Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review – This Old Cafe

12 Friday Jan 2018

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This Old Cafe

Stonehill Romance, Book 5

by Marci Boudreaux

Jenna Reid purchased the Stonehill Café to prove to herself that her ex-husband was wrong…that she could make her dreams come true. Three years later, all she has is a crumbling building, no social life, and her bruised pride.

Pride is something Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Maguire lost long ago and isn’t likely to find living in the alley behind the café. He just needs a little time to get on his feet. In the interim, keeping an eye on the overworked café owner gives him a sense of purpose. He has no intentions of making his presence known until he hears the woman screaming late one night.

He rushes into the café but instead of finding her in dire straits, he finds a broken pipe and Jenna—soaking wet and holding a wrench. With her last bit of hope fading, Jenna accepts Daniel’s help to fix up her building, but it doesn’t take long for them to start trying to fix each other.

I have to say this is one of the sweetest stories I’ve read in a while.  The best thing is that it is just as much about believing in yourself and finding your way as it is about the romance.  Both Jenna and Daniel have issues that they need to address before they can truly move forward.  Jenna has lost her confidence after a bad relationship and Daniel has some trouble controlling his reactions thanks to his childhood.  Both things are keeping them from embracing their potential, but together they just might be able to get up enough courage to face their pasts.

While this is part of a series, this is the first one that I’ve read and I had no trouble keeping up.  Boudreaux does a wonderful job of keeping readers in the loop and for the most part it seemed like this story was pretty well centralized.  And definite points in her favor for me, she manages to keep it so wonderfully realistic and quite unique – it isn’t often you have a homeless vet living in an alleyway as your hero!  But it so works here and she makes sure that both Jenna & Daniel face their demons themselves.  There isn’t a love conquers all thing, instead it is the support and care that they show each other that helps them fix things for themselves.  Which helps deliver a fabulous HEA!

Book Review – Nikan Rebuilt

10 Wednesday Jan 2018

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Another great entry into Scarlett Cole’s Preload series … the lady kills it every time!

*****

Does the past ever really stay in the past? Find out in Scarlett Cole’s NIKAN REBUILT, the steamy, third standalone in her rockstar romance series, Preload. After years of no contact, Nik and first love Jenny’s connection still blazes between them. Will they have their second chance at love? Or will the weight of their past crush their future together?

Nikan Rebuilt

Preload #3

by Scarlett Cole

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 2, 2018

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press SWERVE

Format: Digital and Paperback

Blurb:

From the queen of heart-pounding, sexy, emotional romance Scarlett Cole comes Nikan Rebuilt, the next novel in the Preload series.

Does the past ever really stay in the past?

Nikan can never be complete. He’s got a rock group made up of the family he built for himself, more money than he knows what to do with, and a stream of groupies falling over themselves to date him. But none of them are her. The one regret that still plagues him, still taunts him with what he could have had.

Jenny is a survivor. Now running a group home after overcoming life in a cult lead by her manipulative father and watching her mother drink the poison he fed his followers, she fights to keep the light in the eyes of every boy who walks through her doors. Far from simple young love, Nik taught her to trust, showed her how good life could be. Before he formed the band. Before he became a famous rockstar. Before he destroyed it all.

A chance meeting after years of no contact shows the connection still blazes between them. But will they have their second chance at love? Or will the weight of their past crush their future together?

Buy Now: Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iBooks | Chapters Indigo

*****

Excerpt:

Nik took the towels out of her hands and placed them on the dryer. “Hey, come here,” he said as he reached for her hands. “Talk to me.”

She wasn’t ready to, not least because she didn’t understand the swirl of feelings sweeping through her. To put into words for Nik exactly how that felt was impossible. “I’m fine, I’m good. I just have a lot to do here now.”

Nik placed his finger under her chin and raised her eyes so she was forced to look at him. “I think we can safely say that lies have no place between us. So, I’ll tell you what I’m thinking, and then you can tell me what you’re thinking. Okay?”

Jenny sighed and nodded. “Okay.”

