Monthly Archives: January 2025

Review – Face Me Off

09 Thursday Jan 2025

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Face Me Off

Cessna U Hockey, Book 2

by Kimberly Readnour

Blurb:

She’s the temptation I can’t escape, no matter the cost.

Maddy Grimes wants to shed her good-girl image, and somehow, I’ve become the guy to help her do it.

The problem?

She hates my guts. And who can blame her after what I did?

Her family is about to crush everything my dad and I have worked for, yet … I can’t stay away. One heated mistake turns into a pact we swear will stay secret.

But the more time I spend with Maddy, the harder it is to pretend this is just a frenemy-with-benefits fling. She’s chaos to my discipline, temptation to my control, and the one thing I want more than the future I’ve been fighting for.

When secrets unravel and loyalty is tested, I’ll have to choose: protect my family or risk everything for the girl who has the power to ruin or save me.

Falling for Maddy could cost me my dreams. Letting her go might cost me everything.

Book Two in the Cessna U Hockey series, Face Me Off, is an enemy-to-lover, forbidden hockey romance featuring a slow burn that sizzles from the first chapter. If you like hot hockey men with big-sized packages to back their claims, click to add Ryan Sorensen.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48OzSQS

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YZ75FP

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3UNM7XQ

Nook: https://bit.ly/4eMZqil

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3BFDWa0

Google Play: https://bit.ly/4gyHutA

*****

Review:

Deke Me was the first of Readnour’s books that I’ve read and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Face Me Off takes place about the same time frame with related characters. And while you don’t HAVE to have read the first book there were a few moments that would make a bit more sense afterward – only because both Maddy & Ryan are friends with Amanda & Blake so some of their romance is mentioned here.

I felt like this one has a bit more steam than the previous one – I mean it does start as a “with benefits” situation so you gotta have those bennies, right? But I still loved the characters. Both are struggling with balancing what they want against the expectations of others. They also have some history together that has left them with hurt feelings and baggage. It’s a nice little Romeo & Juliet story – with a better ending, of course.

I did have some issues tho. While Readnour gives us some delightful characters, and I found Ryan’s cheekiness and confidence appealing, if I had to hear about the size of his package one more time …. it wasn’t even him! Yes, honey, I’m thrilled for you. There was also some overuse of metaphors and similes. It can make the writing interesting but if there are so many that I notice how often “like” and “as” are used then it might be a bit much.

These are nitpicky things but the one that I think needed a bit more development were Maddy’s parents. Are they caring parents that just didn’t understand their daughter? Were they looking out for the family and doing what they thought was best for everyone? Are they rich aholes? I wanted to understand them but I just never could get a good feel for them and in this case it’s really important.

But Readnour’s writing is smooth, her books move quickly, and are easy to read. Her characters are interesting, fun, and have a conflict that may be somewhat predictable but it isn’t heavy handed or overdone. Based on these two books I am definitely going to keep an eye out on the next one in this series and will be adding some of the others to my TBR pile.

*****

Author Info:

Kimberly Readnour lives in the Midwest with her husband and a very snuggly cat.

Having a true passion for romance and HEA’s, she took the leap from the young adult genre to romance and never looked back.

Kimberly worked as a Registered Nurse for fifteen years before hanging up her stethoscope. When she isn’t running her own business, you can find her tucked away writing.

Connect with Kimberly

Website: www.kimberlyreadnour.com  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10814504.Kimberly_Readnour 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Readnour/e/B00PZ6GHZG   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkimberlyreadnour   

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734619093516871   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyreadnour   

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimreadnour    

X: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorkimberlyreadnour  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kimberly-readnour   

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorkimberlyreadnour/    

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/KimberlyReadnour

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Review – Taken by Storm

08 Wednesday Jan 2025

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Taken by Storm

Perfect Storm #1

by Mari Carr

Release Date: January 7 

Blurb:

There’s a storm coming… and he’s not taking no for an answer. 

Life has dealt Kasi one blow after another. Following her mother’s untimely death, her family implodes, leaving her alone to run the farm. Fatigue and stress have become her new best friends, every day passing in a blur of work, work, and more work. When Levi Storm, her lifelong crush, keeps her from face-planting due to exhaustion, she’s mortified…and more than a little bit turned on.

