CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Cowboy Christmas Homecoming by June Faver

Dark Horse Cowboys #4, I am so glad the series didn't end with the Garrett Brothers it has now expanded to Zach Garrett their cousin who has been away in the Army. Like with his cousins when Zach meets the woman that was meant for him he's practically 100% all in from the start. It is an easy romance with very few bumps. Zach spent two tours in the military and during his second his dad died and his mom wasn't able to maintain the ranch so when Zach came home he came to his uncle's house not his mother's new home in Ft. Worth. Big Jim welcomed his nephew with open arms. Zach is dealing with a bit of PTSD and feeling like he doesn't fit in with the family any more, but then there is Stephanie.

Stephanie Gale, we met in one of the previous books, is a firefighter/EMT who specializes in confined space retrieval. She recently was called on to a scene where two young children witnessed their step father murder their mother. She was first on the scene and was the one who took the kids to the hospital. Stephanie and the kids formed an attachment and if the social worker wasn't such a *clears throat* wasn't so old fashion Stephanie would have adopted them weeks ago. Unfortunately right before Christmas the step father managed to escape police custody with help of his two brothers. Stephanie worries about the kids but she should be worried about herself too. After her first official date with Zach he bring her home to a destroyed apartment and a couple hours later she's attacked by one of the brothers. Zach's protectiveness amps up he may not have a lot to offer Stephanie but he can protect her until she's no longer in danger.

Stephanie falls for Zach quickly she wants to help him even if that means tracking down Jewel and bringing her here. Trying to track down Zach's dog from overseas took many phone calls being put on hold and transferred a bunch of times, but being a bit sneaky but it payed off. Big Jim has such a big heart he wants what's best for those poor kids so he offers to bring them to his home for Christmas and since Stephanie will be spending the holiday at his house too, well, two birds one stone everyone is happy. That is until Stephanie goes missing.

Overall, great book. It can be read as a standalone even though Leah (from book one of the series) and her pregnancy have a big chunk of this book just about her. It did distract a little from the other storyline but it was nice to see Tyler, Leah and Gracie I just wish it didn't take up so much of the book. I don't want the series to end I kind of want to see Dex, the deputy, get a book. 

ARC REVIEW Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti

Deep Ops #2, I enjoyed it, I prefer RAZ romantic suspense. I was looking forward to the straight laced Feb hooking up with the laid back hacker, especially after Taken the in between novella that gives background on Raider it's not a necessary read but it is a good, really good, read. Each book of the series have so far been stand alones. This one just fell shy of expectations it was good it was exciting and Roscoe is still as crazy as ever but it wasn't what I was expecting. I'm not crazy about organized crime, it's not something I usually go out of my way to read but it was still a good 3.5 read.

Raider Tanaka worked the organized crime division in the FBI with his partner who was undercover until his partner is killed and Raider crosses the line with the boss's boss's wife and he finds himself on babysitting duty to Brigid Banaghan, a hacker who was arrested and the government decided to use her talents for good within the HDD specifically for Angus Force and his low budget team of misfits. Angus seems to have a reason for recruiting everyone he did and the way it's playing out everyone is going to get a chance to right their wrong or get their revenge. In Raider's case he's finally going to get the change and going after the guy who killed his partner. Their way into the Irish Boston mob is Brigid's dad. Raider goes in undercover as Brigid's fiance and an up and coming crime lord who is seeking out help with the Boston mob. As per usual nothing ever goes as planned and by the end of the day just about everyone is battered bruised and have a few extra GSW on their medical record.

Brigid and Raider together were good, there was a lot of lying going on. They still fell in bed together and fell in love, even when Brigid thought Raider was lying to her she knew she could still trust him. RAZ is great when it comes to the suspense part of Romantic Suspense she's spot on with the action and she's so easy to read unless you pace yourself you can just zoom right through her books. I look forward to Wolfe's book next.

ARC REVIEW The Price of Grace by Diana Munoz Stewart

Black Ops Confidential #2, this was so worth waiting a year for especially since the next one comes out next month (11-26-19). I really enjoyed this, it was non stop action packed romance. There is quite a bit that goes on but it all comes together in the end. Third person POV that jumps from certain people. You don't need to read the first one to be able to follow this one but it might help just to get the established characters down and the whole idea of the Family's true business.

When Gracie was younger she fell in love and had a baby but she believed Momma, the woman who adopted her when she was born, forced her to make the decision between her child and the Family. Grace has always resented that so she wrote a letter. After the events of the last book Gracie distanced herself from her family concentrating on her night club, Club When?, and keeping and keeping an eye on her, now, teenage son from, not so, afar.

SA Leif MacAllister, aka Dusty, has been trying to get inside the Parish Family for a while his first attempt didn't pan out but iti did introduce him to Gracie Parish. The only reason the FBI has any idea as to the Parish Family's true action is a letter written years ago. Using his attraction to Gracie as his new in now seems wrong, especially since the information his SAC is giving him doesn't sit right with him.

It isn't until after Gracie's biological father puts in his bid to run for president do the first assassination attempts on Gracie's life happen. Gracie is determined to get down to the bottom of it whether it truly is her father's doing or someone else entirely and the timing is just a coincidence. Someone is out to get Gracie and Dusty will stop at nothing to protect her even if that means turning against the FBI to do so.

Overall, I loved this book. I enjoyed the writing, the plot I'm not usually one for political type drama in my books but this was so good. I love the characters, Grace and Dusty of hot together the sexual attraction is undeniable for them even when she thinks she can't trust him she's still hot for him. Off topic this is one of three books I have read in the last three weeks where a red headed woman falls for a guy with a southern accent. I had no problem picturing Dusty as a buff Timothy Olyphant-ish type with a Kentucky accent. The book did leave with one heck of a tease, not a cliffhanger per say because everything with Grace and Dusty was settled this was a giant tease about The Cost of Honor.   

ARC REVIEW My Pen is Huge by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

My Pen Is Huge

The OHellNo Series Book #5

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, Comes a Saucy Minx of a Book, MY PEN IS HUGE. (OHellNo #5 - Standalone.)

Dear Mr. Merrick,

I quit.

And since you’re obsessed with your stupid pen collection, I thought it appropriate to take the big one you love so much and write my resignation letter. Kiss your pen goodbye, big man!

Because when I agreed to work for you—a hotshot journalist I’ve admired for years—no one told me that you had a secret life and that you’d bug my apartment, have someone killed, and make the moves on me just to test whether I’m serious about this job.

I mean, come on! What kind of boss does that? Yes, you’re ten degrees hotter than the sun, and you melt panties everywhere you go, but this “little intern” is done with your games.

From this day forward, consider me your mortal enemy, your biggest threat. Maybe your pen is huge, but my determination is bigger. See you on the battlefield, Mr. Big Pen.

Your ex-admirer,

Gisselle Walters

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA

AMAZON AU | AMAZON OTHER

KOBO | NOOK | iBOOKS | PAPERBACK

Oh Boy! This book. Where to begin? If you have read Battle of the Bulge the you should be familiar with these characters, this book starts before battle of the Bugle and continues past the end of it. So we do get mentions of past characters and an appearance by Abi but this is still completely a stand alone.

They say never meet your heroes, Gisselle get the once in a lifetime opportunity to work for a journalist she admires greatly but once she meets him all the mystique about him gets overshadowed by his chauvinism. Not lasting one day Gisselle discovers he's not who he seems but that doesn't stop her from pursuing her dreams, stealing his stories, and lusting after the man. But when push comes to shove she gives as good as she gets.

Leland Merrick is more than he seems. A sharp dressed man, determined to get his story go anywhere and knows all the right people to get it done. But one woman and his determination for the story gets sidetracked to protecting her from things she doesn't realize she's getting into. Even if she doesn't see it and thinks he's purposefully trying to derail her from her goal, well he is but for her own safety.

Overall, yet another hysterical read from MJP. Seriously this series is great for putting a smile on my face even when feeling depressed. I loved Marrick even when he was an ass. Gisselle is such a character, she conniving... I mean, smart. Her naivety started off funny but gets a little annoying. I can only take so much kindergarten words for sex and body parts. It makes me every excited for the foul mouthed Rose whose book is next. I kinda also want to meet Gisselle's brother. As a lover of puns and innuendos this book gets even more bonus points.          

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About the Author

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams. Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

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CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Snowfall on Cedar Trail by Annie Rains

Sweetwater Springs #3, Holona and Alex have been dancing around their attraction for years, since they were both young, but because Alex was best friends with her brother he never wanted to cross that line. Holona ended up getting married and having a son, her husband was a big football star who died in a skiing accident shortly after divorcing her. Holona loved her husband but their was a side of him she never wanted anyone to know about unfortunately Alex was witness to that once but Alex still only knows half the story.