“I didn’t come here tonight expecting to kiss you like this. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it, but I know I have a lot of work to do to prove myself to you. But seeing you laugh, and seeing you look at me, just for a moment, without the pain I caused you in your eyes . . . Well, I don’t even know how to begin to explain what that felt like to me—except that I didn’t want to be away from you for another moment, and that it felt like a new beginning of sorts. If there’s any doubt in your mind about what that kiss did to me, I’d encourage you to touch me and check, but I think that might be a step too far, given where we are. Now it’s your turn.”

His words made her stomach flip, and despite her best efforts she was filled with a warm and fuzzy feeling. She looked over to the staircase again to check that nobody was within earshot. “We’re coming at this new friendship . . . relationship . . . from two completely different places. I’m mad at myself for letting you get this close to me again. It’s reckless to fall for you all over again and I know it. But when you stand so close to me, I can . . .” Crap. How could she explain that the way the smell of him, and the heat of him, and the proximity of him, and the touch of him took her straight back to that time and place where she wholeheartedly loved him?

“You can what?” Nik asked, moving his hands to her hips.

“I can remember us. Before.”

*****

Review:

I think that there are going to be some who are turned off by this book without giving it a chance just because it deals with cheating.  But they’re SOOO going to miss out on what can happen when an awesome writer like Cole puts together a second chance love story!  Nikan and Jenny have been a connection waiting to happen again – he’s never gotten over his feelings for her (and what he did to ruin it) and she ran away because she knew she couldn’t stay strong if she saw him.  And she was right.  She makes him work for it but eventually the connection between them proves to be too great to ignore … come on, it’s a romance so you know that they’ve got to have a HEA somewhere in there!  It takes some doing but they do get there.  And it is surprisingly low on drama.  Instead we have realistic reactions, characters with depth and emotion, and a situation that you can understand and get behind.

I’d braced myself for being put through the wringer again so I was a little grateful that Cole took it a bit easier on us here.  The unique family that the guys built together is still strongly at the forefront but they are all starting to work their way into individual happiness.  I think that is finally giving Nikan a chance to notice that he’s not as content as he could be now that he’s not expending so much energy keeping everyone else together.  It’s hard for him to look after himself instead of the group (and for me because that love between them is so nice to see but it is also good that they are starting to heal as well).  Bumping into Jenny again, and finally having a chance to work through his biggest regret, couldn’t come at more opportune time.

I will admit that it was a little unexpected to have this story be so lacking in the  commotion department.  The rest of the Preload series has dealt with some pretty hard issues and the guys haven’t been all that great at handling their pasts up to this point.  I guess from what Cole has shown us of Nikan, though, he does seem the one with his act together the most.  Being the oldest and the one that has taken on keeping everyone else together he had to or they would have all gone off the rails!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.  I kinda enjoyed that we mostly only had to deal with the do-over on Nikan and Jenny’s relationship without piling on a whole lot more.  (I have a feeling that Cole is saving that up for Lennon … that one might just be the most heartbreaking yet, and she sure hasn’t been easy on us in the past!)

Nikan Rebuilt is gritty and real and packed full of emotions.  It’s oh-so-satisfying to see these two figure things out!

*****

Author Info:

The tattoo across my right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada were I met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I’m getting the chance to follow that dream.

Connect with Scarlett: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

(Plus ebook copies of JORDAN RECLAIMED and ELLIOTT REDEEMED!)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29459/

*****

Book Review – On the Chase

05 Friday Jan 2018

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On the Chase

Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series

by Katie Ruggle

Injured in the line of duty,

His orders are simple:

Stay alive.

But when a frightened woman bursts into his life, Hugh and his K9 companion have no choice but to risk everything to keep her safe.

The sole witness to a horrific crime, Kaylee Ramay flees to the Colorado Rockies to start a new life. There she becomes Grace, a dog kennel employee desperately trying to avoid attention—especially from dangerously attractive K9 Officer Hugh Murdoch.

Because Hugh is tall, dark…and nothing but trouble.