A person could set a clock by Levi’s daily routine, right down to his afternoon trip to the Mills’ farm market to buy one of Kasi’s delicious pies. He’s known Kasi her entire life, so when the beautiful young woman faints in front of him, coming to in his arms, Levi is stunned by the sudden realization that she’s meant to be his, and he’s prepared to move heaven and earth to claim her.

Kasi should at least try to shake the sexy new six foot five shadow she’s acquired, but Levi’s much-needed help around the farm, his comfort as she struggles with grief, and his breath-stealing kisses are reigniting the hope and happiness she’s lost.

Until reality crashes in again, forcing her to choose between the dominant, possessive, amazing man who makes her heart race and her family’s beloved farm.

Buy Links:

Amazon https://a.co/d/8hJL8Ap 

Apple https://apple.co/3YrGL7p 

Kobo https://bit.ly/4do3DZF 

Google Play https://bit.ly/4c57dH5 

Nook https://bit.ly/4d6nUTS 

*****

Review:

**a few slight spoilers ahead**

I know that not everyone enjoys an insta-love story but I like that Carr makes it a thing for all the guys. That it’s something that runs in the family with their parents being the first. Now it isn’t love at first sight for Levi and Kasi, but Levi just needed to really see Kasi as all grown up for it to hit. After that, it’s all over and we just need to wait for Kasi to catch up 🙂

Now, I like Levi but he’s definitely a bit … alpha? One of the things that bothers me is that Kasi has an issue when one guy treats her like “the little woman” but she’s ok when Levi does it? Complete with being told what to do and consequences? Sure, it could be because she loves and trusts him and he realizes that she’s strong on her own but … I don’t know. Maybe it just needed a little something to make that distinction a bit clearer.

And Kasi is strong. She’s been trying to keep her family and their farm going for months, all by herself. But she’s finally at the breaking point. Unfortunately she’s got a lot of pride that keeps her from asking for help from her friends. Until it gets to the point that she literally falls into Levi’s arms. And he’s not taking no for an answer *whew*

It’s obvious that someone’s trying to take advantage of Kasi. I mean he might as well be twirling his mustache and rubbing his hands together as he manipulates things. He’s just that over the top. But I do like the way that things get resolved – so satisfying!

This is only the second book by Carr I’ve read and I’m loving this one too. There were a few things that got to me but overall it is just great! It’s steamy, sweet, and an easy read.

*****

Author Info:

Virginia native Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary sexy romance and romantic suspense novels. With over two million copies of her books sold, Mari was the winner of the Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Plume award for her novella, Erotic Research. She has over a hundred published works, including her popular Wild Irish and Compass books, along with the Trinity Masters series she writes with Lila Dubois.

Connect with Mari Carr: 

https://maricarr.com

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Spotlight – The Best of Times

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

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The Best of Times

Queens Crescent, book 9 (series finale)

by Kristian Parker

Length: 50,000 words

Genre: Contemporary

Tropes: Second chance love, Age gap, Life needs to change

Blurb:

It’s going to be a hectic Christmas. Perfect timing for love.

Londoner Aron Wimpole has been taking a bite out of the Big Apple for the last two years. He’s enjoyed the taste but when his beloved grandmother, the formidable Beatrice Wimpole summons him home to help plan her wedding to Professor Higgs, he quickly jumps on a plane for a two-week stay. 

The pull of home is strong, making Aron wonder if he’s really committed to New York…and then Paul Higgs strolls back into his life. Aron can’t avoid him—they’re co-wedding planners and everything must run like clockwork. And besides, Aron’s determined to show Paul what he missed out on when he walked away from him two years ago. All he has to do is to keep control of his feelings.  

One flaw in this plan is that handsome prizewinning photographer Paul seems more than willing to pick up where they left off.  But Paul’s bravado masks deeper commitment fears. Ones that threaten to ruin both of their lives.

But Aron’s got to ignore all that and help deliver the wedding to end all weddings. 

It’s going to be a hectic Christmas.

AVAILABLE NOW – https://geni.us/BestOfTimes-GRR

*****

Q&A:

What inspired you to write this book?

The Best of Times is the ninth and final instalment in my Queens Crescent series. You could say I’ve been working up to this for some time. 

