{Review} Skies Over Caledonia by Samantha Young

Skies Over Caledonia by Samantha Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb:

It’s been five years since Jared McCulloch’s grandfather Collum passed away and he inherited his farm in the Scottish Highlands. After his grandad saved him from his past life, Jared is determined to honor Collum’s legacy. But not only has a series of bad luck put him in danger of losing the farm, his estranged father is disputing the will. In a desperate situation, Jared realizes he’ll do just about anything to save the land.

Even marrying Allegra Howard, a woman he’s avoided at all costs.

A woman who tempts him beyond reason.

There’s only one place that makes Allegra Howard feel safe; one place that feeds her artist’s soul. Allegra wants to settle down in Scotland and expand her business. But there’s a hitch: immigration intends to return her to US soil.

Panicked, Allegra finds the one person just as desperate as she is. The same person she’s lusted after for years. In exchange for marrying her, she’ll invest financially in Jared McCulloch’s farm.

However, living together only forces them to acknowledge their searing mutual attraction. And with it comes an undeniable emotional connection Jared’s not sure he’s ready for.

Yet, blurring the lines of their arrangement is the least of his concerns when someone begins terrorizing the farm.

Allegra and Jared came together to save what matters most and now that might just be each other. And unless they can figure out which of their pasts has returned to torment them, they could lose their chance at a real future together...

Review:

Marriage of Convenience Done Right

Samantha Young is one of my top five favorite romance authors, I love her world building. Character growths, and of course the romance.

The Highland series continues as a sequel to the Adair series with secondary characters now getting their own stories. I was super excited to not only get Jareds story but also Aria's sister Allegra.

This story focuses a lot on Jared and Allgeras past. Jared grew up with an awful father figure and lost the one man who became his father figure. Allegra has to deal with her parents' constant horrible treatment, and everyone around her treats her like she's always badly behaved, but she's been hiding a secret. Together, these two help each other heal but are able to face their fears because of each other support.

As always with Youngs stories, there is a mystery hidden, and it makes the readers constantly guess who is behind it all.

In the end, I have to say this was my favorite story in the Highland series. I have been rooting Allegra after her first introduction, and Jared's love for his cousin just warmed my heart with how much of a big brother type he is.

I can't wait for more of this series, and I can see the possibility of the children getting their stories told in the future.

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{Review} In Another World by Kelli A. Wilkins

In Another World by Kelli A. Wilkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal Romance

THEME: Mystery

BLURB:

Disgraced psychic medium Julie Kershaw has finally met her soul mate. The problem is he’s dead… and his spirit haunts the car she just bought.

The spirit of Detective Eddie Mahoney is determined to find his killer and needs Julie’s help. At first, she refuses. She’s tired of being called crazy and swore she’d never use her abilities to speak to the dead again—even if Eddie is handsome and charming.

Eddie persuades Julie to contact his former partner, Lou Kaplonski, to ask him to reopen his case. Skeptical, Lou dismisses Julie as a fake—until she proves she can communicate with the dead—and he finds out Eddie has a lot to say.

Julie channels Eddie’s spirit and together with Lou, the unusual trio tracks down leads and follows clues to solve Eddie’s murder. The case takes them down a dark and dangerous path filled with secrets, where nobody can be trusted.

As they work to find his killer, Julie falls for Eddie. Funny, smart, and sexy, Eddie is the guy of her dreams—and he doesn’t look or act the least bit dead. To her surprise, Eddie discovers a clever way they can be together, and they begin an ethereal romance.

When Lou’s investigation brings him too close to the killer, his life and Julie’s are put in danger—and Eddie may be the only one who can save them.

REVIEW:

I'm a big fan of paranormal romances, especially if they have suspense and mystery in the mix. In Another World is a well crafted story that has the reader solving a case along with the characters.

IN Another World follows Psychic medium Julie, who is trying to start over after a divorce and public court case that was horrible from beginning to end. However when she is in dire need of a car to get her to her destination, she wasn't expecting for it to come with a ghost and he asks for her help to solve his murder. The ghost is detective Eddie Mahoney and meeting Julie is not only lucky for him to find the bad guys but also the one person whom he can connect with in a deeper level. There is an instant spark. But there is danger in uncovering the truth and with Eddie not apart of the living its putting Julie right in the middle of danger.