Hugh is anxious to get back in the field after an act of heroism left him warming the bench.

Until then, he and his K9 partner Lexi spend their hours teasing the town’s mysterious newcomer. But when their simmering attraction is nearly cut short by a sniper’s bullet, Hugh’s mystery woman must come clean about the secrets she keeps…

Or both of them will pay the price.

 

After reading Run to Ground (with awesomely grumpy Theo), I wasn’t sure I was going to like Hugh.  He seemed a bit of an a$$ – one of those wisecracking jerks that is a little too much of a guy’s guy.  But I severely underestimated Ruggle’s skills!  I absolutely loved Hugh from the first page to the last and not once did I have an unkind thought about him.  He’s a truly good guy, cares about those around him, and wants to do good in the world.  Meeting Kaylee, who is definitely hiding something and who tugs at something in Hugh like no one before, has all of those hero feelings on high alert.

Kaylee is surprisingly engaging as well.  At first she seems a little too prissy but she quickly gets over her “city” ways and embraces her new situation.  Avoiding (and resisting) Hugh is harder than it should be (because the man is tenacious) but she starts to have trouble remembering why he’s bad news.

Just like with Run to Ground, Ruggle brings a good amount of danger to the second book in the series.  All of the elements work together beautiful and give readers a good suspense element to go with their love story.  But don’t worry if you missed the first story because she helps you keep up … but I’m pretty sure you should read them both because they are pretty darn good 🙂

Book Review – Hold Her Again

04 Thursday Jan 2018

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Hold Her Again

by Shannon Stacey

A country-music star returns home to win back the woman he loves in this charming holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Shannon Stacey

Ava Wright isn’t happy to see her high school sweetheart rolling into their hometown a few weeks before Christmas. He’s only come back to bury his estranged father, but there’s no way she’ll be able to avoid him. No one can: he’s become a country-music superstar since going solo and leaving Ava behind.

Jace Morrow grew up believing “money can’t buy happiness” was something people said to make themselves feel better. But now he knows it’s the truth: no matter how many number-one hits he has, he’ll never recapture the magic of singing with Ava. Missing her—loving her—and living with making the wrong choice in life were what made him who he is.

When Jace is roped into being part of the town’s annual Christmas party, he only cares about earning Ava’s forgiveness. And though Ava’s heart has never healed, she loved Jace too much and for too long to shut him out when he’s hurting. As they fall in love all over again, they’re both faced with choices for their future…and this time Jace intends to make the right one.

I felt bad for both Jace and Ava, although I wanted to give Jace a little kick in the pants for waiting so long to come back.  Having his POV helped a lot because I don’t know that I would have been as quick to forgive him otherwise 🙂  Leaving Ava like he did, and staying away for so long, was a really crappy thing to do.  I know that he was young and I understand how his childhood turned him into that person, but 6 years is a long time and if he really felt the way he claimed he’d have manned up a bit earlier.  I get that he didn’t think that she’d have anything to do with him but he should have at least tried harder.  Good for him Ava’s a bit more tender hearted (or tender headed) than I am.  She does struggle a bit (as she should) but those old feelings that never really went away make it hard to fight him.  He will have to prove himself, and she’ll have to figure out how to let the past go, but they may just be able to work it out with a little luck and a whole lot of love.

With Hold Her Again Stacey delivers a wonderful second-chance romance, perfectly bringing the feeling of the holiday season.

Book Review – Flowers in Winter

29 Friday Dec 2017

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This is the first in this series that I’ve read but it won’t be the last.  Flowers in Winter is the perfect way to finish out 2017 on a happy note!

*****

Flowers in Winter

Hart of Rock and Roll Book 5

by Mary J. Williams

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

A HART OF ROCK AND ROLL HOLIDAY ROMANCE

Tula Carson knows what her future holds. A good life. A secure life. Safe. Steady. Boring.

She has no one to blame but herself. She chose the path she’s on. But, she wants something more. Something different. Now. Before it’s too late.

