Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review – Unexpected Christmas

18 Monday Dec 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

Who’s looking for a sweet fast read (with a little emotional bite) this holiday season?

*****

Unexpected Christmas

by Nell Iris

Length: 13,527 words

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb:

Daniel Erickson stormed out of his family celebration after choking on turkey served with a side of bigotry. Utterly miserable, he reluctantly lets himself be charmed by the hulk of a man and gets into the stranger’s car … hoping he won’t be axed before the night is through.

Axel Wilson — Ax for short, unfortunately — is a sweetheart. Really. He may be badass-looking but his heart melts into goo at the mere mention of his four-year-old niece. Surely he isn’t dangerous?

Thrown together by family drama, the two men spend the evening getting to know each other. Axel is nothing like Daniel expected. But it doesn’t matter that he loves poetry, is gentle and patient — and hot! — Daniel is absolutely not falling in love at first sight. There’s no such thing.

Right?

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS

*****

Excerpt:

A few minutes later, a vehicle approached from behind. Reacting instinctively, I turned around and waved my arms, hoping the big truck would stop and have mercy on my freezing ass.

I let out a giddy yelp as it slowed down, but it got stuck in my throat when the driver rolled down the window.

He was huge and couldn’t hold his head upright without banging it on the ceiling. Big steel gauges adorned both his ears — at least an inch and a half wide — and his hair was black and so closely cropped it resembled a five o’clock shadow more than an actual haircut.

“You need a ride?” he asked and his voice was deeper than the Mariana Trench, perfectly matching his frightening appearance. Black tattoos crept up his neck and snaked down his hands below his sleeves. His shoulders were wide, his muscles strained the sleeves of his thick black jacket, and his cheeks were hollow. I was one second from shitting myself.

“I’m not riding with a serial killer!” The words slipped out of my mouth and I groaned. I couldn’t have kept my mouth shut for five fucking seconds to avoid being chopped up and thrown to the wolves?

He threw his head back and let out a thunderous laugh.

“What’s so goddamned funny?” I glared at him, but he didn’t seem to care.

“I’m no serial killer.”

“And I’m just supposed to take your fucking word for it?” I raised an eyebrow. I knew I was being combative and taking out my frustration on this stranger, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“You could call my ma for references.”

“Ha ha. Very funny.” With a deep sigh, I resigned to my fate and started walking again. No way was I getting into a car with that mammoth of a man.

“Where you goin’?” he called after me. When I didn’t bother to answer, he eased off the break and let his truck crawl after me.

I swirled around. “Stop following me, you creep,” I hissed.

He let go of the steering wheel with one hand and held it up as if he surrendered. “Look, man. It’s freezin’. You’re wet and miserable. Get in the truck and lemme take you wherever you’re goin’.” His deep voice was surprisingly gentle. Non-threatening, as if he’d come to expect reactions like mine.

“I’m really not a bad guy.” He stuck out his lower lip in a pout that would have made a five-year-old girl green with envy and I had to bite my lip to stop a smile from erupting.

“Really?” I tried to hang on to my mistrust, but he made it hard. His appearance screamed RUN AND HIDE, but there was something soft in his eyes that told a different story.

He shot me a crooked smile. “It was worth a try. It works on my niece every time.”

The fucker knew all the right words to say to disarm me. “And how old is she?”

“Four.”

I huffed out a reluctant chuckle. “Well, you know how it is. Everyone always says how they couldn’t believe their neighbor was a serial killer because he seemed like such a nice guy.”

His eyes grew big and round. “You’re sayin’ you don’t trust my niece as a character witness?” He sounded as I’d just delivered the biggest insult of his life, but the amused glint in his eyes told me it was all for show.

“Can you blame me?”

“I guess not.” He sighed and grew serious. “Please. I couldn’t live with myself if I left you here to freeze to death.”

My body screamed at me to take him up on his offer. The ice pellets were relentless and I was soaked and gloomy and was starting to feel like maybe being ax murdered wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen to me right now.

The openness in his posture and honesty in his eyes had me on the verge of caving. “You promise you won’t kill me?” I sounded like a scared little kid even to my own ears.

*****

Review:

I love the fact that while Daniel is out in the cold because of an argument with his bigoted uncle he quickly realizes that we are all guilty of judging a book by its cover after he meets Ax.  He assumes that big, muscled, tattooed guy has to be dangerous, but he quickly realizes that he’s more teddy bear than grizzly.  The interactions between them are humorous and fun and quickly turn into something a little more.  It’s a novella so things have to happen fast but Iris does a wonderful job of making the timing and flow feel natural.

I really wish there had been the opportunity for this to be a full-length story instead of a novella because I loved these two together so much … except I think to make it any longer Iris would have had to include some kind of conflict and that wouldn’t have fit with what we were given here.  So I guess I should just be happy with what I got.  And I am ecstatic with what I got 🙂

*****

Author Info:

Nell Iris is a romantic at heart who believes everyone deserves a happy ending. She’s a bona fide bookworm (learned to read long before she started school), wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without something to read (not even the ladies room), loves music (and singing along but let’s face it, she’s not Celine Dion), and is a real Star Trek nerd (Make it so). She loves words, poetry, wine, and Sudoku, and absolutely adores elephants!

Nell believes passionately in equality for all regardless of race, gender or sexuality, and wants to make the world a better, less hateful, place.

