Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review – Until You Loved Me

28 Tuesday Nov 2017

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Until You Loved Me

Silver Springs series

by Brenda Novak

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak returns to Silver Springs

Sometimes starting over means finding everything you’ve been missing…

After catching her fiancé cheating—with another man—usually straitlaced, workaholic scientist Ellie Fisher liberates her wild side just long enough to indulge in a passionate one-night stand with a tall, dark stranger she meets at a trendy Miami bar. Embarrassed by her recklessness, she ducks out the following morning without learning the guy’s full name, something that shouldn’t have been a problem…until a pregnancy test turns positive.

Being a professional football player, Hudson King has always been cautious around women. But this one had been different—so disinterested in his celebrity, so convincingly into him. When Ellie tracks him down, claiming she’s carrying his baby, he’s stunned. And more than a little betrayed.

But after growing up as an orphan, he’ll do anything to stay involved in his child’s life, so he urges Ellie to move to Silver Springs, where they can co-parent. Hudson has a lot of love to give, certainly enough for his child, and when their initial spark reignites, perhaps for Ellie, too…

In an interesting twist for a romance, a good portion of the early part of the story has the two on their own.  But in a weird way it kinda works because as a reader we get a better understanding of our lead characters.  For the romance though it kinda was bad because that meant that the two leads didn’t get to know each other during that time.  It’s realistic for how the story flows but does make the love story part a little harder to get to.  Being as skilled as she is, though, Novak does make it work.  Once they start spending time together, Ellie and Hudson somehow manage to get past their insecurities and learn to be brave enough to go after what they want.  It just takes a while … but what else do you expect in a romance 🙂

I really enjoyed Ellie – she’s super smart but her confidence has taken a bit of a hit because of her cheating, no-good ex.  A night with Hudson definitely goes a long way in getting her mojo back … until she finds herself pregnant and no way to contact the father.  I’m sure finding out that he’s a famous NFL player wasn’t easy but she handles it well (and I have to say she’s a lot more forgiving and understanding than I would have been.)

Hudson’s past definitely makes finding out he has a baby on the way a shock.  He’s always done what he could to limit the chance of an accidental pregnancy because no baby of his would ever feel unwanted.  So he does everything he can to make sure that he will be there now … after he pulls a few bonehead moves, of course!  While there may have been a few moments when I wanted to smack him, I always understood where he was coming from and the idea of what he’s gone through, and is currently experiencing, after being abandoned as a baby is heartbreaking.

Full of all the feels, realism, and interesting characters that you’d expect from a Novak book, Until You Loved Me is another great addition to the Silver Springs series.

Book Review – Can’t Walk Away

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

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Can’t Walk Away

Nashville Dreams #1

by Sandy James

In Nashville the stars shine a little brighter, songs sound a little sweeter, and love lasts a lifetime.

Young, rich, and better looking than a man has a right to be, successful songwriter Brad “Hitman” Maxwell was once Nashville’s biggest celebrity. Then a heartbreaking loss and a shocking betrayal caused his light to go out. Now, instead of pouring his soul into song, he pours beers at Words & Music. His bar is the perfect escape–a place to forget his past–until the night she takes the stage…

Savannah Wolf used to dream of becoming Nashville’s hottest star. Now, as a young single mom, she dreams of a steady income and being home to tuck her daughter into bed. So when Brad Maxwell offers her the gig of a lifetime–playing as the headliner at Words & Music–Savannah discovers the best of both worlds. And she refuses to ruin this opportunity by falling for her sexy boss. Except that Brad suddenly starts writing music again… music inspired by her.

Both Brad and Savannah have super trust issues, which you can imagine what that means.  Yep, just a few bumps that end up being a bigger deal than maybe they should have been.  Part of their problem is that they have a pretty hard time ignoring their attraction to each other so they are moving pretty fast.  Leading to lots of assumptions and jumping to conclusions that is only exacerbated by their trouble with trusting each other.

Granted both of them have their reasons.  Brad’s marriage wasn’t what he thought it was and when he finds out it changes a lot about how he sees the world.  It also damaged his confidence and he tried to get it back with women … lots of women.  And since Savannah’s last relationship was with a scoundrel who took off with all of her money and left her alone, she’s not exactly feeling all that sure of herself either.

