The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone

September 12, 2013 By 2 Comments

HER
The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Full Length (321 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed Camellia

His best gift this holiday is her.

In the small town of Crystal Lake, Christmas is a time for sledding, hot chocolate, and cozying up to the fire. For Jake Edwards, it shouldn’t be a time to give in to the feelings he’s always had for Raine–especially since she’s his brother’s widow.

No one annoys Raine quite like her brother-in-law does. But when Jake brings home a tall blond thing from the city who’s bad news, Raine needs to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. Does Raine want this woman to leave Crystal Lake because she’s all wrong for Jake? Or is it because she wants him for herself…?

Want, need, desire, pain, guilt, and soul-wounding grief make The Christmas He Loved Her an emotional, heart-engaging experience.

Raine, a widow swamped with depression, feels abandoned even with the loving care of her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marnie and Steven Edwards. At first I was impatient with her for not facing reality and getting on with her life; but, as the story unfolds, I feel heartbroken for all she’s lost—so much more than just her husband. Her strength to hold on and hope for a better time had me cheering for her. I wanted to explain a few home truths to Jake, her deceased husband’s twin and her life-long buddy that she’d always been so close to. Adding to Raine’s misery is her mother with her ‘too-much-too-late’ efforts to do the mother thing. As Raine’s back story unfolds and she struggles mightily to find her balance and live again, the story enthralls.

As an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, Jake Edwards saw horrors that haunt his nights and bedevil his days. He saw how his twin Jesse died, how Blake St. Claire, a friend and fellow Ranger was mortally wounded along with so many others. Jake is plagued with survivor’s guilt. His PSTD drives him to his limit. Also, another time, a time with Raine when they were both devastated with grief at Jesse’s death keeps his emotions in an uproar. “Doing the right thing”, at least to his way of thinking, has cost him immeasurably for a year and a half as he absented himself from family and old friends. He returns home still broken, angry, and overwhelmed with life in general. He knows settings things right with Raine is a MUST—but finding the courage and emotional strength to do it has him on edge. He has no idea just how much damage he has done.
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Lily, Blake St. Claire’s sister, is a unique character that the author brings to life vividly. Even though Lily is super rich, looks it, and like to stirs things up, she is steadfast in her care for her dying brother while the rest of her elite family are too busy to be bothered. She and Jake form an unusual relationship. She becomes a catalyst for a lot of the pivotal action.

To me, Marie Stevens, Jake’s mother is the most enduring, steady, ‘keep-on-keeping-on’ character in the unfolding of the plot. She has a strength that helps her as her husband recovers from cancer, as she deals with the death of one son and the absence of another, and all the times tries to help Raine cope with her grief.

On a just-plain-fun note, Gibson, Raine’s puppy, is a sweetheart, Juliana Stone reveals him in such a way one can almost feel his warm, squirmy little body and hear his happy little barks in his exuberance for life.

The Christmas He Loved Her is a “A Bad Boys of Crystal Lake” novel. If you’ve read previous books of this series, you’ll probably remember MacKenzie, the rich boy with an abusive past, and Cain Black, the singer who married Maggie. These two are forever friends to Jake and to Raine and set things up for some significant events.

If an action or a place can be considered a character then hard, backbreaking labor and Wyndham Place certainly qualify. They have a strong influence on Both Jake and Raine as they strive for ‘normal’, albeit a new normal. Both of these things help then two broken-hearted characters find their way back to a solid footing so they can live again.

Juliana Stone writes love scenes that sizzle, heat the blood, and send the heart racing while revealing the truest, most heart-felt love one can imagine as she gives the reader a special vicarious experience with Jake and Raine in The Christmas He Loved Her.

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Freedom’s Embrace by Kianna Alexander

September 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment

FREE
Freedom’s Embrace by Kianna Alexander
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (103 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Jonathan is the only doctor within several days’ ride of Graham, Pennsylvania, and he’s desperate for a nurse to assist him. His salvation comes in the form of Naomi, a runaway slave who shows up ill on his doorstep. When she agrees to be his nurse in exchange for treatment, his world lights up. Unfortunately, not everyone in town approves of Jonathan’s new nurse. His mother and some of his patients express their distaste, but she’s captured Jonathan’s heart, and he’ll defend her at any cost.

When Naomi’s former master rides into town, Jonathan discovers just how far he’ll go to keep the woman he loves from being torn from his arms, and from freedom’s embrace.

