ARC REVIEW Chase by Sidney Bristol

Book three of Sidney Bristol's Hot Rides series has us falling in love with Gabe and Nikki. This is a second  chance love story, Nikki and Gabe originally meet years ago when she was assigned as his handler for his undercover work. They fell in love but when a case went wrong he left the FBI now he is working with the contracted undercover team of racers and gear heads at Classic Rides. Nikki wanted the job as temporary handler for the Classic Rides team she has a case and needs their help with it. The new case is finding a homegrown terrorist, a militant group using disabled veterans, manipulating them, blackmailing them into trying to overthrow the government and the mad man behind the whole thing wants to start by setting off bombs somewhere in a well populated place in the Miami/Dade county area. Nikki needs this case to go right so she can get her own little project green lighted by the higher ups.  

The relationship between Nikki and Gabe almost seemed like it picked up where they left off, as soon as they talked about what went wrong and and where they both made mistakes they were in love again. The sexual tension between them was really good and it lead up to something really hot but it just was lacking in comparison to the suspense and action part of the story. The story starts out kind slow as they are trying to find leads but it all comes to a huge intense climatic conclusion.

Overall another great story and I can not wait for the next one.

ARC REVIEW The Gamer and the Geek by Sidney Bristol

It's no secret that I love this author. She is diverse and not just because she writes multiracial romance but she is diverse in her writing style from romantic suspense to rom com geeky romance to BDSM erotica but she also varied in those. It's not just the stereotypical geek but all types of geeks. Like this book you can assume by the title (just the title not the blurb) that gamer means video gamer, but you would be wrong in this case Sidney Bristol delves into what she knows and is passionate about herself board games. I know nothing about board games, I kind of suck at them, so this was informative to read about all the boardgame intricacies and the two main styles of them and all the details Sidney went into about the boardgame world; just enough to be interesting but not too much detail that it overwhelms the book. Rashae and Declan are combustible from the sexual tension to their dialogue they are really close to being my favorite couple of the Gone Geek series.

Rashae is finally getting the chance to branch out into the board game world and show off her art in that field. The only roadblock is that the creators know nothing about about the industry and are nitpicking everything the only one who seems to be on her side is the sexy Irish campaign manager Declan. Rashae and Declan are hesitant to start a relationship because they are working with each other but after spending time together and really getting to know each other they both realize they are falling for each other. Rashae is about ready to put her heart on the line when everything they have been working for with the to board game developers blows up and it is going to take quite a bit for Declan to prove to Rashae that he had nothing to do with it.

Overall, this was another great book from Sidney Bristol.    

ARC REVIEW It Must Be Christmas: Three Holiday Stories

It Must Be Christmas is three stories that range from tame to hot! Jennifer Crusie bring Hot Toy, one I had the pleasure to read last year and loved. Donna Alward introduces me to Jewell Cove and Christmas at Seashell Cottage and finally another book I enjoyed last year Mandy Baxter's Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher.

Hot Toy: Jennifer Crusie

This is a short and fun Christmas short story that at first starts off like Jingle all the Way, but quickly turns into something so much more. Trudy is trying to be the best aunt ever and make sure her nephew gets the toy he wants for Christmas. Only the action figure he wants is impossible to find, and the one she does find throws her into a big mess with spies and lies and gun fights. Now this is a fluff piece, but man do I love a good piece of fluff every now and then. It is more of a comedy with a budding romance then a Christmas Romance but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Christmas at Seashell Cottage: Donna Alward

A first for me and I adored it. It was a semi sweet semi hot romance between the town's new doctor, Charlie Yang and former NAVY SEAL, Dave Ricker, who's trying to find a place for himself in civilian life and his daughter's life. They are brought together when a newborn baby is left in the manger at the church's nativity scene. Charlie unwilling to let the baby go into foster care at Christmas decides to take the responsibility until CPS can organize a proper place. Charlie is longing for a place to belong she feels that after a lifetime of emotionally distant parents that she'll never find someone or fit in in the small town. Dave is just trying to find a place in his daughter's life without interfering with his ex's new husband and their life. Dave has never had an emotional attachment to anyone and doesn't realize that he is in love with the beautiful and caring doctor. A really good short romance and I enjoyed this so much.

Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher: Mandy Baxter

This was a cute romance, naughty, but it really tugged at my heartstrings. I'm always glad when the contents of the book aren't as cliche as the title of the book.  Nate is a reluctant billionaire, and kind of insecure because of how his father treated him he left home and vowed never to have anything to do with his father, his money or his company ever again but the will his father left left him the majority of everything he didn't want. Chloe is a strong woman but a bleeding heart. Chloe was just initially going to hit up Nate for a donation for her charity if she doesn't get the money she needs by the end of the year she loses everything, but after one night with him she was in love and their was no way she was going to ask him for the money now. Nate hates gold diggers just as much as he hates his father's money, but time with Chloe has him rethinking everything. Nate's insecurities just might get in the way of his HEA with Chloe.