Nell is a 40-something bisexual Swedish woman, married to the love of her life, and a proud mama of a grown daughter. She left the Scandinavian cold and darkness for warmer and sunnier Malaysia a few years ago, where she spends her days writing, surfing the Internet, enjoying the heat, and eating good food. One day she decided to chase her life long dream of being a writer, sat down in front of her laptop, and wrote a story about two men falling in love.

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angsty, and wants to write diverse and different characters.

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Website

*****

Giveaway:

Backlist Ebook From Nell Iris

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3e0e9a43285/

*****

December 16

Stories That Make You Smile  https://authoraddisonalbright.com

abibliophobia anonymous book reviews  abibliophobiaanonymous.blogspot.com

The Blogger Girls  thebloggergirls.com

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews  http://wickedfaeriesreviews.blogspot.com

Hoards Jumble  http://dtorini.wordpress.com

Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author  http://www.valerieullmer.com

Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings  https://mirrigold.com/

Padme’s Library  https://padmeslibrary.blogspot.com/

The Way She Reads  http://helenasheat.blogspot.ie/

Sarandipity Book Reviews  https://sarandipitybookreviews.wordpress.com

My Fiction Nook  http://myfictionnook.com

My Book Filled Life  http://mybookfilledlife.blogspot.com

December 17

MJ’s Book Blog and Reviews  https://mjbookblogandreviews.blogspot.com/

Unquietly Me  http://unquietlyme.wordpress.com

Dog-Eared Daydreams  http://www.dogeareddaydreams.com

Boy Meets Boy Reviews  Boymeetsboyreviews.blogspot.com

MM Good Book Reviews  http://mmgoodbookreviews.com/

Louise Lyons  http://www.louiselyonsauthor.com

December 18

Zipper Rippers  http://zipperrippers.blogspot.co.uk/

Reading In Sarah’s Corner  http://readinginsarahscorner.blogspot.com

A Book Lover’s Dream Book Blog  http://abookloversdreambookblog.com

Bayou Book Junkie  http://bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com

Bonkers about books  http://felinewyvern.blogspot.co.uk

Becca the Bibliophile  Https://beccathebibliophile.com

Nicole’s Book Musings  http://nicolesbookmusings.blogspot.com/

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words  http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com

Book Lovers 4Ever  http://www.bl4ebookblog.com/

Urban Smoothie Read  http://www.urbansmoothie.com/

Romantic Reads and Such  https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

Wicked Reads  http://www.wickedreads.org

Book Review – Back Home at Firefly Lake

15 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

We’ve seen this series before with Summer on Firefly Lake and I’m super glad I signed up to read this one.  It’s got all the heartwarming, small-town goodness that you could ask for!

*****

Back Home at Firefly Lake

Firefly Lake #3

by Jen Gilroy

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction

Release Date: December 5, 2017

Publisher: Forever – Grand Central Publishing

Series: Firefly Lake

Print ISBN: 9781455569618

Digital ISBN: 9781455566938

Blurb:

She has a million reasons to leave. Can he give her the one she needs to stay?

Cat McGuire’s return to Firefly Lake is turning into much more than she bargained for. Sure, she missed the crisp pine-scented air and the comfort of having her family around her. But being home makes her feel less like the successful single mom she is–and more like the awkward teen who never fit in. It doesn’t help that hockey-pro Luc Simard is back in town, too. Luc was her childhood crush, the hometown hero who never noticed her, and yet somehow he still makes her heart skip a beat.

Luc’s homecoming has been bittersweet. He’s lost his wife and his career, but there’s no better place to start over than Firefly Lake. Coaching the local kids’ hockey team makes him feel alive again, and he thinks his life is complete–until Cat arrives. The shy girl he always wanted to protect is now the gorgeous woman who’s stealing his heart and making him believe in second chances. But how can he convince Cat that Firefly Lake is where she truly belongs?

Praise for Back Home at Firefly Lake:

“When these two broken souls come together, magic happens.” – Publishers Weekly

“Back Home at Firefly Lake is a charming small-town, second-chance story. With well-written and relatable characters, readers both new and old to the series will enjoy it.” – Harlequin Junkie

Now an Amazon Best Book of the Month!

Add to your “Want to Read” shelf:  Goodreads

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

 

*****

Excerpt:

Luc’s heart squeezed. [Cat] was embarrassed to ask her family for help, like he’d have been embarrassed asking his. Except, that would never be an issue because he had more money than he could spend in one lifetime. Money to finance the creamery expansion his dad had talked about for years, and to send his folks on that cruise they’d hankered after but could never afford because of the cost of raising four kids and putting most of them through college. Money for everything except what mattered most—taking care of his wife and their child like he’d planned.

“Pay for the hockey registration when your grant comes through.” He tried to smile. “I know you’re good for it.”

“Thanks.” Cat’s voice cracked and she took one hand away from her bag to rub it across her face. “Hockey means everything to Amy. I want her to be able to play, but she’s growing so fast right now.”

“Hockey’s an expensive sport.” He slid an arm around her shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. The same kind of friendly squeeze he’d given her all those times back in high school when she’d saved his butt in chemistry. Before today, however, his fingers had never tingled when he’d touched Cat. His body had never heated, either.

Cat started and pulled away at the same instant he did. “Hockey can be a dangerous sport too, and now Amy will be playing with boys. She hasn’t played with boys since she was seven. She could get hurt.

