Shiloh’s Secret by KD Ellis

December 3, 2021 By 2 Comments


Shiloh’s Secret by KD Ellis
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Shiloh Beckett has a trust fund, a stalker and a secret. He doesn’t trust easily, but his new bodyguard might just break the cycle.

Shiloh Beckett might be the sole heir to Beckett Industries, one of the leading tech companies in the world, but the last thing he wants is to become another suit-and-tie. He’s learned the hard way that money can’t buy happiness, just a better brand of misery.

Gage Tucker lives by the motto Protect and Serve. Raised by a cop who failed his family, Gage chose to serve his country the only way he knew how—with boots on the ground and a gun in his hand. After a mission gone wrong, Gage came home with a broken body but the same drive to protect. Months of rehab later, he joined Eagle Security as a Personal Protection Officer and he’s been a bodyguard ever since. Protecting a trust-fund brat from the paparazzi isn’t what he signed up for.

Soon he learns that there’s more than just the media after Shiloh, and the secrets the boy is hiding will change everything. If he can’t convince Shiloh to trust him, how can he keep him safe?

How many masks can one person wear?

Shiloh wears more than a few – playboy and slut to the press, disappointment to his father, pain in the ass to his bodyguards – and yet there is so much more to him than what you see. Luckily, as the reader, you see the many aspects of him and hear his truth. And it’s horrible, just so you know. There are trigger warnings for this book so take heed.

Gage is Shiloh’s latest bodyguard, and the last thing he wanted to be was a babysitter to a socialite playboy, but when he spends time with Shiloh, he realises just how wrong he was. He is the one who gets Shiloh to lower his guard, who trusts him, who cares for him. There was one part when I was ready to slap him upside the head but he quickly realised his mistake and went back to Shiloh for his side of the story.

I was completely engaged with this story and so wanted Shiloh and Gage to get their HEA. There is one bit about the ending that I can’t figure out, but I won’t say because, you know, spoilers. The thing is, even with that part, I still can’t give this less than 5-stars. I may not understand exactly how something was achieved, but I am oh-so-glad it did!!! And I’m happy it was Shiloh who did it. I feel he definitely was the one who would need the closure that brought.

This is book two in the series but it can be read as a standalone. But, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and find book one now. Thoroughly loved this dark romance. Absolutely and utterly recommended by me.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Swiss Mistletoe and Macarons by Amey Zeigler

December 1, 2021 By 3 Comments


Swiss Mistletoe and Macarons by Amey Zeigler
Christmas Cookies
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Baking enthusiast Livi Hanson never misses Jean-Marc’s online videos. Hoping to save money for pastry school, she agrees to nanny over Christmas break in Switzerland for generous overtime pay.

To expand his audience, pastry chef and internet star Jean-Marc Dobrinsky scores a contract for a network TV slot with one caveat: he needs an attractive co-host who equals him in the kitchen.

When she’s invited to bake with Jean-Marc, Livi must prove she has the culinary chops, and Jean-Marc must put aside his pride. Can they rise to the challenge, or will it flop?

Change can be frightening, but it can also be the best thing to ever happen to someone.

Livi’s character development was delightful. When I first met her, she was the sort of person who would bend over backwards to help others regardless of how difficult it made her own life. Her generosity and compassion were admirable, but I yearned for her to learn how to set appropriate boundaries and take better care of her own needs, too. It was wonderful to see how she grew and changed throughout this novella.

Some of the most memorable scenes in my opinion were the ones that showed the characters making the best of disappointing circumstances. For example, Livi found ways to celebrate her favorite Christmas traditions in an unfamiliar country where it wasn’t always possible to recreate everything exactly how she’d like. Sometimes she had to make substitutions or even try new things altogether. Having such a sensible approach to the holiday season goes a long way in making it special even if one can’t celebrate with the people they miss or eat exactly the same foods they would normally enjoy.

I loved seeing how the romantic storyline unfolded, especially since Jean-Marc had such a strong and opinionated personality. His biggest strengths were often Livi’s biggest weaknesses and vice versa. This led to a few personality clashes between them in the beginning, but I could see each side of their conflicts so well that I couldn’t pick between them. Both of these characters made good points, and it was evident from the beginning that they could learn a lot from each other.

Swiss Mistletoe and Macarons was an immensely satisfying Christmas romance novel that I can’t recommend highly enough.

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Shift Into a Higher Gear: Better Your Best and Live Life to the Fullest by Delatorro McNeal

November 19, 2021 By 1 Comment


Shift Into a Higher Gear: Better Your Best and Live Life to the Fullest by Delatorro McNeal
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Kick fear-based living to the curb and discover exactly how to manifest the life of your dreams!

Is there another level of life that you want to live? Are there goals you’ve been struggling to achieve? It’s time to stop settling for excuses and start achieving excellence!