This was a great paranormal romance, a real twist on how ghosts and mediums connect, there is a whole dream connection that I haven't read in any other paranormal ghost book that I found pretty interesting. I liked the side characters of Lou Eddies old partner and Eddies father. I do wish there were a little more characters in the sense of maybe other Ghost, with Julie being able to connect with Eddie why were no other ghost popping up?

In the end the who done it mystery was suspenseful and I really enjoyed how Wilkins unfolded the story. The ending was a surprise and unexpected. The romance was sexy and Wilkins created a unique way for the two leads to connect. With Wilkins being a new to me author I look forward to reading more from her.

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{Release Blitz: Review} What We May Be by Layla Reyne

What We May Be by Layla Reyne is now live!

What We May Be by Layla Reyne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Romantic Suspense

THEME: MMF/Murder Mystery

What We May Be

by Layla Reyne

4.30 ·

BLURB:

What we were...

Sean found love once, with his college roommate, Trevor, and Trevor's best friend, Charlotte.

The missing piece, Sean made it possible for Trevor and Charlotte to find love too.

But then Sean left and took the love with him.

Now an FBI agent, Sean is back in town, ten years later, to investigate a murder. 

A case that pits him against his ex-lovers--Charlotte, a local detective, and Trevor, a literature professor sucked into the Shakespearean mystery. 

Everyone guards their hearts, but before long, desire sparks anew the feelings that burned hot a decade ago.

What we may be...

Love is within their grasp again, but as the killer escalates, it's more than just their hearts and futures on the line. 

Sean, Charlotte, and Trevor will need to work together to solve the case.

If they can't, lives will be lost and pieces of their love gone for good.

REVIEW:

Layla Reyne is a new to me author and one to keep an eye on. She is a fantastic writer, creating suspenseful, passionate intense romance all along a mystery plot that keeps the readers on their toes.

What We May Be follows Sean, an FBI agent who goes back home after the death of two people who were like family to him. Which brings him face to face with the two loves of his life he left behind. Charlotte and Trevor, a police officer and professor, loved Sean and he broke them when he left unexpectedly years ago. When murders start to occur in their town and each is somehow linked to Charlotte's past and Trevors school, they work together with Sean to stop a killer before its too late.

The mystery to me won me over, the killer using literature/ well known writings to layout his/her murders. It was scary and I never really could figure out who it was, I kept thinking along with the trio that they were close and then it took another turn.

The family connection, the trio was always surround by a close knit family and that what sets off a lot of events in this story. They mystery behind Sean leaving is another connection to family. Now the trio, Charllote, Trevor and Sean have to work through the tough past and this connection and love that never went away for any of them. These three had a bond unlike anything readers could image, it was beautiful crafter and heartbreaking, the author did a wonderful job crafting her characters and making you feel so connected to each of them.

In the end this suspenseful romance story kept me hooked until the end, it was sexy, mysterious and down right thrilling until the very end.

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Meet Layla

Layla Reyne is the author of the Fog City, Agents Irish and Whiskey, Trouble Brewing, and Changing Lanes series. A Carolina Tar Heel who now calls the San Francisco Bay Area home, Layla enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart-pounding romance.

Connect with Layla

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{Blog Tour: Review + Promo} A Lesson In Thorns (Thornchapel #1) by Sierra Simone

A Lesson In Thorns (Thornchapel #1) by Sierra Simone
Cover Reveal: March 13th
Release Date: March 21st
Cover Designer: Hang Le
Image: Trevillion Images

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A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
GENRE: Erotica Contemporary
THEME: Mystery Angst

A Lesson in Thorns (Thornchapel, #1)

by Sierra Simone

4.55 · 412 Ratings · 253 Reviews

BLURB:

Once upon a time, six children stumbled upon a wild place hidden deep in the moors, shrouded by secrets and fog. There we played a game among the roses and the thorns that would change us forever, that would follow us the rest of our lives. A game that ended with a hard kiss in the rain and tattered flower petals fluttering from above…

And twelve years later, we’re back.

The heir.
The dreamer.
The priest.
The genius.
The socialite.
The saint.

I’m not going to dream of a forgotten place covered in thorns every night.
I won’t be enchanted by Thornchapel and its glossy, glamorous people. I’m not going to fall in love or have my heart torn in two.

I’m not telling the truth.

