ARC REVIEW Best of Luck by Kate Clayborn

Chance of a Lifetime #3, I have been impatiently waiting for this book since the characters were introduced to each other in the first book. This can be read as a stand alone but I really recommend reading the first two books to get the whole picture. This is written in third person with alternating perspectives of Greer and Alex. I loved this book the story and the characters so emotional.

Greer, Kit and Zoe buy a lottery ticket never expecting to actually win, so far Kit followed her dream and bought a house and fell in love, Zoe quit her job and went on an amazing path of self discovery and fell in love too. Now it's Greer's turn who was finally able to follow her dream and go back to school. She's almost got her degree when they tell her she short credits for art.

Alex Alverin, Kit's older brother, is a world renowned photojournalist his plan to come to his sister's wedding and then take off again has to be revised when his debilitating panic attacks get worse. With the urging of his agent and Greer, who caught him in the middle of one during the wedding, he takes some time off. But he won't be idle on his time off Greer recruits his help with her art credit. Greer's only hope to get the art credit she needs is to take a photography class subtly using Alex to get the teacher to agree was aggravating but easy. Greer also gets Alex to agree to go see a therapist while he's here. Alex was always attracted to Greer but the more time he spends with her the more the attraction builds into something more, and vise versa, and the more he learns about her the more he's tempted to try and stay. Greer may have fallen in love with Alex but she knows him to well and is just waiting for him to leave again. Alex's fears are so deep rooted he doesn't know if his love for Greer is stronger than his wonderlust. 

Overall, this is my favorite of the three. Both of the character's histories play a part in why they act they way they do and how their budding relationship gives them a new perspective and allows them to look at their lives differently and finally be willing to change for the better. There is such deep emotion and fear that Kate Clayborn really puts you through the ringer with this one.   

ARC REVIEW A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle

The Duke's Den #1, Great story, great characters, great setup for the series. Nick Lyons was born the second son of a Duke but his father hated him never believed that he was legitimate; it wasn't true but his father made his life hell. It got so bad His mother had to run away with him to keep him safe. Now Nick is a self made man co-owner of a gaming hall and much to his dismay he's the new Duke of Tremayne. Thomasina  "Mina" Thorne was raised like a lady she on the other hand had other plans. Raised by her father the Steward to Enderley Castle and was taught everything she needed to know to run the land; her father also instilled in her an unwavering sense of loyalty to the land and its people so much so that when he died she seamlessly stepped into his role. Nick hates Enderley Castle it's filled with nothing but bad memories he plans to liquidate its assets and lease the house to the highest bidder but then he meets Mina Thorne.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I loved all the internal conflict that both Nick and Mina deal with. Nick with his memories of the house and Mina with her sense of duty to the house despite her own dreams and then them dealing with their feelings for each other and their very different stations.      

ARC REVIEW Tiger's Claim by Celia Kyle

Rogue Shifters #2, I knew from the first book with how dickish Cole acted toward Declan trying to lure Abby away that he would get his comeuppance when it came to his book and boy does Stella lead him on a merry chase. I would recommend reading Wolf's Mate first just because it has an ongoing story arc. Third person POV that switches from Cole's perspective to Stella's with a couple of chapters from Grant which means I am going to assume the next book is his, and with what's going on in his chapters I can't wait for. This is a well paced PNR with plenty of action and I loved the chemistry between Cole and Stella. Stella is headstrong and determined and even though she sometimes doesn't think things through and ends up in trouble Cole loves her for it. He loves her fighting spirit their arguing acts like an aphrodisiac for them both.

Stella Moore lost her twin when they were kids, she was taken by the anti-shifter organization after she accidentally shifted in public. The Moore family fell apart after that and now Stella has no one. Stella is determined to get revenge on the man who stole her sister, James Walters, he's a very wealthy man who is deep with Unified Humanity and Stella is going to kill him.

Cole Turner normally works with explosives but with his family being rich the team needed his last name and his family connection to get an "in" with Walters, so this time around Cole is working undercover. Cole knew at first glance that Stella was something special, he knew at the first whiff of C4 from the bomb she had under her dress that she was the one for him, it just took both of them a while to admit it. In order to protect the op and Stella they have to bring her in on it even if having her there now is a distraction for Cole that can lead to some very dangerous consequences.

Overall, it was another outstanding book. It's a great PNR Suspense, plenty of action and romance with enough internal conflict to make the characters interesting and to hook you into their world. 

   

ARC REVIEW Wish Upon a Duke by Erica Ridley

The 12 Duke's of Christmas #3, I knew I'd love Gloria from the previous book, I thought I would like Christopher too but he ended up being a bit of an intellectual snob. He was better by the end of the book but Gloria really had him going there for a while to teach him a lesson. It was a nice heart warming story that introduces a few more of the unique eligible young ladies of Christmas.

