Thursday, February 28, 2019
ARC REVIEW Fierce Justice by Piper J Drake
True Heroes #5, Still in Hawaii with the Search and Protect team this time with Arin (ah-Rin) and Jason. Both characters were introduced in Total Bravery, it would be a safe bet to at least read Total Bravery for the wee bit of background for the characters and the previous storyline. It is connected but still a standalone it's not imperative that you read it the characters talk about what happened in the last book so you are not left completely clueless.
The white slavery ring the Search and Protect team broke up in the last book isn't entirely gone, they have a new boss who is cleaning house. Arin is part of the search and rescue team searching the big island for the people still missing. What she finds is the security guy from six months prior; when he realised what and who he was guarding let Arin and her team rescue the people. Jason Landon left that company after he realized that they have no moral or ethical boundaries. Feeling like he has to atone for his part has tracked down where some of the captives are being held unfortunately one of his former colleagues knocks him unconscious before he finds them and that is how Arin and her K-9, King, find him. Now Arin and Jason's overall mission is the same, stop the new ring leader and save all the people they can. Between bombs, shootouts, and going undercover the adventure is pretty intense at times.
The attraction is there but neither of them know what to do with it, Arin isn't sure if she should even trust him and she's never had feelings like this for anyone; she doesn't know how to handle the emotions. She always felt like the black sheep of the family and never felt like she fits in anywhere. Jason has never felt like this for anyone either, he is completely taken with Arin her strength, her beauty, her altruism. One meeting six months ago completely changed his life and now here he is working with her and he knows if he doesn't tread lightly and let her take the lead he'll scare her off.
Overall, I loved this book. The action was paced perfectly with the romance. The romance was a slow burn but with Arin's personality it couldn't have gone any other way without seeming out of character for her. I particularly loved the ending it wasn't your typical HEA for Arin and Jason but it's one that was perfect for them.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
BLOG TOUR It's Getting Scot in Here by Suzanne Enoch
IT’S GETTING SCOT IN HEREThe Wild Wicked Highlanders SeriesSuzanne EnochThe first in a wickedly seductive new Scottish historical romance series from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Enoch, IT’S GETTING SCOT IN HERE (St. Martin’s Paperbacks, February 26, 2019, $7.99) crosses two sweethearts from separate worlds. Readers find out what happens when a headstrong leading lady, who refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love, meets an off-limits ruffian from the barbaric Highlands. London socialite Amelia-Rose Baxter is nobody’s fool. Her parents may want her to catch a title, but she will never change who she is for the promise of marriage. Her husband will be a man who can appreciate her sharp mind as well as her body. A sophisticated man who loves life in London. A man who considers her his equal—and won’t try to tame her wild heart...Rough, rugged Highlander Niall MacTaggert and his brothers know the rules: the eldest must marry or lose the ancestral estate, period. But Niall’s eldest brother just isn’t interested in the lady his mother selected. Is it because Amelia-Rose is just too. . . Free-spirited? Yes. Brazen? Aye. Surely Niall can find a way to soften up the whip-smart lass and make her the perfect match for his brother for the sake of the family. Instead it’s Niall who tempts Amelia-Rose, despite her reservations about barbarian Highlanders. Niall finds the lass nigh irresistible as well, but he won’t make the mistake his father did in marrying an Englishwoman who doesn’t like the Highlands. Does he have what it takes to win her heart? There is only one way to find out...
Overall, this book was such a fun read. Niall is romantic and sincere and willing to beat up his brother in defence of the woman he loves when he's usually the one breaking up fights and solving arguments. Amelia-Rose (Amy) I loved; she tries so hard to be the dutiful daughter and the pressure of marrying but sometimes she just can't curb her wit and scathing remarks for idiots. I love the MacTaggert family. Coll as surly as he is redeems himself, Aden we didn't really get to know that well which makes me think maybe his book is next. Francesca, their mother, is a powerhouse she manipulated the brothers into this situation but her heart was in the right place. The baby sister, Eloise, she's adorable she's like one of those people who is always so cheery and you may want to hate them for it but you can't help but like them.
Prologue
Once upon a time—in May 1785, to be exact—Angus MacTaggert, Earl Aldriss, traveled from the middle of the Scottish Highlands to London in search of a wealthy bride to save his well-loved but crumbling estate. Aldriss Park had been in the MacTaggert family since the time of Henry VIII, when Domhnall MacTaggert, despite being Catholic and married, declared publicly that Henry should be able to wed as many lasses as he wanted until one of them got him a son. Aldriss Park was the newly minted earl’s reward for his support and understanding.
For the next two hundred years Aldriss thrived, until the weight of poor harvests, the ever-intruding, rulemaking Sassenach, and the MacTaggerts’ own fondness for drinking, gambling, and wild investments (including an early bicycle design wherein the driver sat between two wheels; sadly, it had no braking mechanism and after a series of accidents nearly began a war within the MacTaggerts’ clan Ross) began to sink it into disrepair.
When Angus inherited the title in 1783, he realized the old castle needed far more than a fresh coat of paint to keep it from both physical collapse and bankruptcy. And so he determined to go down among the enemy Sassenach and win himself a wealthy bride. The English had made enough trouble for him and his over the centuries, so they could bloody well help him set things right.
On his second day in London, he met the stunning Francesca Oswell, the only offspring of James and Mary Oswell, Viscount and Viscountess of Hornford—who had more money than Midas and a bevy of very fine solicitors—at a masked ball where he dressed as a bull, and she as a swan. Despite the misgivings of nearly everyone in Mayfair, Angus and Francesca immediately fell madly in love, and married with a special license ten days
later.
A week after that, Angus took Francesca back to Aldriss Park and the Highlands, where she found very little civilization, a great many sheep, and a husband who preferred brawling to dancing, and he discovered that her father’s solicitors had arranged to keep the Oswell family money in Francesca’s hands. This made for some very spectacular arguments, because there is nothing more combustible in the world than an impoverished Highlands laird in disagreement with an independently wealthy English lady about his own ancestral lands.