This moving novel travels back to Pennsylvania the year 1849 to a young scared run away slave girl named Naomi Weathers and successful, available town doctor, Jonathan Doyle. Both are looking for freedom and both find much, much more.

This is a charming novel that I really enjoyed reading. The characters were warm and memorable.  Considering the events surrounding this time in history, I realize the story could have been so much more devastating, but I appreciate the author giving such a sensitive subject a happy flow and even happier ending. I was so wrapped up in the love between Naomi and Jonathan that my heart couldn’t have handled an unhappy ending for them.
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The entire novel from the time that Jonathan laid eyes on Naomi in distress, I fell in love with them and wanted the two to find happiness with each other. Naomi is a runaway slave who took a great risk to find freedom. Sick with fever she didn’t plan to stay in Graham, Pennsylvania but agreed to assist Dr. Jonathan Doyle as his nurse as repayment for treatment of her illness.

Jonathan is a bachelor that all the town’s women throw themselves at. Jonathan is not interested in any of the town’s women, nor does he appreciate his mother’s meddling ways to see him married to someone of prestige. Once Naomi stepped into his office and he saw her enchanting beauty beneath all the grime and turmoil he wanted her for much more than a nurse. As they spent time working in the office he found himself falling for Naomi, so much so he declared “This dark, beautiful flower had taken root in his soul, altering the course of his life in the process”.

I felt the love connection between Naomi and Jonathan. Jonathan is a man any women would desire. He stood up to one of his patient’s harsh verbal out lashings to Naomi and he also stood up to his mother and her display of disrespect to Naomi. He also stood up where it counted the most when Naomi’s former master came to claim her.

Freedom’s Embrace is a gripping novel that made me feel and believe that love does exist and happy endings are possible. If your heart is in need of a smile, Freedom’s Embrace is a novel that will give you a happy loving feeling.

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One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy

September 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

WEEK
One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy
Publisher: Bantam Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (288 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

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Forever.

This book begins with the strangest proposition. I must admit it hooked me right away. Drew is definitely not gay, he is rich, makes good grades, all the girls in school are swooning over him, and he is polite and mature. Why would he need to hire a girlfriend to introduce to his parents during Thanksgiving break from school?

As I read more of the book, I had a haunting feeling I knew what was going on. It is not until much later that the truth is revealed. The author tactfully hints at the reasons for this family’s dysfunction. Drew has kept these secrets buried deep and now at 21 years of age, he has come to the crossroads where he either must face his past or bury those secrets even deeper.

Fable is not what she seems. She is 20 years old and works around the clock to help support herself and her family. The $3,000 offered by Drew to be his girlfriend will surely pay the bills for a couple of months. I cannot fault her for selling her time in order to feed her family. I really liked her character. She cares deeply for her little brother and wants him to grow up to have a better life. She struggles to maintain food on the table and a roof over their heads, even though her mother is a drunk who cannot keep a job. Even when she is around, she flaunts her no-good boyfriends and doesn’t care much for what happens to her children.

It would seem that two broken young people, such as Drew and Fable, would be the least likely to fall in love. They come from different “sides of the track”. What could they possibly have in common? As their story develops, I began to realize they both had empathy for each other as well as hearts that yearn to belong and to be loved. Their journey of understanding while sharing their deepest secrets during that week makes for a story you will not soon forget.

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A Seal Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear

September 11, 2013 By 2 Comments

WOLF
A Seal Wolf Christmas by Terry Spear
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Holiday, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (282 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Can an Alpha Wolf Who’s Met His Match…

Navy SEAL Bjornolf Jorgenson has had tough missions before, but going undercover with feisty gray wolf Anna Johnson could top the list. She drives him crazy—in more ways than one. Now he has to investigate a murder, supervise a wild teenage wolf—and handle Christmas with Anna.

Survive the Holidays with Her?

For Anna, the only thing worse than staging the perfect family Christmas is having to do it with Bjornolf posing as her husband. Anna is a serious undercover operative who isn’t afraid of a fight, even with a hunky SEAL shifter. With a killer on the loose, Anna just wants to focus on their mission, but the one thing she can’t fight is her sizzling chemistry with Bjornolf.