Because as this place slowly tightens its coil of secrets and thorns around us, as we uncover the knotted mysteries that grow here, the six of us begin to unravel into filthy, holy pleasure and pain. Fulfilling the promise we once made as children in those whispering ruins, and awakening a fate that will either anoint us or leave us in ashes…

REVIEW:
This is a tough story to review, it's hard for me to pinpoint how to describe what goes on in this story without giving too much away. There is a lot of angst, mystery, passion, smoking hot sex and chemistry, but the true character is Thornchapel itself. All the characters a uniquely twisted together, connected by the parents and Thornchapel bringing them together. This is definitely not a book I've ever read before, each character has their own story, their own connection, their own darker past, its heavy and emotional and holy moly did that just happen smoking hotness.

If you are a fan of Sierra Simone then you are in for a treat, if you think her Camelot series messed with your emotions and mindset then this one is going to do a number. This is much darker, much more twisted and the character that much more damaged. As many people have already mentioned there are some triggers in this story, so please be warned.

In the end, this is only the beginning, there is so much that I'm looking forward to finding out after the ending we got. It not so much a cliffhanger as its more of a get ready kinda end. Again I don't want to give anything away, but this was very kinky, very erotic, very much will make you blush and panties will melt. All the characters are going to blow your mind and shock you, and yes even the priest, yes even the virgin, and yes mostly definitely yes even the dark and moody men. There were some parts that threw me off a little, or was a little much and confused me, so I'm hoping that will be cleared up in the next book. So gird your loins and get ready for a kind of story I don't think you'll be prepared for.

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About the Author:
Sierra Simone is a USA Today Bestselling former librarian (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk.) She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.

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{Review} Burn Falls by Kimberly Knight

Burn Falls by Kimberly Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal Romance
THEME: Vampires / Mystery

BLURB:

After Draven Delano fled his coven, he vowed he’d never take an innocent human’s life again. To survive on his own, he became a doctor, allowing himself easy access to blood bags and a means of survival without harming a soul. But an immortal can never stay in one place for too long. And he can never fall in love. When he moves to the sleepy town of Burn Falls, he thinks he’s found the perfect place to temporarily settle.

Until he meets the one woman who could change everything.

Calla O’Bannion believed monsters lived only in fairy tales. The night her father was attacked and left to die, Calla knew that monsters were real. When the inevitable happens, Calla makes the decision to move home to Burn Falls and take over the family’s distillery. As fate would have it, she begins a relationship with the only one who can protect her from the thing she fears the most.

Until she finds out what Draven’s been hiding.

Evil has chased Draven for eighty-six years. Soon, he’ll be forced to face those demons and break his vow—a decision that could save both him and Calla. Or it could kill them both.

REVIEW:

I’ve been out of the paranormal romance game for a while, only sneaking back in when a new Patricia Briggs book comes out. I’ve missed it so much and was excited to try a new author to me, Kimberly Knight with her twist on the vampire mythology. I love the idea of mafia vampires, the insert of al copone was a nice addition. This story goes in nice detail about our hero and how he came to be, how he got involved with the wrong people and now he’s trying to keep hidden so they don’t find him again. The author jumps back into the past to connect all the dots until the big twist, which I figured out but it was still a cool way to connect the two leads.

Burn Falls follows Calla who is home for the holidays with her family when tragedy hits. Calla is comforted by a doctor who knows exactly what happened but is trying to keep innocent humans from being involved with dangerous vampire, since well… he is one of them. Draven is a doctor in Burn Falls and is on call when Calla’s family is dealing with the injury of a family member. He is drawn to Calla and even more so when he realizes she can’t be compelled. But as he starts to connect the dots it brings Calla’s life in more danger and both of them closer.

Draven is a man or vampire on the run, never staying in any town long enough to realize he’s not ageing. Also because he doesn’t want to be found by his maker, a dangerous vampire with ties to the mafia. He was sweet, lost, and really needed to find some happiness. I felt for the guy his past was awful, the love of his life killed and his family. When he got free he was always looking over his shoulders. With Calla coming into his life, he wants to keep her there especially when she finds out his secrets.

Calla is dealt with the hard blow of losing a family member, someone who held the family together. But she is stuck on why and how it happened, it wasn’t an accident. Calla works with Draven and his friend another vampire to track down why her family was targeting and if it has any connection to Draven. She actually takes the existence of vampire a little too well for my liking as I feel most would be in freak out mode for some time. But I still like her attitude and determination to get the truth.

Overall this was a great introduction to Knight and I always love seeing someone else take of vampires. There is a lot of mystery and twist, as well as humor with some secondary characters. Be prepared for a lot of emotion ups and downs with reading Dravens past and Calla’s family. I look forward to trying more books from knight, her writing and characters were well developed and even though some areas felt a bit slow, I was keep wanting to know what happened.