I am a planner so the bones of the book were created two years ago. There were many forms of the story before this one including Aron being a tutor who worked with the Professor to create a Dickens theme park. Yes, I know. My editor stepped in thankfully.

From starting the series I wanted Mrs Wimpole and the Professor to be the beating heart of the little street and to have an elevated role in the finale. Casting two main characters as their relatives was the perfect way for me to do that without it becoming an indulgefest. 

Plus I really like the second chance trope. (C’mon, we’ve all got that ex that makes us wonder what it would feel like if we crossed paths again.)

A thing I admire in other writers is bringing characters back for a finale. Lucy Lennox inspired me big time. A wedding is the perfect way to do that. I certainly wasn’t going for a funeral. Could you imagine? Merry Christmas everyone.

Finally, Christmas itself. I love the holidays and they are special to Queens Crescent. 

So a wedding, Christmas, second chance trope and cameos from sixteen men. Not a bad list to be checking off. 

What was your writing process for this book?

I have pretty much the same process for all my books. I am very much a planner. About ten years ago I got my Masters in TV and Radio Scriptwriting. As scriptwriting can be far more collaborative than novel writing, we were strongly encouraged to plot. 

And it’s stuck. There’s always a spreadsheet. Then I create the characters. I’d already been having ideas for Aron and Paul while writing other books so I had a head start. I write three or four page back stories for everyone. Let’s find out how we can really torture them before their HEA.

Following that I’ve probably got the bare bones for a story so I’ll plot it all out to make sure it’s got structure. I should have a good idea of what’s happening now and can hit the first draft. This is when the real story comes to light and there are always lots of new ideas to bring in. I do find the first draft a slog at times. It has to be said.

Next up is editing. I love this stage. Refining things and getting some good lines in. I really enjoy writing dialogue. 

The final stage is the dreaded List of Doom. An ever-growing collection of words I use far too frequently. (750 “was’s” anyone?)

If I survive making all those changes, then it’s off to the editor with the manuscript. 

Where do you usually write?

I’m lucky enough to have a study. It sounds very grand. It’s a small bedroom that I’ve converted. I love it though. I decorated this year and changed the layout so I’m looking out of the window instead of a blank wall. 

My house backs onto some woods. I often see squirrels, birds and sometimes deer who don’t mind coming really close to the house and eating all my plants. I love it though. Makes me feel like a Snow White haha.

That said, if I’m writing a first draft, I’ll usually lie on my bed with my laptop. Don’t know why. Editing and other things are fine at the desk. First draft, slobbing out. Hey I don’t make the rules. I just live by them. 

Now that you’re finished with this book, what is next on your schedule?

I’ve got a few things planned for 2025. I’ve recently completed a story for an own voices anthology that is coming out in March. 

Then I’ll be back later in the year with a soccer series that is in the planning stages at the moment. I haven’t got much detail to give you on that one yet I’m afraid. It’s a hard job scrolling through endless pictures of hot sportsmen to find just the right inspiration. Please believe me. 

At Christmas I’ll be launching another new series which will be connected to the world of Queens Crescent. We may not have seen the last of Mrs Wimpole and the Professor. For up-to-date news, subscribe to my newsletter at www.kristianparker.com. There you can access tons of free stories including the series Queens Parade.

*****

Author Info:

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

Newsletter & ten free stories including series Queens Parade: www.kristianparker.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristiansworld

TikTok: @kparkerwriter

Insta: @kparkerwriter

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Review – Duke of Luhst

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

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Duke of Luhst

Seven Dukes of Sin #2

by Mariah Stone

Release Date: January 7 

Blurb:

Nothing could change him for the better. Save, perhaps, her.

Seductive as a deadly sin, Lucien Wrenn, the Duke of Luhst, can tempt any lady into his bed. But his best friend’s little sister—bluestocking scientist Lady Chasity Perrin—is forbidden fruit. And he’s spent a lifetime aching to take a bite.

Chastity has always loved Lucien but the thoughtful boy she cherished grew into a careless rogue. Content with her lot as a spinster, she fights to advance her medical research in a world that denies women’s place in science.

They can never be together until they clash in a heated argument and make a scandalous wager… During a month-long house party, both must do the impossible: sinful Lucien must remain celibate and wallflower Chastity must secure a marriage proposal.