Over the next thirteen turbulent years the estate prospered, and Francesca gave Angus three sons—Coll, Aden, and Niall—and with each one became more concerned that this was not a life for any civilized person. She wanted to bring the boys back to London for proper educations and to live proper lives, but Angus refused, stating that what had been good enough for him would be good enough for his lads.
When a fourth child, a daughter, arrived in 1798, Francesca reached her breaking point. No daughter of hers was going to be raised with an uncivilized accent in a rough country where she would be ridiculed by proper Society and unfit to marry anyone but a shepherd or a peat cutter. Angus refused to let his lads go, but he allowed Francesca to take young Eloise and return to London—on the condition that she continue providing for the maintenance of the estate.
Francesca reluctantly agreed, but given that she controlled the purse strings, she had her own conditions to try to keep some influence with her wild sons: All three boys must marry before their sister, they must wed proper English women, and at least one of them must marry someone of her choosing. She knew Angus would raise them as he pleased, but they were her children, too, by God, and she meant to see to it that they had some semblance of propriety in their lives—she was a viscount’s daughter, after all, and certain things would be expected of her offspring. She refused to allow them to be viewed as unsophisticated wild men by her London neighbors, and she remained determined to have a presence in their lives.
To enforce her will, she convinced (or rather, coerced) Angus to put his signature to the agreement, which contained this provision: If young Eloise MacTaggert did marry before any of the boys, Francesca would cut off all funds to the estate. If they were to insist on defiance, they would have a heavy price to pay for it—one they and their tenants could not afford.
Angus had no choice but to agree, and considering that Coll, the oldest, was only twelve at the time of Francesca’s departure and Eloise was but a wee bairn, he was willing to wager that he would have time to renegotiate. Angus and Francesca remained married, but neither would bend enough to visit the other ever again. As far as the lads were concerned, their mother had abandoned them.
In the spring of 1816 Angus received a letter from Francesca announcing their daughter’s engagement, and he promptly collapsed. He’d hoped his sons would have found themselves Scottish lasses by now and shown their mother she couldn’t control their lives after all, but the lads were defiant and wouldn’t be rushed. Now it appeared to be too late.
He summoned his sons to his apparent deathbed an confessed all—Francesca funding the estate, the pernicious agreement, and their mother’s grasping claws, which he explained was a symptom of all Englishwomen and their weak, clinging, cloying ways. For the sake of the property and their tenants the young men must go to London. At once. No sense even taking time to put him in the ground, much less mourn him, because Francesca wouldn’t excuse the loss of time, and they needed to marry before their sister.
The lads—grown men, now—were not at all happy suddenly to learn about the responsibilities and rules foisted upon them by a woman they barely remembered. Being wily, freehearted, and exceptionally handsome men accustomed to doing things their way and certainly not bowing to the demands of a demented Englishwoman, they determined to go down to London not to comply, but to outwit their mother and upend any plans she had for them. And thus, dear reader, begins our story.
One lucky Winner will win a Paperback copy (US only please) of this delightful book. Comment here or on my Instagram post for your chance to win!
SUZANNE ENOCH grew up in Southern California, where she still balances her love for the Regency romances of Georgette Heyer and classic romantic comedies with her obsession for anything Star Wars. Given her love of food and comfy chairs, she may in fact be a Hobbit. She has written more than 35 romance novels, including traditional Regencies, Historical Romance, and contemporary Romantic Suspense. When she isn’t working on her next book she is trying to learn to cook, and wishes she had an English accent. She is the bestselling author of Scandalous Brides series, The Scandalous Highlanders series, and One Hot Scot.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
ARC REVIEW Heartbreaker by Inara Scott
Bad Angels #1, The real reason I picked this book... the dog. How could I say no to that face! I love mastiffs, I wish I could have one. New author for me and usually not much for a billionaire romance but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a opposites attract/rags to riches romance which I enjoyed. Third person POV that switches focus from Mason to Tess so you get both sides of the story.
Tess came from a rough environment with a flaky mother who was constantly on the lookout for a new boyfriend or a new high. After making some poor life decisions as a teenager Tess moved in with her grandmother and started to take care of her. Now at the age of 26 she's finally getting her life in order she got her GED and is taking online college courses while working three jobs.
Mason came from a loving home and succeeded at everything he did, except relationships. Good grades in high school, football star, went to Harvard and MIT and earned billions in investing in other people. His relationships on the other hand don't seem to last after the fourth date. Mason's sister, Alli, guilts him into taking care of her 200lbs mastiff, Wick, who just had surgery and is taking medication that's makes him pee, a lot. Unable to give the dog the constant supervision he needs Mason hires a dogsitter. Seeing how adept Tess is with other dogs he begs her to take this job and even offers an outrageous sum of money for her.
Mason is completely taken with Tess, he's never met anyone like her before. She's a hard worker, great with animals, she calls him out whenever he starts flirting, she doesn't want anything from him except to work and get paid, and underneath her ill fitting baggy clothes he knows she's beautiful inside and out. Mason understands that Tess is as afraid of relationships as he is and after they start their non-relationship he's constantly worried that she'll bolt. Tess' past has taught her not to rely on anyone and she's afraid to let her guard down with Mason because his track record with staying with a woman is practically nil she's afraid he'll leave.
Overall, it was an entertaining read. I loved seeing their relationship grow into something more despite all the avoidance in communication with each other when it came to the really important stuff. The chemistry was great, it was obvious from the moment they set their eyes on each other it was going to be hot. I liked the side characters as well, and establishing the friendship and how deep it goes between Mason and the other Bad Angels and Tess and Cece. I look forward to the rest of the series.