ARC REVIEW The Dollmaker by Mary Burton

Mary Burton does it again, she creeped me out and had me fall in love. Sadly I missed the release of The Shark the first book in the Forgotten Files series but worry not it was not necessary to read it to read this one.

Firstly the romance aspect of the story was probably the easiest part of the story, Tessa and Dakota have been estranged for about half of their marriage. Tessa was best friends with Dakota's little sister who was murdered in college and it was never solved. Tessa and Dakota didn't met up again until years later and then had a whirlwind romance and quickly got married, but after being married for some time and a very difficult case that hit a little too close to home for police detective Dakota they started having issues. Not knowing what to do Tessa give an ultimatum, and when Dakota doesn't give in she leaves for Vietnam, identifying the soldiers in unmarked graves. But after eight months Tessa realizes what went wrong and is back and wants to start over with Dakota. Dakota is scared that Tessa will just leave again like she did last time. he isn't good about showing his emotions or anything and as much as he loves Tessa he's scared he'll get hurt again.

Now the good part, someone has been kidnapping woman and keeping them until finally kills them and he leaves them in a place they will be easily found but they are tattooed and dressed up to look like dolls. It's sick and twisted in it's own right but Tessa makes the connection that the victims were all connected and that she falls into that connection. With Tessa at risk Dakota steps up and does everything he possible can to protect her. The more they try to find out about The Dollmaker they more they discover that it goes farther back than they think.

Overall, Mary Burton is quickly becoming my go-to author for creepy and intense suspense with a touch of romance. I know I talked a bunch about the romance but I didn't want to spoil to much about the serial killer. This was a great one and I can't wait for more.  

ARC REVIEW The Jekyll Revelation by Robert Masello

I've always loved the story of Jekyll and Hyde and this was a fantastic interpretation of the story. Interweaving Hyde, Jack the Ripper, and the real life of Robert Lewis Stevenson. The back and forth jumping from modern times to Victorian times, from the third person POV of environmental scientist, Rafael Salazar, to the first person journal of Stevenson, it was an outstanding concept and as annoying as it got sometimes with the mini cliffhangers at the end of the chapters it was a really good read. As slow as it was at times it made up for it by the intense situations the characters got into, a good almost horror suspense.

It all start with a foreboding open chapter from the journal of Stevenson telling that something followed him from London, something he thought he left far behind. The next chapter jumps to modern day California Topanga county and Rafael tracking the coyotes the has been researching and documenting. It also introduces the trouble makers that make Rafael's life hell and the woman he can't stop thinking about. The Stevenson journal entries follow him from the time he visits a doctor in the mountains of the Alps to try and cure or control his tuberculosis. The treatments are unconventional and Stevenson ends up suffering from some unusual side effects. Rafael's side of the story just spans a few weeks it follows him from the discovery of an old trunk full of a noxious smell, a set of gentleman's Victorian suit, a flask, and an old journal. As Rafael reads the journal he finds out the startling truth behind Jack the Ripper and the real story of Mr. Hyde. And with every other chapter the reader also slowly discovers the truth.

Overall, this was a great read and if you can stand the slow progression of the story and the back and forth POV it really pays off in the end.      

ARC REVIEW Immortal Writers by Jill Bowers

It takes a very intriguing blurb for me to pick a young adult to read and review. The premise was very interesting and very much reminded me of League of Extraordinary Gentleman. The main character, Liz, is a young author whose book series hit it big, like Harry Potter big. As a result the magic in her words became real and she became an Immortal Writer. Her characters came to life, her villain and his angry horde of dragons included. Liz is 19 years old and while that would technically make this a new adult the simplistic writing style and ease of reading makes this more aimed for the younger side of young adult. I think my kids would enjoy this. I enjoyed it the same way I enjoyed Eragon, it's not something I normally read but I enjoyed reading it. Curtis as the hero seemed a little one dimensional, the fact that the book is in Liz's POV takes away from character development of the other characters, you only see things as Liz sees it and you don't get any insight to the other characters beyond that. The book was good the plot was great the romance between Liz and Curtis was obvious and a give in she wrote the perfect man for her and she was already in love with him before she meet the actual man.

Liz is exhausted, she just got done with her book tour and all she wants to do is go to sleep, but Shakespeare has something else planned. William Shakespeare the original Immortal Writer has brought Liz into the fold before her time because her creation is on the loose and has almost gained enough power to expose the living literary world to the real world. Curtis has to train Liz how to fight dragons and Healer teaches her how to use the magic all so she can defeat Kendric. There is lots of action that's broken up with scenes that set up motive and Liz's background and Kendric's background. It all leads to a very exciting climactic conclusion. I liked the interpretation of the other famous authors it was nice to see how someone might view them in a modern setting.