Like he had, hurt so bad it had ended his career. “Amy’s playing minor hockey. At her age, there is a rule about no body checking.” He tried to make his tone reassuring. “I promise I’ll keep a close eye on her.” It was his job as her coach, and he’d do the same for any kid. It had nothing to do with the strange and unexpected attraction he all of a sudden had for this woman he’d known his whole life, who he’d never really looked at until today.

A woman who wasn’t Maggie. Luc’s stomach clenched in a tangled lump of guilt and grief, tied tight with a slippery ribbon of disloyalty. Maggie was never coming back, but that didn’t mean Luc could forget her. Or that he wanted to.

Copyright © Back Home at Firefly Lake 2017 by Jen Gilroy

*****

Review:

There’s just something about small town romances that I love.  That feeling of community and family, with people that feel so real you just want to move there so you can be friends.  It’s that thing that made Gilmore Girls so darn appealing – and Gilroy captures it beautifully.  Her characters just come alive and you can’t help but feel for all of their ups and downs (and sometimes even more downs).

Luc is back after losing both his hockey career and his wife.  He’s going through the motions of getting back on his feet but he’s not really opening himself up for anything that could hurt him that much again.  Then he meets Cat … and she definitely brings all his feelings back alive.  He’s a man, though, and has to have a few “really?” moments but he’s carrying around a lot and so it’s to be expected.

Cat has come home but she’s not here to stay.  She’s got a temporary work assignment and thinks it best to get her daughter out of the city for a while.  And being near family is just what they both need.  But what she never thought she needed was Luc – having him nearby again puts all kinds of tempting thoughts into her head.  She just needs to come to terms with her own past first.

While I really like Cat and Luc, there were moments when I really didn’t get her daughter.  I can see what Gilroy was going for (and she is a hormonal preteen) but she’s all over the place and comes off as a petulant toddler more than once (… although that could be the teenager coming out too 🙂 ).  Usually the kid is a highlight in the book but here she just rubbed me wrong as often as I liked her.

But I definitely couldn’t have asked for more with the adults!  There is a lot of drama between the two of them but they also bring the feels.  Both of them are at a crossroads in their lives – they didn’t plan on being where they are and they need to figure out where they really want to go from here.  They’ve both had things in the past that they need to work on but if they do it right then they might find themselves in a place much better than they imagined.

If you love feel-good sweetness in your romances, Gilroy definitely delivers – lots of emotion, realistic, and just plain enjoyable.

(Although it is part of a series, it can easily stand on its own.)

*****

Other Books in the Firefly Lake Series:

The Cottage at Firefly Lake

Some mistakes can never be fixed and some secrets never forgiven … but some loves can never be forgotten.

Charlotte Gibbs wants nothing more than to put the past behind her, once and for all. Yet now that she’s back at Firefly Lake to sell her mother’s cottage, the overwhelming flood of memories reminds her of what she’s been missing. Sun-drenched days. Late-night kisses that still shake her to the core. The gentle breeze off the lake, the scent of pine in the air, and the promise of Sean’s touch on her skin…True, she got her dream job traveling the world. But at what cost?

Sean Carmichael still doesn’t know why Charlie disappeared that summer, but after eighteen years, a divorce, and a teenage son he loves more than anything in the world, he’s still not over her. All this time and her body still fits against his like a glove. She walked away once when he needed her the most. How can he convince her to stay now?

Praise for The Cottage at Firefly Lake:

“Gilroy’s debut contemporary is packed with potent emotions…[the] protagonists tug at the heartstrings from the beginning of the story and don’t let go. Long on charm, this story invites readers to come in and stay a while.” – Publishers Weekly

“Memories, regrets and second chances are front and center in Gilroy’s fantastic debut.” – RT Book Reviews

Add to your “Want to Read” shelf:  Goodreads

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

Summer on Firefly Lake

Sometimes love is better the second time around.

Mia Gibbs spent her marriage putting her husband’s needs before her own. And now, after a painful divorce, she’s building a new life for herself and her two daughters back home at Firefly Lake. The last thing she needs is a man to complicate things. But former bad boy turned friend Nick McGuire—and the one kiss they’ve shared—has turned everything upside down.

Attorney Nick McGuire wasn’t meant to be a family man. His career has always been his focus, and after taking time out to help his mother, he’s ready to get back to the city…until Mia and her daughters arrive at Firefly Lake. Mia is beautiful and intriguing, and it doesn’t take long to realize being “just friends” will never be enough. As the summer nights turn colder, Nick will have to choose between the life he’s always wanted…and the woman he can’t live without.

Praise for SUMMER ON FIREFLY LAKE

“Has charm to spare… The delightful supporting cast and expertly plotted story add depth and richness to this tale, leaving readers eager for another visit to Firefly Lake.”—Publishers Weekly

“4 stars! Gilroy’s second Firefly Lake novel encapsulates the quaint, busybody small-town feel and the slippery slope of friends becoming lovers quite well… Engaging…[a] fast-paced page turner.”—RT Book Reviews

Add to your “Want to Read” shelf:  Goodreads

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

*****

Author Info:

Jen Gilroy lives in a small town in eastern Ontario, Canada where her Irish ancestors settled in the nineteenth century. She’s worked in higher education and international marketing but, after spending too much time in airports and away from her family, traded the 9-5 to write romantic women’s fiction to bring readers’ hearts home.

Jen likes ice cream, diners, vintage style and all things country. Her husband is her real-life romance hero, and her teen daughter teaches her to cherish the blessings in the everyday.

The Cottage at Firefly Lake, the first book in her Firefly Lake series, was a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® award in 2015. It was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon Award 2017.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

*****

Giveaway:

Jen is offering one (1) lucky Grand Prize winner a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback copy of Back Home at Firefly Lake. Five (5) runner-up winners will receive a paperback copy of their choice from the Firefly Lake series! This giveaway is open internationally.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29455/

*****

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

Book Review – Sweet Tea and Sympathy

14 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Sweet Tea and Sympathy

Southern Eclectic series

by Molly Harper

Beloved author Molly Harper launches a brand-new contemporary romance series, Southern Eclectic, with this story of a big-city party planner who finds true love in a small Georgia town.

Nestled on the shore of Lake Sackett, Georgia is the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop. (What, you have a problem with one-stop shopping?) Two McCready brothers started two separate businesses in the same building back in 1928, and now it’s become one big family affair. And true to form in small Southern towns, family business becomes everybody’s business.

Margot Cary has spent her life immersed in everything Lake Sackett is not. As an elite event planner, Margot’s rubbed elbows with the cream of Chicago society, and made elegance and glamour her business. She’s riding high until one event goes tragically, spectacularly wrong. Now she’s blackballed by the gala set and in dire need of a fresh start—and apparently the McCreadys are in need of an event planner with a tarnished reputation.

As Margot finds her footing in a town where everybody knows not only your name, but what you had for dinner last Saturday night and what you’ll wear to church on Sunday morning, she grudgingly has to admit that there are some things Lake Sackett does better than Chicago—including the dating prospects. Elementary school principal Kyle Archer is a fellow fish-out-of-water who volunteers to show Margot the picture-postcard side of Southern living. The two of them hit it off, but not everybody is happy to see an outsider snapping up one of the town’s most eligible gentleman. Will Margot reel in her handsome fish, or will she have to release her latest catch?

This is one of those books that is more women’s fiction than romance.  While Margot does end up with a HEA moment, a good portion of it is as much about finding a place to call home as it is a guy to share it with.

I love the fish out of water moments as Margot transitions from her life in upscale Chicago to small town living down South.  It’s definitely a different way of living but if she gives it a chance she might find her happy again.  With grit and spunk she shows those who don’t want to accept her that she might have tripped but she’s not going to go down without a fight.  It’s fun and entertaining and touching and did I say fun!  How can it not be with a combination bait shop and funeral home for the family business?

Book Review – Follow the Snowflakes

12 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, ,

Who loves sappy Christmas romances?!?!?  (I do, I do!!)

*****

Follow the Snowflakes: A Christmas Novella

by Angelina Kerner

Date Published: December 15, 2017

Genre: Chick-lit, contemporary romance

Publisher: KDP Select

Blurb:

At 28, it’s bad to be single. After four years of relationship struggles, Cat is ready to try anything.

That’s when her friend tells her about her class’ Dear Santa letters. One little boy asked for a new mommy, and she suggests Cat meets the kid’s dad, just to see where things go. Cat figures it can’t hurt…until she meets a stranger in the midst of a car accident. The man is handsome with a sad look in his eyes. He still wears a wedding band and she’s not sure his heart’s available, even if he makes her heart race. But, maybe he’s a widower? Cat wonders if she should resign herself to being an old maid, or whether she could possibly be the answer to a little boy’s Christmas wish, unless there’s a third option – a future with the stranger.

add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36555250-follow-the-snowflakes-a-christmas-novella

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07733X13J?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/follow-the-snowflakes

Book Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/9I9tcpMrg4s

*****

Excerpt:

Sunday

December 17th, 2017

Dear Diary,

When I eventually return to read my entries in my old age, I’ll always remember just how miserable I was in December of 2017. I should have had a diary when I was a teen; then it would have been funny to re-read what I went through back then. When I was in high school, I didn’t have many friends. In fact, my mother introduced me to a girl on the day of orientation. Here’s the story:

Mom parked her car, and we got out. She began looking for all the gathered students outside of the gymnasium. I knew no one at the high school and Mom knew that too. It was mainly because I finished middle school in a different district and at that moment, I was not happy about the move. I gazed at the students and my Mom. She had that glint in her eyes that said a plan was forming and I could do nothing to stop it. After a minute, she motioned me to follow her and I did, just like the good girl that I was. We walked up to two girls. One had long brown hair and was wearing a loose shirt and long skirt, while the other had short blonde hair, glasses and wore a tiger t-shirt with jeans. Mom told them how it would be nice for them to take little old me into their friendship. They said ‘sure,’ and she just left me there.

You see Diary? Now those are memories. Memories of dating an engaged guy at 28, is not as good as that one, huh?

If you’re wondering, I couldn’t really make friends with the long skirt. She and I were too different. She was very opinionated, and I couldn’t hold a conversation without being confused. The glasses girl and I stayed friends until the first year of college. We grew apart after she moved away. I did hear from her once. She congratulated me on my degree. It was random. She sounded happy, and she met her life partner. I was happy for her, but that conversation didn’t rekindle the friendship that lasted for five years.

Now, I am off to work. Yes, I’m working today, although it’s a Sunday. There are branches open on Sundays; I am talking about the ones inside the grocery stores. My friend, Jessica, who’s a manager at one, called me to cover for her today because she has a cold. I couldn’t say no, so I need to go. Oh, and she told me to buy her crew breakfast! At least, we’re only open until 2 pm today.