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{Excerpt + Giveaway} Wicked Charm by Amber Hart

Today we have the release week blitz for WICKED CHARM  by Amber Hart! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: WICKED CHARM
Author: Amber Hart
Genre: YA Romantic Thriller
Release: January 30, 2018

About WICKED CHARM

Nothing good comes from living in the Devil's swamp.
Willow Bell thinks moving to the Okefenokee area isn't half bad, but nothing prepares her for what awaits in the shadows of the bog.
Girls are showing up dead in the swamp. And she could be next.
Everyone warns Willow to stay away from Beau Cadwell―the bad boy at the top of their suspect list as the serial killer tormenting the small town.
But beneath his wicked, depthless eyes, there's something else that draws Willow to him.
When yet another girl he knew dies, though, Willow questions whether she can trust her instincts…or if they're leading to her own death.

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Excerpt

The walk is littered with stones and broken twigs. Leaves rustle like crackly paper. The wind brushes my skin so lightly that it’s almost a sigh. And then, only a few minutes later, I see the thing Beau wants me to see, sitting in the middle of it all.

“What is this?” I ask.

I bound over to it. Tree roots pop up from the ground like veiny scars intersecting a path. The crazy boy has made a platform for us out of wood, with four stilt legs beneath it digging into the ground. The wood is pine and smells like it, too. I run a finger along the edge, feeling where he smoothed it. It’s newly made, I can tell by the flakes that pepper the forest floor like pencil shavings and the rich wood smell. Atop the platform are another four posts with a fifth in the center, and draped over that is a canopy of white fabric. It sways in the breeze like spider’s silk.

“I wanted us to have a place to hang out,” Beau replies. “Where we won’t run into Old Lady Bell, Charlotte, or Grandpa, and where we can both be alone to relax.”

His eyes roam the swamp around us.

The makeshift pavilion is smaller than my room, but still it’s the most beautiful thing. Clear lights are strung around it, reminding me of fireflies. There is not enough space in my lungs for the quick breaths of excitement I find myself taking. I gasp at the beauty of it all.

“How did you get them to light up?” My question is filled with wonder.

“Battery powered,” he says, his grin growing. “Wait till you see inside.”

He helps me onto the platform that protects us from wandering critters below. It’s easily five feet up. I try not to catch my feet on the lights.

Beau pulls back the drape. A small cluster of cushions sits on the ground, fronted by a tiny wooden table topped with freshly fallen leaves and sticks, reminding me of a bird’s nest. A pink magnolia marks the middle, the source of the floral smell that sticks to the air.

“You did this?” I ask, mesmerized.

“All by myself,” he says.

It’s hard to imagine. Sure, I can see how Beau would bring the cushions and lights and tools to the island by boat, and how he could use the resources already here—the trees and stump for the table, the sticks and flower and leaves—to construct everything, but what I can’t see is why Beau would go through the trouble. Isn’t he the boy Jorie warned me about—the one who breaks hearts? Isn’t he the one Gran swore was darker than the night? That Beau doesn’t match the one standing before me, watching my reaction.

“I love it,” I say.

And then I wrap my arms around this surprising boy and press my lips to his. 

Trailer

About Amber Hart

Amber Hart resides on the Florida coastline with family and a plethora of animals she affectionately refers to as her urban farm. When unable to find a book, she can be found writing, daydreaming, or with her toes in the sand. She's the author of Wicked Charm and the Before & After series for teen readers, and the Untamed series for adult readers. Visit her online at www.amberhartbooks.com. 

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Giveaway

{Review} Complicated by Kristen Ashley

Complicated by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Mature
RECEIVED: Bought

Complicated

by Kristen Ashley

4.26 · 4885 Ratings · 668 

BLURB:

When small town Nebraska sheriff Hixon Drake meets Greta Dare, the connection couldn’t be stronger, but the timing couldn’t be worse.

Dealing with the fallout of a divorce he never wanted and setting up a new home for his kids, Hix becomes that guy, that one he never wanted to be, and puts a stop to things before they can even start. Protecting his kids, and himself, is his only priority.

Greta, on the other hand, has found the place for her and the brother she adores that’s perfect for them—a sleepy little town in Nebraska. She’s learned from life that there are no hopes and dreams. The only thing to look forward to is peace. And that’s what she works hard to build for herself and her brother. Right up until Hix walks into her life.

