ARC REVIEW Best of Luck by Kate Clayborn

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

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

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

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

ARC REVIEW A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle

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

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

ARC REVIEW Tiger's Claim by Celia Kyle

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

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

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

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

   

ARC REVIEW Wish Upon a Duke by Erica Ridley

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

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

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

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

BLOG TOUR Desperate by A.K. Evans

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

Title: Desperate

Author: A.K. Evans

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Desperate:

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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About the Author:

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

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ARC REVIEW Escape Velocity by Jonathan Paul Isaacs

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

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

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

ARC REVIEW Cocksure by Shiloh Walker

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

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

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

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