Cat

PS: Buy those groceries TONIGHT, or you’ll be eating Chinese noodles, and not the take-out ones.

*****

Review:

Cat mentions Hallmark Channel Christmas movies a few times and you get the feel that that was the direction Kerner was going with her story.  It’s fun, lighthearted, and predictable, but still so very enjoyable.

After the latest bad surprise with her latest relationship, Cat is ready to write off men for a while.  Which, of course, means that they come out of the woodwork – her friend has a widower dad that might be a good match and she meets a guy at the scene of an accident.  (Think you can figure out where things go from here?  Yeah, but it is still an adventure.)

A relatively new author, Kerner still has a little growing to do as a writer but she has a ton of promise.  The characters are entertaining, the story flows well, and I found myself looking forward to seeing how it all came together.  All a mark of a good book in my opinion!

*****

Author Info:

ANGELINA KERNER is a self-published author of paranormal and lighthearted romance. She’s the wife of a photographer/physicist, and the mother of a cute little toddler, but she’s also been a dancer, a psychologist, an anthropologist, a geographer, a dreamer, and an adventurer. She does her best writing while being bothered by her cats, taking care of her son, in dressing rooms while waiting for family to try on clothing, and at home in sunny California. Angelina loves to play goddess-dragon matchmaker, transporting readers to a place where young goddesses have lovable flaws, the Fates plan to dethrone, the universe is endless and untamed, and dragons roam free! She also loves to write carefree romance where one can finish reading with a smile.

https://www.facebook.com/AngelinaKernerFiction (Facebook)

https://twitter.com/kernerangelina (Twitter)

https://kernerangelina.live/ (Blog)

https://www.pinterest.ca/angelinakerner/ (Pinterest)

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14651070.Angelina_Kerner (Goodreads)

*****

Giveaway:

“I have the sweetest Giveaway for the tour, open worldwide.

Included is a Wine bottle Christmas tree, chocolates, Rudolph hot chocolate with Snowflake marshmallows, a Christmas tree ornament and a signed copy of Seven Hours: Challenge Accepted.

While you read, you can enjoy chocolate!

Angelina XO”

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0e7c6a8f22/

*****

Schedule:

Dec. 11th

Reads & Reels (Featured Promo) http://www.readsandreels.com

Book Reviews by Shalini (Excerpt) www.bookreviewsbyshalini.wordpress.com

Darque Dreamer Reads (Review) https://darquedreamerreads.wordpress.com

Gemma’s Book Reviews (Review) http://www.gemmmasbookreviews.wordpress.com

Dec. 12th

Jen Med’s Book Reviews (Review) http://Jenmedsbookreviews.com

Romantic Reads and Such (Review) https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

Loves Books Group (Review) http://www.lovesbooksgroup.blog

Tranquil Dreams (Review) https://klling.wordpress.com

Nesie’s Place (Excerpt) https://nesiesplace.wordpress.com

Dec. 13th

Book Inspector Blog (Review) https://bbookinspector.wordpress.com

Spunky n’ Sassy (Review) http://spunky-n-sassy.blogspot.com

Endless Reading Blog (Review) http://endlessreading.wordpress.com

Didi Oviatt (Review) https://didioviatt.wordpress.com

Novel Gossip (Review) https://novelgossip.com

Dec. 14th

Books to Get Lost In (Review) http://bookstogetlostin.blogspot.ca

J Bronder Book Reviews (Review) https://jbronderbookreviews.com

Portable Magic (Review) http://portablemagic.net

Bookish Lifestyle (Review) http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com

Book Lover in Florida (Review) http://bookloverfl12.wordpress.com

Dec. 15th

On the Shelf Reviews (Review) https://ontheshelfreviews.wordpress.com

Splashes into Books (Review) http://splashesintobooks.wordpress.com

Book Review – Holiday House Call

08 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Holiday House Call

Calling It series

by Jen Doyle

Dr. Karen Carmichael prides herself on being capable, optimistic and always in control. But even neurosurgeons have breaking points, especially as the holidays approach. When Karen finds herself on the side of the road, explaining to a cop that her less-than-stellar driving was due to stress and tears rather than too much booze, it’s humiliating. When that cop turns out to be a one-night stand from her past, it’s icing on the bad-day cake.

Officer John “Tuck” Tucker didn’t expect to see Karen again after their night together. The circumstances may not be ideal, but convincing this beautiful, stubborn woman to get to know him with his clothes on is more fun than he could have imagined. 

Karen swore she’d never fall for someone who risks his life for his job. She sees enough heartbreak at work without inviting it into her personal life, and she has no interest in becoming involved in the small town Tuck calls home. But despite valiant efforts to keep her walls up, her affection for Tuck is growing into something much stronger. With a life built around work alone looking less appealing by the day, Karen will have to take a leap of faith—and trust that Tuck will leap with her. 

I felt so bad for Karen through so much of this book.  It is obvious that while her friends do what they can she’s not had the support she needs throughout her career.  It’s hard enough being a doctor but the things she sees could break anyone.  It takes a bit for Tuck to figure out that something is missing for her (and of course he has to have a few man moments) but when he does he steps up like the awesome guy he is.  It’s not easy because she fights him every step of the way 🙂  But he’s tenacious and willing to be patient when he needs to be.  Everyone should be so lucky to have that kind of person to be at their side.

Book Review – Mistletoe

07 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

This is a new author for me but I’ll be seeking out more from her to add to my TBR pile!

*****

Mistletoe

The Smokey Blues, Book 6

by Emily Mims

Genre:  Romance

Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group

Date of Publication:  November 20th 2017

ISBN:  978-1-979474-24-5 – print book

ISBN: 978-1-944262-99-0 – eBook

Number of pages:  227

Word Count: 65,450

Cover Artist: Boroughs Publishing Group

Blurb:

Can the holiday season turn make-believe into real passion, love and romance?

Aspiring songwriter Caitlyn Murphy is tired of sister’s hand-me-downs. From toys and bicycles to men, it seemed like everything in Caitlyn’s life first belonged to her late sister. Roped into doing Christmas for motherless nieces, and entering into a pretend romance with their dangerously attractive father, Caitlyn soon finds herself falling in love with the girls, and the enigmatic Tanner Dyson. She resists the temptation and Tanner’s insistence that they make their pretend relationship real. She wants her own family, not the one her sister had first.

Boroughs Publishing     Amazon

*****

Blurb:

“I haven’t dated anybody since I lost your sister.”  Tanner laced his fingers together. “But yes, before I fell in love with Meghan, I mostly dated dancers and other women who worked in the clubs. I guess we’re going to have to work that much harder to make it believable.”

Caitlyn eyed him curiously. “How do we do that?”

“We start by spending the rest of this evening together, like we can’t bear to be separated from one another. We sit down tomorrow morning and come up with some concrete plans, both for the girls’ Christmas this year and for some public outings for you and me so it looks like we’re dating. We see how it goes. Do you have time for a short outing with them tomorrow? Something they can tell my mother about if she asks?”

“I can take them somewhere. It might be pretty simple.”

“Simple is fine.” He glanced down the hall. “Let’s get back to the reception and put this whole thing in motion.”

She would help. But she didn’t have to like it. She would make damned sure both her mother and her Aunt Bea knew she didn’t particularly appreciate being shanghaied into a ridiculous subterfuge with Tanner Dyson. She didn’t even like him all that much. And she wasn’t all that close to the girls. How would she know what they wanted or needed to celebrate Christmas?

They returned to the party and made a beeline for the champagne fountain. He filled two flutes and handed one to her, his fingers warm where they brushed against hers. She resisted the urge to down the champagne in one nervous gulp and instead sipped it slowly, determined to ignore the curious looks she and Tanner were getting, especially when he settled his hand at her waist in a casual show of possession. To her surprise, the warmth of his hand felt comfortable, reassuring even.

She looked around to see if the Dysons had seen them together. She couldn’t spot them in the crowd, but she did catch Timberlynn’s eye as her sister gave her an almost imperceptible wink. Her mother or Aunt Bea must have filled Timberlynn in on what was going on. Her sister would probably laugh all the way home tonight. Trish looked at them curiously, especially after Tanner pulled her close for a hug, and leaned over and whispered something to Asher. Suddenly the magnitude of the ruse she and Tanner were trying to pull swept over her. Who else besides the Dysons were they going to try to fool? Just them? Or everybody in Kingsport?

*****

Review:

This is the first in the series I’ve read so I’m not sure how much the previous stories might play into Caitlyn and Tanner’s interactions.  I’m sure they’ve made appearances but I’m not sure how much that should influence reader’s reaction to their love story.  Overall, though, the story does stand alone pretty well.  Mims does a fantastic job of making sure that new readers like me can keep up with anything that might trickle in from those other stories.

There is definitely tension between the two.  Caitlyn has never warmed up to her sister’s husband – he’s all around a little too much for her and she never felt like he was worthy of being her sister’s husband.

I’m an only child so I have a pretty hard time grasping the intricacies of sibling relationships in stories like this.  Caitlyn resents her sister and feels like she’s always played second to her – getting all her hand-me-downs, big and small.  But she also loves her and holds her in very high regard, going so far to think that the man her sister loved wasn’t good enough to marry her.  Logically it makes sense but there’s just so much turbulence there and it bleeds over into her dealings with Tanner.

Who is having enough issues of his own dealing with life after the death of his wife.  It’s not been easy and he’s now feeling pressure from his own (awful) parents, which leads him to falling into a fake relationship with his sister-in-law.  He’s very aware that she’s never really liked him and having to rely on her help is complicated.  Made even more so when he starts seeing her as more than just his wife’s sister.

Mims does well by Caitlyn.  I think she finally gets a chance to put some of her emotional demons to rest and come to terms with her feelings about herself.  It’s hard for her to face certain things after so many years but she does.  I think Tanner does a good job of facing a few of his own issues (although he does have a few fabulous man moments that make you want to smack him a little).  His own childhood and history has given him a few doubts and unfortunately a lack of good communication skills on both their parts just feeds into that, and for Caitlyn as well.  They eventually get things figured out but it takes a bit and some soul-searching for them to get there 🙂

There’s a lot of drama on everyone’s part in Mistletoe and quite a few people need to learn to talk AND listen.  Quite a bit of their troubles could have been avoided with a little better communication but Mims gives us very human characters with very human faults.  (I know I’m AWFUL about communicating some things!)  It makes it real and difficult and, most of all, enjoyable to read.

*****

Author Info:

Author of thirty-four romance novels, Emily Mims combined her writing career with a career in public education until leaving the classroom to write full time. The mother of two sons and six grandsons, she and her husband live in central Texas but frequently visit their grandchildren in Tennessee and Georgia. For relaxation, she plays four musical instruments: the piano, the ukulele, the organ and the dulcimer.

Website: www.emilymims.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/emily.mims.756

Twitter: www.twitter.com/emilymimsauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mims_emily

*****

Giveaway:

Copies of the first and second books in the Smokey Blues series; Mist and Smoke.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc1705/

*****

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

Book Review – A Reckless Redemption

06 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Book Review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

A Reckless Redemption

Spies and Lovers series

by Laura Trentham

Warning: Contains a broody Scotsman, a fiery-haired lass, and a night of passion that changes everything. Readers are encouraged to bring a fan.

Can a single night’s deception lead to a lifelong love?

On the eve of her wedding to a man she detests, Brynmore McCann can think of only one way to escape—by ruining herself—but the local lads leave her wholly uninspired. Just as she’s ready to accept her fate, she spots Maxwell Drake, home after nearly a decade. Even though he had loved her sister when they were young, Bryn has always considered him hers, and she can’t think of anyone she’d rather have bed her for the first time. Only she never intends for him to uncover her real name.

Upon returning home, Maxwell is stunned by the news that his father may have left him an inheritance. As the unacknowledged by-blow of a local nobleman, Maxwell struggles with resentment over the way he and his mother were treated by his father and the village. To add to his troubles, he discovers the lass he spent an incredibly satisfying night with was not the village whore, but the high-born sister of his first love. He insists Brynmore travel with him to Edinburgh until they determine if she is with child. Because if she is, she’ll marry him whether she wants to or not.

Along the road to Edinburgh, they are attacked by persons unknown. As the list of suspects who want them dead grows longer and his worries deepen, Maxwell prepares for an even more personal battle—how to keep from surrendering his heart to Brynmore.

I’m an avid reader of Trentham’s contemporary series but this is the first of her historicals I’ve read.  (And it can easily stand on it’s own so don’t worry if this is your first too 🙂 )  I found A Reckless Redemption to be a fun adventure.  There’s suspense and danger, love and sizzle, plus all the feels you could want.  All of those wonderful things that make a good love story!

Bryn’s somehow found herself in a whole mess of trouble and she’s not sure why.  Her step-sister is forcing her to marry (against her will) an abusive brute and Bryn’s desperate to find a way out.  How lucky for her an unrequited love from her childhood shows up at just the right time … or maybe not because things get even more complicated.

Maxwell’s life hasn’t been easy.  As a child he was treated horribly because he was the bastard son of a nobleman and only managed to survive due to kindness of others.  After he left to join the military, there was war … yeah, that’s gonna leave some scars (inside and out).  So while he’s grown into a good man, he’s got a lot of walls built up.  Then he meets Bryn again and the poor man doesn’t stand a chance.

I loved these two together.  Maxwell tries to be all stern and standoffish but its really hard to hide that those walls are starting to crumble.  All of his hardships have left him gun-shy but the man really needs someone to care for him.  And no one on earth has a bigger heart that Bryn.  She’s forever taking care of others and it takes about two minutes for her to charm just about everyone she meets!

There’s some shenanigans over the reason for the marriage and Maxwell’s inheritance that lead them into all sorts of mischief and danger.  Trentham makes sure it all wraps up nicely at the end but she does take you on quite the ride to get there.

While they may find themselves in a bit of trouble at the moment, if Bryn and Maxwell work together there is just about nothing that they can’t overcome.  As long as they are willing to take a chance with their hearts … yeah, that leads to some troubles even more dangerous than the people trying to kill them!  But you know they’ll figure it out and manage to get a HEA before its all over.

Book Review – Bittersweet Christmas

05 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Bittersweet Christmas

The Order series

by Nina Croft

Orphan Liam Ryan isn’t asking for much this Christmas–just his Uncle John. And he’s counting on Father Christmas to find a way to make that happen.

But when Father Christmas tosses Liam’s letter, claiming that the kid is asking the impossible, his daughter, Winter, takes over. Half-pixie, Winter, longs to do something important with her life, starting with getting a job at the Order of the Shadow Accords, the organization that polices the supernatural world. When she discovers Liam’s uncle works for the Order, it seems like fate.

Savaged by werewolves and bitten by a vampire, no one knows what to expect of John

Ryan, but it won’t be anything good. So there’s no way he’s getting involved with his nephew…or anyone else. Worse, he’s getting a babysitter over the holidays. But when he meets irrepressible Winter, all that matters is whether she likes her guys to be naughty or nice….

I’ve never heard of this series but I saw Nina Croft on the cover and I knew I needed to give it a go.  And she definitely didn’t disappoint!

John Ryan is struggling with his new state of being.  A vampire-werewolf is something new and no one knows what to expect.  He’s getting a little tired of everyone hovering but he also understands why they have to.  He doesn’t even understand himself or know what to expect next so how can he expect anyone else to … then he meets Winter.  And his instant and undeniable attraction to her just complicates an already overly-complicated situation.

Winter really wants to start over somewhere that people don’t have certain expectations about her – yes, she’s made mistakes, been a little flighty, and overly … enthusiastic sometimes but she’s older now.  And she really wants the chance to prove herself.  Babysitting Ryan may not be what she expected but if she can get him together with his nephew then maybe she can finally get her chance.  Finding him super sexy and hard to resist is definitely not the best way to do that.