Hix can’t fight the pull and stay away from Greta for long. And Greta’s finding it hard not to hope for something more with all the promise that is Hix.

But when the first murder that’s happened in over five decades rocks his small, sleepy county, Hix has got to learn to trust again, convince Greta to take a shot with him, and at the same time catch a killer.

In other words, things are definitely…Complicated.

REVIEW:
I swear Kristen Ashley can do no wrong when it comes to her books, I had been waiting for this one to come out in book format, especially after hearing rave audiobook reviews. Now I love all of her series, but was super excited for something stand alone and away from her other awesome character.

Complicated follows Greta, a woman who has finally found a great small town for her and her brother. As the big sister, she has always been there for her brother, his accident as a teenager left him need great care and that’s all Greta wants for him, is the best. But when she has a smoking hot run in with the newly separated Sherriff Hix, as well as threats from her mother, and now a shocking murder happens in their town, it seems like Greta is in for a lot more of a bumpy ride than she hoped for.

Greta is as sweet as can be, she’s hard working, will do anything for her brother and loves to just relax and sit on her porch people watching. I adored her, I wanted her to have something happy, something that would help ease everything on her shoulders. When she meets Hix, there are a ton of ups and down especially since his ex is a raging mean girl. She is super easy to connect with, I felt for her when it came to the bashing from Hix’s ex and the craziness from her awful mother, but this woman keeps it together.

Hix is an alpha male to the max, he loves his children and loved his wife, but she wanted more, and not showing her appreciation in a nice way. Thus the reason for being divorced. When Hix meets Greta, their connection is off the charts hot and sweet. She so different from his ex and she’s definitely what he needed. But he’s a stubborn man, and when a murder put his town in danger, he has the spot light on him more than he wanted. I loved this guy and wanted to scream at him sometimes, Greta is a sweet woman, and sometimes he handles her wrong. Luckily I know Ashley always makes up for her male characters behavior. So he warmed up to me and brought that charm and yumminess that I adore in an alpha male.

Overall I loved this story, it started steamy, had a ton of emotional ups and down, and the murder mystery kept me on my toes. I love small town stories. Ashley always is my go to author and she knows her characters and really pulls me into her world building. Loved it!

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{New Release} The Suburbs Have Secrets by Barbara Wallace

The Suburbs Have Secrets

by Barbara Wallace
A Sadie McIntyre Mystery
Publication Date: September 11, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mystery

Read for FREE in KindleUnlimited!

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When Sadie McIntyre gives a drunken Marylou Paretsky a ride home on a rainy night, little does she realize it’s the last time anyone will see Marylou alive.

Tragic accident? Or Murder?

The following morning, Marylou is found dead at the bottom of her staircase. What first appears to be a drunken tumble becomes far more complicated as Sadie discovers Marylou wasn’t as sweet and timid as everyone thought. Turns out Marylou spent her spare time digging up dirt on her neighbors and left behind a list of their secrets. Much to her horror, Sadie’s name is right on top.

Eager to keep her past buried, Sadie, with the help of her best friend Rob and Dan Bartlett, the town’s sexy new chief of detectives, sets out to who on the list was desperate enough to kill. Will she discover the answer before the truth gets out?

Or will the killer find Sadie first?

About Barbara Wallace

Bestselling, award-winning author Barbara Wallace specializes in sassy, smart novels known for their emotional depth. Since her debut in 2009, she’s gone on to publish nearly 20 titles with Harlequin Romance and Entangled Publishing to world-wide popularity. A life-long Yankee, Barbara lives in New England with her husband, their son, two very spoiled self-centered cats (as if there could be any other kind) and a very catered-to rescue pup.

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{Review} The Coppersmith Farmhouse by Devney Perry

The Coppersmith Farmhouse by Devney Perry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Mystery, Mature
RECEIVED: Bought

BLURB:

One old farmhouse brought them together. It could also tear them apart.

Gigi has just uprooted her whole world to start a new life. The unexpected gift of a farmhouse in small-town Montana is just what she and her daughter need to escape big-city loneliness. The last thing she needs is attitude from the town’s sheriff, the most perfectly attractive and ruggedly handsome man she’s ever laid eyes on—and a complete jerk.

Jess knows all about women like Gigi. Beautiful. Sexy. Scheming. She’s stolen his sanctuary, the farmhouse that should have been his. But along with a face full of freckles, she’s got a sharp wit and a backbone of steel—something he doesn’t discover until after making a complete fool of himself. If he can earn back her trust and win her heart, he might just find the home he’s always needed.