Adventures with hunky alpha werewolves continue with this latest fast paced, exciting and completely entertaining romp by the talented Terry Spear. She’s one of my favorite authors and she continues the tradition of well written tales with A Seal Wolf Christmas. The novel has the quality of dialogue, descriptions and storytelling that I’ve come to expect. I had so much fun!

This time, I finally get to officially meet Bjornolf! I remember him from A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing and I was incredibly intrigued by him. Do you want to talk about a secondary character that was so shrouded in mystery, had cojones and macho attitude to make Chuck Norris proud and snagged me hook, line and sinker into wanting to know more about him? Bjornolf is that man and this novel does him justice. I still chuckle at his method of restraining Anna in that previous book. He tied her up with her own pantyhose! I never forgot his character and neither had Anna. In fact, I consider myself very fortunate that Ms. Spear also remembered him because this book is the result.

Because of that prior history between Anna and Bjornolf in the previous novel, I was very curious as to how they’d interact when they got together again. One good thing for new readers is that they don’t have to read the previous book, A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing, to completely enjoy this story. Ms. Spear touches base about the pantyhose event so it catches them up to speed right away. It sets the stage for readers to understand that there is a connection simmering from the past because right off the bat, the attraction is starting to heat up at a fast clip. The hunt begins.
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My favorite aspect of Anna is that she isn’t a pushover. She’s military just like the hero and can shoot, punch, evade and plan just like the rest of the guys on the rescue team. Much to my amusement, there are times when a man’s upper body strength becomes a hindrance and Anna experiences a double whammy. Then, there are the times when it’s downright delicious and it’s because that strength belongs to Bjornolf.

I tip my hat to Ms. Spear for doing something that made me appreciate her all the more. The author showed her sensitivity to readers by helping out with explaining how to pronounce Bjornolf’s name. It was done in a delightful and sweet manner even when the situation was far from sweet or safe. Foreign names look exotic and can add an air of mystery or intrigue to a book but I always find it frustrating because my mind plays games with the pronunciation when what I should be doing is concentrating on the plot. By doing what she did insured that I had a better, smoother reading experience.

Speaking of plot, what a roller coaster! The conflict reaches into the past and warps the present. As the mystery is unraveled, readers learn just how evil the culprits are. In an odd twist, Ms. Spear shows that even the most warped individual can have their good side and their moments of tender humanity. Unfortunately, the ugly truth shreds those memories into tatters because it’s that profound and demented. I felt bad for one of the secondary characters but on the bright side, that innocent person ended up with an awesome and terrific, although still maturing, support system.

As for the holiday end of things, I liked how the author tied in the festive season with Anna and Bjornolf’s personal internal conflicts. For many, Christmas signifies new birth and beginnings, giving from the heart and self, forgiveness and hope, love and for some, healing. All of these special holiday qualities are played out between the hero and heroine as they learn about each other, face their fears and realize that the future is not only brighter but totally doable because they’ll be doing it together. The word ‘together’ takes on a whole new meaning towards the end and I thought it made the happy ever after that much more powerful and complete.

I liked the attention to detail for the Christmas decorations. Anna was actually ready to embrace the holiday; all it took for her to make that life-changing step was the hero. Bjornolf provided the means, the motivation, and a young teenager about to become a man as the catalysts to the holiday being more than just songs on a radio or shopping for deals with crazy people. I enjoyed watching her rediscover what it’s all about.

When it comes to showing the love, Ms. Spear has Anna and Bjornolf experiencing it in their human forms and in their wolf forms. I love her descriptions of them running, and sensing the world around them; and an occasional ‘woof’ always makes me smile. I like the sense of building anticipation and the joy of they’re finally coming together. Those scenes are always well written, filled with the best forms of romance.

A Seal Wolf Christmas is a complete, adventure-filled romance overflowing with the best of what keeps me addicted to books by Ms. Spear. It has characters that I love getting to know, action to keep me riveted, fun and silly moments to make me smile and fast paced and often witty dialogue to keep those pages turning. This is another strong addition to a sexy and fun series that keeps the craving alive and well for all of Ms. Spear’s wonderful werewolf series’ heroes and heroines.

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One Lucky Vampire by Lynsay Sands

September 10, 2013 By 2 Comments

VAMPIRE
One Lucky Vampire by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (226 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Luck be a vampire tonight . . .