With nearly two decades of experience working with high achievers globally, peak performance expert Delatorro McNeal II is passionate about teaching people how to live life full throttle. As a motorcycle enthusiast, McNeal uses powerful biking metaphors to vividly illustrate how to reject the monotony of living on cruise control. Packed with interactive exercises, compelling questions, and thought-provoking analogies, this book teaches you the methodology and the psychology to bring the best out of yourself! Each of the twelve chapters starts with the word Shift and invites you to make a simple but profound change that will accelerate your results and expand the horizons of your possibilities. You’ll discover how to

• Lean into the curves of life and business
• Sever your dependency on the “kickstands of life”
• Put your weight into the changes you desire most
• Steer the flow of your emotional states
• Shift your core relationships to invite the right posse to your biker club
• Drive defensively to avoid the potholes that stop most people from succeeding

From the introduction all the way through to the conclusion, this book is a transformational seminar on paper. Join Delatorro McNeal as he takes you on the personal development journey of a lifetime.

I don’t even know where to start so I’ll start by saying this is a book you will definitely want to not only read but study and keep handy. And to think this was a book that I picked at random with the preconceived notions that I wouldn’t enjoy it… Boy was I wrong. While reading I texted two friends to share the book’s title and told them that the author’s writing style and message are so inspiring and I also posted a comment on Facebook. I read the book in one sitting and was so thankful for no interruptions.

This book will be a staple for anyone…for business, finances, personal, relationships…just life in general. This is an amazing book that shares great pointers and thought provoking questions that will stick with you well after you finish reading.

I love the motorcycle riding to life concept. I’ve ridden motorcycles before but never would have compared riding a motorcycle in any way similar to having life goals and accomplishing them. I love the layout of the book, along with the thought provoking questions. The author didn’t just write for reading pleasure he wrote so that the readers can receive the message as well as making sure readers take action. I related his writing style to what I imagine it feels like being present at one of his conferences.

Each chapter starts off with a catchy sentence and then is followed by in depth details. The questions, examples and quotes made me pause and meditate on how I can put into action giving 1% more each day, and not just living life but experiencing it. I enjoyed every chapter! I can’t even pick a favorite because I took away a lot from the entire book. I like that he wasn’t wordy, his message is to the point and that he gives practical guidance and various learning exercises that opened my mind to reflect as a consequence I can see myself on the right track to reach my fullest. I love the conclusion at the end of the book and how it gives a snippet of the information included in each chapter. I’m sure I’ll be using this for a quick reference for now on.

I am thankful for the fresh pair of 3-D lenses. A collection of words that help me to live life actively, with intention and purposeful. There is so much I took from this book that I can implement into my life furthermore shifting into a higher gear. To name a few nuggets: no matter what I want it will require my best effort, to also recognize that small changes are just as potent as huge changes and each morning I’ll be asking myself “Will I be better today than I was yesterday?”.

I can’t recommend this book enough!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Big Feelings – Feeling Shy by Mary Lindeen

November 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Big Feelings – Feeling Shy by Mary Lindeen
Publisher: Norwood House Press
Genre: Contemporary, Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

What does it mean to feel shy? Readers will learn how to recognize and manage that feeling in themselves, and how to respond to others who feel that way. An early social and emotional book that includes reading activities and a word list.

This book is a great illustration for children who may experience someone that is shy or for a child who is shy. The book includes beautiful photos of children smiling in addition to those that are uncertain about interacting with others.

It’s a quick and simple read that demonstrates that being shy is okay. It also delivers the message that they are not alone. The book also discloses the signs of shyness and what to do when you meet someone that is shy. There’s also a reading reinforcement that I thought was pretty neat. It contains a word list, suggested further reading material and interactive discussion questions that can be of resource for adults once the book has been read. A good book for kids!

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Sweet Tea by Piper G. Huguley

November 15, 2021 By 1 Comment


Sweet Tea by Piper G. Huguley
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Southern traditions, history, and hope come together in author Piper Huguley’s heartfelt romance from Hallmark Publishing.

Althea Dailey has succeeded beyond her wildest dreams: she’s about to make partner at her prestigious law firm in New York. So why doesn’t she feel more excited about it? When she has to travel South for a case, she pays a long-overdue visit back home to Milford, Georgia. To her surprise, a white man she’s never met has befriended her grandmother.
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Jack Darwent wasn’t interested in the definition of success dictated by Southern high society. His passion for cooking led him to his current project: a documentary and cookbook about authentic Southern food. Althea’s grandmother is famous for her cooking at Milford College, a historically Black institution. But Althea suspects Jack of trying to steal her grandmother’s recipes.

Despite Althea and Jack’s first impressions of one another, they discover they have more in common than they’d guessed…and even as they learn about one another’s pasts, they both see glimmers of a better future.