REVIEW:

I waited a bit to dig into The Coppersmith Farmhouse, after reading some reviews from both those who loved it to those who went on a rant, which I love to read every point of view. But darn I wish I read this one sooner, I loved it, many compare this to Kristen Ashley who is my ultimate to go author and have an issue with OTT alpha males, the biggest difference with Perry’s alpha male is the he apologizes when he’s wrong, he knows he did something wrong and he owns up to it, where Ashley’s men more grunt and or beat around the bush when they know their wrong, which I love too. Anyways I love the cover design too, as a graphic designer I love when a fellow artist really brings in the “feels” and vibe from the hometown in this book sounds warm, peaceful and beautiful. Okay now onto the review…

The Coppersmith Farmhouse follows Gigi and her daughter Rowen who have left the city for Prescott, a small down where their friend and pretty much adoptive grandfather, Ben, left them a house to live in. Gigi is excited for the new life change and already starting to like her new job as a nurse in the local hospital, until she meets the Sheriff. Sheriff Jess Cleary aka The Brick, is not too happy about Gigi moving into his longtime friend’s house, a man whom he respected and took care of his farmhouse for years. He thinks Gigi may have befriended Ben to get something from him. But Gigi is not too keen on how Jess treats her and puts him in his place. When the towns bad boy and drug dealer starts to cause problems, and Jess and Gigi become targets of something big, the two of them start down an interesting path of love, trust and determination to keep each other safe.

Gigi is a sweetheart, I loved her spitfire attitude toward Jess, yah she caves a little too easy sometimes but he does apologize for his rude behavior on multiple accounts. But what I loved about her the most is her love and devotion towards her daughter Ro, they have a sweet and loving relationship and she is a mamma bear, no one hurts her daughter or puts her in danger.

Jess is the towns protector and his alpha demeanor and presence is a shock to poor Gigi who gets put on his list as someone to protect. He also has to deal with the drugs that are running around town with kids and some bad people who want to run the town, but he seems to always be one step behind. I felt for him, he was so close but just couldn’t put his finger on who was really in charge.

Overall, I loved this book, it had everything for me that I love in stories, romance, great characters, entertaining secondary characters, a town of hilarious and nosey people, and a mystery that had me guessing, well I didn’t figure out who it was before poor Jess. In the end, I highly recommend this series, I’ve already started the second and it’s just as good.

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{Review} The Truth Spell by Anita Oh

The Truth Spell by Anita Oh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult
THEME: Paranormal, Mystery, Werewolves
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

As soon as I stepped onto the grounds of Amaris High, I knew I'd made a big mistake. I could never fit in at such a snobbish school – I was more IT girl than "it girl". But then I saw him.

Sam Spencer. My childhood best friend. But it couldn't be. Sam Spencer had died three years ago, on the night that changed everything. I need to know what happened, why he's suddenly not dead and is hanging out with a bunch of rich kids.

When the school is hit by a truth spell, it seems like the perfect chance to find out what Sam and his creepy new friends are hiding, but the weirder things get, the less I'm sure I want to know. Even for Sam, even for the free food, Amaris High might be more trouble than it's worth.

REVIEW:

I have a weakness for anything involving werewolves, I couldn’t wait to see what author Anita Oh’s take would be on tmy favorite paranormal creature. The Truth Spell is the first in the series and the character introductions were very well done, I was able to connect to each character even if they were rude to the lead Lucy.

The Truth Spell follows Lucy O, Conner who has gotten a scholarship to a high class boarding school. But this is a unique school, where the students are divided by class. The red for the poor, green for the rich and gold for the super wealthy and “special” kids. But Lucy’s first impression with one of the golden kids changes her experience, which should have been good, to terrible. She is bulled by the very much loved Tennyson. After questioning him about seeing her supposedly dead BFF Sam standing near Tennyson, he tries to make her stay at the school miserable and lonely so she’ll leave. But when Lucy catches on to the secret behind to Gold House as well as her best friends reappearance, she gets involved in a casting spell mystery that’s effecting the entire school. Now she must work with the Gold students to help stop the spell as well as help with Sam who is dealing with some complex changes.