Gloria wanted to find love, she was completely smitten the first time she saw Christopher but like everyone else he never saw her. Christopher was looking for a wife someone he could love and take around the world and explore together his first look at Gloria and he was captivated. But first impressions go a long way and Christopher didn't make a good one.

With Christopher's rake of a brother no engaged he finds himself the center of attention for every lady in town but Christopher is looking more than a dalliance. Being set up by the matchmaker seems like a good idea until he realizes the matchmaker is Gloria. Gloria arranges for him to meet some of the young ladies who fit his criteria, but Christopher doesn't connect with any of them but he does Gloria. Christopher wants to give Gloria the world but Gloria is to scared to leave Christmas. Is Christopher enough for Gloria to conquer her fears or are they doomed before they can even start.

Overall, it was an emotional and fun read. I always enjoy reading Erica Ridley.  

BLOG TOUR Desperate by A.K. Evans

Today we have the blog tour for A.K. Evans upcoming romance, Desperate. Check it out and get your copy today!

Title: Desperate

Author: A.K. Evans

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Desperate:

Ekko Rose is no stranger to struggle. Even though she’s experienced more than her fair share of hardship, she has dreams she wants to fulfill. But when another stroke of bad luck leaves her homeless, Ekko's only option is to focus on survival.

Dominick ‘Dom’ Moore has had his eyes on Ekko ever since he saved her life several months ago. He kept his distance then because she was attached to another man. Now, seeing her living out of her car, Dom resolves to help her get back on her feet.

When Dom approaches Ekko, she wrestles with knowing her rightful place in the world and desperately wanting to latch onto something better. Just as the pair fall hard for one another, Ekko’s streak of misfortune delivers one more blow. With their relationship thrown into a pit of despair and hopeless desire, Dom must crack the case he’s been trying to solve for weeks. Because if he can’t, Ekko might be lost to him forever.  

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 This book exceeded all my expectations. One of the few books I don't mind that it is written in first person switching POVs between Dom and Ekko. Dom is perfect book boyfriend material, it's almost annoying how perfect he is but that doesn't turn me off in any way I still want him to be my book boyfriend. Ekko hasn't had an easy life, she thinks the only luck she has is bad luck, until Dom walk into her life again. Ekko is days away from earning enough money to getting her own place when she finds out her ex-boyfriend/roommate is selling drugs she decides living in her car is a better choice. Dom has been  keeping an eye on Ekko ever since he saved her from being kidnapped and sold into white slavery. He's known since the moment he saw her that she was going to be his, but he bided his time until he was sure she wasn't in a relationship. When he finds her sleeping in his car he makes his move.

Good things start to happen and Ekko is waiting for the other shoe to drop because for her nothing good lasts forever. Dom is determined to show and give Ekko the life she deserves and not the life she's been dealt. But Ekko was right and life deals her one last blow that devastated her enough to break up with Dom. That's not all Dom has a case that has him completely dumbfounded he doesn't realize until almost to late there's a threat to Ekko as well.

Overall, I loved this book. The characters are well written you really empathize with Ekko and Dom is just yummy I want one of him. The story is well thought out and well paced it did have has much excitement and suspense as the last book Overcome but it was still very good the main focus was the relationship between Ekko and Dom and dealing with Ekko's emotional hesitation when it comes to her relationship with Dom.  It was emotional and exciting the end was just, wow. I can't wait for more.   

 

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About the Author:

A.K. Evans is a married mother of two boys residing in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. After graduating from Lafayette College in 2004 with two degrees (one in English and one in Economics & Business), she pursued a career in the insurance and financial services industry. Not long after, Evans realized the career was not for her. She went on to manage her husband’s performance automotive business and drive the shop race cars for the next thirteen years. While the business afforded her freedoms she wouldn’t necessarily have had in a typical 9-5 job, after eleven years she was no longer receiving personal fulfillment from her chosen career path. Following many discussions, lots of thought, and tons of encouragement, Andrea decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Between her day job, writing, and homeschooling her two boys, Evans is left with very little free time. When she finds scraps of spare time, she enjoys reading, doing yoga, watching NY Rangers hockey, dancing, and vacationing with her family. Andrea, her husband, and her children are currently working on taking road trips to visit all 50 states (though, Alaska and Hawaii might require flights).  