Bittersweet Christmas isn’t really a holiday read (Winter’s dad is Santa and it all starts with the letter) but it is definitely super enjoyable.  There’s the perfect amount of heat and heart and danger to meet anyone’s wants.  And now I’m super curious about what else is going on in the world that Croft has created 🙂

(This is the first in the series that I’ve read but it can easily be read on its own.  Croft does a great job of keeping you in the loop of anything that you might need to know.)

Book Review – Cowboy’s Legacy

04 Monday Dec 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

B.J. Daniels has been a well loved romance author for a long time and I’m so excited to be able to share her latest book!

*****

Cowboy’s Legacy

A Cahill Ranch Novel

by B.J. Daniels

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: HQN Books (November 28, 2017)

Blurb:

Nothing will stop a Cahill cowboy from protecting what’s his

After a rocky marriage and even rockier divorce, Sheriff Flint Cahill finally has something good in his life again. Maggie Thompson’s down-to-earth charm and beautiful smile hooked him from the start. When she disappears on the day they plan to start their lives together, all signs point to abduction—and his ex-wife.

Functioning on adrenaline and instinct, Flint must call on his every resource to bring Maggie home before it’s too late. His past and future are blurred. Maggie’s only chance at surviving her abductor and a raging winter storm depends on an old vendetta that could destroy it all. But the Cahills don’t give up easily, and Flint’s love will have to be strong enough to conquer anything, including the unimaginable.

Goodreads | Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

*****

Review:

This is the first in the series that I’ve read and I’m not sure how much of that impacted the story.  What I got was more suspense than romance – the two leads spend 98% of the book apart and there isn’t a lot of backstory to fill things in – but maybe they made appearances in early books … I’m not sure.  I’m not saying that it wasn’t enjoyable (it was really good, actually) but it was different that what I was expecting.

So, having said that, I’ll get to the really good part 🙂  The mystery over what happened to Maggie kept me on the edge of my seat.  Daniels does a great job of leading you through the investigation and revealing each piece as it comes up.  Nothing felt overly heavy handed and nowhere did it feel like you were being sent on a wild goose chase unnecessarily.  It is so easy for a mystery to get away from the author but I was truly quite satisfied with the big reveal & resolution.

Daniels is a fan favorite for a reason and she shows it once again!

*****

Author Info:

NYT and USA Today Bestselling author B.J. Daniels was born in Texas but moved with her family to Montana at the age of five. Her first home was a cabin in the Gallatin Canyon and later a lake house on Hebgen Lake outside of West Yellowstone.

Most of her books are set in Montana, a place she loves. She lives now in a unique part of the state with her husband and three Springer Spaniels.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to play tennis, boat, camp, quilt and snowboard. There is nothing she enjoys more than curling up with a good book.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

*****

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

Book Review – Wanted: Mom for Christmas

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Wanted: Mom for Christmas

Cates Brothers series

by Lee Kilraine

Christmas is coming to Climax, North Carolina—and it’s delivering an unexpected second chance right to Hawk Savage’s door…

For small-town cop and single dad Hawk Savage, Christmas tends to be more hassle and worry than mistletoe and magic. His daughter, Heather, is ten going on teenager, while his son, Henry Lee, has decided he needs a mommy, ASAP. HL’s constant matchmaking is enough to break a father’s heart, but Hawk has a more immediate problem. His high-school girlfriend, Nora Joy, just arrived on his doorstep, claiming to be his family’s new Rent-A-Mom. He sure didn’t hire her, but he can’t turn Nora’s admittedly shapely tush out on the street.

Sidelined by injury, Olympic medal-winning volleyball player Nora receives a mysterious Rent-A-Mom job offer just when her finances, and her spirits, are at an all-time low. True, she’s not much for cooking. Or housekeeping. Still, it’s hard to resist Hawk’s children…and Hawk himself has changed from the lanky teenager she once knew to a strong, steady, very tempting man.

Christmas in Climax is shaping up to be full of surprises. But the biggest one of all might be the happy-ever-after that a little boy’s Christmas wish can bring…

This is one of those holiday stories with just the tiniest of supernatural twists.  It reminds me so much of those Hallmark Channel Christmas movies where Santa or an angel or a ghost helps to get the couple together for their HEA.  I love those movies so that made it even more fun!

Nora is at loose ends and thanks to a little holiday magic she finds herself on Hawk’s doorstop just when he needs her.  While she’s definitely not Mary Poppins she does have a HUGE heart and finds herself quickly drawn into their lives.  It’s definitely hard stepping into a role that hasn’t been filled since Hawk’s wife passed away but if anyone can win over the little family it will be her.

Hawk is doing everything he can for his kids but he’s definitely finding himself stretched a little thin as his daughter approaches her teenage years and his son is desperate for a mom.  When he finds himself face to face with an old girlfriend he starts thinking things he hasn’t for a very long time.  He’s dedicated himself to being the best dad he can but maybe it is time to start thinking as a man too …

Short and cute and full of holiday fun, Wanted: Mom for Christmas is perfect for those (like me) who just love those feel-good, candy-sweet, made-for-tv movies 🙂

(Oh, and I had no idea this was a part of a series so obviously it can easily stand on its own.)