Lucy is a teenager that anyone can connect too, she not wealthy but she’s has the support of her family. She wants to do well in school and wont give up even if she’s bullied. I liked her strength and determination to get to the truth. I liked her friendship with her roommate Hannah, she is her number one support even when the Gold students try to cast her out. I also found the relationship with Sam interesting, the readers get glimpses into their past, but there is still so many unanswered questions. Then there is Tennyson, he is a major bully and well loved by the school and student, but feels Lucy is a threat. They have an interesting dynamic, Lucy doesn’t fear him and he I feel is starting to get curious about her now. I cant wait to see what else Lucy gets in the middle of in the next book.

The Gold students are in their own category, Sam and Tennyson both in the Gold house, have a lot of mystery behind them. Of course this means they are not only wealthy but they have a secret that Lucy finds out fairly quickly. They also need Lucy’s help when witchcraft is used to alter the students and teachers into telling the truth.

Overall I really enjoyed this first introduction to Anita Oh and her world of witchcraft and werewolves. I liked the mythology that the readers learn about the werewolves, but I know there is so much more to come. The villain is a big mystery and I’m curious as to what their real intensions are. I usually read books with romance, this one dives deep into friendship but I feel there may be a love triangle coming with Tennyson and Sam involved. Lucy has discovered a lot in her short time at the school, she has a lot of grasp and sometimes I found she accepted everything a little too easily. But I think there is more to Lucy than we know in this book and cant wait to see what happens next.

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{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} of Midnight Fire by Lisa Marie Rice

Midnight Fire by Lisa Marie Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Romance
THEME: Suspense, Political, Mystery
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

Jack Delvaux is alive
Summer Redding thought the blindingly handsome jock who'd loved and left her years ago had died in the Washington Massacre. She grieved for her lost golden boy as the rest of the country mourned their dead—until she comes home to find a very alive Jack Delvaux waiting for her with a devastating secret that turns her life upside down.
No longer the carefree man he was in his youth, this Jack is dark, hard and dangerous; a fifteen-year veteran of the CIA hungry for answers…and hungry for her. The rich, good-looking charmer who broke her heart once before would have been easy to resist, but this man, this powerful man? Summer needs him, and he knows it.
When Jack's mission uncovers evidence of government involvement in the Massacre—and plans for another attack—he's primed for revenge. But he has more than vengeance to live for now, and when Summer's life is threatened, it's nearly Jack's undoing. Someone taking shots at his woman? That's a dead man walking.

REVIEW:

Midnight Fire is the 4th installment of the Men of Midnight series. For me this is the first introduction, it was a mix of Jack Ryan action and suspense with bit of Mulder and Scully conspiracy without the aliens. I loved the fast paced action and non stop mystery, the writing was fresh and kept me hooked at every page. Even though this was the 4th book in the series I wasn’t confused about what was going on, this can be easily read as a stand-alone.

Midnight Fire follows Summer Redding who while attending a funeral of a somewhat relative, notices a man with all too familiar eyes. Thos eyes belong to Jack Delvaux who was thought to have been killed with his family in a terrible massacre. Jack was the son of a well-known political man who was going to be president. Jack knows that Summer spotted him and with her conspiracy blogging catching readers eyes, he knows he has to talk with her before she post the latest. But once they meet Jack and Summer embark on the mystery that took his family away and made him go into hiding. Jack being for CIA means that someone deep within is after them, and now they have their eyes on Summer.

Summer is a tough and extremely smart young woman, she is also the one person who can help Jack figure out who planned the attack on his family and why. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to dig deep, as she already blogs about political subjects, she knows how to figure things out. Plus she wants to know what happened with Jack, they once had a connection and he isn’t the same man she was with years ago. I loved the banter and how they fed of information and solved piece by piece the bigger mystery.

Jack is a changed man, after the loss of his entire family but one of his sisters, he has gone deep underground to find out what happened. Former CIA he has connections to help him get into and out of places unnoticed, expect when he spot an old acquaintance, Summer. Jack is a tough, action man, but when it comes to Summer he know she was the good that he once left behind. He also has a major soft spot for protecting her and keeping her close. I loved their connection, is was hot and heavy but also sweet and passionate.

Overall this was a wonderfully written suspense novel with romance that will make any woman wish their were more Jack Delvaux’s in the world. Rice must of done some heavy research or watched some serious crime shows to create such an intense and well thought out conspiracy plot. I loved every twist, and oh my gosh moment that followed the two leads. Now I’ll I need to do is read the last three books because I’m officially hooked.