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ARC REVIEW Escape Velocity by Jonathan Paul Isaacs

The Quantum War Series #1, New author for me, very impressed. I really enjoyed this one it's action packed and the characters are well written. It's third person POV but the focus switches between Lieutenant Wyatt Wills and his Staff Sergeant Laramie McCoy. The story kind of reminds me of Resident Evil (the movies) meets The Omega Man (Yes the Charlton Heston movie) but in space. I liked the world building the descriptive narrative was wonderfully done the characters have plenty of depth. Wyatt is dealing with guilt from the last mission that cost several people their lives and him his leg. Laramie, I loved her, she's a badass chick I pictured her looking something like Rhonda Rousey.

Wyatt's first mission back from medical leave is to take his team through the quantum gates from Proxima to Alpha Centari A and then on to the colonized planet of Juliet. All communication and interstellar travel between the two has stopped. Juliet has gone silent. What they find there is far more disturbing and deadly than dealing with pirates on Proxima.   

Overall, it was a great read. It has intense action the pacing is great. It does leave off with a bit of a teaser for the next book which has me hooked, I'll definitely read it. 

ARC REVIEW Cocksure by Shiloh Walker

The Cochrans of Cocker County #1, It feels so nice to get a Shiloh Walker book in my hands again. Shiloh has created a fantastic family series this along with being a wonderful romance it was a great introduction to the family, I can't wait for the other books. The emotions in this book run deep, I was in tears at a couple of parts. Luke and Sabrina are hot together. It's a friends to lovers romance with an alternating first person POV. The characters have great depth and you really empathize with them, you root for them and when Luke does something stupid you want to hit him upside the head Gibbs style.

Sabrina works as Luke's personal assistant and has been in love with him for years and she' come to accept that they could never be a thing she's happy just being in his life as is until his mom gets sick. Luke is a nice guy, despite being a playboy and very aware of his good looks and a bit self centered, okay a lot self centered but when someone he loves needs help he will go the distance to help them. Sabrina sees more than just movie star Luke she sees him for who he really is and that's who she fell in love with.

When Luke's mom starts having heart problems Sabrina works miracles to rearrange his schedule so he can go to her. In Luke's hast to reassure his mom that he is happy he blurts out that Sabrina and him are engaged which inadvertently gets leaked to the press and now Sabrina is forced into Luke's spotlight. As much as she doesn't want it and hates lying to his family she loves him and agrees to do it. Luke in all this pretending finally realizes he's not pretending he really does love Sabrina. But something from Luke's past comes up, something he's been hiding from for years and he lashes out and hurts Sabrina in the worst way possible. But once Luke gets his past sorted out he's determined to set things right with Sabrina.

Overall, I am already in love with this family and it's a good size family, so I really am looking forward to many more books and the other siblings falling. I love Shiloh's writing style, hot romance, witty banter, and emotionally damaged characters you can see grow and become better. It's a great story on so many levels.      

ARC REVIEW Lord Carlton's Courtship by Alexandra Ivy

Originally published in 2000 under the name Debbie Raleigh, Alexandra Ivy has re-released this with a beautiful new cover. I enjoyed this one, it's not one of my favorites I think I prefer her PNR but it was a good read. The story was well written and I liked the way it played out. I liked the characters too, even though Roma did get annoyingly stubborn at one point.

All it took was one meeting with Roma Allendyle for Lord Giles Carlton to be completely besotted and one conversation to fall head over heels. But Roma isn't looking for a husband she looking for her missing brother and only after Carlton points out that as a woman she will get  no information of anyone in the Home Office does she finally give in and let Carlton help her; that by no way means she going to stop looking herself. It bugs Roma that Carlton is helping her, she can't figure out his motive and the fact that he can find out information about her brother because he's a man really bugs her. Roma also keeps getting distracted by how handsome he is and why out of all the women in London he wishes to be with her a head strong, intelligent, country girl who hates London. She can't seem to realize Carlton's helping her is also his way or courting her too.

Overall, it's an quick (unless you are constantly distracted by your kids like I was) and easy read. I loved the characters and the action was pretty intense there at the end. It's a worthwhile read. I really loved the atypical courtship between Carlton and Roma.   

ARC REVIEW Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley

12 Dukes of Christmas #2, Back in Cressmouth, also known as Christmas, the perpetually snow covered mountain town lives Penelope Mitchell a lady chemist, and natural philosopher. Her latest claim to fame is the perfume that took the ton by storm, Duke. She didn't do it for the money she just wanted to prove to the men of the Natural Philosophers Society that she, a woman, deserved admittance. But as soon as Beau Brummel told the Prince Regent about it every man has gone out and bought a bottle.