Tess came from a rough environment with a flaky mother who was constantly on the lookout for a new boyfriend or a new high. After making some poor life decisions as a teenager Tess moved in with her grandmother and started to take care of her. Now at the age of 26 she's finally getting her life in order she got her GED and is taking online college courses while working three jobs.
Mason came from a loving home and succeeded at everything he did, except relationships. Good grades in high school, football star, went to Harvard and MIT and earned billions in investing in other people. His relationships on the other hand don't seem to last after the fourth date. Mason's sister, Alli, guilts him into taking care of her 200lbs mastiff, Wick, who just had surgery and is taking medication that's makes him pee, a lot. Unable to give the dog the constant supervision he needs Mason hires a dogsitter. Seeing how adept Tess is with other dogs he begs her to take this job and even offers an outrageous sum of money for her.
Mason is completely taken with Tess, he's never met anyone like her before. She's a hard worker, great with animals, she calls him out whenever he starts flirting, she doesn't want anything from him except to work and get paid, and underneath her ill fitting baggy clothes he knows she's beautiful inside and out. Mason understands that Tess is as afraid of relationships as he is and after they start their non-relationship he's constantly worried that she'll bolt. Tess' past has taught her not to rely on anyone and she's afraid to let her guard down with Mason because his track record with staying with a woman is practically nil she's afraid he'll leave.
Overall, it was an entertaining read. I loved seeing their relationship grow into something more despite all the avoidance in communication with each other when it came to the really important stuff. The chemistry was great, it was obvious from the moment they set their eyes on each other it was going to be hot. I liked the side characters as well, and establishing the friendship and how deep it goes between Mason and the other Bad Angels and Tess and Cece. I look forward to the rest of the series.
Monday, February 25, 2019
ARC REVIEW Armed 'N' Ready by Tee O'Fallon
Federal K-9 #2, Missed the first book, but that's okay because this is fine as a standalone. This was a great read, with O'Fallon being in law enforcement herself it came off as very realistic. Nick and Andi try as they might to stay professional and not get involved with each other in the middle of a case. A case where Andi Hardt is suspected of being involved in a money laundering and black market gun distribution. Andi will do whatever it takes to clear her name and unfreeze her bank accounts even if that means pretending to hire the annoyingly sexy Nick Houston as her new bartender.
Mass. State Police Sgt. Nick Houston and his K-9, Saxon, are working in junction with the AFT, IRS, and the FBI to try and track down and stop a black market guns dealer so far they have found the accountant who helps with the money laundering. Unfortunately it's Andi's ex-boyfriend who is still a friend and Andi was staying at his house when they executed the warrant. Nick figures that the guy still has some attachment to Andi so he pitches the idea to stay close to her incase the ex calls her everyone likes the idea so Nick goes to work for her at the Dog Park Cafe.
It took something major to get Andi out of the financial world but when she was betrayed by a person who claimed to love her she found a new love in a dog friendly restaurant, it took all the money she had to open it up and now because of yet another betrayal she might lose this too. Andi can't open her heart again not even to the too sexy for his own good Nick. Nick has been so career oriented since his wife died five years ago he was taken by surprise by how much he likes Andi and by how right it feels being with her. But no matter how much he likes her the job must come first.
Overall, I really liked this book. I loved the characters and the dogs. It's a bit of a slow burn because the try to keep their hands off of each other because of the case, heck for a portion of the book Andi does not like Nick because of what they are doing but her attraction to him wins out the more she gets to know him. Nick is more than what he seems and Andi is a headstrong woman and both have pasts that have molded them into who they are now and keep them hesitant from jumping in to quickly.
Friday, February 22, 2019
ARC REVIEW Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
Cogheart Adventures #1, I'm not usually one to read kids books unless it's for my kids. This book caught my eye as most younger generation books do it looked interesting and it's was about something I enjoy reading about, and I do enjoy steampunk. While reading this book I kept thinking about Steamboy and Castle in the Sky needless to say in my mind's eye I kept seeing this as an anime. Descriptive narrative was great it was easy picturing an alternate Victorian England the action was exciting and the steampunk elements were wonderful. Could have used a little more character development but this is just the first book it was enough to get me interested in reading the other two and suggesting it to my daughter. I also think this would transfer great to graphic novel format.
Lily Harman stuck in an all girls school longed for adventure. Robert Townsend wishes he could work on airships and not a horologist like his father. Lily's world is turned upside down when her father, a famous mechanist, disappears after his airship crashed and is presumed dead. Malkin, Lily's mechanimal, was with Lily's father when the ship went down but escaped so he could deliver a message to Lily. Robert found Malkin rundown and injured and with men searching the village for him and Robert's father was luckily able to repair Malkin. Lily's so called guardian retrieved her from the hell that was her school and brought her back home only to become a prisoner in her own home. Lily knows something is wrong and won't stop until she finds out what happened to her father, unfortunately the letter her father sent with Malkin explaining everything was damaged and she's still left with more questions than answers. All she knows is that her father created a machine that could change the world and it's missing and it's up to Lily, Robert, and Malkin to discover the truth.
Overall, this was a great story. I enjoyed it so much.
Lily Harman stuck in an all girls school longed for adventure. Robert Townsend wishes he could work on airships and not a horologist like his father. Lily's world is turned upside down when her father, a famous mechanist, disappears after his airship crashed and is presumed dead. Malkin, Lily's mechanimal, was with Lily's father when the ship went down but escaped so he could deliver a message to Lily. Robert found Malkin rundown and injured and with men searching the village for him and Robert's father was luckily able to repair Malkin. Lily's so called guardian retrieved her from the hell that was her school and brought her back home only to become a prisoner in her own home. Lily knows something is wrong and won't stop until she finds out what happened to her father, unfortunately the letter her father sent with Malkin explaining everything was damaged and she's still left with more questions than answers. All she knows is that her father created a machine that could change the world and it's missing and it's up to Lily, Robert, and Malkin to discover the truth.
