Tag: Kimberly’s Review

Posted on

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Coming Home For Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE:  Coming Home For Christmas
SERIES #: Haven Point #10
CHARACTERS: Elizabeth & Luke
AUTHOR:  RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE:  09/24/19
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: 

Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas…

Elizabeth Hamilton has been lost. Trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents, she couldn’t quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids…until a car accident stole away her memories and changed her life. And when she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie’s laugh, the baby powder smell of Bridger and the feel of her husband’s hand in hers, Elizabeth worried that they’d moved on without her. That she’d missed too much. That perhaps she wasn’t the right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them.

But now, seven years later, Luke finds her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. And being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. As they all trim the tree and bake cookies, making new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the hurt of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning?

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts This is a different kind of holiday story. Elizabeth is suffering from postpartum depression after the birth of her youngest so she does the only thing she thinks she can. She leaves her family behind.

When Elizabeth’s family comes looking for her she doesn’t know how to tell them what she is feeling and explain the help she needs to more than just talking to a counselor. 

But as always the holidays can bring families together. 

The thing I liked about this story is that it addresses the very real problem of postpartum depression. This is not talked about as often as it should be or explained to pregnant women that it can be extreme. Yes it usually isn’t but women can and have killed their own children because of this condition. And this story brings the seriousness to light.

While I will not say this is a feel good put you in the mood for Christmas story this is a story that is a roller coaster of emotions. 

Disclaimer:

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

 

4 Hearts
Posted on

Kimberly’s review of Falling in Danger by Kaylie Newell

Falling In Danger
AUTHOR: Kaylie Newell
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/20/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A journalist stumbles onto the story of a lifetime. And finds herself falling in danger…

When young, naïve reporter Jessica Brady is kidnapped and held for ransom by the head of an illegal dog fighting organization, undercover police officer Ian Cole realizes he’s got his hands full. He’s on the verge of busting the ring when he’s assigned to babysit her, which isn’t an easy feat. She’s neurotic, feisty, and also happens to be scared to death of dogs. Now he has to figure out a way to get them both out alive.

Jessica has no idea the thug she’s becoming attracted to is actually a cop, but it’s clear he’s not like the rest of the men in the organization. Particularly Albert Mancini, the disturbed only son of the ring boss, who has an appetite for alcohol and women. Especially Jessica.

When Ian’s cover is blown, he’s forced to bust the ring early. Weeks later, Jessica can’t stop thinking about the experience that has changed her forever. She wonders about the tall, sexy detective who saved her life. And the mobster’s prize-winning pit bull, Bruta.

An idea for a story is born. What if these dogs were given a second chance at life?

As Jessica digs deeper into their troubled world, she ends up falling for the police officer who rescued them. And discovers layers of her heart she never knew existed.

But when Albert escapes from jail, her happiness turns to terror. He hasn’t forgotten about the detective who put him behind bars. Or the beautiful young woman whose every move has become his obsession.

REVIEWED BY: Kimberly
4 Stars
REVIEW:
The synopsis gives you a very clear explanation about the book so I will not reiterate that but I will tell you I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The book is very well written especially since it looks like this is only the second book by this author.

I love the male character, Ian, he has a strength about him that is written so clearly into the character it is hard not to fall for him. Jessica is great too, except I would have been happier to not have her on the verge of tears so often. I also enjoyed Bruta, the pit bull. The book is about dogfighting and the rescue of fighting dogs and Bruta is a poster child for these innocent victims. It breaks your heart to know that these dogs are out there forced into a life they do not want and yet the books celebrates the “parents” who rescue these dogs and rehabilitate them.  The only thing is I wished the author had given us a little more of an epilogue/chapter 15. It felt a little abrupt of an ending when it comes to the couple and the dog even though, yes, it is a happy ending a little more detail would have been nice. But other than that this book is great and is not a story to be missed.

**NOTE: 40% of the publisher’s proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Pixie Project, a non-profit organization that provides adoption services for animals.