When Nicole Phillips agreed to hire a housekeeper, she pictured someone a little frumpy and almost certainly female. Instead, she gets gorgeous, unmistakably male Jake Colson. The man is proving indispensable in the kitchen—and everywhere else. Except Jake might not be a mortal man at all.

. . . and every night

Who wouldn’t want to be a tall, dark, powerful vampire? Jake, for one. He’s barely had time to adjust to his new state before he’s roped into a family favor. Still, secretly playing bodyguard to sweet, sexy Nicole is turning out to be the wildest ride of his life. First he’ll put a stop to whoever’s targeting her. Then he’ll prove that this kind of love, and luck, happens only once in an eternity.

Mixing a bit of mystery with an Immortal matchmaker and a disgruntled man who isn’t comfortable with what he is makes for a good plot conflict. Throw in a damsel in distress but in denial and it’s a better conflict. Add in that the damsel is actually the guy’s lifemate and the story is a winner. Ms. Sands delivers another entertaining and fun read for fans to enjoy.
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Jake is going through the motions of living his life but not really enjoying it. His job is hard and he gets to play hero but he’s too much a loner and doesn’t let anyone get close. It takes the wonderfully manipulative Marguerite Argeneau to find a way to bring him back to living in the best possible way. Not that he’s thrilled about it. The man can’t cook and I was greatly entertained by his efforts. I have to give the guy credit though; he’s not a quitter.

Enter Nicole Phillips, artist, almost divorced and as determined as a woman could be to avoid any future dealings with men. Of course, she never counted on being in Marguerite’s crosshairs. The heroine is like a daughter to Marguerite so when she thinks there are sneaky things happening to Nicole she knows just who to ask for help. I liked watching Nicole’s reaction to Jake. She’s noticing but trying not to notice, admiring but trying not to. As all romance readers will suspect, it’s a lost cause. Love is in the air.

The initial part of the book covers the suspicions, motives, and everyone getting to know the other. There’s a throwaway character named Dan who I am waffling about. He’s sort of important in the beginning when a reader first meets Jake because of the insights he provides. Then he arrives to take part in another critical scene and the he poofs off-stage again. That left me puzzled. I think his character, though thoroughly likeable, was too convenient. He was used and then thrown away. It felt like a Band-Aid to me. The thing is, I liked him and I think he’d be a good addition to the series based upon what the author shared through Nicole’s POV.

As for other characters, I really do enjoy it when the Argeneau and Notte family members come to visit. I like that feeling of community, family and never having to worry about not having a safety net. In this story they are practically falling over themselves as they try to help Nicole and Jake. One thing is for sure, they provided plenty of comedic moments and I enjoyed how they had fun teasing Jake and making Nicole blush.

The ultimate conflict resolution came out of left field. So many ideas and theories abounded and yet the one thing no one ever thought of ended up being the answer. I don’t believe there were any clues at all. It was like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. But the best thing was the scene of the take-down. It was funny, clever and a bit whacky. In essence, it was perfect. Jake sure appreciated it. A lot.

One Lucky Vampire is a wonderfully rousing story that was a pleasure to read. I liked the upbeat tone of the book and the dialogue between Jake and Nicole. I loved the reactions of his family when they read Nicole’s thoughts and the gentle laughter they all shared. The scene when Jake got sick was very worrisome but even in that, Ms. Sands interjected some humorous touches. This is an amusing, sweet and well told story with a very spicy heat level sure to please readers who enjoy a newbie’s reaction to the discoveries of the joys of ‘shared sex’ between lifemates. The author knows how to make a reader giggle even while the main characters are in the throes of passion. Genius.

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Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

September 9, 2013 By 1 Comment

PANTIES
Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full length (336 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Foxglove

They say that big girls don’t cry. But when the chips are down and the dip is gone, what can you do? Pull up your BIG GIRL PANTIES and change your life.

Holly Brennan didn’t expect to be a widow at thirty-two. She also didn’t expect to be so big. Through her husband Bruce’s diagnosis and death, food was the one thing she could always count on. Now, those extra pounds make flying coach more than a little mortifying-especially since she’s sitting next to Adonis himself, aka Logan Montgomery, a personal trainer to the country’s most famous pro athletes.

Though Holly doesn’t make the grade on his first-impression meter, Logan finds himself intrigued by her sharp wit and keen insight-a welcome change from the beautiful bubble-headed dolls he usually dates-and impulsively offers to get her back in shape. Ready to make at least one positive change in her life, Holly agrees.

