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Kelly reviews The Beyond by Chloe Neill

TITLE: The Beyond
SERIES #: Devil’s Isle #4
CHARACTERS: Claire Connolly, Liam Quinn and crew
AUTHOR: Chloe Neill
NARRATOR: Amy Landon
RUN TIME: 9 Hours & 59 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: June 4, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sensitive Claire Connolly must journey to another world in the electrifying fourth installment of Chloe Neill’s post-apocalyptic urban fantasy series.
It’s been a year since the Veil between the human world and the world Beyond was torn apart, and war began again. Sensitive Claire Connolly and bounty hunter Liam Quinn have been helping their human and paranormal allies fight back against the ravaging invaders and save what’s left of New Orleans.
But a new enemy has arisen, more powerful than any they’ve seen before, and even Devil’s Isle cannot hold her. . .
When Claire learns of a new magical weapon–one built by paranormals themselves -she knows it could turn the tide of war. But to reach it, she and Liam will have to cross into the Beyond itself. In a world full of hostile magic and dangerous foes, she’ll have to channel the powers she once kept hidden in order to survive. New Orleans hangs in the balance, and the storm is growing closer

REVIEW:
I was excited and sad to get this latest and final installment in Chloe Neill’s Devil’s Isle series. I am really sad to see this series come to an end but I hope that this will not be the last time we will see these characters. I feel like there are so many more stories that can take place in this world. I really did enjoy this last installment of this series. I really liked how the characters have grown since the first book.

Amy Landon does a wonderful job yet again of narrating this book. I love when narrators are telling a story not just reading words on a page. So thank you Amy for doing an amazing job over the last 4 books. I look forward to listening to more audiobooks from Amy.

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

4 Hearts

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Santa In A Kilt by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Santa In A Kilt
CHARACTERS: Kira & Shay
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On the wild dunes of a Scottish Isle, mistletoe and mischief are the best way to heat up a holiday best shared by two . . .

The wind-whipped December sea air of the isle of Kinloch invigorates Kira MacLeod as she sets out to tame rugged Shay Callaghan. The Scottish bachelor may be as wary of a wedding ring as a snowman is of the hot sun, but it’s no secret how he looks at her—as if she were the only woman in the world. Now, with the encouragement of the canny islanders, and watching two of their best friends tie the knot in a romantic winter wedding, Kira will ignite Shay’s heart—and weave the perfect Celtic Christmas to say aye do . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Originally in Unwrapped

This is a cute Christmas novella that is a fast read of romance. Shay doesn’t believe in love and but Kira does and he knows to be with her he needs to figure out what love really is.

I enjoyed the story and wish it has been a bit longer. I will say that as a fan of Kauffman I can see that she has grown in her writings over the last decade (originally published in 2011).

That being said still a cute highlander Christmas novella by Kauffman.

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

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Kelly reviews Bred In The Bone by Kendra Elliot

TITLE: Bred in the Bone
SERIES #: Widow’s Island #4
CHARACTERS: Cate Wilde & Henry Powers
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: October 29, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the fourth Widow’s Island novella by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kendra Elliot, the truth of a twenty-year disappearance will finally come to light.

When the town drunk ends up dead in a hit-and-run, FBI special agent Cate Wilde expects that solving the case will be cut and dried. But evidence quickly surfaces that the victim was involved with another crime. A crime that has gone cold for twenty years. A crime of personal importance to Cate.

Cate’s best friend, Samantha, went missing at fourteen, leaving behind nothing except a jacket and an island full of unanswered questions. Samantha’s disappearance has haunted Cate for more than half her life, and she might finally be able to find some closure.

But not everything is as it seems. As Cate unravels what happened on that fateful day, she’ll discover that the community of Widow’s Island is full of secrets. Betrayed by someone she thought she knew, Cate will need to piece together the truth…before someone else gets hurt.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Cate Wilde and Tessa Black are determined to find out what happened to her childhood friend Sam. They found a new clue after 20 years. The next step is to speak to the land owner where Sam’s necklace was found. But before that they must find the driver of a hit-n-run accident that left a local dead.
Cate and Tessa thought that they were prepared to find the truth of Sam’s disappearance but they could never know the path that they would take to find that truth.

Bred in the Bone is the fourth novella in the Widow’s Island series that is written by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. If you haven’t read the first two novellas Close to the Bone and A Bone to Pick I would highly suggest you go get these and read them. You could pick up novella three and start her but the first two novellas give you the back story of Tessa & Cate. I am already looking forward to reading the next two installments in this series.

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

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Kimberly reviews Love, Chocolate and A Dog Named Al Capone by Abigail Drake

TITLE: Love, Chocolate and A Dog Named Al Capone
CHARACTERS: Josie St Clair
AUTHOR: Abigail Drake
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Capone, the newly acquired puppy of Miss Josephine St. Clair, owner of Bartleby’s Books, is a literature loving Labrador. Obsessed with Jane Austen, and cursed with a terrible name, Capone hopes to change his doggie karma and prove he’s just as much a gentleman as the heroes in his favorite books, by finding the perfect Mr. Darcy for the lonely and bookishly adorable Miss Josie.