Alex thinks that Holona doesn't want anything to do with him because that one time he arrested her husband, but fate keeps putting them together and finally when Alex gets picked to be her son's mentor

they finally give in to the attraction. Holona's son, Theo, stopped talking after his father died. Holona always doing what she thinks is best for her son she enters him the new mentor program hoping he can find a good male role model.

Alex is tormented by the unsolved murder of his father. Ever year he reopens the case and questions the witness again and tries to find who killed his father. This year is different this year he was given a clue, and now he's worried that going after this person might put Holona and Theo in jeopardy.

Overall, this was a really great read. It's just over 300 pages and it goes by so quickly. The cuteness factor is really high with both Theo and Officer Chew the foster puppy Alex takes in. The romantic build up between Alex and Holona doesn't take long and their chemistry is great. Even as book three this works as a stand alone but all three books and the novella are wonderful reads.

ARC REVIEW One Dark Wish by Sharon Wray

Deadly Force #2, Because of backstory, it's when the main characters met, and why you need to beware of men who bow I would recommend reading the first book before this one. In the events before both books two teams of Green Berets were royally screwed over the ones that aren't in prison were dishonorably discharged and put to the task of finding out who betrayed them so they can free their teammates from prison and clean their record. There is a large cast of characters but their are only a few you need to worry about in this book, the third person perspective focus on Sarah Munro and Nate Walker the main characters but it also adds Zack a fellow ex-Green Beret and one of the bad guys Etienne. For the most part it's easy to tell when it switches,  mid chapter there are chapter breaks and who you are now following is usually named right away. The story is complex there are quite a few different elements to it all lots of different threads that all come together in the end but still leave the overall story arc open for the next book.

I loved Nate and Sarah, they are both complex character with baggage, especially Nate who has health issues. Ever since the ambush and his time as a prisoner and tortured he's suffered from seizures and memory loss, while all his men were in prison he was in a hospital. His CO, Kells, has just informed him he has to go back to the hospital. With only days before he has to go back he has to finish setting up their cover as employees of the Iron Rack Gym and bouncers at the club Rage of Angels but when Sarah gets tied up in this mess he's determined to keep her safe until he's forced to go back.

Sarah wasn't meant to get mixed up in Nate's problems but it seems she was already hip deep in it anyways. Her research into the history of Isle of Grace has landed her in hot water already she's being threatened by both sides; one side wants her to solve the old pirate cipher and the other doesn't even to the extent of going after her father to get her to cooperate. Nate is the only one who wants to protect her even if they were pitted against each other. This book is packed with so much the action it's exciting and there are twists and red herrings, and smoking hot romance. Overall, a great story. 

CHRISTMAS ARC REVIEW Christmas with a Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

I've started my Season's Readings, I'm going to try every Monday to post a New or Favorite Christmas read. 

Longhorn Canyon Ranch #5, Maverick Callahan hasn't been the same since he got back from his Ireland vacation with his Grammy Iris. Since then he has been helping his cousins set up their ranch but when Grammy falls out the pear tree and has to have her hip replaced and her foreman goes off to visit family she needs help around the ranch. She already has a housekeeper, the granddaughter of her best friend whom she invited over to spend the holidays.
Bridget O'Malley lost her best friend, gained guardianship of a new born baby, Laela, and lost her grandmother all in a couple months of each other. So when her grandmother's best friend, Iris, calls and offers her a place to stay and spend the holiday while making some money she jumps at the chance, even if that means leaving Ireland for a couple of months. 

Bridget and Maverick met in Ireland on his last night there and spent the night together, since that night neither has been able to stop thinking about he other but they didn't exchange number or even get each other's last names. When Bridget gets to Texas she never expected to find her cowboy is none other than Iris's grandson. But she's not he same girl she was a year ago she's a mother now and just can't fall into bed with a good looking cowboy. Maverick knows as soon as he sees Bridget again it was fate. He wants her to stay but he just a cowboy with nothing to his name, he has nothing to offer her except his love. Bridget is torn between her love for Maverick and her love of Ireland, she worried that things aren't going to last, that her homesickness will make her miserable, she worries about a lot of things but her love for Maverick isn't one.

Overall, it's a real sweet romance, things get hot and heavy between Mav and Bridget but in the typical Carolyn Brown fashion (she mainly leaves it up to your imagination). I loved Laela, and how quickly Mav bonded with her and Iris is a hoot. I love all the characters and it was such a nice easy read.