Overall, this was a great story. I enjoyed it so much.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
ARC REVIEW The Secret Ingredient by Nancy Naigle
This book is so freakin' cute if the publisher wasn't already Hallmark I'd say it screams Hallmark. I loved the characters, I loved the story, I really enjoyed the baking competition. One of my favorite tropes is second chance romance and this was such a great one. Kelly and Andrew were highschool sweethearts they met at her dad's diner he was the cook and she waited tables and baked they were kindred spirits. They had made plans to open a restaurant together but when the opportunity for Andrew to study baking in Paris came up he took it with a promise he'll be back for their wedding. Andrew was then offered a spot in a culinary school and he never made it back home.
Kelly may not have had Andrew there to help fulfill her dreams but that didn't stop her from going on alone; she started The Cake Factory. A custom cake business that made it big when a rockstar gave her a shout out at a local music festival since then the business has boomed, it's even helped turn Bent Fork from a quaint little town to a place to be. Fast forward seven years Andrew is finally back stateside and visiting his family before he has to go to New York, he wanted to keep the visit quiet but his sister in her usual fashion couldn't let him which turned out to be a good thing because he got to see Kelly again. The first time in seven years they see each other and his feelings for her haven't changed or diminished in any way. Kelly would love nothing more than to give into her feelings for him but she knows he's just going to leave again. He's made a name for himself in France and while he may not have his own restaurant yet his life is in France and she can't let him in to her heart only to watch him walk away again.
To Kelly's surprise she gets invited to compete in her favorite bake-off competition show's Valentine episode. The only stipulation is that she can't tell anyone she going to be on it. Unbeknownst to her Andrew is also going to be on the show. Once in New York, Naigle builds the anticipation and creates the same feeling you get when watching a baking competition on T.V. She describes the action of the competition so well along with the mouth watering confections Kelly and Andrew make. I really wanted cake after reading this book. Overall, Naigle once again creates wonderful characters in a quirky small town and gives us a statifyingly good romance with such a sweet ending.
Kelly may not have had Andrew there to help fulfill her dreams but that didn't stop her from going on alone; she started The Cake Factory. A custom cake business that made it big when a rockstar gave her a shout out at a local music festival since then the business has boomed, it's even helped turn Bent Fork from a quaint little town to a place to be. Fast forward seven years Andrew is finally back stateside and visiting his family before he has to go to New York, he wanted to keep the visit quiet but his sister in her usual fashion couldn't let him which turned out to be a good thing because he got to see Kelly again. The first time in seven years they see each other and his feelings for her haven't changed or diminished in any way. Kelly would love nothing more than to give into her feelings for him but she knows he's just going to leave again. He's made a name for himself in France and while he may not have his own restaurant yet his life is in France and she can't let him in to her heart only to watch him walk away again.
To Kelly's surprise she gets invited to compete in her favorite bake-off competition show's Valentine episode. The only stipulation is that she can't tell anyone she going to be on it. Unbeknownst to her Andrew is also going to be on the show. Once in New York, Naigle builds the anticipation and creates the same feeling you get when watching a baking competition on T.V. She describes the action of the competition so well along with the mouth watering confections Kelly and Andrew make. I really wanted cake after reading this book. Overall, Naigle once again creates wonderful characters in a quirky small town and gives us a statifyingly good romance with such a sweet ending.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
ARC REVIEW You WIll Suffer by Alexandra Ivy
The Agency #3, Each book in this series is a stand alone. More suspense than romance but both equally balanced throughout the story. A story of a small town lawyer, Ellie Guthrie, and former FBI agent, Nate Marcel, working together to unravel the dirty secrets of their town Curry, Oklahoma. Ellie went against her parents wishes and settled in the small town she spent part of her childhood in; Nate after leaving the FBI got in his truck and just started to drive he ended up in Curry started ranching and woodwork. Nate was already living in Curry when Ellie moved back to her old home; Ellie was attracted to Nate from the get go but something about him told her he was an all or nothing kind of guy, and not wanting to settle down with anything other than work she tried her best to ignore her sexy neighbor. That is until weird stuff started to happen.
It started with a weird feeling and then slashed tires and escalated to dead animals outside her work. She wasn't the only target another woman in town, Mandy, was the victim of what seemed like normal vandalizm. But the first dead body shows up a supposed drug overdose and then Mandy ends up the same way not even a full day later. Ellie and Nate both know something else is happening but the local sheriff is lazy and easily accepts that it's a drug overdose. Things start to go sideways when the dead body of a known dealer is found in a building that Nate just bought. Now the narrow minded sheriff thinks Nate is behind it all. Good thing Nate has a good lawyer. Despite it all it doesn't slow Ellie down trying to figure out what's happening and why she's being targeted along with her father and other prominent figures in town.
Overall, it was a really good read. I loved the ending it was a nice twist. The suspense kept me guessing the whole way the pacing was good it had a nice flow one event to another with enough down time for Nate and Ellie to fallin love. I liked Nate and Ellie together. I love it when the guy is already halfway in love with the woman and she just needs to be shown how much and that it's okay to fall in love back. For Ellie the attraction and the feelings are there she just never had a good example of a happy couple and Nate is fully prepared to show her what one looks like and his entire family embraces her into their fold.
It started with a weird feeling and then slashed tires and escalated to dead animals outside her work. She wasn't the only target another woman in town, Mandy, was the victim of what seemed like normal vandalizm. But the first dead body shows up a supposed drug overdose and then Mandy ends up the same way not even a full day later. Ellie and Nate both know something else is happening but the local sheriff is lazy and easily accepts that it's a drug overdose. Things start to go sideways when the dead body of a known dealer is found in a building that Nate just bought. Now the narrow minded sheriff thinks Nate is behind it all. Good thing Nate has a good lawyer. Despite it all it doesn't slow Ellie down trying to figure out what's happening and why she's being targeted along with her father and other prominent figures in town.