The nice thing though is that James does a great job of having Savannah stand up for herself.  She knows what she wants and she’s not willing to back down.  She just has to make sure that Brad actually hears her, which isn’t always the easiest of things.  He’s not completely clueless though and does figure things out eventually 🙂

Make sure that you are ready for a lot of ups and downs, because things are not easy for these two.  But I found the ride differently worth the bumps.

Book Review – Becoming Bella

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

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Becoming Bella

The Ghost Falls series

by Sarah Hegger

This Christmas, a good reputation can really get in a girl’s way . . .

As long as she can remember, Bella Erikson’s been the unofficial sweetheart of Ghost Falls, Utah. And ever since Nate Evans dipped her braids in purple paint in the first grade, he’s been her dream guy. Not that she minds the attention, but sometimes she wishes people saw more in her than just the girl who still has a crush on Sheriff Evans. She has a life after all, a new dress shop to run, and more mature relationships to pursue . . .

Nate knows he’s not good enough for sweet Bella. But he’s pretty sure the new guy sending her heart emojis and giant bouquets isn’t either. And when Bella’s suitor turns stalker, protecting Bella isn’t just Nate’s instinct—it’s his duty. Crammed together for safety and really talking for the first time in years, Bella and Nate can’t fight the moment their chemistry turns into pyrotechnics. Whether it will burn them out or light up the sky, only time will tell . . .

Bella and her decades old crush on Nate is so darn cute.  And you have to feel for her because it definitely isn’t a secret – the whole town knows and isn’t afraid to point it out.  But you have to give her some credit for trying to move on … except she happens to do it with a stalker.  Yeah, that didn’t go so well.  The good part is that it puts her in close proximity to Nate and finally has him addressing his own feelings.  And the bad part is, well, there’s a stalker.

I think that Hegger handles that part really well.  There’s danger but she never makes light of the situation.  It is a serious issue and they take it as such.  I think she also handles everyone’s feelings well too.  Now, some may think that with a stalker on the loose that Mr. Alpha Sheriff might want to tone it done a few times but Bella doesn’t seem to mind 🙂

It’s a slow process for Nate to forgive himself for his past and figure out that he’s good enough for Bella.  But lucky for him she’s willing to wait him out.  And once he gets his act together, Nate is definitely gold in the SO department.

Book Review – Hidden Hearts

20 Monday Nov 2017

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Hidden Hearts

by Olivia Dade

AN ADMIRER WITH A SECRET . . .

Mary Higgs could be the poster girl for the buttoned-up librarian. She follows the rules. Stays ʼtil closing. Her kindness and dedication to her patrons is legendary. But those patrons have no idea what she’s typing to the mysterious shut-in who emailed the library needing a library card three months ago . . .

When the elusive Miles O’Connor shows up, he’s no invalid. A year ago, he was the gleaming, ab-sational star of the small screen. Then came the accident. Now he’s a wounded recluse with a pizza habit and fears so unshakable that only the thought of losing Mary to an online date could lure him out of his cabin.

Soon their email rapport has turned into weekends on the couch, watching tearjerkers and driving each other insane with red-hot makeout sessions. But as the desire grows and their horizons expand, the life that brought them together might not be enough for either of them . . .

“Love is never out of reach for the librarians of the Nice County Library System . . . Sarah’s charm and humor are perfectly suited to a beach read.” —Publishers Weekly on Ready to Fall

I absolutely LOVE the way that Dade handles Miles and his issues.  There’s a lot of understanding there for what he is going thru, has gone thru, and will face in his future.  She gave me a lot to think about and I think that is always a sign of a well-done book.  I also think that she gave Mary and her problems a fair shake as well.  Her’s may not have been as dramatic as Miles’s but they are just as impactful and she needs to address them before she can make a life she truly enjoys.