Althea is a lawyer who has made partner. She goes from New York to Georgia to help her grandmother. Jack is a young man who has befriended her grandmother, and Althea is suspicious of him. Does he want to use her? Jack insists that his intentions are completely honorable. He wishes to make a documentary on Southern women who cook.

Althea is cold to Jack but little by little gets to know him. Maybe he can be trusted. Their relationship develops in a natural and tender way; then she has some big decisions to make. The bonds of friendship and family underlie this story and add depth. The setting is well described, bringing this sweet story to life.

Ms. Huguley is a talented writer, and I would recommend this story to anyone who is a fan of romance.

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

Honour’s Rest by Judith Crow

November 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Honour’s Rest by Judith Crow
Publisher: Crowvus Choughs, Stempster House
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult (13 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

“So, it’s – what – like magic?”

No, according to Pen’s uncle, the Rite is not magic at all. But, if it’s not magic, then how could Pen push the school bully into a pond while he was really studying alone in the library?
When Pen’s family realise he has the Rite, he is sent to live with his Uncle Napier, who can help him control his ability.

But Napier has other duties. He is the Rendelf, in charge of the Rite in the UK, and he has gathered many enemies over the years…
…enemies who would be delighted to use Pen against him.

What fun to read the kind of book you just don’t want to end. This is a story of a boy born with abilities he doesn’t even realize he has. A boy who has an uncle that can help him tame and hone his skills. There are many stories with this theme. I am saying “theme” not plot. This one has its own unique plot, and it is as magical as can be. This is also a book that has wonderful names and words. A boy named Pendragon (Pen, for short) living with a family called the “Shipperbottoms”. I could see the author has a sense of humor as well.

Judith Crow has created a story of what I call real characters. The kind of characters I could see in my mind. The kind of characters I cared about. It’s as if I was watching a stage play. The kind I hope will be in a long series.

This is easy and quick to read and a real attention grabber. I think all young adults and tweens would enjoy this story. I barely put it down myself. Honour’s Rest is Book 1 of a series titled “The Rite Way”. I hope Judith Crow is working on Book 2.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

*Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley

October 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Night time is the right time…

Gwendolyn Kidd has met the man of her dreams. He’s hot, he’s sexy, and what started as a no-names-exchanged night of passion has blossomed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Sure, it’s a little strange that he only appears in her bed at night, but Gwen is so sure he’s the one, she just can’t turn him away…

Hawk Delgado knows more about Gwen than she could ever imagine. She’s gorgeous, headstrong, and skittish about relationships. But Hawk is facing his own demons, demons that keep him from connecting with anyone. Yet when Gwen is drawn into Denver’s lethal underground scene, Hawk’s protective nature comes out full force. The problem is, when Gwen gets a dose of Hawk’s Alpha attitude in the daylight, she’s not so sure he’s the one anymore.

If you have never read a Kristen Ashley book, Mystery Man is the perfect book to start with. This is one of my favorite KA books and I have read it over and over again. Cabe is a hot alpha male and Gwendolyn is a feisty, sweet heroine. Along with a perfect hero and heroine there are a wonderful cast of entertaining secondary characters.

What keeps bringing me back to this book is Cabe (Hawk) Delgado. He owns a security company and he and the commandos he employs, help keep the Denver streets safe. Cabe is a good guy with a white hat but he doesn’t always obey the laws to get results; he isn’t hampered by rules and laws like the police.

The love story between Cabe and Gwen is magnificent. They both have baggage from their past and are afraid to let go and love again. However, they just can’t seem to stop seeing each other, even though it scares the heck out of them.

This story has bad guys after Gwen and Cabe insists he is the only one who should keep her safe. Along the way, there are so many interesting characters included in this story it’s hard to pick my favorite. Although Elvira is at the top of my list; she is hilarious and had me laughing out loud so many times. This is romance at its best and includes hot alpha heroes, bad guys, suspense and many colorful characters.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The House on Crow Mountain by Rebecca Lee Smith

October 27, 2021 By 2 Comments


The House on Crow Mountain by Rebecca Lee Smith
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

When her aunt suffers a stroke, New York portrait artist Emory Austen returns home to the North Carolina mountains to mend fences and deal with the guilt over her husband’s senseless death. But that won’t be as easy as she hoped.

Someone in the quirky little town doesn’t like Emory. Is it the sexy architect who needs the Austen land to redeem himself? The untrustworthy matriarch? The grudge-bearing local bad boy? Or the teenage bombshell who has raised snooping to an art form? Even the local evangelist has something to hide. Who wrote the cryptic note warning her to “Give it back or you’ll be dead? And what is ‘it’? As the clues pile up and secrets are exposed, Emory must discover what her family has that someone would kill for.