Unfortunately, the only men Miss Josie seems to encounter aren’t Darcys at all. They’re Wickhams, Churchills, and Willoughbys. Even worse, there is trouble afoot. Someone has been sabotaging Miss Josie’s business, and all signs point to her evil ex. Can Capone find a way to save Bartleby’s Books, help Miss Josie find her true love, and earn, at long last, a name befitting a true gentleman?

REVIEW:
Oh my! This story is so adorable! It is written by the dog. Ok not really but it is written from a dog’s perception.

Capone is so adorable! He is obsessed with Jane Austin. Yes you read that right. And he wants his new owner to find her true love. And Capone is going to figure out how to do it.

I loved the concept of this story. Just so sweet. Yes the romance is kind of stereotypical but told this different way makes it so much fun to read.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Close To You by Kerry Wilkinson

TITLE: Close To You
CHARACTERS: Morgan & David
AUTHOR: Kerry Wilkinson
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/17/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
I pinch the screen to zoom until I’m staring at the face of a ghost. A man with very short hair, staring directly at the camera with piercing brown eyes.

He is as he was when I last saw him: wrinkles around the corners of the eyes and a knowing smirk. That’s the expression I see when I can’t sleep.

My body tenses. It can’t be him. It’s not my ex-husband. It’s not David.

I know that better than anyone because he didn’t walk out on me.

He didn’t disappear two years ago and he’s not a missing person.

I know that for a fact because I’m the one who killed him.

A brilliantly twisty thriller which will have fans of The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl absolutely gripped.

REVIEW:
The concept of this book, according to the synopsis, sounded great. The widow believes she is seeing her dead husband come to life. Most times this happens in a story she is excited he might be back but not in this book. Morgan knows this can’t be her husband since she killed him years ago.

I am not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this. Maybe a woman tormented by her husband and accidentally killed him. Or was finding out he was an axe murderer and wanted to save others by killing him first. Heck I don’t know but what I found was a woman who I just didn’t care much about.

She seemed almost psycho at times. I just had a hard time understanding her.

Maybe some will enjoy this but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

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

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Kimberly reviews Meant To Be Yours by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Meant To Be Yours
SERIES #: Happily Inc #5
CHARACTERS: Renee & Jasper
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Happily Inc, love means never having to say “I do”…

Wedding coordinator Renee Grothen isn’t meant for marriage. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, plan. But she never could have planned on gorgeous, talented thriller writer Jasper Dembenski proposing—a fling, that is. Fun without a future. And the attraction between them is too strong for Renee to resist. Now she can have her no-wedding cake…and eat it, too.

After years in the military, Jasper is convinced he’s too damaged for relationships. So a flirtation—and more—with fiery, determined Renee is way too good to pass up…until his flame becomes his muse.

Renee is an expert at averting every crisis. But is she finally ready to leap into the one thing that can never be controlled: love?

REVIEW:
Simply said Susan Mallery is my go to. She is the first name I mention when people ask me my favorite author and I have never been disappointed in a book. And I wasn’t with this book either. Far from it.

Renee and Jasper are so different and yet the same. They do not know what they want and have no idea how to find out. At least that is how I read them. Renee thinks she wants a FWB relationship with Jasper and Jasper is looking to understand women for his new book.

They are a great couple who like all of Mallery’s couples have a moment of heartbreak before they come back together for the HEA.

I really enjoyed Jasper trying to figure out women by watching “chick flicks” and such. It was too funny. And Renee just seems like an every woman. We think we have been through it all until something more happens.

Another great story from Mallery… but I expect nothing less from her.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Matchmakers Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton

TITLE: The Matchmakers Mistletoe Mission
CHARACTERS: Alice & Clay
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton celebrates the gift of love and the holiday season with a snowy Christmas wedding at the Bellini family vineyard.

Stranded at the Red Moss Vineyard a week before her best friend’s wedding, LA native and professional matchmaker Alice Weatherford is not pleased with her first trip to Oklahoma, or the epic snowstorm forcing her to stay. So much for Christmas cheer. What she needs is a project, something to distract her…and, oh, has she found one in neighboring rancher Clay Henry. Gorgeous, charming, and unlike any other man she’s ever met, finding the right woman for Clay should be easy….

Having grown up with the Bellini sisters, it’s no hardship for Clay to ride out the storm at their cozy family vineyard, especially since that means spending time with their savvy and smart houseguest. But despite Alice’s best efforts, he’s not the least bit interested in her matchmaking….

Alice is the only woman Clay wants. Now he just has to convince the matchmaker herself to give love a chance.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Alice is a Los Angeles matchmaker but when her best friend’s wedding is in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is nothing like LA. It snows is Oklahoma and Alice is unexpectedly stuck for days. Clay is checking on the Bellini’s when the snowstorm hits and he is also stuck for days at the vineyard. So now we watch the season work…..

Alice connects with Clay but then she decides he needs to be matched up and she doesn’t date her clients. Clay doesn’t want to be matched. Right now the other one he is interested in is Alice. But both have pasts that they need to move beyond.

