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Kelly reviews Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires by Molly Harper

TITLE: Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires
SERIES: Half-Moon Hollow #8
CHARACTERS: Tylene McClaine & Alex Bonfils
AUTHORS: Molly Harper
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: September 28, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The “enchanting” (Publishers Weekly) Jane Jameson series is back with a new paranormal romantic comedy about werewolf yearning to find her own place world, and the group of admittedly unique vampires who help her find love.
Tylene McClaine, black sheep of the McClaine Half-Moon Hollow werewolf pack, has spent a lifetime blocking out the criticisms of her boisterous pack. They say she’s too bookish, too sarcastic, and worst of all, too picky when it comes to finding a nice werewolf boy and settling down.
But when she meets vampire and Half-Moon Hollow music teacher, Alex Bonfils, Tylene starts to wonder if she could create the life she’s always wanted. She takes every precaution to meet her sexy vamp in secret, but when a vandal around town starts targeting vampire businesses, she fears her family might have found her out. When the damage in town escalates, Tylene and Alex join forces with Jane Jameson, Dick Cheney, and the whole vampire gang to find the culprit and save Half-Moon Hollow before it’s too late!

REVIEW:
Tylene McClaine has always known she isn’t your typical wolf, but she didn’t know just how unusually she really was until she started hanging out with vampires.
Alex Bonfils has lived a very long life and never has found a place to call home. That is until now, but he has to convenience a certain werewolf to take a chance on him.

You know what I love the most about long series? That every time there is a new book in that series it feels like coming home. That is exactly how I feel about Molly Harper’s Half-Moon Hollow series. I just love to see what shenanigans the gang is up to, to catch up with them and of course meet the news members of the family. Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires is all that and more. I loved Tylene & Alex together! The make a wonderful couple and bring some spice and calm to the Half-Moon Hollow family
Amanda Ronconi again lends her talents to the Half-Moon Hollow series. It is so great to have a narrator that is able to do so many voices. I also love the fact that I never feel like Amanda is just reading words off a screen. She is so good at telling these stories and bringing the characters to life.
I am already looking forward to the next adventure in this series.

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

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Kimberly reviews Broken by John Rector

TITLE: Broken
CHARACTERS: Maggie, Lilly & Mike
AUTHOR: John Rector
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/15/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Trust becomes a fatal mistake in this shocking thriller by the international bestselling author of The Ridge.
Welcome to Beaumont Cove, a slowly decaying tourist town at the edge of the world, and the place where Maggie James’s worst fears for her estranged twin sister, Lilly, have come true.
Lilly is dead, and Maggie has arrived to identify her body.
Lilly’s husband, Mike, is in custody for her murder. With his long history of abuse, no one in town is surprised at the inevitable end to their stormy marriage, least of all Maggie. All she wants is to clean up her sister’s affairs, see Mike punished, and get out of Beaumont Cove.
With the help of the local sheriff, a retired private investigator, and a strange but friendly carnival psychic, Maggie begins to uncover the truth about what really happened to her sister. But the truth comes at a price, and soon Maggie finds herself walking a dark path toward the same deadly trap that killed Lilly.
The more Maggie discovers about her sister’s final days, the more she realizes that nothing is as it appears in this strange boardwalk town.

REVIEW:
This is a really dark story regarding domestic abuse and murder. Lilly and Mike move to Beaumont Cove and Lilly spends a lot of time reflecting on her life and her abusive spouse. The town of Beaumont Cove seems ideal to Lilly but when her sister, Maggie, comes to identify her twin’s body she doesn’t see the ideal town Lilly did and wonders what her sister saw in the crumbling town.

Maggie assumes Mike killed her sister but even she starts questioning everything and wonders if her brother in law is actually innocent. But one she starts investigating she starts finding out info.

I found the suspense part of the book good. I wondered what had happened to Lilly and liked the way that part was written. However, the abuse part was dark, actually a bit too dark for me.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki

TITLE: The Highland Laird
SERIES #: Lords Of The Highlands #8
CHARACTERS: Emma & Ciar
AUTHOR: Amy Jarecki
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/13/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Fans of Hannah Howell and Diana Gabaldon will love this Scottish romance that combines a high-stakes action and sizzling romance.

Emma Grant has been sheltered and underestimated her entire life. Her blindness may set her apart, but she’s just as fierce and loyal as any of her clansmen. So when she catches word that her brother’s best friend is in jail, she doesn’t hesitate to race to the brawny Highlander’s rescue.

Laird Ciar MacDougall is on a vital mission for Scotland when he witnesses a murder—and then is blamed for the death and thrown into a Redcoat prison to rot. He never thought he’d be broken out by a slip of a lass and her faithful hound. But now they’re outlaws on the run. And as their enemies circle ever closer, he will have to choose between saving his country or the woman who’s captured his heart.