Overall, it was a really good read. I loved the ending it was a nice twist. The suspense kept me guessing the whole way the pacing was good it had a nice flow one event to another with enough down time for Nate and Ellie to fallin love. I liked Nate and Ellie together. I love it when the guy is already halfway in love with the woman and she just needs to be shown how much and that it's okay to fall in love back. For Ellie the attraction and the feelings are there she just never had a good example of a happy couple and Nate is fully prepared to show her what one looks like and his entire family embraces her into their fold.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
ARC REVIEW The Scandalous Diary of Lily Layton by Stacy Reid
The Sweetest Taboo, all stand alone books only connected by the taboo trope. So it's been a while since I've read erotica like this. I enjoyed it, the story was nice the characters were pleasant and it was really hot. Now I know if I need good erotica I can count on Stacy Reid. My only issue is I didn't like the ending, it was way to easy, I personally would have been happier without the epilogue. Third person POV that switches focus between Oliver and Lily. I loved the voyeurism and meeting in complete anonymity and being oblivious to that fact that they already know each other.
Oliver Carlyle, Marquess of Ambrose, is ready to find himself a wife but he has certain requirements that aren't usual things to look for in a wife. For one he has no plans ever to take a mistress so his wife must be able to handle the dark erotic things he likes. He knows it's going to difficult but not impossible. During a house party, thrown by his mother in hopes he finds his future wife there, he finds a diary, in this diary are the most scandalous and erotic thoughts of a young widow. Determined to find out the owner of the diary and hopefully make her his wife especially since in the diary she mentions her attraction to him.
Lily Layton is a widow twice over and just at the age of 25, she went to work as a companion to the Marquess Ambrose's mother. She never expected to be noticed never expected her sexual fantasies to come true she only wished that one day her dreams of designing dresses would come true. But her life took a different turn when her diary went missing. Dealing with social standings and expectations and blowing those out of the water by following your heart. This book is emotional at times when it comes to a secret Lily is hiding from Oliver that just may end the romance.
Overall, it was an enjoyable erotic romance. I almost wish it was a tad bit more lighthearted, the beginning and the middle were really erotic; nice and hot really good but toward the end it got serious and just kind of killed the mood. The whole epilogue it was so typical with as serious as the topic of infertility got I wish she stayed true to that path.
ARC REVIEW Jagged Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan
Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs #3, Another great book from Carrie Ann Ryan. This book was hard to read at points, not because it was bad but because it was so emotionally heart wrenching. I have been through something similar and the part where they actually talk about it was difficult to get through; despite having to stop to wipe away tears I still finished it in one sitting.
Roxie and Carter hit a rough patch in their marriage and the accident at Thea's bakery didn't help any matters. Not knowing how to talk to each other anymore was their downfall. Roxie filed for divorce and Carter moved out. With family and friend not knowing what to do but watch from the sidelines and be there when they need them; which is difficult for Carter because he feels like he's not a Montgomery and they are Roxie's family they should be there for her. Only Roxie cut herself off from her family and has been spending time with Liam, one of the Boulder cousins. They still need to hit rock bottom before they can work their way back out of the hole they dug themselves into. Can they rebuild the relationship or is it too late to try?
Overall, I love this series and this was an emotional rollercoaster. I knew I was in for an ugly cry when I picked this up but I wasn't prepared for how close to home it would hit for me. I'm sad to see this chapter of the Montgomery's to come to an end but I look forward to the Boulder Montgomerys.
Friday, February 15, 2019
ARC REVIEW Dangerously Involved by Sidney Bristol
Aegis Group Lepta Team #2, Loved these two! Nolan and Yvonne both married to their work had one hot, drunken night in Vegas and now they are faced with working together. Yvonne's family is best known for its anti-virus program and Yvonne has worked hard to live up to her family's expectations. Krieger family has expanded their business to a government contract the DoD contracted Aegis to protect the Krieger family on their trip to Japan for a conference. Lepta Team is use to high profile clients, Nolan is surprised to find his newest asset is also the girl who rocked his world in Vegas and then disappeared. She disappeared in part because he had been calling her the wrong name all night and then the following morning he practically through her out of the hotel room. Yvonne isn't to happy about Nolan being her bodyguard but once they clear the air about what happened the chemistry is off the charts.
The complications start when Yvonne's little brother gets into trouble and they not only have to deal with the threat of corporate espionage they have to deal with whatever trouble he found himself in and they are fleeing Japan. But even back on US soil they are dealing with a reluctant family and an unknown threat. Nolan and Yvonne are hot they have more in common than it first appears. I loved the pacing of the book and Bristol always has some kickass action. I love the dynamic between Nolan and Yvonne.
Overall, it is a great read. I love the whole Aegis series. I love how the problem didn't just come from one side it seemed like the whole conflict had a domino effect. It was a great story and a really hot romance.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
BLOG TOUR Battle of the Bulge by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
Battle of the Bulge
Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
Synopsis:
From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes BATTLE OF THE BULGE, Book Four of the OHellNO Series. (A Standalone.)
“Chicks can’t be bodyguards. Especially hot chicks.”
MY NAME IS MITCH HOFER. I’m a world-famous swimmer from Australia, best known for three things: my gold medals, my looks, and filling out a swimsuit with my…eh-hem—bulky equipment. Let’s just say there’s a reason my nickname is “the Bulge.”
But beyond the fame, sponsors, and glory, there’s more to me than people know, including one hell of a mess I’ve gotten mixed up in. Life-or-death stuff, so bring in the professionals. Just don’t give me a chick bodyguard. Especially a young hot one who distracts me at every turn and hates my guts…
MY NAME IS ABI CARTER, and I hate Mitch Hofer. Yeah, he might be the sexiest champion swimmer in the world, but I’d give this guy a gold medal for being a first-class jerk.