The romance between the two is super sweet and relatively low key.  There’s very little angst there, instead it is humorous and touching and expands slowly as they two get to know each other.  My only complaint, and it is because I really enjoyed these two so much, is that the ending was a little abrupt.  I would really have liked to have an epilogue or one more chapter just so I could have gotten a touch more of their HEA 🙂

Book Review – So Bad It Must Be Good

17 Friday Nov 2017

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So Bad It Must Be Good

by Nicole Helm

Wrong guy. Wrong situation. Might be right.

Free of her overbearing family and their dreams, not hers, Kayla Gallagher is living for herself instead of for her clan’s successful restaurant. Step One: finally make her move on Aiden Patrick, the bad-boy son of Gallagher’s long-time repairman. Too bad Aidan’s taciturn older brother shows up instead . . .

As the “responsible Patrick,” Liam has always made a conscious choice to do the right thing. He likes fixing things for people—whether it be a broken appliance or a bad situation. Which means he can’t just brush off the quiet Gallagher. Clearly, she needs a shoulder to lean on. But suddenly a shoulder becomes so much more, and Kayla isn’t the quiet little girl she used to be. She’s a vivid, down-for-anything woman showing Liam several sizzling ways to put passion first . . .

As things heat up between them, Liam’s family threatens to come apart for good. The only way Liam can set things right means giving up Kayla. But she’s not about to take no for an answer—or let their chance for something sweeter than desire crash-and burn without a fight.

I think that some readers may have a problem with Kayla.  She’s at a crossroads in her life and she seems to have spent quite a bit of time moping about it instead of actually doing anything constructive.  Doesn’t even seem like she’s done any real soul searching.  Instead she seems to be waiting for things to come to her and push her where she needs to be.  Lucky for her she runs into Liam.

Liam has always lost any coolness he might have when he’s around Kayla.  As they spends some time together, though, things start to change and their attraction begins to grow.  He shows himself to be an awesomely sexy closet alpha that is just looking for the right woman to complete his life.  Unfortunately his role as the family fixer may throw their romance a few curve balls.

It’s not easy juggling everything for everyone but Liam has a need to try and it just happens to conflict with Kayla’s issues stemming from her relationship with her own family.  I’m not saying that there isn’t a problem with the Patrick family dynamic, just that unfortunately it crosses uncomfortably with the Gallagher’s.  It’s not a good situation for either of them but luckily they work through it well and quickly.

Book Review – Summer Return

16 Thursday Nov 2017

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Summer Return

by Elise K. Ackers

He’ll never come back to stay, unless someone asks him to…

Funerals can bring people together who are best kept apart. Ethan Foster, home to mourn his sister-in-law, finds himself as unwelcome as ever in the town that once meant the world to him. For more than a decade he’s been saddled with a bad reputation – a drunk, a deserter – and he’s lived with it, will keep living with it, because the only way to clear his name is to share his secrets. But the secrets are not his to tell and their telling would destroy the family he loves and the woman he’s never forgiven himself for leaving behind.

Samantha O’Hara once loved freely, but now she doesn’t. Now she leaves before she’s left and keeps her vulnerabilities tucked away. But when Ethan Foster walks back into town, finally looking at her the way she always wanted him to, she finds her hard-won armour developing chinks. She can’t – won’t – have anything to do with any reinvention Ethan is going through. But maybe this isn’t a new Ethan… Maybe he’s the same Ethan she fell in love with all those years ago.

And maybe, just maybe, this time their love will be strong enough to make him stay.

*Originally published as Ask Me To Stay. Expanded and revised edition.

There’s a lot of 3 star (or lower) reviews for this book and I’m not sure they are all deserved.  I think part of the problem is that this was marketed as a romance but it is really more of a women’s fiction story … although, can you say that if the main character who does the growing is a man?  Ethen does a lot evaluating through the story – his life and relationships – and has to decide what he wants his future to look like.

Unfortunately all of this reflecting comes because of the death of his sister-in-law.  Home for her funeral he doesn’t head out of town right away like he normally does.  Instead he finds himself spending time with his brother, niece & nephew, and the only woman he’s ever loved.  And it’s causing him to really think.  He has his reasons for staying away but it’s getting harder and harder to remember why they were so important.