When every eligible bachelor begins to compete for made-over Chastity, Lucien burns to claim her as his own.

As summer storm traps them, no vow of friendship can hold him back from breaking every rule to possess her.

As they grow closer — body and soul — his touch unravels her and she begins to crave something very dangerous: him. For the first time, someone sees straight to his wounded soul, and makes him want to be worthy of the only woman he loved his whole life.

But when Chastity’s older brother learns his sister has been compromised, all hell breaks loose.

Buy Link:
https://geni.us/SD_2
Available in KU 

*****

Review:

So I enjoyed the crap out of this story but I’m not sure how much more I would have loved it if I’d read the first book in the series. There were a few plot holes & some character development that I might have gotten if I’d met them before. But based on what I got as a first read, it was still well worth it.

Chastity has scars gotten at the hands of her father (this is one of those places where I don’t think I got enough detail but may have better understood with her brother’s story). She’s spent years emphasizing her brains, not her femininity, hoping that she’d find someone who valued her as she was. But it’s left her alone, awkward, and looked over.

Lucian’s parents were horrible, to him and to each other. To outrun the pain and wounds that their actions & words left him with, he has turned himself into a devil-may-care rake. Someone that makes no attachments, locks his heart down, making sure that he cannot be hurt or commit any harm to others.

I loved these two together and my heart broke for them both, for their pasts and the present. There’s so many ups and downs for them as they figure out if they can let the pain, the scars, of their past go and take the chance on a future. It’s scary, painful, but totally worth it if they are brave. And I’m here for every moment of it.

*****

Author Info:

Mariah Stone is a bestselling author of time travel romance novels, including her popular Called by a Highlander series and hot Viking, Pirate, and Regency novels. With nearly one million books sold, Mariah writes about strong modern-day women falling in love with their soulmates across time. Her books are available worldwide in multiple languages in e-book, print, and audio.

Connect with Mariah Stone: 
https://linktr.ee/Mariahstone

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Spotlight – Beautiful Crazy

06 Monday Jan 2025

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Beautiful Crazy

Blossom Beach series

by A. James

Blurb:

As a single mom with my hands and heart full, finding love is the last thing on my mind.

Then Everett Windward comes along.

My new neighbor is charming, handsome, and sexy—and before I know it, I have a new friend…with benefits.

Fun and filthy benefits.

There’s just one problem—He’s also my son’s teacher.

That alone should have me pumping the brakes… except it doesn’t. I’m drawn to him and to the way he makes me feel. Everett has a filthy side that has reignited something inside of me that I haven’t felt in years.

Something I thought I lost.

But there are rules…

My son can’t know.

No sleeping over.

And absolutely no feelings involved.

But as time goes on, it becomes impossible to ignore the butterflies in my stomach when I catch him looking at me, or when I watch him play ball with my son day after day.

Before I know it, he’s so intertwined in our lives, and I can no longer deny the desire to break the very rules that I put into place to begin with.

But it’s not just my feelings I have to consider.

I can see how quickly my son is becoming attached to him. See the way he yearns for that father figure in his life.

We have experienced enough hurt and loss to last a lifetime. Can I really open up our hearts, knowing the risk I’m taking?

Buy Link:
https://geni.us/beautifulcrazy
Available in KU

*****

Author Info:

Ashley James is a romance author who enjoys writing (and reading) LGBTQIA+ books. She is from Washington State—and no, not Seattle—and currently resides in South Carolina with her two kids and hairless kitties, Goose, Maverick, and Houston. Ashley is introverted and slightly (okay, majorly) awkward. She refuses to make this section sound like a tacky dating app profile, so she won’t be telling you how much she enjoys music, how she thoroughly enjoys dancing and singing in her kitchen, despite not being able to carry a tune, and she won’t be telling you about her love of toxic and broken fictional men.

Connect with Ashley James:
https://authorashleyjames.com/links/

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Spotlight – War

02 Thursday Jan 2025

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War

Boston Bolts Hockey

by Brittanée Nicole

Release Date: January 2

Blurb:

I’ve never been a good bet.

I wear my emotions on my tattoo-covered sleeve, I say all the wrong things and I revel in pissing off a certain redhead far more than I should. In other words, I’m the last person the court would choose to parent any child, let alone three of them.

Yet being their father is all I want.