Fleet Sherman is a Rock God. And he isn’t afraid to enjoy the perks. Money. Fame. Beautiful women. As far as he’s concerned, his life is perfect. Until he meets smart, funny, talented, frustrating Tula Carson. The one woman he can’t resist. The only woman he can’t have.

On the surface, Tula and Fleet seem worlds apart. She grew up loved. He just wants to forget his childhood. She’s led a sheltered life. He’s experienced everything life had to offer. Yet, from their first meeting, they clicked.

Tula has a chance to fulfill her dreams. But the first step is always the hardest. Will she jump, or play it safe?

Fleet doesn’t believe he deserves a woman as good and sweet as Tula. For her sake, he has to let her go.

A love of music brought them together. Will their pasts tear them apart? Do they need a Christmas miracle? Or will they realize love is the greatest gift of all.

Grab this standalone book today.

Goodreads * Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

Tula’s heartbeat stuttered. Before she raced ahead, she had to make certain they were headed down the same road.

“You said you wanted me too much. What does too much mean?”

“I don’t want to hurt you. I sure as hell know I’m not good enough for you. I don’t take what isn’t freely offered. But make no mistake, I’m no saint. If you want me? Say. The. Words.”

The Irish in Fleet’s voice whispered across Tula’s skin like a warm summer’s breeze. He left the rest up to her. If she wanted the heated promise in his eyes, she had to be the one to jump.

Tula had come so far. She’d be a fool to turn back now. She didn’t hesitate. She said the words.

“I want you, Fleet Sherman.” Confident and a bit cocky, Tula tipped her head to one side. “Now, what are you going to do about it?”

*****

Review:

Tula is girl-next-door perfect but she’s reached a point where her life just isn’t making her happy.  So she enters the contest but never expects to win.  And when she does she freaks out!  It means coming clean to her family about how she no longer wants the future she’s been working towards and that just isn’t something she’s brave enough to do.

Luckily, Fleet isn’t the type to take no for an answer.  He comes busting in to Tula’s life with all of his charm and take-no-prisoners attitude.  Too bad for him she’s willing to give as good as she gets.  But they quickly realize that they have a connection and even though Fleet doesn’t think he’s relationship material … Tula may have him thinking otherwise 🙂

Williams delivers an absolutely awesome holiday romance!  Honestly, I just wish it was longer because these two together are a blast.  I’ll definitely be looking to see what this author delivers next.

*****

Author Info:

I love books, I always have and always will. Writing is an extension of that and though it has taken me a while to get here, I now can officially call myself a published author.

I grew up on a ranch in Eastern Washington, so I wanted to set my books on the Columbia River in Washington state. Harper Falls is completely fictitious, but I think anyone from the area will know right where it would be if it did exist.

My hobbies are gardening, reading, baking(fattening desserts are my favorite), exercise(I don’t love it, but it is necessary due to the desserts), and animals. I had a dog but when he died I couldn’t bring myself to replace him. That is why I wrote Edgar, the dog into “If I Loved You”, I consider him my surrogate puppy until I can get a real one.

I love to get feedback on my books so I hope everyone will feel free to leave a question or visit my website(it is a work in progress, but I’m getting there).

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

5 ebook copies of the first book in the series, Flowers on the Wall.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a9507/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

Book Review – Then Came You

28 Thursday Dec 2017

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Then Came You

Compass Cove series

by Jeannie Moon

Mia DeAngelis knew it was time to make a change. Wanting to provide a better life for herself and her ten-year-old nephew, Ben, she took a chance and moved to the small town of Compass Cove. Now, the college librarian is adapting to a new job, a new town, and living with her feisty seventy-eight-year-old grandmother. Mia is determined to make it all work, hoping the coastal hamlet gives both her and Ben the sense of community, family and belonging they both want so much.

Adam Miller, a retired NFL quarterback, has come back to Compass Cove to start over after an injury puts an end to his high-octane life. Settling into the small town routine proves to be a challenge, but his job coaching at Jennings College gives him a sense of purpose, while keeping him connected to the game he loves.