I feel bad for all of the people involved but especially how much Ethan felt like he had to isolate himself from those he loved.  There are misunderstandings, miscommunications, and hard feelings that they just feel like they can’t talk about.  It’s been hard for all of them and luckily they finally reach a point where they have to do something to make things right again.

Book Review – Chasing Christmas

14 Tuesday Nov 2017

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We saw this book last week and I promised to get a review to you as soon as I could … well, here it is  🙂

*****

Chasing Christmas

Rodeo Romance #5

by Shanna Hatfield

 

He certainly didn’t ask Santa for a bride. . .

Professional bull rider Chase Jarrett has the world on a string. The only blight in his idyllic existence is his nosy cousin’s nonstop nagging about his need for more publicity. Tired of listening to her suggestions, he gives her free rein when she hatches a plan to skyrocket his popularity. All he has to do is show up for a phony wedding in Las Vegas. Then Chase discovers the wedding was real, the surprise bride is beautiful, and his sponsors are demanding he remain married.

Shy and introverted, the last thing Jessie Pierce wants is to find herself in the spotlight. But thanks to a meddling so-called best friend, that’s exactly where she’s at. The promise of an all-expenses paid vacation to Las Vegas lures her on an adventure that ends with her unexpectedly married to a hunky bull rider who would draw her out of her shell if she’d let him.

A business proposal leaves the two of them committed to a year of marriage. How hard could it be to remain wed in name only?

Wrap yourself up in the joy of holidays and falling in love in this sweet, lighthearted romance from USA Today Bestselling author Shanna Hatfield.

So, once I got past the whole accidentally married thing (because really, how is that even possible?) I really enjoyed watching these two dance around each other.  Granted I think a little communication and a little less hiding by either one of them could have fixed things a lot faster but then again where’s the fun in that?!? 🙂

Both Chase and Jessie have a few issues they are still carrying from their childhoods.  Their parents did a good job of ignoring both of them but they somehow managed to make it through pretty well.  Neither seems very confident in people’s staying power and that does make it difficult for them to commit to others.  Which definitely leads to some shenanigans when they suddenly find themselves husband and wife.

We spend basically a year with these two, although a good chunk of it is spent apart.  Hatfield pretty much ignores those times but does a great job of showing the two of them fighting their developing feelings when they are together.  They do such a great job of dancing around their feelings, though, that it might get a little old for some toward the end but the payout is definitely worth it!  Once they finally get to a point that they have to do something or lose each other forever, they manage to step up beautifully.

This is my first time to read one of this author’s books but I really enjoyed the down home, country feel and salt of the earth characters.  With a good dose of humor and fun, she delivered a wonderfully sweet read that will have me keeping an eye out for her other books.

Book Review – Sugarplum Way

02 Thursday Nov 2017

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I love this time of year – holiday reads are all around us!!

*****

Sugarplum Way

Harmony Harbor series

by Debbie Mason

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Forever (October 31, 2017)

Blurb:

“Heartfelt and delightful!” -RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author

Romance writer Julia Landon knows how to write a happily-ever-after. Creating one for herself is a whole different story. But after a surprising–and surprisingly passionate–kiss under the mistletoe at Harmony Harbor’s holiday party last year, Julia thought she might have finally found her very own chance at true love. Until she learns her Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broodingly Handsome has sworn off relationships. Well, if she can’t have him in real life, Julia knows just how to get the next best thing…

Aidan’s only priority is to be the best single dad ever. And this year, he plans to make the holidays magical for his little girl, Ella Rose. But visions of stolen kisses under the mistletoe keep dancing in his head, and when he finds out Julia has written him into her latest novel, he can’t help imagining the possibilities of a future together. Little does he know, though, Julia has been keeping a secret that threatens all their dreams. Luckily, ’tis the season for a little Christmas magic.

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*****

Review:

It’s not going to surprise anyone who knows me that this is the first in this series that I’ve read … and unfortunately I think that this is one of the times that it kinda bit me a little.  Not as much as with some books but just enough to leave me just a tiny bit dissatisfied.  There is a lot of history with Julia and the people of Harmony Harbor, and more importantly here with Aidan.  I will give Mason props for doing a really good job of keeping me engaged and informed of the important bits that I might have missed but there were little things that I didn’t have a clue about that came into play a few times.  I still loved Aidan and Julia and I was rooting for them to figure things out from the very first page, but it just made me feel a little … left out because I wasn’t there from the beginning of the series.

Now, having said that, I really enjoyed both the story and Mason’s writing.  The plot was very well done and kept me engaged all the way through.  The characters (both primary and secondary) felt real and I was involved in their lives right away.  The pacing was spot on – never seemed to drag and I was sad when we got to the end because it was over too soon.  And you can’t beat the Christmas season for adding to the romance and fun.  Overall, a really wonderful read.  Which would have probably been perfect if I’d discovered this series a few books ago  🙂

With lots of Christmas charm and delightfully likable characters, Sugarplum Way brings the holiday feels and then some.  Returning readers are sure to be thrilled … new readers might want to consider checking out the backlist.  If they are anything like this one, you will have lots of great reads to get you through the next few months.  (Or weeks if you are a super fast reader like me!)

*****

Author Info:

Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, three wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella in Ontario, Canada.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

*****

Giveaway:

One winner will receive a Sugarplum Way gift packet including:

LIFE Magazines’s special BEAUTY AND THE BEAST edition

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST light and sound Hallmark ornament

LIVE LIKE SANTA’S NOT WATCHING mug

signed ARC of SUGARPLUM WAY

A picture frame

…all packaged in a WHAT’S NEXT box.

https://app.viralsweep.com/view_widget/4d3076-25872

*****

Visit TLC Book Tours to check out the rest of the tour

Book Review – Back in the Game

31 Tuesday Oct 2017

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For Halloween I have a definite treat, no tricks!

Winner Take All was a fantastic start to this series and Kern once again brings the awesome!

*****

Back in the Game

A Champion Valley Novel

by Erin Kern

Release Date: October 31, 2017 by Forever

Mass Market: $7.99 | eBook: $6.99

ISBN: 9781455536009

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Blurb:

Stella Davenport wasn’t made for small-town life. Sure, teaching ballet in Blanco Valley, Colorado, is great, but she longs for the chance to perform in a big city. Stella swore she’d never let anything get in the way of her dream-until sexy, broad-shouldered Brandon West walks back into her life. Stella is determined to resist him, even if arguing with Brandon is sexier than any foreplay.

For Brandon, it’s always been just him and his son, Matt. Knowing that love only leads to heartbreak, he isn’t looking to expand his family any time soon. Stella, with her long, gorgeous legs and infectious laugh, is a breath of fresh air he didn’t even know he’d been missing. But when she’s offered her dream job in Chicago, will he be willing to put his heart on the line?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iEE2G0

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Kobo: http://bit.ly/2vWUztx

iBooks: http://apple.co/2hQSM3x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2vpGIuS

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*****

Excerpt:

Was it just her, or had their almost-kiss a few months ago not been this hot? This intense? She didn’t remember her panties almost going up in flames or her desire threatening to choke her.

“A kiss doesn’t equal a relationship,” Brandon told her.

Stella nuzzled her nose against his. “But we’re not kissing.”

“Keep telling yourself that, Stella.” Before she could respond, before she could even exhale the breath she’d been holding, his mouth was there. Fitting over hers, exerting a gentle pressure that had her fingers digging into the flesh on the back of his shoulder.

When her eyes dropped closed, her other senses took over and magnified the virile man who was so much bigger and harder than she was. His arm enclosed her waist, tugging her closer, inch by slow inch until she was flush against him. Chest to chest. Feet to feet. Leg inserting between hers so that his muscled thigh was nestled perfectly in between her softer flesh.

Best. Kiss. Ever.

Brandon West could use his mouth as a lethal weapon to bring women to their knees. Because if he hadn’t been holding her to him with such firmness, she would have sank the second his mouth touched hers. And then she didn’t have time to think about all the other things she wanted him to do to her, because his tongue smoothed over her lips in gentle, yet not-so-subtle invitation to open the hell up.

He didn’t have to ask her twice. Without thinking about where they were, or the cars and people hovering around outside, even her looming anxiety, