting business with her twin, Antonia. She’s ready to dip her toes in romance, when she meets Adam Armstrong, the architect on the new music hall her company is building.

For Adam, opposites attract and he’s drawn to this no-nonsense, down-to-earth girl next door. She’s equally interested in him though he’s too different from her to settle down with. But alpha male Adam has other plans for Paulina and isn’t about to let her go, even when Paulina has trouble with committing to him. Sex, yes! Love, no! This second chance at love story will tug on your heartstrings.

 

Available for purchase at:
         
Excerpt: 

Prologue

The Ludzecky family was well acquainted with tragedy, but none as horrific as this one.

The matriarch, Donuta Ludzecky, affectionately known as Matka, sat in the front pew of a Catholic church next to her best friend, Rosie Pettrone. The woman had suffered the worst loss any mother could have visited on her—losing a child or, in this case, losing two. Twin boys. Twenty-eight years old. The driver of a truck had barreled through a red light and crumpled the front of the car. The boys were killed instantly. They had been married to Paulina and Antonia, Donuta’s two daughters. Like the good Polish woman that she was, Donuta sat stalwart, holding back any display of her own emotions. Of course, she suffered with and for her friend. But she also could not help thinking of the effect this obscene event would have on her eight children.

Her gaze traveled first to her twin girls, dressed in black, shoulders hunched, sitting on either side of Rosie. Antonia had dissolved into tears the moment they had walked into church and had not stopped crying. Lukasz had to take care of her two-year-old son, who cried into his uncle’s chest. Paulina, stronger both physically and emotionally than Nia, had slid her arms around her boys, and remained stone-faced. The crying would come later for her, Donuta knew. And their lives would never be the same without their men. Donuta had learned that fact from the death of her own husband when she was in her forties.

Her gaze landed on Lukasz. He and his wife, Kelsey, had come down from Binghamton after the accident happened. Their near-perfect lives had been hard-won, and now their happiness would be shadowed by their sisters’ trauma. And Lukasz would suffer over living four hours away from the family. Next in age, Caterina was content as a mother, working in linguistics for the Secret Service, very much in love with her husband Aidan O’Neil. She would want to protect the girls, which would be impossible. She had already made plans to stay in Queens with them for three weeks.

Ana, the third oldest, had helped take care of Donuta’s other children, especially when more babies had come along and Donuta was in the hospital, giving birth or, twice, with exhaustion. Though Ana was happily married with one child, she would smother her twin sisters, trying to make things right for them.

Magdalena, a year younger than Ana, would take over the logistics. A successful businesswoman, she would try to organize, strategize and “fix” whatever she could for her sisters. She did not yet know there was no fixing tragedy, that the girls needed to simply grieve, but Magdalena believed she could do anything she set her mind to.

And then there was Sofia, who had had tragedy of her own. At sixteen, she had been diagnosed with leukemia. The treatment had forced her to give up her dancing aspirations. This one would go into herself unless someone stopped her. Donuta hoped her quiet daughter, fragile, thin as a willow, could withstand the sorrow that had come their way.

And last was Elizabeita. Who knew what the baby of the family would do? Bright enough to be a Rhodes Scholar and earn two degrees at Oxford, pretty enough to be a model and bold enough to sky dive and jump off cliffs, the girl had been impossible to control all her life. Donuta worried about her. How would this one handle the overwhelming grief?

When the priest asked them to stand, Donuta chided herself. She was thinking about her family’s welfare, and here was poor Rosie, who had suffered such loss. However, the fact remained: Donuta would be a friend in every way, but her role as Matka would make her priority her children, as always.

 *****

Primary Colors 
(Ludzecky Sisters Series, #2)
by Kathryn Shay


In PRIMARY COLORS, Nia Ludzecky Pettrone is stuck in her grief and can’t find a way out of her sorrow over the untimely death of her beloved husband. Then she meets famous modern artist Rafe Castle, and she’s intrigued by his gentle demeanor and lack of arrogance. When he shows interest in giving her son the confidence and skills to nurture his budding art talent, she starts falling for him. Still, she finds it hard to leave the past behind and embrace love after loss.

Rafe is definitely interested in a relationship with Nia. If he has his way, she’ll come to love him and he vows to be patient. But when she rejects him in the most elemental of ways, can he control the comparison to past hurts she resurrects for him?

Available for purchase at:
         

*****

Risky Business 
(Ludzecky Sisters Series #3)
by Kathryn Shay

Magdalena Ludzecky is a career woman extraordinaire. A child prodigy, she’s worked her way into a successful private equity firm by the time she was twenty-four. Seven years later, she’s still the gentle, good-hearted sister who hasn’t forgotten her roots, but in business she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s a woman who has everything, including Logan Price, her coworker and her best friend outside of the family. They support each other through tragedy and loss, vacation together and make million dollar deals together.

But suddenly, they find attraction growing between them. And no, they both think, this can’t happen! They like the status quo. An office romance is unthinkable. It doesn’t seem to be up to them, though, as fate intervenes and brings them together as lovers. Yet fate can be cruel, too, and pulls them apart when Logan’s circumstances change dramatically. Does this friends to lovers romance have a chance or are Logan and Magdalena going to lose each other forever?

Available for purchase at:
         

*****

The Way We Were 
(Ludzecky Sisters Series #4)
by Kathryn Shay

Ana Ludzecky had it all—a sexy husband, a beautiful daughter, her dream house and the best extended family in the world. Then, tragedy strikes them and her life turns upside down. Unable to bear the suffering of her sisters, she makes some bad choices that eventually lead to the dissolution of her marriage.

Dr. Jared Creswell, a professor at Mount Mary College, always believed he and Ana would last forever. He’s never loved anybody like he loved her. But a year after the tragedy, she’s still suffering because of the horrific events her family suffered. Jared weakens and makes the biggest mistake of his life.

When their daughter is stricken with a rare kidney disorder, both Ana and Jared must come together to see her through this difficult time. Will his and Ana’s past love be rekindled or have they put it out forever? You’ll root for these two who’ve been dealt a bad hand in life and are trying to find their second chance at love.

Available for purchase at:
         

*****

Handle with Care 
(Ludzecky Sisters Series #5)
by Kathryn Shay

Of all the Ludzecky sisters, Sofia is the calmest one. She’s had to be. Diagnosed with leukemia at sixteen, the disease has affected her entire life. When bad things have happened to her—her father’s death, her Secret Service sister and brother getting shot, the deaths of her brothers-in-law–Sofia has gone into herself and found the strength to help them out and also take care of herself. The easy going, laid back lifestyle suits her and she likes it. Her chosen profession is as a yoga instructor and owner of Serenity Yoga, which enhances this way of living.

Football Coach Max Walker doesn’t know what to make of this sweet, demure and pretty woman who is hired by his high school to teach yoga to students. But he’s part of the Physical Education department and has to deal with her every day. Soon he comes to learn how special she is, and though he steered clear of romance with another teacher, he’s drawn to her. But she shies away from him—big time. Why? Women usually flock to Max.

Little does he know that his outgoing personality, his rabid bent for competition and his boisterous athletic family upset her. Opposites attract is not true in her case. But Max wants her, and he’s always gotten what he wants.

Available for purchase at:
         

*****

Love Story 
(Ludzecky Sisters Series #6)
by Kathryn Shay

Elizabeita Ludzecky is two different women: one the risk-taking, hip, wild child in the Ludzecky family. Her other side is the Rhodes Scholar and businesswoman who works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The problem is she doesn’t know which is the real her. But what she does understand is the secret she carries inside her, and how it’s helped her survive a family fraught with tragedy.

Hardened cop Nick Casella decides to leave the NYPD because of his distaste for anti-police sentiment that developed after several high profile shootings were not prosecuted in the courts. But he’s asked to be part of a task force for the NYPD, an undercover unit specializing in unique crimes. He’s sent to the Met, ostensibly as a new employee do to set ups and other odd jobs. The famous museum has been besieged by odd emails, hackers and maybe even a stalker.

Nick works with Elizabeita when they put up a new exhibit and, at first, is not at all charmed by her winsomeness, her upbeat attitude about life or her sexy charisma. She’s a baby anyway, as he has more than a decade on her. But she’s getting the emails, too, and might be a victim, so he has to spend time with her. When she sets her sights on him, his first instinct is to run in the other direction. Soon, that changes dramatically. With secret and lies as the basis of a relationship, especially an older man/younger woman romance, does it have any chance of surviving?

 

Available for purchase at:
         

 

About the Author

A NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author, Kathryn Shay has been a lifelong writer and teacher. She has written dozens of self-published original romance titles, print books with the Berkley Publishing Group and Harlequin Enterprises and mainstream women’s fiction with Bold Strokes Books. She has won five RT Book Reviews awards, four Golden Quills, four Holt Medallions, the Bookseller’s Best Award, Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year and several “Starred Reviews.” Her novels have been serialized in COSMOPOLITAN magazine and featured in USA TODAY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and PEOPLE magazine. There are over five million copies of her books in print, along with hundreds of thousands downloaded online. Reviewers have call her work “emotional and heart-wrenching.”

 

You can find Kathryn at:               

Giveaway

 

Presented By

Gift Ideas for the Book Lover #53

Viviana, Enchantress of Books has shared some really awesome items this week!
Who wants those Stairs decals?

This week’s “Gift Idea For The Book Lover” is going to be the only time I wish I had stairs in my house! LOL!!  Scroll down below and check out this week’s items and let me know which is your favorite? 











Book Stairs DIY Vinyl Decals
$25.00+ (plus S&H) 

 

 

 

NOTE: Be sure to read the entire listing and review the tips that I’ve posted as the last photo. That should answer most any question you have but if something isn’t clear, send me a message and I’m happy to give you all the deets! Spoiler alert: YES, you can pick any titles you’d like. These are all custom made.
 
I know you’ve seen the stairs painted to look like a stack of books. And you wanted it, didn’t you? That ish is cool. But who’s got time to try to paint letters on their steps all hunched over? I don’t. I do, however, have the ability to cut letters out of vinyl. 
 
So here’s what you do: you paint the risers of your steps a few different colors. And then you order a few of these, slap them up over the color of your choice, presto-change-o, you just got yourself a set of book stairs without spending 75 hours doing it!
 
Book Purse Holder – Book Bag Accessories – Bag Holder – Purse Hook – Vintage Books Style-C – Purse Accessories – Literary Gift Purse Hange
$16.00 (plus S&H)
Vintage Books Purse Hanger – Style C
 
The Laughing Vixen Lounge Purse Hanger is a great way to keep your purse, bag, diaper bag or umbrella off the ground while out and about. This Purse Hanger even has a little mirror so you can touch up your lipstick and a divided compartment to hold small mints or pills. Simply unfold and set on the edge of a table (see second photo above). 
 
 
Item Details – 
– Mirror is just over 1 inch (29mm). Very small but still big enough to apply your lipstick. 
– Divided compartment is just over 1/8 inch (4mm) deep. Very small but it will fit mints/pills that are flat. You may need to purchase product special to fit but it is a great way to keep breath mints and aspirin at hand.
– Overall size – 2 3/4 inch (4.5cm) wide and 3/4 inch (29mm) tall.
– Weight – 3oz (85g).
– Holds up to 15 lbs. (7kg). 
– Magnetic closure keeps hanger in place when folded. 
– Rubber backside keeps hanger from sliding on table.
– Purses/Bags with long straps – Try knotting the strap into a loop to shorten before hanging. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shakespeare Coffee Mug -Book Lover Mug Battle of Wits Funny Literature Mug – Writer English Coffee Mug- Author Quote Coffee Tea Drinker Gift
$12.99 (plus S&H)
 
You’re almost there. You’ve reached an original Perk Me Ups mug, and with a few more clicks this mug can soon be on its way to you. 
 
The design shown in our photos may be simulated, but be sure that the mug you receive will look great.
 
* About Our Mugs *
 
All mugs are 11 ounces and have a glossy finish. They are dishwasher safe because of the dye sublimation process that we use. This process chemically bonds the ink to the mug surface. You can expect your mug to last a very long time with regular use.
 
* Personalization/Customization *
 
We can customize and/or personalize the design for you. This may take extra time, and for more complicated requests we may require an additional fee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scrabble Tile Necklace “Never Judge a Book by its Movie”. Pendant is Handmade on Scrabble Letter Tile. Gift for the Book Worm.
$6.95 (plus S&H)
 
Scrabble Tile Pendant Necklace – Jewelry of Re-claimed Scrabble Tiles. Scrabble necklaces make wonderful gifts, party favors, stocking stuffers, and are absolutely perfect for any occasion! 
 
DESCRIPTION:
This lovely handcrafted Scrabble Pendant Necklace is approximately 0.75 X 0.83 inches.
 
The Scrabble tile letter is random. If you would like a specific letter, please message me.
 



If items are no longer available, please contact the seller to request further information. 

 




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Book Lover in your life!!! 
 


Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas At Evergreen Inn by Donna Alward

christmas at evergreen innTITLE: Christmas At Evergreen Inn
SERIES #: Jewell Cove #4
CHARACTERS: Todd & Lainey
AUTHOR: Donna Alward
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/13/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome back to Jewell Cove, where this holiday season, there happens to be no room at the inn…

When a December Nor’easter roars up the eastern seaboard, Jewell Cove cop Todd Ricker spends his day off being a Good Samaritan to stranded holiday travelers. But when the roads close and Todd can’t make his way home, he discovers that the Evergreen Inn is full up. Until another Good Samaritan opens her doors and offers him a place to stay…

Lainey Price is not looking forward to Christmas, but just because she’s not filled with the holiday spirit doesn’t mean she’s going to turn Todd out into the stormy night. Even if it means offering the handsome police officer the couch in her tiny cottage. But when the weather takes a turn for the worse, the two are snowed in for a wintry evening by the fire. With Christmas only a few days away, can Todd convince Lainey to open her heart to the season…and love?

REVIEW:
This is a cute holiday novella. Only about 80 pages so a quick read. The story is set at Christmas but not much is Christmas related more winter related but even that is ok. Here is the thing. I think the synopsis is a bit deceiving. I had the feeling that Lainey and Todd had never met. Todd was just a good samaritan there to help out and Lainey an innkeeper. But the two have known each other all their lives. I think that makes a big difference when starting the story.

Once I understood the dynamics of the relationship it was fine and I really enjoyed it. Like I said it was quick and a light read. Good to have around for short spans of reading time this holiday season.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews All The Beautiful Brides by Rita Herron

all the beautiful bridesTITLE: All the Beautiful Brides
SERIES #: Graveyard Falls #1
CHARACTERS: Cal Coulter, Mona Monroe and the town folk of Graveyard Falls
AUTHOR: Rita Herron
PUBLICATION DATE: September 15, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A young woman lies dead at the bottom of a waterfall, dressed in a wedding gown with a rose stem jammed down her throat. And in the small town of Graveyard Falls, the horrifying vision stirs a long-ago nightmare back to life…

FBI Special Agent Cal Coulter gets called in to investigate the murder, which bears a terrifying resemblance to a series of killings committed thirty years ago: three teenage girls were found dead at the waterfall’s base, all bearing rose stems in their throats. But the high school football star was convicted and imprisoned for those murders, leading Cal to suspect that the killer is still out there.
Now, the body count is rising again. The monster’s sights are set on counselor Mona Monroe, Cal’s best friend’s widow…and the woman he’s always loved. Can Cal stop the killer before Mona becomes the next victim?

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This was my first ever Rita Herron book and I would like to think the ad on my kindle for telling me about this book. I am already looking forward to the next two books in this series.
Ms. Herron wrote a great suspense story. I was questioning the who’s, the what’s and the why’s with every page. There were a few twists and turns that I never saw coming.
My only issue would be that I wanted more from Cal & Mona relationship. I don’t want to give you anything more because I don’t want to give you that will give anything away.
So all and all I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next installment.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Stroke Of Midnight by Lara Adrian

stroke of midnightTITLE: Stroke of Midnight (A 1001 Dark Night Novella)
SERIES #: Midnight Breed #
CHARACTERS: Jehan & Seraphina
AUTHOR: Lara Adrian
PUBLICATION DATE: October 13, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Born to a noble Breed lineage steeped in exotic ritual and familial duty, vampire warrior Jehan walked away from the luxurious trappings of his upbringing in Morocco to join the Order’s command center in Rome.

But when a generations-old obligation calls Jehan home, the reluctant desert prince finds himself thrust into an unwanted handfasting with Seraphina, an unwilling beauty who’s as determined as he is to resist the antiquated pact between their families.

Yet as intent as they are to prove their incompatibility, neither can deny the attraction that ignites between them. And as Jehan and Seraphina fight to resist the calling of their blood, a deadly enemy seeks to end their uneasy truce before it even begins.

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Oh how I love the world of the Midnight Breed. I have loved this series since book one (Kiss of Midnight). And with each book in this series I believe the stories get better and better.
I enjoyed this story very much. I love meeting Jehan, Savage & Trygg all from the Rome division of the Order (already looking forward to learning more about Savage & Trygg).
I really loved Jehan & Seraphina. I loved the tension, love the banter, loved the sandstorm and the results of said storm ;). I just loved this book.
As with all of Ms. Adrian’s stories I want more. I need more. I will have more. I really can’t wait to see what is next for this series.

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

5hearts-68-77