So when the woman I love to hate offers to help make all my dreams come true, I jump at the chance. Marrying Ava is a convenient solution: she’s my kids favorite person and the court will absolutely approve of the woman who runs the biggest charity in Boston.

But there is nothing convenient about the way I feel when she fights with me, or when we kiss. And I’m not sure which I enjoy more.

This marriage may have a time limit but I’m beginning to think I’d like to keep my wife. She’ll probably fight me on it, but as they say, all’s fair in love and war.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/9Rpd5jZ

Available in KU

*****

Author Info:

Brittanee is an author who lives in Rhode Island with her husband and two children. Her town is a character in itself in all of her books. 

When she is not writing she enjoys spending time outdoors by the water with her children, reading at the beach or by the pool (or really anywhere), dancing with her friends, singing Karaoke, spinning, bike riding and boating. 

Some of her favorite authors are Sophia Kinsella, Elin Hilderbrand, Liane Moriarty, Mary Higgins Clark, Meghan Quinn, Daphne Elliott, Amy Alves, Claire Kingsley, Melanie Harlow, Christina Lauren, Sally Thorne and Sarah Adams. (Clearly, she has a problem and can’t pick favorites.)

Connect with Brittanée Nicole:

https://linktr.ee/brittaneenicoleauthor/

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Review – My One & Goalie

01 Wednesday Jan 2025

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My One & Goalie

Return to Starlight Bay series

by Kara Kendrick

Man of the Month: January

Blurb:

He’s the bad boy of professional hockey.
She’s a struggling single mom.
What neither of them sees coming is each other.

I have a reputation—and it’s not a good one. I’m a fighter on the ice, a player in the sheets, and apparently that’s more trouble than my coach wants on his team.

After one too many run-ins with the press, my agent sends me to small-town Starlight Bay to rehab my image. A few well-placed articles and photo ops of me coaching a youth hockey team should get me back in everyone’s good graces quickly. Then I can leave this sleepy town behind for good.

What I don’t count on is falling hard for struggling single mom Rachel. She’s smart, funny, wildly gorgeous—and doesn’t even know it. And the bonus point? Her kid’s got real talent on the ice.

I shouldn’t shoot my shot with a single mom, but I can’t help myself. One night of red-hot passion leaves me wanting more, so much more. For the first time, there’s more to my life than hockey. Now I want a chance at forever with Rachel and her son.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4fAcLf2

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/48CTxD0

*****

Review:

I didn’t know going in that this was a novella and I think that probably influenced how I felt about it. I loved Xander & Rachel and the relationship they created together. But my biggest issue, being such a short story that I enjoyed that much, is I wanted SO much more!

Xander is known for his temper, on and off the ice, but he’s not a bad guy. He usually gets in trouble standing up for himself and his teammates. And once he meets Rachel and her son, he finds himself standing up for them too.

Rachel is a good mom with a terrible ex. She’s making sacrifices to make her son happy and trying her best to limit the fall out from her ex’s bad behavior. The last thing she has time for is her son’s sexy new coach. But he’s not one to give up.

I would have loved to see more of the reforming of the bad boy. He immediately feels this pull towards Rachel and as they get to know each other he shows himself to be a good man. He takes care of her when she needs it, supports her, and respects her. He’s an amazing boyfriend and I really just wanted more of it!

I definitely think that if I’d known that this was a novella my attitude would have been different as I read their story. It’s smooth, flows well, and is believable with likable characters – everything that makes for a great read. It’s because I liked them so much, I enjoyed their story, that I was looking for more out of it, that extra detail and development. Make it a full length story and you’re getting 5*s from me.

*****

Author Info:

Kara Kendrick writes fun and flirty small-town romance destined to give you all the feels. A reformed English major, she also has a master’s in counseling and was an elementary school counselor in her pre-mom life.

She loves the beach, wine, and rock hard abs, not necessarily in that order. When she’s not dreaming up Happily Ever After’s, you can find her chasing after her boy-girl twins, working out semi-hardish, or walking her adorable Shiba pups with her husband, who’s not too bad himself.

Connect with Kara

Website: https://karakendrick.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20805216.Kara_Kendrick

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/karakendrick

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karakendrickauthor/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2098624546943555

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkarakendrick

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkkendrick

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karakendrickauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kara-kendrick

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