I thought this was a cute book. The characters are made for each other. I thought Clay was sweet and everything a girl wants. He actually listens!

Sweet book to curl up and read for the holidays!

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

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Kelly reviews Whisper Of Bones by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: Whisper of Bones
SERIES #: Widow’s Island #3
CHARACTERS: Tessa Black & Logan Wilde
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: October 22, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dark secrets from the past bob to the surface in the third novella in the Widow’s Island series.
When a body washes up on the state park beach, Deputy Tessa Black’s experience as a former Seattle detective tells her that the death was not an accident. All evidence points to another murder on the remote island.
The victim is a local contractor with a shockingly long list of enemies. The more locals Tessa interviews, the more people she suspects—from the bitter ex-wife and estranged current wife to disgruntled former clients and employees. They all have different reasons to want him dead.
As Tessa’s investigation heats up, arson and a vicious assault convince her the killer is desperate to hide his crime—and that she’d better solve the case before he claims another victim.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Tessa Black finds herself facing another murder investigation when local construction worker washes up on the shores of one of the Widow’s Islands. As the hunt begins the number of potential killers keeps going up. It seems no one in Widow’s Island like Jason.
Tessa has to balance the hunt for a killer, taking care of her mother and little sister and a newly forming relationship. Add on top of that the ongoing mystery of the disappearance to her and Cate’s childhood friend will bring the girls a new clue to follow.
Whisper of Bones is the third novella in the Widow’s Island series that is written by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. If you haven’t read the first two novellas Close to the Bone and A Bone to Pick I would highly suggest you go get these and read them. You could pick up novella three and start her but the first two novellas give you the back story of Tessa & Cate. I am already looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Highland Outlaw by Heather McCollum

TITLE: The Highland Outlaw
SERIES #: The Campbell’s #4
CHARACTERS: Shaw & Alana
AUTHOR: Heather McCollum
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/21/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Shaw Sinclair, chief of the outcast clan of Sinclairs of Caithness in northern Scotland, has made a deal with the devil. Despite his strength and lethal skills, he needs help—specifically from a woman—to accomplish his mission to bring a bairn to safety to the coast. When he meets the brave and beautiful Alana Campbell at a Samhain Festival, he decides she’s the one.

Alana Campbell is ready to show the world she’s just as skillful with a sgian dubh as any man. Attracting the attention of the brawny chief who coerces her to join him on his journey to the coast of Scotland gives her that very opportunity. Sparks flash between them as they’re forced to act as husband and wife to accomplish the deadly mission. However, when secrets threaten to tear them apart, they have to decide if their differences outweigh the reality of their feelings…

Each book in The Campbells series is STANDALONE:
* The Scottish Rogue
* The Savage Highlander
* The Wicked Viscount
* The Highland Outlaw

REVIEW:
I have very much enjoyed this series and this story was no different. Set in the Highlands we meet Shaw. He has been given the task of caring for a bairn and getting her to a boat with her wet-nurse. By doing so he may actually get everything he has lost back.

We met Alana in the previous series and now we get her story. Alana finds out her mother is alive and wants to get to Edinburg to rescue her. On the road to her mother she is taken hostage by Shaw to care for the bairn. Once she finds out they are going the same direction she allows the “kidnapping” to happen.

I found this story a fun, crazy, interesting read. I loved the connection that Alana found with Shaw but also with the baby.

A great read for any fan of Highlanders.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Liar’s Sister by Sarah Denzil

TITLE: The Liar’s Sister
CHARACTERS: Rosie & Heather
AUTHOR: Sarah A Denzil
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The must-read psychological thriller for 2019 from the million-copy-bestselling author of Silent Child.

Ten years ago Samuel Murray went missing from the small village of Buckthorpe and was never found again. A quiet boy who loved walking in the woods and tending the animals on his parents’ farm. Family, friends and neighbours all say they didn’t see him on the dark, rainy night he disappeared. But surely someone in the close-knit community must know something?

Rosie Sharpe cried for weeks after. But her little sister Heather knows that Rosie’s tears hide the truth. Because the night their friend Samuel was last seen, Heather saw her older sister climbing back into the window of their childhood bedroom. Her jacket torn, her eyes wild and her body trembling with fear.

Heather has never told anyone what she saw, but secrets can’t stay buried forever…

When Rosie and Heather are forced to return to the home they grew up in, to spend the last days with their dying mother, they must confront what really happened a decade ago. But the people of Buckthorpe make it clear they are unwelcome – they’ve always suspected the girls knew more than they said about the night Samuel went missing. And as the shocking lies of the past begin to unravel, they have the power to put the lives of both sisters in terrible danger…

This twist-filled, page-turning psychological thriller will keep you hooked until the final, jaw-dropping pages.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I believe this is the first book from this author that I have read. But I do not believe it will be my last.

What a story. This book kept me not only reading but guessing. If you are a fan of suspense thriller than this is the book for you. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love a thriller where I find myself changing the who-dun-it in my mind a number of times. And this one did just that.

The sisters are all grown now and have kept a lot of secrets over the years but now they are all unraveling.

Want a gripping thriller that will leave you wanting more? You have found it.

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

4 Hearts