Such an enjoyable book. The kind you can’t put down. The kind that is so good you’re mad when it’s time to do any chore whatsoever. This wasn’t your everyday romantic suspense. It was full of suspense and yet only hinted at romance. My favorite kind of romance story. It also wasn’t the “trick the little old auntie out of her property” book. There were many pieces to the story, and this is what kept me glued to the pages.

This is an author who can make her characters real. I could picture everyone. A sweet helpful old woman in a nursing home, a bratty eighteen-year-old female, another totally grown up but still very bratty female, a widow, and of course a handsome man. A handsome man who seems good and trustworthy, yet a great deal of people in town hate fiercely. There were many other characters that added to this story and yet there was never a moment I had to turn back a page or two to see just exactly who someone was.

There is so much going on in this book. So many underlying subplots. But just like the author’s characters, the subplots seem to add to the story rather than confuse it. It is difficult to write a plot so intricate and yet keep it as clear as this story is.

I intend to see what else Rebecca Lee Smith has written, but I also hope she is currently writing more good stories like this one.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Return to Star Valley by RaeAnne Thayne

October 20, 2021 By 1 Comment


Return to Star Valley by RaeAnne Thayne
Outlaw Hartes Book 3
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

THE COMEBACK COWBOY

Ten years ago, Cassidy Harte stood at the altar waiting for Zach Slater. And when he didn’t show up—and was said to have disappeared with her brother’s flirtatious wife—she did the only thing she could do. Held her head up high. Helped raise her motherless niece. And swore never to get involved with a man again.

Now suddenly Zach’s back with an “I’m sorry” on his lips and an explanation she refuses to hear. Zach might not keep his vows, but Cassidy certainly does. She’s not about to let this heartbreaker back into her life. Zach is used to being willfully misunderstood, but he isn’t going down without a fight. The rancher is determined to win a second chance…and Cassidy’s love.

Great story! I didn’t know prior to reading this book that it’s the third one in the Outlaw Hartes series but that’s not a concern because it can be read as a standalone. The author’s name, RaeAnne Thayne, and the story in Return to Star Valley sounded familiar to me but I don’t have any record of reading it before. For longtime romance readers, apparently it was published as Cassidy Harte and the Comeback Kid years ago. Regardless if I’ve read it before or not, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with this book and I’d have no problem reading it again and again and again.

I actually got this book from my mother the last time that I visited her. She is the one responsible for my addiction to reading romance books. Return to Star Valley is a sensually sweet love story between two heart-shattered love birds destined for each other. There are many plot twists that gutted my heart, kept me in suspense or had me holding on to my seat. It’s a must read if you love a bit of mystery mixed in with your love story.

The hero, Zach, was grossly misunderstood and judged. He had my devotion immediately. His character was well developed and easy to connect with. The heroine, Cassidy, was equally developed and relatable. She was a heartstring-puller. Together I ached for them to work out the inevitable circumstances circling their relationship.

There is so much more to this story that isn’t even alluded to in the synopsis. When I read the blurb, I asked myself, why would Zach leave? I was skeptical of any acceptable excuses but decided I wanted to read the book to find out. I’m so glad I did.

I felt the story was well written and would consider reading another RaeAnne Thayne story starting with book one in this series. Cheers, to discovering new authors and reading great books!

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

A Different Pond by Bao Phi

October 14, 2021 By 1 Comment


A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event – a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son – and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father’s long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao’s father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui’s striking, evocative art paired with Phi’s expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards.

Fishing isn’t always just a fun hobby. Sometimes it’s the best way to hopefully feed a family!

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that gently but realistically showed the reader what life was like for Bao’s family as low-income Vietnamese immigrants. His parents worked incredibly hard to keep their family fed and housed. What made them even more admirable were the subtle signs of the better lives they hoped their children would have in the years to come. The various ways these moments could be interpreted was one of the biggest reasons why I chose such a large age range for this picture book. Young children can understand the basic storyline, but older readers will have the opportunity to dig much more deeply into these characters’ lives.

I adore tales that present a moral dilemma or a complicated topic to their readers but then leave it up to the audience to think critically about it. There were plenty of opportunities here to get to know Bao’s family and the many struggles his parents faced in improving their English and finding jobs that would make it easier to financially support their children. The compassion the narrator showed for this family was quiet but unrelenting. I felt the author’s love for these characters shining through strongly, and it cemented my opinions on the issues he raised quickly.

The final page couldn’t have been written better. While I was expecting it due to everything Bao had shared about his childhood earlier, it was nice to have my educated guess reinforced. This scene made me want to crawl into the story and give him a big hug. He was such a brave and hardworking kid. Seeing how the author acknowledged that was satisfying.

A Different Pond was a beautiful read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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