Overall it was a nice and easy read, there is going to be another another book in the series and what I'm liking is that it's not centering around Liz but that of another author.          

FOREVER HOLIDAY BLOG TOUR REVIEWS

Full disclosure, I've never read Debbie Mason before. I'm glad I was able to find this series at the first book because it does look like it's going to be a great series, it has a great introduction to all the characters and the town but especially the Widow's Club. Romance, Christmas, a wedding, a mischievous ghost, and a equally mischievous cat; top all that off with a deep secret that has everyone looking for a lost diary.

The romance was perfect because Sophie and Liam have always loved each other but never thought the other was interested. Sophie after graduation suddenly left Harmony Harbor she stayed way for years until disaster struck and she had no other option except to go back home and move in with her Grandmother. She didn't come back alone she has a young daughter with her, a young daughter that does not speak. Sophie is working hard to find her place back in the small town and avoid Liam.

Liam moved from Harmony Harbor and went to work as a Firefighter in Boston but when he lost his best friend in a fire and injured himself he went back home to recuperate and deal with his PTSD. His father the chief of HHFD asks him to help out in town and Liam's chief back in BFD agrees that it might be better to get back in a small town setting rather than back in Boston. Liam hesitant at first soon accepts it especially because Sophie is back in town and the attraction is stronger than ever not to mention he has found a kindred spirit with her daughter.

Sophie doesn't want to get involved with Liam, she knows he plans on going back to Boston, and the fact that she's hiding something from everyone that just might make her an outcast in the towns eyes and Liam might not like it. But the friendly ghost that recently started haunting the house is set to make everything as it should be.

Overall, a really enjoyable and Debbie Mason has a wonderful active setting, the entire town and their inhabitants are very likeable, and relatable. I look forward to the series.

    

 This is a new one for me, I haven't read Olivia Miles before and with this being book 5 of the Briar Creek series I thought I would get lost in the characters and the setting but nope it can be read as a standalone. The main focus was on the two main characters and what was happening with them with a few side notes from another character which is setting up for her own book. This was an absolutely adorable book. I love books like this because it plays out in my head like a Hallmark Christmas movie. You have the typical grinch type character Nate and a Christmas angel Kara, opposites attract I love it.

Kara is doing something she has dreamed of doing, she has set up a cookie bakery in town and is now trying to prove to the whole town, especially her own mother, that she is not a fickle and that she will stick with it. Her biggest fear is failing, not only because will she lose something near and dear to her but it will prove the town right. In Kara desire to prove herself she has over working herself for the Christmas holiday, between the everyday workings she has special order gingerbread houses, cookies order for her mother's ballet recital,  and a massive order of cookies for the food drive for the needy families in the area.

Nate is only visiting Briar Creek because he felt guilty for sending his parents on a cruise when they had originally to visit his aunt. His Aunt Maggie runs the inn and is getting on in the years Nate agreed to visit and help out around the inn. Coming from a poor background he worked hard to make a lot of money, he's also very good at what he does. Christmas was never a good memory for him and he grew up resentful because it was never a special time for him with his family. But the little town of Briar Creek and a certain cookie maker has him rethinking everything about his life.

Overall, this is probably one of my top favorite Christmas novels for the year. It made me cry and fill my heart with joy. It's a great story for getting in the Christmas spirit and for a lovely romance.

 

 This was probably my least favorite for this year, I still enjoyed the premise of the story but I really didn't like the romance or half the characters. The majority of the book David is still in love with his dead wife and is being very obtuse about Willow, he's down right hateful to her because she is making him feel something he should only be feeling for his wife. The majority of the Lyndon family were pompous, stuck-up, and hateful. Willow I liked, she did what she knew was right and is being punished for it, but she's not going to back down. She goes back home to fulfil the dream of her best friend who died unexpectedly the year before. She only has to convince her bestfriend's husband to let her and give her the chance to buy it from him. David hates the Inn he inherited from his wife, he blames her death on the Inn and he can't wait to sell the thing. When Willow comes back into town and makes him feel things he hasn't felt for anyone but his wife and asks that he open the Inn again for his cousin's high profile wedding and give her the chance to buy it he's doubtful, but Willow also has a special connection with his daughter, and seeing her work with his daughter and the society that is shunning her he starts to have doubts about everything he thought he wanted.

 

I have previously reviewed this book look here for the review

http://hannahdabink.blogspot.com/2016/10/arc-review-highlanders-christmas-kiss.html

I have previously reviewed this book look here for the review

http://hannahdabink.blogspot.com/2016/10/arc-review-merry-cowboy-christmas-by.html