To Logan’s (and her own) surprise, Holly turns out to be a natural in the gym. Throwing herself into exercise, the red head with the blazing wit and welcoming smile slims down into a bonafide looker with killer curves-and a new kind of hunger. Soon, the easy intimacy and playful banter of their training sessions lead Logan and Holly into the bedroom where they share their most intense and steamy workouts yet.

But can a man whose whole life depends on looks commit himself to a woman who doesn’t fit his image? Now that Holly’s turning other men’s heads, does she even need Logan anymore? Are they a couple built to last . . . or is this sizzling affair going to burn out fast?

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Holly Brennan hates to fly, but after concluding some business concerning her late husbands estate in Canada, she has no choice. She was one of the last to board, and as luck would have it, her seat was next to an Adonis of a man. The look he gave when she was led to her seat said it all; ‘not the fat chick’. Holly had heard it before, although to be fair, Mr. Handsome didn’t open his mouth, just got a resigned look on his face, as though he was used to the best in everything, including women.

For Logan Montgomery, getting bumped from first class was just the beginning of a bad day, then his seat mate turns out to be an overweight, slightly messy woman, he has to bite his tongue. As a fitness trainer to celebrity athletes, Logan is very much in demand, but something about the white knuckles of the woman seated next to him can’t be ignored. After chatting throughout the flight, Logan decides to help Holly get in shape, and convinces her to let him work with her. Holly agrees, because she knows she hasn’t taken proper care of herself for a long time, probably since she escaped her home and parents for college, then her marriage. As Holly works with Logan, she starts to gain a bit of self esteem, something that has been missing in her life for some time. But could a woman like Holly ever hope to fit in the high profile life of someone like Logan? As they grow closer, will Logan realize what he has found in Holly? Or will he let appearances ruin the best thing to ever come his way?

This is a book of discovery, not just for Holly, but for Logan too, as he discovers that he has been a shallow and insensitive person, and that he was missing out on the best of life in the process. I liked the characters in this; both the primary and secondary characters were strong and, in some cases, extremely outspoken and opinionated. Stephanie Evanovich has sprinkled humor throughout this story, along with some healthy romance and some undercurrents of sadness and self doubt. I like this world, and the people in it are folks I’d enjoy meeting.

Holly Brennan is a strong and sensitive woman. When first we meet Holly, she has been widowed, and has been letting life kick her around. She’s never met a snack she didn’t like, and food is her comfort and her solace. As she begins to make changes, she gains self esteem, and becomes stronger, and determined not to slip back to her old ways. I liked watching as Holly found out who she was and what she wanted from life, including her desire for a new direction, hopefully including Logan. But I liked that she became someone who didn’t need him, if things didn’t work out.

Logan Montgomery is a successful, handsome and determined man, sure of himself and what he wants. When he meets Holly, at first all he sees is a ‘fat woman’ in need of help. As he gets to know her, he begins to admire her inner strength, and her willingness to do what she needs to succeed. But at first, Logan is shallow and less than sincere, and when he and Holly become involved, he hides his feelings and doesn’t even realize he is doing it. I liked watching as Logan learned what true value feelings could have, and watching as he finally ‘grew up’ into the kind of man he should always have been.

This is a story of one woman finding out who she is and what she wants out of life, and what she will accept to be truly happy. There are some rough spots for Holly and Logan, and for a time I believed Holly would be better off leaving him. I enjoyed watching how things were handled, always with a touch of humor, and with strength of character. There are some very emotional scenes in this, and there were some places that brought tears to my eyes. Do Holly and Logan have their happy ever after? After several false starts and some misunderstandings, and some very funny episodes, they finally find their way.

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Ex on the Beach by Kim Law

September 5, 2013 By 1 Comment

BEACH
Ex on the Beach by Kim Law
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (418 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

She vowed to protect her heart…

Andie Shayne believes in forever…for everyone else. She has an up-and-coming wedding planning business, and her own failed engagement, to prove it. Now, all Andie wants is to save the date for Seaglass Celebrations becoming a premier destination wedding resort. And making sure the wedding of the summer goes off without a hitch will get her there – despite the arrival of one unexpected guest.

The sexy-as-sin best man…who’s also the ex who broke Andie’s heart.

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So the title says it all, right? Ex on the Beach. Not so … there is more to this book than meets the eye.