Unfortunately, my boss has given me a choice—guard Mitch or get another job. And I really need the money. I can be professional, but if Mitch says “chicks can’t be bodyguards” one more time, I just might strangle him myself.
Still, something about the way Mitch keeps looking at me makes me think there’s more to his story. It’s almost as if he’s trying to drive me away. But why?
“Chicks can’t be bodyguards. Especially hot chicks.”
MY NAME IS MITCH HOFER. I’m a world-famous swimmer from Australia, best known for three things: my gold medals, my looks, and filling out a swimsuit with my…eh-hem—bulky equipment. Let’s just say there’s a reason my nickname is “the Bulge.”
But beyond the fame, sponsors, and glory, there’s more to me than people know, including one hell of a mess I’ve gotten mixed up in. Life-or-death stuff, so bring in the professionals. Just don’t give me a chick bodyguard. Especially a young hot one who distracts me at every turn and hates my guts…
MY NAME IS ABI CARTER, and I hate Mitch Hofer. Yeah, he might be the sexiest champion swimmer in the world, but I’d give this guy a gold medal for being a first-class jerk.
Unfortunately, my boss has given me a choice—guard Mitch or get another job. And I really need the money. I can be professional, but if Mitch says “chicks can’t be bodyguards” one more time, I just might strangle him myself.
Still, something about the way Mitch keeps looking at me makes me think there’s more to his story. It’s almost as if he’s trying to drive me away. But why?
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Another outstanding book from MJP. We first met Abi and Mitch in the last book but this book can be read as a standalone. I would still recommend reading the previous three because they are just awesome. Mimi's New Adult-Sports-Romantic-Comedy blend is typical Mimi; humorous situations, dirty jokes, characters you want to throttle at times and always a romance that hits the spot.
Abi is smart and very loyal to those she loves so when her mom hits a rough patch and is on the verge of losing everything from her business to her home Abi steps up and takes a job with her best friend's fiance, Sam, as a bodyguard. After weeks of training hell Abi is ready for her first assignment, that is until she realizes she's protecting Mitch Hofer.
Mitch has his reasons, he comes off as a chauvinist and self centered but through the first person narration you find out he's a complex guy. There is somewhat of a method to his jerkish ways. But one thing for sure he can't have Abi guarding him, or be anywhere near him. He's too attracted to her, to worried that he will once again be the cause of some he cares about getting hurt especially after she's saved his life the first time.
Overall, it's a fun read. I read it in one sitting (took me about 3ish hours), my curse I inhale her books only to regret reading it too fast. It is alternating first person POV, more Abi than Mitch, but it isn't long before you realize Mitch is more what he seems.
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Other books in the series
Smart Tass (Book #1)
From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes SMART TASS, a new Romantic Comedy.He’s the hot quarterback all the girls want.
She’s the smart girl he loves to pick on.
And now that they’re all grown up, things are about to get geekin’ ugly…
My name is Tass. I’m smart, I’m driven, and I am determined not to let prankster Hunter Johnson continue raining on my parade. When we were little, he’d pull my hair and call me names. When we were teenagers, he’d throw food and tease me for being a flat-chested virgin.
But now that we’ve ended up at the same college, he’s out of his hot head if he thinks he can keep messing with my life. It’s like he’s fixated on me or something. Well, guess what, Mr. Amazefootball? I’m not that geeky little girl anymore and you do not screw with a smart woman.
So what’s my plan?
It’s definitely wild, and he’s about to find out…
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Oh Henry (Book #2)
From New York Times Bestseller, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, Comes OH, HENRY, Book Two of the Ohellno Series. (Stand Alone Story w/ Teaser for Next Book.)SHE’S GOT ME BY THE FOOTBALLS…
My name is Henry Walton, and though I’ve been called many things throughout my life—tree trunk, moose, walrus—I am now six foot five, solid muscle, and the hottest defensive end in the NFL college draft. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for: fame, women, and glory.
Just one problem: I’m suddenly in a bad slump. And it started the moment I got dumped by Elle, the nerdy goddess with thick glasses, a smokin’ hot body, and a genius IQ.
So what gives? We only dated for a few weeks, and it’s not like I’ve missed her. (Much.) Regardless, all the facts point to one conclusion. Elle is my lucky nerd-charm.
So call me superstitious, but I have to get her back before I lose everything. Even if she’s the last girl I should want and she now hates my guts.
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Digging A Hole (Book #3)
From New York Times Bestseller, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, comes a new Romantic Comedy.He’s the meanest boss ever.
She’s the sweet shy intern.
They’re about to wreck each other crazy.
My name is Sydney Lucas. I am smart, deathly shy, and one hundred percent determined to make my own way in the world. Which is why I jumped at the chance to intern for Mr. Nick Brooks despite his reputation. After ten failed interviews at other companies, he was the only one offering. Plus, everyone says he knows his stuff, and surely a man as stunningly handsome as him can’t be “the devil incarnate,” right? Wrong.
Oh…that man. That freakin’ man has got to go! I’ve been on the job one week, and he’s insulted my mother, wardrobe shamed me, and managed to make me cry. Twice. Underneath that stone-cold, beautiful face is the evilest human being ever.
But I’m not going to quit. Oh no. For once in my life, I’ve got to make a stand. Only, every time I open my mouth, I can’t quite seem to muster the courage. Perhaps my revenge needs to come in another form: destroying him quietly.
Because I’ve got a secret. I’m not really just an intern, and Sydney Lucas isn’t my real name.
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Wednesday, February 13, 2019
ARC REVIEW Back to You by Kimberly Kincaid
His second chance is his only chance
Parker Drake wants exactly one thing—to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. Between his reputation as a rule-breaker and the six years that have passed since his first internship ended in disaster, he knows he’s only getting one shot at a second chance. He’ll do anything to put the past behind him and reach his goal…including work with the gorgeous ex-wife he’s never gotten over losing.