There couldn’t be two people more different, yet the minute they meet, friends and family have no doubt they belong together. Now if Mia and Adam can only get out or their own way and embrace a little home town magic, they can find the happy ever after they both crave…

Moon always does a fantastic job with her characters and the dynamics between them.  With Then Came You it isn’t just the love story between Mia and Adam that caught my attention but the connection to their friends and family.

Mia and Ben are so sweet together and you can just feel the love she has for him as a son.  She’s also got a wonderful grandmother who offers the support she needs to start building a great life in Compass Cover.  What she doesn’t have is a great mother.  And that negative relationship has done so much to color the way she sees herself that it causes a lot of the strain between her and Adam.

Not that Adam doesn’t screw up.  He’s never had to really work at his relationships before Mia and he stumbles pretty much right out of the starting block.  While he also has a wonderful, supportive family he has spent quite a few years being toadied to as a star athlete.  The kind of people he “dated” didn’t require a lot of care and it shows.  But luckily he’s got a mother and a grandmother who isn’t going to let him get away with it.  He eventually gets his head on straight and is able to win Mia back (although she doesn’t make it easy for him).

Then Came You delivers on the feels and growth and humor and charm!  Moon is a must read in contemporary romances for me.

Book Review – So Over You

26 Tuesday Dec 2017

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So Over You

Chicago Rebels #2

by Kate Meader

Three estranged sisters struggle to sustain their late father’s failing hockey franchise in Kate Meader’s sizzling Chicago Rebels series. In this second entry, middle sister Isobel is at a crossroads in her personal and professional lives. But both are about to get a significant boost with the addition of a domineering Russian powerhouse to the Rebels…

Isobel Chase knows hockey. She played NCAA, won silver at the Games, and made it thirty-seven minutes into the new National Women’s Hockey League before an injury sidelined her dreams. Those who can’t, coach, and a position as a skating consultant to her late father’s hockey franchise, the Chicago Rebels, seems like a perfect fit. Until she’s assigned her first job: the man who skated into her heart as a teen and relieved her of her pesky virginity. These days, left-winger Vadim Petrov is known as the Czar of Pleasure, a magnet for puck bunnies and the tabloids alike. But back then… let’s just say his inability to sink the puck left Isobel frustratingly scoreless.

Vadim has a first name that means “ruler,” and it doesn’t stop at his birth certificate. He dominates on the ice, the practice rink, and in the backseat of a limo. But a knee injury has produced a bad year, and bad years in the NHL don’t go unrewarded. His penance? To be traded to a troubled team where his personal coach is Isobel Chase, the woman who drove him wild years ago when they were hormonal teens. But apparently the feeling was not entirely mutual.

That Vadim might have failed to give Isobel the pleasure that was her right is intolerable, and he plans to make it up to her—one bone-melting orgasm at a time. After all, no player can perfect his game without a helluva lot of practice…

Meader delivers another wonderful romance and I couldn’t be happier.  There’s so much drama and bad feelings and it just leads to a great second chance – and not just for Vadim and Isobel!  I loved the Vadim has some issues he needs to address with his mother too and Meader makes sure that he does all of it with Russian-ness on full display.  And I just ADORED every Russian piece of him – so haughty and formal and sexy and confident.  It’s no wonder that Isobel finds him hard to resist even with the history between them.  He’s also difficult and closed off and commanding … also sexy but frustrating 🙂

Like with the first book in the series, there can only be trouble if anything happens between the two but the Chase sisters aren’t afraid to dance that line.  It makes things more complicated that she’s an owner and wants to be a coach while he’s her player but that isn’t their biggest issue.  They’ve got to put their pasts (both individually and as a couple) to rest before they can even think about looking at what the future could bring.   While there’s drama, Meader makes sure that things never get over-dramatic which I appreciate.  Instead she delivers a sexy, emotional, and humorous love story that had me captivated until the end.

(This is the second in a series and it can stand on its own but I think that it will be much more enjoyable if you have read Irresistible You.)