Not everyone was happy about it though, Nicholas Pringle the heir presumptive for his cousin Duke Silkridge, thinks the perfume is cheating; it's an unfair advantage to men who don't normally possess that kind of charm. Nick, who was dubbed St. Nick ironically because he is anything but a saint, is shocked and pleased when he finds out the creator of Duke is a woman and decides he can seduce her and get her to stop production of Duke. But Penelope is not what he expected and she seems immune to his charms but for some reason he can't stay away from her.

Penelope had already decided to create Duchess the female equivalent to Duke and give women the same chance. Now she just needs to test it and what better way to test it than on a notorious rake. But the more time Penelope spends with him the more she likes him, he is so much more than the man the world sees he has hidden talents and is a much better man than he lets on. Now she starts feeling guilty and ashamed because she thinks her perfume seduced him but she's also scared that telling him the truth will break her heart.

Overall, I really liked this one. Nick is a rake but as soon as he sets eyes on Penelope that's it for him he has eye for no one else. The people of Cressmouth are wonderfully quirky, and I can't wait for Virginia and Gloria's stories. It's not necessarily a Christmas read, it takes place after, but it could be read as one. This is a delightfully fun read and as always Erica Ridley delivers a great story with wonderful characters.      

ARC REVIEW Big Bad Cowboy by Carly Bloom

Once Upon a Time in Texas #1, A good Autumn read that takes place just before Halloween and ends with a Christmas epilogue. I adored this book! Maggie and Travis meet at a Halloween costume party, Maggie dressed as slutty Red Riding Hood and Travis as a Wolf. Instant sexual chemistry sparked between them they snuck off together not knowing each others real names and for Maggie not knowing what her Big Bad Wolf actually looked like only to part quickly after but not before Maggie's best friend slipped Maggies's number on to his phone. Travis is fresh out of the military and stuck in his hometown taking care of his nephew, Henry, whose mother just died of cancer and Travis' worthless brother is in jail, again. He's trying to earn money the best way he knows how, especially since the property taxes on his Dad's, now his, ranch are overdue. Maggie is the owner and operator of her own business, Petal Pushers, with her landscaping degree she made a name for herself, now she views Travis as competition, and really annoying, and too sexy for his own good. They wind up getting hired for the same job but for different reasons and the more time Maggie spends with Travis she realises how wrong she was about him.

Travis recognizes Maggie as Red Riding Hood right away but because he was the one wearing the mask Maggie doesn't recognize him. With her number in his phone he makes contact. Through text messages they flirt and sext and Travis falls in love. Maggie is torn between the her Big Bad Wolf and Travis, and what will she do when she realizes they are one in the same. Between the adorable Henry, the loveable Mrs. Garza (I want one of her) and Maggie's two best friends Claire and JD the secondary cast of characters is just as entertaining as Maggie and Travis. I really did like everything about his book. Overall, it ends up being such a heartwarming story with an endearing cast of characters.        

ARC REVIEW Whiskey Undone by Carrie Ann Ryan

Whiskey and Lies #3, YAY!!! Ainsley and Loch finally! This can be read as a standalone as with most of her Contemporary Romance. Loch and Ainsley have been best friends for over ten years, she's helped take care of Loch's daughter when Misty's mother abandoned her and she has always been there content to be his best friend always hoping she could be more. Loch has kept Ainsley in the friend zone because he always feared he never deserved a happy ending, always assuming that sex would ruin everything and she'd not only leave him but Misty too. But Loch can't stand the thought of her with anyone else and one night changes their entire relationship the night they give in to their desire. Unfortunately sex fries their brains, especially Loch's, and they became unable to communicate with each other and they start fighting. It wasn't the only life changing event to happen that night a dead body was discovered behind Loch's gym and now his past is coming back to get  him.

Overall, another outstanding book by Carrie Ann Ryan. I love the Collins and the town of Whiskey. The book had a great epilogue, very nice HEA wrap up for the family. Third person perspective that switches between Ainsley and Loch so you do learn what Loch's deal is and understand where he's coming from. This is a very emotional story it does deal mostly with Ainsley and Loch's relationship and Loch's emotional issues. The external conflict is a doozie it was really intense there at the end, wow. As sad as I am to see this series end I am anxious for the upcoming series Ryan has planned.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

ARC REVIEW No Ordinary Duke by Sophie Barnes

The Crawfords #1, I love books where one of the main characters hides part of who they are and fall in love, I always like how they redeem themselves to the other person. In this Caleb Crawford has finally comes home after studying architecture in France to prove his father wrong only to find out both his father and older brother died in a fire and he has now inherited the Dukedum. After trying for a couple of months, Caleb is at his breaking point he needs some time away from being the duke. His best friend Viscount Aldridge, has the solution, his sister lives out in the country with two other women and take care of orphan children. Seeing as how Aldridge's sister has never meet Caleb he just introduces himself as Mr. Crawford the new caretaker.

Mary Clemens, the daughter of a tradesman who became extraordinarily wealthy, got burned by society. She thought she fell in love with a man above her social standing but he let his father ruin the relationship and the father spread horrid rumors about her all over London. Her only escape was to disappear from London society and to live with her friend in the country and help children in need. Mary knowing her reputation was irreparably damaged she figured she'd never marry so she created a life with her two friends that was satisfying. The appearance of Mr. Crawford unsettled her because he aroused feeling in her she never had before and the fact that he was a laborer and not from society was perfect but she keeps misreading his intentions. Caleb knows Mary is special and it doesn't take him long to figure out he wants to marry her, but with her dislike of society he has to find away to reveal who he really is without completely destroying her faith in him. Unfortunately that option is taken out of his hands and now he has to repair the damage done.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The characters were great. Mary even though she is a strong, opinionated, plain spoken kind of woman is so use to everything be blamed on her she keeps doubting everything. Caleb dealing with his newfound status in society and figuring out that he doesn't have to let the Dukeship define and dictate who he really is. I liked the set up with Caleb's brothers with at least two more books coming I look forward to Devlin's book. The epilogue felt off it was set so far in their future it would have made more sense to be at the end of the series with a wrap up of everyone's lives and not just these two and their kids. It feels so final and I don't want to feel that at the end of book one.             

ARC REVIEW Highland Wolf by Hannah Howell

The Murrays #15, Originally published in '07 this edition has a new cover, I love the new cover. I liked this one more than the last Howell book I read. This one was just fine to pick up and read even though I haven't read the first 14 books. I truly enjoyed how this one played out and the characters were well written. Three years ago James Drummond was accused of murdering his wife; cast as an outlaw he went into hiding biding his time before he can come back prove his innocence and claim his land and his daughter. Annora MacKay the poor relation who was born on the wrong side of the sheets was moved Dunncraig Keep to take care of her cousin's daughter.

Donnell MacKay is a selfish brute of a man who worries more about fancy living than the tenants of the Keep and village, his second is no better. Annora knows something is not right with Donnell's story and even though he tries to alienate her from the rest of the people they still like her and trust her more than they like Donnell. James needed access inside the keep to search for proof that he was framed. Under the disguise of a French woodcarver he easily gains entrance. With the help of Big Berta, the cook, James starts his search but Annora is there to tempt him. Once Annora finds out the truth about James she starts to help which pays off for they soon discover the truth but they still need concrete proof for the King's man to take action against Donnell. Their timetable is forced to move up when Donnell announces that Annora has to marry his second in command. James having already fallen in love with her won't let that happen.

Overall, it was a good read. I liked the characters and the plot. The romance between James and Annora pretty much instintaneous the sparks flew and by the time they gave in the chemistry between was combustible. Meggie, James' daughter, was adorable and wise beyond her years. Big Berta is a force to be reckoned with. It had a heartwarming and funny ending.  

ARC REVIEW Never Let Me Fall by Abbie Roads

Fatal Dreams #3, Each of the Fatal Dreams books can be read as a standalone. While this one didn't quite have the same umph as Roads last three books it was still a fantastic read. Very deep in the internal conflict of recognizing who they are together and what they are becoming. A dark fairy tale/folklore at the root of it all tells a tale of never ending love and the power it holds and the reincarnated souls that carry on that power.

Thomas Brown lost the ability to see color when his step father tried to kick his face in, the resulting damage caused serious problems to the optic nerve. He also has the ability to see a person's "death shadow" which tells him basically how evil a person really is and after a person dies it can show him the person's life up until their death. Helena Greyse was tried and convicted for a murder she never committed and spent the last ten years fighting for her life. Helen survived many attacks while in prison some that should have killed her, even her last night there she barely made it out with her life. When they meet for the first time, the day Helen was released, they both knew their lives have unequivocally changed. Helen has brought color to Thomas' life and for the first time in ten years Helen felt safe with Thomas. Thomas and Helen's lives are tied together in so many ways but there is still one giant obstacle for them to overcome. Can their love overcome this common enemy who has been a source of pain for them both?   

Overall, this book was outstanding it's an emotional read, it's dark, it's paranormal, it's suspenseful, it's heavy on the internal conflict without the characters sounding whiny and useless. They are each other's strength, they are the balm for their souls it's a beautiful insta-love romance. The external conflict wasn't as traumatizing for me as the other two, it was still bad but it almost feels like it was glossed over and leaves you with just assuming how bad the events were; but it was still good and I loved the conclusion.