All work and no play make surgeon Charleston Becker a very happy woman. But when she’s tasked with mentoring her ex-husband through his second chance as an intern, her signature calm is put to the test. She’s not interested in re-hashing the heartbreaking circumstances that ended their marriage, and the six years that have passed haven’t made Parker less reckless. The last thing she’s willing to do is trust him—even if she does find him sexier than ever.
But familiarity breeds forgiveness, which then becomes a passion that threatens the careers Parker and Charlie have worked for. Can they turn their second chance into a happy ending? Or is history bound to repeat itself?
This steamy contemporary medical romance can be read as a standalone.
This is the first book for Kimberly Kincaid's newest series in the same world as her previous Station Seventeen series. I love it when author do that, instead of one giant series a whole bunch all independent of each other but still interconnected. I love second chance romance stories and Parker and Charlie have a doozy of a history.
This is an emotional story about forgiveness, second chances, and taking a chance when you know it's worth the risk. I loved Parker and Charlie they balanced each other out well, Parker is a risk taker and a rule breaker while Charlie is straightlaced and by the book. This was a great introduction to the series and the other characters and I can't wait for Jonah's book.Overall, it was a quick and easy read, very emotional. It was well paced and steamy hot in all the right places. If you haven't picked up Kimberly Kincaid before this is a great book to start at.
Of all the ways Parker Drake had envisioned his first day as an intern, witnessing a sedan-versus-bike messenger that resulted in an open tib-fib before he’d even walked through the hospital doors hadn’t been in the top one thousand.
Being face to drop-jawed stare with the one woman he’d been certain he’d never lay eyes on again, and who probably hated him as passionately as he’d once loved her?
Had to be a one in a million.
The man in his arms groaned in pain, snapping time back into motion and Parker back to reality in less than a heartbeat.
“I need a little help over here,” Parker called out, and fucking great, Tess was here, too?
“What happened?” Charlie asked as Tess hollered for a gurney and a C-collar, both of which arrived astonishingly fast.
Parker blinked, his brain momentarily too swamped with adrenaline to form a reply. Focus. On something other than how the hell Charlie is here in front of you instead of far, far away in Nashville. Now would be good, since you’re holding a guy whose tibia is sticking out of his skin.
Well, that did the trick to redirect his thoughts from her, at least temporarily. Then again, work always did. “Mike Yoshida, got clipped by a Camry while riding his bike,” Parker said, placing the man on the gurney and diving right in to the bullet. “Obvious right lower leg deformity, GCS 12. No apparent head or neck trauma, no LOC.” The guy’s helmet was still firmly in place. Not that it had done his leg a lick of good, but at least that would be a hell of a lot easier to repair.
“Hi, Mr. Yoshida, I’m Dr. Michaelson, and this is Dr. Becker,” Tess said, but only after she’d shot a micro-frown in Parker’s direction that promised nothing good once their patient was stable. “We’re going to take care of you, okay?”
“O-okay.” He tried to nod, but Tess placed her hands firmly over the sides of his helmet to keep him still as Charlie grabbed the C-collar.
“Dr. Becker and I are going to put this around your neck. I know it’s not super comfortable, but we have to err on the side of caution until we can get a closer look at your spine.”
Charlie, who was in street clothes, and Tess, who wasn’t, had both gloved up to examine the man while a nurse guided the gurney past the automatic doors and into a curtain area.
“You didn’t think to call a paramedic instead of dragging him in here on your own?” Charlie asked, her red-gold brows pulled low in disapproval, as Tess continued her rapid trauma assessment on the patient.
Parker took a deep breath and reminded himself that he deserved every degree of chilliness Charlie wanted to offer. “I am a paramedic. Or I was for five years. Anyway”—he grabbed a pair of nitrile gloves from the dispenser box on the wall and slid them into place—“the accident happened less than a block away. Calling an ambo would’ve been stupid.”
Dropping her voice enough to keep it from the patient while Tess asked him a few more questions and examined his leg, Charlie said, “He was in an MVA, and you moved him without a C-collar. That is stupid.”
Shock popped Parker right in the solar plexus. “Seeing as how we were in the middle of a busy city street and the guy had already been hit by a car once, I thought getting him out of traffic might be prudent.”
“Parker—” she started, but he shook his head. As much as he wanted to, arguing with her was a bad idea for several reasons, none of them small. Anyway, he couldn’t change what he’d already done.
“Yes, I moved him,” Parker said quietly. “But I did an RTA in the field. He was alert and reactive, with no signs of a head or neck injury. He was in a lot of pain and had an open fracture, and I wanted to get him treated as fast as possible. So, I made a judgment call.”
If her expression was anything to go by, Charlie remained highly unimpressed. “So he didn’t present with any outward signs of a spinal injury,” she argued. “That doesn’t mean he’s fine. There could be any number of things going on that you can’t see.”
“I know that.” Parker had completed four years of medical school, nearly seven months of his first internship, and three of his five years at Station Seventeen as a lead paramedic. He was hardly a dumbass.
“This tib-fib is pretty straightforward,” Tess said loudly enough to grab both of their attention. She’d—damn—already cut away the patient’s jeans to reveal a nasty break, and splinted the injured leg to keep it stable. “Let’s get head and neck films to see what we’re dealing with otherwise.” She swung her stare to the dark-haired nurse who had appeared with the gurney and stuck around for the ride. “And page Dr. Sheridan, along with whoever’s on call for ortho, stat, please.”
“I’ve got the films, Dr. Michaelson,” Charlie said, her eyes on Tess’s very pregnant belly, and Parker’s throat went tight. But then Tess had stepped out of the curtain area and the nurse had produced two protective aprons, and Charlie was shooting the X-rays as easily as she’d order a fucking latte.
“Head and neck are clear,” she called to Tess a few seconds later, who returned to the curtain area and looked at the images on the portable monitor, nodding her agreement.
“It’s just my…leg that hurts.” The man’s labored grunt punctuated the claim, and Charlie—Christ, how was it possible that she’d gotten even prettier over the last six years—softened her gaze, leaning in toward him.
“Do you have any drug allergies, Mr. Yoshida?”
Another groan. “No.”
Charlie looked at the nurse. “Start an IV so we can get some pain meds on board while we wait for those consults. We’re also going to need to do a full set of films on that leg for ortho.”
“I can start the IV,” Parker offered, taking a step toward the supply cart beside the gurney. Anything would be better than just standing here, useless.
Charlie’s arm shot out, and even through his shirt and hers, the contact sizzled through him as if they’d touched intimately, skin on skin. “No. You absolutely cannot.”
“I’m qualified to do it,” he said. He’d started hundreds of lines. Maybe even thousands. For God’s sake, Charlie had been there when he’d learned how.
“You’re a paramedic,” Tess said, clearly on Team Charlie, and also clearly unaware that he’d tendered his resignation at Station Seventeen to return to medical school and had been placed here at Remington Mem for his internship, take two. “We have very capable nurses. You brought Mr. Yoshida in, but we’ve got it from here, Parker. You can go.”
His pulse slapped faster. “Actually, I—”
The curtain moved, the metal loops shushing along the track built in to the ceiling and stopping the rest of Parker’s words in his windpipe.
“Someone called for a—whoa, yeah. Surgical consult,” said Jonah Sheridan, who had appeared behind Tess. Parker recognized him, both from running patients in to the emergency department for the last five years and the semi-rare occasion that the staff at Remington Mem came to hang out at The Crooked Angel, where the first responders from Station Seventeen and the cops from the Thirty-Third precinct tended to gather.
Sheridan completed a quick but thorough perusal of the patient’s injury. Parker listened carefully as Tess gave the guy a brief rundown and the nurse started the IV, then again as Sheridan looked at the patient.
“What’s your name, sir?”
“Mike,” the guy groaned, leaning back against the gurney. “Mike Yoshida.”
“Well, Mr. Yoshida, I hope you like Jell-O, because you’re going to be here for a day or two. You definitely need surgery to repair that injury to your leg.” He turned toward the dark-haired nurse, who Parker belatedly recognized from his first internship six years ago, and damn. How could he have changed so much while this place had stood stock-still?
“Kelly, let’s get some antibiotics in that IV along with the pain meds Dr. Becker ordered, and call surgery to book an OR.” Dr. Sheridan rattled off a few more directives—specific medications and dosages, plus a rush on the X-rays Charlie had already ordered—then shifted to look at Parker, blond brows lifted in question.
“You’re the paramedic, right?”
Shit. “Intern. Parker Drake.” Tugging off his still-spotless gloves, he extended his hand, trying as hard as he possibly could to un-hear the twin gasps of shock from Tess and Charlie.
“Huh,” Jonah said. “A new attending and a paramedic intern. The hits just keep on comin’. Okay, Mr. Yoshida.” He turned back toward the patient while Parker battled some shock of his own. Charlie was working here now? As an attending? Surely, he’d misunderstood. “Let’s get you ready for surgery, shall we?”
“OR three is open, Dr. Sheridan,” Kelly said, hanging up the wall-mounted phone. “They’re expecting you.”
“Perfect. We can do the films upstairs while I scrub in and get Dr. Mallory up to speed. Let’s go.”
Sheridan and Kelly wheeled the gurney from the curtain area. Now would normally be the time for everyone to scatter, with the patient stable and the handoff to a surgeon made. But since everything about the current situation was far from normal, Tess killed the four hundred-pound silence with a long, low exhale.
“I’m sorry. Did you just say you’re…”
“An intern. Starting today.” He looked at Charlie, whose expression was impossible to decipher. “Did Dr. Sheridan say you’re…”
“An attending. Temporarily, at least. I’m covering Tess’s maternity leave for ten weeks.”
ARC REVIEW Solitude by A.K. Evans
Title: Solitude
Author: A.K. Evans
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Day: February 12th
About Solitude:
Lorenzo De Luca’s troubled past has left him a shell of a man. The blood that runs through his veins feels toxic. Determined to not let history repeat itself, Lorenzo vows to protect others from the violence that lives inside him.
But when Jolie Moore literally stumbles into his arms and his life, Lorenzo finds himself captivated by her larger-than-life personality. Jolie’s pull is strong, making it difficult for him to keep his promise. It’s hard to resist the urge to connect with the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve, but Lorenzo knows he needs to lock his heart away to keep her safe.
Because his legacy has the power to destroy.
Jolie’s never been one to back down from a challenge, and her resolve to help him heal is strong. Lorenzo is wary, already content having found peace in solitude. But it isn’t long before Jolie shows him that he’s shielded others from a man who only has the capacity to love.
While Dom is still my man, Lorenzo runs a pretty close second. This was a pretty great read. Lorenzo's abusive childhood has him hesitant to build any deep relationship with a woman afraid of what he might become. Jolie sees Lorenzo for exactly who he is a protector someone worth spending her life with but getting him to start anything is hard. First he pushes her away but knowing he's hurting her by avoiding her and seeing her in a really sexy dress has him finally stepping up. But that's just step one they still have a long way to go before they can have their HEA.
I love the writing, Evans is so emotional with her characters it's easy to empathize with them. I enjoyed the tie in with her other Everything series and I'm kind of hoping for a hockey series in the future, Lorenzo's brother. Overall, it was a great read with fantastic characters, heartfelt situations, one pretty kickass climax, and not to mention a cute little puppy.
Enter A.K.’s Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveawayAbout A.K. Evans:
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, Evans 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).Connect with A.K.:
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