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The Men of Midnight Series:

Midnight Vengeance  (Men of Midnight #1)

Promises (Men of Midnight, #2

Secrets (Men of Midnight, #3)

About Lisa Marie Rice:

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Lisa Marie Rice is eternally 30 years old and will never age. She is tall and willowy and beautiful. Men drop at her feet like ripe pears. She has won every major book prize in the world. She is a black belt with advanced degrees in archaeology, nuclear physics, and Tibetan literature. She is a concert pianist. Did I mention her Nobel Prize? Of course, Lisa Marie Rice is a virtual woman and exists only at the keyboard when writing erotic romance. She disappears when the monitor winks off.

Find our more about Lisa Marie on her website Bio!

GIVEAWAY

Harlequin is generously offering up 5000 Harlequin Rewards Points (US/Can only) as well as ebook copies of all four Men of Midnight books to one lucky winner! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

{Review} of The Promise by Kristen Ashley

The Promise by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Romance
THEME: Suspense, Mystery, Mature
RECEIVED: Bought

BLURB:

Since his brother’s death, Benny Bianchi has been nursing his grudge against the woman he thinks led to his brother’s downfall. He does this to bury the feelings he has for Francesca Concetti, his brother’s girl. But when Frankie takes a bullet while on the run with Benny’s cousin’s woman, Benny has to face those feelings.

The problem is Frankie has decided she’s paid her penance. Penance she didn’t deserve to pay. She’s done with Benny and the Bianchi family. She’s starting a new life away from Chicago and her heartbreaking history.

Benny has decided differently.

But Frankie has more demons she’s battling. Demons Benny wants to help her face. But life has landed so many hard knocks on Frankie she’s terrified of believing in the promise of Benny Bianchi and the good life he’s offering.

Frankie’s new life leads her to The ‘Burg, where Benny has ties, and she finds she not only hasn’t succeeded in getting away, she’s doesn’t want to.

REVIEW:

With the final Burg novel coming out soon, I wanted to get back into one of my favorite Kristen Ashley series, one that always has a mystery in the mix. I was exited to get to know more about the Bianchi family and Benny who is cousin to Cal from a previous book. I love how Ashley always ties her series together by showing her readers how past characters are doing and also having them befriend the latest female lead.

The Promise follows Frankie Concetti who is recovering from being shot by a a crazy man who was trying to hurt a family friend. She is now a hero but also she has put the spotlight on her from the family who abandoned her. Frankie dated and fell for Vinnie Bianchi, but when his life spiraled into the mob and he was killed, the one family she adored, became strained. Now that she saved a member of their family, they are determined to make amends, especially her dead boyfriends brother Benny. But nothing is easy with their family and when Frankie’s curiosity in a strange death at work puts her in danger, Benny is determined to keep her save and with him.

Frankie is a tough cookie, she has survived a pretty traumatic event and is determined to move forward on her own. But the Bianchi family is determined to take care of her, Benny Bianchi comes back in her life and isnt going anywhere. I love how this family wants to fix the relationship with Frankie, whom they thought of as a daughter. Benny is someone who Frankie was close to and actually fit more with than his brother Vinne, but Frankie never went there. Years have gone by since Vinne’s death and Frankie is nervous and unsure why Benny wants to take care of her so much. The chemistry between these two is smoking hot and hilarious, they have so much banter and hot moments is adds to their long friendship they already had to a hot romantic one. Frankie has a lot of stubborn moments but in the end she knows this family cares for her deeply, and with her extremely damaged family always disrupting her life, she yearns for some happiness with them and Benny.

Benny is a man who knows what he wants, Frankie is a women that has always has had a special place in his heart. He’s done waiting for her to come around and now that she needs the help, he’s made himself the only caretaker she’s going to get. Benny reminded me a lot of his cousin Cal, he is all alpha and pushy but also extremely loving, even when hes not trying to be. His love for his family will make anyone melt and his protectiveness of Frankie shows how much he has always cared about her. I love how he always had her back against her insane family and how he accepted the mob side of her extended family to a point that made her happy.

Overall this was a bit of a shift from the prior books as the mystery wasn’t a huge focus, but the relationship is so strong and loving that it didn’t bother me. The mystery has to deal with Frankies work, she is a workaholic and enjoys what she does, but she also is known for putting her nose where is doesn’t belong. I did like the mystery but I wished it was more intense like the others have been. In the end I loved seeing the other Burg couples and seeing how their life’s have moved forward. I cant wait to read the final in the series next and I know Ashley will always give me a great HEA.

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