Book Review – Shiver

22 Friday Dec 2017

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Shiver

Texas Paranormals #2

by Christi Snow

A year ago Corey Abbott’s life entered the realm of the bizarre when he discovered the things that go bump in the night are real. But working for the local vampire council didn’t prepare him for were-deer shifters.

Nine months ago Dare Buckley’s herd abandoned him. Now, he’s slowly going mad from Lyme disease…something that doesn’t hurt normal deer, but for were-deer is fatal.

On one snowy, sleet-filled night, the two collided…literally.

This Christmas two men find love in the most unexpected place…a lonely, desolate highway.

It’s definitely not your typical meet-cute, but it’s a twist of fate that would even make Santa happy.

I personally think that you have to throw all thoughts on how things are supposed to be out the window when you read a paranormal story.  All of these worlds have their own rules and you just have to let them unfold for you as you go along.  And Snow’s Texas Paranormals is no different.  But that doesn’t mean that just because her world is not like ours that it isn’t interesting and fun.

Shiver is a novella so the time frame is compacted but because it involves weres there can be a good reason for the speed in which Corey and Dare get involved.  And while it is short it never felt rushed – instead Snow gives us an interesting world, appealing characters, and a satisfying story.  I really appreciated that because of its shorter length there was very little time for drama.  Instead we get an introduction to our two characters, details of their pasts, and a whole lot of the sexy before we get an enjoyable resolution to Dare’s medical issue (complete with a HEA).

(This is the first in the series that I’ve read but I don’t think it mattered.  It seemed to me that Snow does a great job of filling you in on what happened as it applied to Corey.)

Book Review – Only For You

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

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Who’s ready for a hunky soldier with a heart of gold???

*****

Only For You

Sugar Lake #2

by Melissa Foster

Blurb:

Love only works when your heart is in the right place. Hers could be right next door…

Single mom Bridgette Dalton doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses—not even in her own flower shop. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t noticed Bodhi Booker. Her ruggedly handsome next-door neighbor would be the perfect candidate for a no-strings fling. Having loved and lost, Bridgette’s not ready to hand over her heart…but she could use a distraction.

Bodhi has one rule: never leave anyone behind. As a special operative, he knows that each new mission is more dangerous than the last. He’s never made a promise of forever to a woman, not even to the beautiful widow who has him tied in knots. And if there were anyone who could tempt him into putting down roots, it would be Bridgette and her adorable son.

But as his next deployment nears, they make a startling discovery. Their passion, meant only for the here and now, might already be blossoming into something more…

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Paperback   Audiobook

This book is being published by Montlake (an Amazon imprint) and won’t be available on other ebook retailers, but you can download a FREE ereader app to read it HERE (or order the paperback)

*****

Review:

I loved getting to know Bridgette and Bodhi.  Foster really is talented so everything she does just keeps you glued to the pages.  Bodhi is a great guy – very honorable (and hot) and has a big heart (and hot) and has a lot of love to give (did I mention, hot?  Inside and out, people!)  He’s chosen to give up having a full life to protect others and he’s darn good at his job.  He has purpose and he’s dedicated to that purpose, without hesitation.  Until he meets Bridgette.

Bridgette is a wonderful single mom.  She was a wild child once but after the birth of her son and the death of her husband she did a little growing.  And maybe some suppressing too.  But meeting Bodhi helps her remember a bit more of the girl she used to be and to find a way to fit her into her life now.

I’ll be honest, though – I enjoyed the book but nearly as much as The Real Thing.  It’s a good setup and there is no denying that Foster has some serious skills as a writer.  Her characters are vivid and they feel so real.  It’s just that here it seemed like Bodhi and Bridgette’s story was just a bit too long.  Their only real issue is Bodhi’s job and his not wanting to leave anyone at home worrying about him.  Which is SO understandable … it just seems to go on a bit too long for me.