The author has created a main character in Andie Shayne who is both complicated and delightful. She has tried all her life to succeed at SOMETHING. She was left at the altar four years ago; lost her job at the same time, include with that a bad relationship with her mother. It all amounts to quite a burden. Now, she is about to lose her Aunt Ginny’s house due to complications. Who knew floods and hurricanes would interfere with her plans to make money as a destination-wedding venue and pay off the loan? We cheer her determination at making something of her life, while helping others.

Of course, Fate lends a hand and who should show up to the island as best man to the next wedding but her ex – Mark. Yes, the one who left her at the altar. Let us face it; I was expecting fireworks to go off once these two met again.  I was correct. It was impressive to read how quickly she dealt him a blow to both his pride and body.

I could not put this book down. Let us say that I was half-asleep in my bed and had to turn the lights back on and continue reading. Andie was doing everything in her power to deliver the wedding of the bride’s dream to save her Aunt’s house while Mark was doing everything in his power to get Andie back. I just had to find out what else could go wrong and how they were going to achieve their goals.

This is a delightful, emotional and sensitive story of growing up, facing our shortcomings and seeking acceptance. It is a book I am sure I will re-read at some future date and smile while I re-acquaint myself with these flawed and very human characters in their search for their place in life and happiness.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Buried Secrets by Emme Rollins

September 5, 2013 By 2 Comments

BURIED
Buried Secrets by Emme Rollins
Publisher: Fido Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (259 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Gardenia

Should some secrets remain buried?

Dusty has always been a hothead, far more impulsive than her twin, Nick, the calm, cool and collected one of the pair. But Nick is dead, found murdered in their local cemetery, and Dusty simply can’t rest until she finds out who–or what–has killed her brother.

Sure the local authorities aren’t being straight with her–or anyone else–about what’s been going on in their little upper Michigan town, Dusty delays going off to college for a semester, defying her father and stepmother and taking a job in the local bar to start doing some digging.

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When everything comes to a head, Dusty focuses on one thing: What happened the night her brother was killed in the cemetery? She’s sure Shane is keeping a secret and she’s determined to find out what it is, one way or another.

On the edge of my seat… yes, that is how this book had me. I could not put it down until the end. I love it when I pick books like this!

This small town in the upper Michigan peninsula is your typical rural town… or is it? It quickly became apparent that things are not as they should be. People our heroine Dusty has known all her life are not what they seem. There is an undercurrent flowing through the town and she is determined to find out what is going on.

She and her twin brother have just graduated from high school and are both looking forward to college. These plans derail in the most gruesome way. Dusty is a smart, beautiful and strong character. She is at the cusp of her teenage years, but not yet an adult. The journey she undertakes will bring her face to face with the reality that things (and people) are not always, what they seem. You must always stay alert to discover what is beneath the surface.

I enjoyed watching the love affair between Dusty and Shane. It brought back memories of the love/hate feelings I used to have for a boy in high school, not knowing exactly why I felt that way. Shane is a hero in my eyes. He is far more mature than he seems. Branded the town’s bad boy, Shane ignores what people think and lives his life according to his own rules of morality and decency. He has quite an impact on Dusty. Their love affair flourishes regardless of the pressures of public opinion.

This brilliantly written standalone novel by Emme Rollins will be worth your while. The running theme in this story is that things in life will surprise, you must watch for what is beneath the surface and guide your life according to what you think is best. You will not be disappointed!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Hunger Moon by Melissa Snark

September 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MOON
Hunger Moon by Melissa Snark
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (227 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Valkyrie Victoria Storm desires nothing more than to provide her wolf pack with a safe haven, but her position as priestess to the Goddess Freya also brings with it certain… obligations. Not to mention complications.

War with the Barrett family resulted in the deaths of her parents and most of her pack. Now, hunters are hot on the trail of the remaining pack members. Sawyer Barrett, a human hunter hell bent on revenge, is convinced that Victoria murdered his brother. He will stop at nothing to see her dead.

Victoria must defend the survivors and somehow lead them to safety. Months on the run has weakened the pack, and there are newborn pups to protect, making swift travel impossible. Ahead, the promise of refuge beckons.

Their best chance for survival lies in Sierra Pines, California: Arik Koenig, a powerful, dominant male wolf. He promises to protect and provide for the pack, something Victoria knows the pack needs for survival. His mysterious past is riddled with violence and death, including the slaughter of his entire family twenty years before. His wife died under mysterious circumstances and his son, Logan, is rumored to be her killer.