REVIEW:
Another sweet Scottish romance. But what I loved about this story was that Emma is blind. I loved that she wasn’t a helpless lass that couldn’t do anything because she is blind. And I loved the scenes where she works at teaching a dog to help her even though I doubt seeing eye dogs was a thing back in the day.

Ciar is a sweet guy. Ok, maybe more of a diamond in the rough but still I thought he was sensitive and understanding and perfect for Emma.

I am glad we finally got their story since we have met them both before. But now they have their HEA and it was worth the wait.

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

4 Hearts

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Princess By Christmas by Julia London

TITLE: A Princess By Christmas
SERIES #: A Royal Wedding #3
CHARACTERS: Mareki & Hollis
AUTHOR: Julia London
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/13/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s discovered his secret.

Now the trouble really begins…

After three years of mourning—and turning her dear deceased husband’s gazette into the ton’s sauciest source of fashion and gossip—Hollis Honeycutt feels her life has been strangely bereft of late… Her sister is living abroad, and her best friend moved to the country. What must a young widow of rank and reputation do? Why, transform her society gossip sheets into serious investigative news, starting with a rumored coup…and the rather dashing, mysterious gentleman whom Hollis suspects might be the villain of her first real story, and she is the only one who can write it.

Marek Brendan is investigating terrible rumors of treachery and treason that threaten his home country of Wesloria, but he must proceed with caution. No one can discover the truth. After all, who would ever believe he is Wesloria’s lost crown prince? Only Hollis Honeycutt’s cerulean-blue eyes seem to know more than she’s letting on—and worse, Marek can’t seem to resist her curious charms. But even as betrayal threatens a nation and a throne, nothing is quite so dangerous as the lovely young widow who’s determined to find the truth…and a prince of her own.

REVIEW:
Talk about opposites attract… Marek is so quiet and just a nothing and Hollis is so well a bit obnoxious. But that is only in the beginning. Once you get to know the characters they bloomed. I watched both characters grow into each other and I enjoyed them falling in love.

Julia London has a knack for writing romance. She somehow takes characters that and turns them into friends. In this one we learn how the loss of her husband has affected Hollis. And how Marek is feeling when his home country is threatened.

It took a while but I really enjoyed these characters and the story that London weaved around the holiday season.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Guardian’s Grace by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Guardian’s Grace
SERIES #: Dark Protectors #12
CHARACTERS: Adare & Grace
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/13/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Duty—or desire?

Vampire soldier Adare O’Cearbhaill’s default setting is cranky. Or irritated. Or down-right hostile. Still, as a Highlander of honor and duty he stepped up to save an enhanced and special human female by mating her—with merely a bite and a brand. The last person he wants in his life is a fragile human, yet he can’t get her out of his mind as she regains her strength before taking off for parts unknown. And when he discovers she is in danger, nothing can stop him from hunting her down—whether she likes it or not.

There’s only one way to find out . . .

Photographer Grace Cooper has had it with vampires, demons, and the rest of an immortal world she was happier not knowing about. She also doesn’t believe she’s destined for some great battle because of an old birthmark. Forget the fact that her mate is the sexiest thing on two stubborn feet, or that her brand is fading along with her health. She’ll handle things on her own—until an old enemy reappears and she learns the only way to stay alive is to actually mate, wild sex and all, with that ripped and dangerous Adare—a powerful, captivating Highlander who demands nothing less than everything . . .

REVIEW:
I have been waiting so long for Grace and Adare’s story. I mean Grace and Adare have been a part of each other for so long I was thinking this book would never come along. And I did wonder how it would be explained that someone as protective and possessive as Adare would let Grace be free until he claimed her. But this is Rebecca Zanetti and she never disappoints.

Zanetti has quickly become one of my favorite paranormal authors. I love the way she writes and how her characters jump right off the screen. I really wish a station like NetFlix would turn her books into one of their made for station series. Because these characters deserve to be available to everyone.

Another incredible story in the Dark Protectors series!

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Return To Virgin River by Robyn Carr

TITLE: Return To Virgin River
SERIES #: Virgin River #19
CHARACTERS: Kaylee & Landry
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/13/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr returns to the beloved town of Virgin River with a brand-new story about fresh starts, new friends and the magic of Christmas.

Kaylee Sloan’s home in Southern California is full of wonderful memories of the woman who raised her. But the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother’s recent death. A successful author, Kaylee hoped she could pour herself into her work. Instead she has terrible writer’s block and a looming deadline.

Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives north through the mountains and the majestic redwoods, she immediately feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend–or a stranger–in need.

Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As the holidays approach, Kaylee’s dread turns to wonder. Because there’s no better place to spend Christmas than Virgin River.

REVIEW:
I will say that I have not read all of the books in this series… yet! I read some here or there but now that I have seen the NetFlix series I have really enjoyed this series and want to catch up on all of them.

In this one we meet Kaylee and Landry when she needs a place to rent. She comes to Virgin River to get away after her mom’s death and figures it’s a good place to finish her novel. Landry becomes the friend and love interest that she didn’t know she needed or wanted.

I love the way that Carr writes. The pain Kaylee felt for the loss of her mother was palpable and I felt horrible for her. But I loved how Landry was with her.

Another great story by Carr in the wonderful town of Virgin River!

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Evil Never Dies by S.M. Hardy

TITLE: Evil Never Dies
SERIES #: Dark Devon Mysteries #2
CHARACTERS: Jed & Emma
AUTHOR: S M Hardy
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/17/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The village of Slyford St James is no stranger to supernatural happenings, as long-time residents Jed and Emma know all too well. Although Jed’s spiritual connection with the dead was once a source of pride, it now fills him with dread. When he receives an invitation to the family estate of his old army friend Simon, who wants Jed to use his gift to solve the brutal murder of his elder brother, Jed is initially reluctant, but Emma encourages him to agree, hoping that this new sense of purpose might lift him out of his melancholy, despite the circumstances.
When they arrive at the estate, Jed is shocked by how fragile and fearful his friend has become. As Jed calls upon the spirit world for the first time in eighteen months, the results are dramatic, and a gruesome warning reveals dark and dangerous family secrets that threaten the safety of them all.

REVIEW:
This story had so much promise. I loved how Emma could communicate with ghosts and Jed has a special connection with the dead but tries to close himself off from it. But now his friend wants his help to solve his brothers murder.

I liked the beginning. But to be honest there was so much thrown into this book that I really didn’t enjoy the second half of the story. It became all too much and lost the uniqueness of the story.

If the author had taken a bit more time he/she would have been a bit more consistent in the telling of the story and keeping the whole story as good as the first half.

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

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Kimberly reviews Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

TITLE: Magic Lessons
SERIES #: Practical Magic #0
CHARACTERS: Maria & Hannah
AUTHOR: Alice Hoffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In an unforgettable novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.

Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Unnamed Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back.

When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters.

Magic Lessons is a celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Any fan of Practical Magic needs to read this book. Ever wondered why the family is cursed about their first loves? Wonder how they became witches? Well this book you will learn from Maria Owens. Through her history we learn how what we know began.

I enjoyed this story. This is not about witches or witchcraft or the supernatural. Just as with Practical Magic it is about love, family and learning about yourself.

Maria starts off as an abandoned baby and is raised by a witch. She becomes a servant, follows her “true love” to Salem, Mass (we all know that area) and then on to NYC.

As I said in the beginning. Any fan of Practical Magic needs to read this book!

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

4 Hearts

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Happily This Christmas by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Happily This Christmas
SERIES #: Happily Inc #6
CHARACTERS: Wynn & Garrick
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/29/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Susan Mallery, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances, proves there’s no place like Happily Inc for the holidays…

There’s no place like Happily Inc for the holidays…

Wynn Beauchene has a thriving business, a great kid and a mildly embarrassing crush on the guy next door—local cop Garrick McCabe. She’s a strong, independent woman who can’t help dreaming what-if about a man she barely knows. Until he needs her help…

Garrick’s pregnant daughter will be home for Christmas, and his house needs a woman’s touch. Garrick and his little girl were tight once and he’s hoping a small-town Christmas will bring her back to him. But thawing his daughter’s frosty attitude will take more than a few twinkle lights. Maybe sharing the holiday with Wynn and her son will remind her of the joy of family.

As the season works its magic on these wounded souls, Wynn realizes it’s time to stop punishing herself for a painful secret, while Garrick remains haunted by the ghosts of past mistakes. Will he allow Wynn to open the only gift she truly wants—his heart?

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Happily, Inc (and Fool’s Gold) are my favorite places to visit. Susan Mallery is honestly one of my favorite authors. She pulls me in before I have finished the first page. And this book is no different. Especially for the holidays!

Ok so let’s say it out right. This is a holiday romance so we know with the magic of the holidays Mallery will give us a HEA. But this isn’t about the ending but about the getting there. In this novel Wynn has been secretly in love with Garrick for a while. And now he could use his help when his daughter comes to town.

I really like all the characters in the story. Wynn and Garrick are so sweet together They both need each other but have no idea how or why. And then they both have a child and they need Wynn and Garrick too. And of course the people of the town make visiting Happily, Inc a great place to spend the holidays.

There is no way to read a Susan Mallery book and not love it. I could go into all the wonderful things in this book but there are too many.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Perfect Sister by Zoe Miller

TITLE: The Perfect Sister
CHARACTERS: Alice & Holly
AUTHOR: Zoe Miller
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Once inseparable, years of resentment and jealousy have driven Alice and Holly apart. But, though they barely speak these days, Alice knows her sister is hiding something.

When she hears that discovery at a soon-to-be-demolished apartment building has led police to re-open an ‘accidental death’ case, Alice thinks nothing of it. Until someone knocks at her door, with questions about Holly…

Alice doesn’t believe her sister is capable of involvement in anything so sinister. But when she tries to contact Holly, she can’t be reached…

Forced to dig through the past in order to uncover the truth, Alice also starts to uncover years of Holly’s secrets – and to doubt her innocence. And as the evidence mounts up, she has a choice to make: does she want to help her sister clear her name, even if Alice will end up paying the price?

REVIEW:
I will be honest. This book was confusing. Nothing that we are supposed to “know” came from the story. The sisters were close at one point and now they are not. Then a murder takes place and Holly and her husband take off. Alice needs to find out why.

I really didn’t understand a lot of this book and why it was happening. I mean the family dynamic is really off. It is not like the sisters love or hate each other. They just are sisters and nothing more. Then there are a bunch of other characters that have nothing to do with the story.

The suspense was fine. I am not really sure with all the other confusion that I cared about the suspense but it was still there to read.

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

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Kimberly reviews A Witchly Influence by Stephanie Grey

TITLE: A Witchly Influence
CHARACTERS: Carmen & Abby & Finn
AUTHOR: Stephanie Grey
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Get ready to have fun and be influenced!

Fate can show up as anything… As a freshly minted divorcee, witch Carmen Devereaux returns to her hometown in North Carolina. With this decision comes another change in her life: Fate has decided that she is to become an Influencer, someone who guides others onto the path that they were meant to take.

When she’s assigned to Abby Windsor, a young schoolteacher, as well as her own stepbrother, Finn Cleary, she soon encounters several obstacles, including getting stuck in her own past.

A quirky, fun, and lovable cast of characters, including Lenny the Snowman—a grumpy, old snowman who really loves trashy reality shows, especially ones about real housewives, Egbert the Lobbyist Pencil—a pompous pencil who lobbies on magic and loves tasty cuisine, and Muse Siobhan Waters, who is thoughtful and down to earth, help guide and inspire Carmen whenever she gets stuck working on her assignment. Along the way, Carmen learns to influence others…and herself.

Humorous and light-hearted, A Witchly Influence is the perfect feel-good book of the year.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts What if witches were really fairy godmothers? Carmen moves back to her hometown and becomes, for lack of a better title, a life coach. But then that is what the witches in this book seem to be. They help the people of the world make the word a better place. In this novel Carmen is set to help Abby and, of all people, her step-brother Owen.

I enjoyed the book. It was cute and had a nice amount of humor. The characters in Carmen’s world are so funny. I don’t see myself running out to tell the world about it but I will certainly pick up the next in the series.

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

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Kimberly reviews Going Under by Skye Jordan

TITLE: Going Under
SERIES #: Wildfire Lake #2
CHARACTERS: KT & Ben
AUTHOR: Skye Jordan
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/14/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Another sweet & steamy read from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Skye Jordan!

Some women want roses and I love yous. I want hot guys and great sex.

Maybe I’ve absorbed too much testosterone employed in the male dominated world of mechanics, only, I’m no longer working on a cruise ship with sexy men around every corner. I’m building a business with my two best friends in a small town where reputation is everything.

But it’s only six months before I can take my money and run–straight back to the sea. Only this time I’ll have my own sailboat, choose my own destinations, and live by my own rules.

When I meet Dr. Delicious over stitches, we’ve got instant heat, but he comes with major drawbacks, starting with an affinity for dating and ending with his status as a single dad.

Before I know it, I’m putting together a frilly “dream bed” for Christmas and teaching his oldest to repair a carburetor.

Dr. Delicious is the very definition of commitment, and falling for him is a non-negotiable no way.

Too bad my heart hasn’t gotten that memo.

REVIEW:
This is the second in the series and Skye Jordan never disappoints. Her men are strong and have a heart of gold. Her women are independent and confident. And this story is no different.

KT is a bit of a tomboy who works in a male driven world of engineering and is in town to work on a Marina for Wildfire Lake with her two best friends. When she gets hurt she goes to see Dr Ben who is a single dad and committed to his work.

But when they meet there is something more than a one night stand and while neither one of them want to admit it we as a fan of romance know they have no say in where their hearts take them.

Another great story from Skye Jordan. She is easily one of my favorite go-to authors because he never disappoints.

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

4 Hearts