Without any other problems there isn’t anything else there to keep things moving so we keep coming back to the same thing – he can only give her now because he can’t promise he’ll be there tomorrow.  It’s difficult and emotional, and it lingers there waiting for us when his time with Bridgette is over.  I felt so bad for them and Foster’s resolution is pretty darn perfect, but it didn’t help with the sense of waiting for me.  Although maybe that is perfect too, because it gives you just a taste of what it was like Bridgette and Bodhi.

*****

Also available in Sugar Lake Series

The Real Thing (Sugar Lake Book 1)

Fall in love on the shores of Sugar Lake in the small town of Sweetwater with Willow Dalton and Zane Walker.

This sassy, spirited baker is fine with heat—but is her fake fiancé too hot to handle?

Bakery owner Willow Dalton’s friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane’s always had a reputation as player. He’s arrogant, and he’s definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough to go along with a fake engagement a decade later—even if it comes with a real diamond ring?

Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America’s hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An “engagement” to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move . . . provided no one gets hurt.

Now Zane and Willow’s little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement or the real thing—including them.

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Paperback   Audiobook

This book is being published by Montlake (an Amazon imprint) and won’t be available on other ebook retailers, but you can download a FREE ereader app to read it HERE (or order the paperback)

*****

Author Info:

Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole. 

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

Website   Facebook   Twitter    Google+   Goodreads   Pinterest   Amazon Author Page

*****

Giveaway:

Win Bad Boys After Dark: Mick ebook – 2 winners!
Ending on Friday 22nd December at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide

Enter Below & Good Luck !!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b25fc618381/

*****

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I received this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

Book Review – Broken Honor

19 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Book Review

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Broken Honor

HORNET Book 3

by Tonya Burrows

Ice-cold and unbreakable, Travis Quinn is the HORNET team’s hard-ass. No weaknesses. Except, of course, for the accident that not only destroyed his career as a Navy SEAL, but left terrifying blanks in his memory. But Travis remembers everything about Mara Escareno—the curve of her lips, the feel of her body…and how he walked out on her suddenly six weeks ago.

Mara could never resist the dangerously sexy Travis, which is probably how she ended up pregnant and disowned by her family. But before Travis can fully process the news, Mara is kidnapped by his enemies and plunged into the violent, merciless world of human trafficking. They want Travis—and the information locked within his damaged memory—no matter the cost. And now Travis’s enemies have discovered his only weakness…Mara.

I have no idea how I missed this book – I didn’t even realize it until I sat down to read Code of Honor which is the next one in the series.  And I am super sorry it took me so long!  Burrows has always shown she knows how to deliver a satisfying mix of action, danger, and suspense with the emotional drama of a complicated love story and Broken Honor is no different.

Quinn has been trying to hide the effects of the accident that ended his career as a SEAL.  Years later and it is getting worse but he has nothing else except HORNET.  A horrible childhood with few bright spots followed by the things he’s done in his job has made connecting to people difficult for him.  He doesn’t feel himself to be a good enough for anyone … which makes his feelings for Mara even more complicated.  And, of course, he that means he took the cowards way out.

Travis may have left Mara after their week together but he’s not out of her life for good.  Finding herself pregnant with his child means that she has to contact him again … but bringing him back to her also brings his enemies.  Soon they find themselves fighting for their lives on foreign soil but the greatest danger is to their hearts.  Because while seeing Quinn in action brings home how dangerous he actually is, it also shows Mara the depth of his disregard for his own life – it’s not easy loving someone who doesn’t think they are lovable.  With time and patience, though, maybe she can show him differently.  If only they can make it out alive.

The questions over the who and what and why of Quinn’s accident come full circle here and we see some old enemies once again.  HORNET finds themselves in perilous situations with death waiting for them at every turn.  But with every battle we also get to see how much these guys mean to each other, how important the little family they’ve made with each other really is.  Full of white knuckle moments mixed with sniffles and laughs, Burrows continues to delivery enthralling military suspense romances.

(I think that the HORNET series is best enjoyed if you read all of the stories.  While they are mostly stand alones, there is flow from one book to the next with some of the characters and how consequences of past missions carry over.)