However, these people can go for effective and safe too. levitra no prescription One such medicine is cialis online canada that can be purchased online or you can buy kamagra tablets in a glass of water and drinking it. You do not need to break or crush on line levitra them first. Unthoughtful use of general erectile dysfunction medicines tadalafil prices http://www.slovak-republic.org/property/ can have major side effects also on patient’s health. What is truth? Who can she trust? The desperate spirit of Arik’s murdered wife calls out for help, and Logan begs for assistance in clearing his name. Victoria must solve a murder that has pitted father against son, rooted in a mystery reaching back two decades. Her quest starts her on a journey from the human world to Odin’s Valhalla and back again.

Victoria will find salvation or face destruction beneath the Hunger Moon…

Victoria Storm is both a Valkyrie, priestess to the Goddess Freya, and a werewolf, the alpha leader of a very small wolf pack. The pack had been attacked by hunters who killed her parents and most of the rest of the pack. Victoria has obligations to both her decimated pack and the Goddess which results in many complications. The Goddess tells Victoria to head to Sierra Pines, California, where she will meet a suitable alpha male to help her rebuild the pack. She knows she must do this on a number of levels, but she doesn’t find it at all easy because she is fiercely independent, not to mention stubborn.

Melissa Snark has written a wonderful fantasy novel which bridges the worlds of the Norse gods and modern day California. It also bridges the worlds of gods and werewolves, giving real depth to both. Snark makes the merging of these very different cultures not only work, but work in a most believable manner.

I like Victoria. She is a wonderfully conflicted heroine, feeling guilty over the deaths of her parents and a large part of the pack, feeling badly that she hasn’t been able to protect the remaining pack members as well as she’d like, but also determined to do whatever it takes to protect her pack and ensure its survival. She meets her match in Arik Koenig, a powerful, dominant male wolf. But she also realizes that he and his son, Logan, have a dark history. Some of that history is twenty years old, but some of it is very recent. Victoria needs to learn more about Arik and Logan before she can be sure it is a good idea to bring them into her pack.

The story is fast-paced and filled with action and suspense. There is a mystery to solve; things are not what they seem to be. It takes all of Victoria’s skills as both a werewolf and a Valkyrie to keep her pack safe.

This is a fantasy novel which is sure to capture the hearts of many readers. Well-developed characters and an intricate plot are just the start. The strongest aspect of this novel is, I believe, the merging of two very different worlds into a complete and exciting whole.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Knight’s Temptress by Amanda Scott

September 2, 2013 By 2 Comments

KNIGHTS
The Knight’s Temptress by Amanda Scott
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (358 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When Lady Lachina “Lina” MacFarlan of Tùr Meiloach and her new sister-in-law, Elizabeth, are captured by seditious villains who have seized the royal burgh, harbor, and castle of Dumbarton, the two young women unknowingly throw a hitch into the plans of Sir Ian Colquhoun, the daredevil knight of the realm who is on his own secret mission to recapture Dumbarton for the King of Scots.

Instead of securing Dumbaton, Ian must first rescue the women and return them to Tur Meiloach. Their journey will be perilous—especially because Ian has long admired the lovely Lady Lachina, and for the first time she seems to show signs of returning his attentions. But for Ian duty must come before desire. The fate of the King of Scots and Lina’s own father rests in his hands. He cannot afford to be tempted by anything—even the promise of Lina’s love.

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I’ve not had the pleasure of reading a book by Amanda Scott until now. I’m glad I rectified the situation. This book was action packed, kept my attention and made me need to know what would happen next. I felt like I was right there in Scotland in the fray with the hero. The writing simply flowed, drawing me right in.

I liked Lina. She’s strong and feisty. A total equal to Ian. He’s also a great character. He’s just as strong and a force to be reckoned with. I love how Lina drives him crazy at every turn because she’s such a match for him. He wants what’s best for her, which is great from a hero, and even when she’s driving him nuts, he cares about her welfare. I loved him immediately.

One thing that might take away from the reading experience is this is the second in the Lairds of the Loch series. Some of the characters and situations might have been more enjoyed if I had read the first book. But don’t let that sway you from reading The Knight’s Temptress. It’s a good read and I’m glad I found this book.

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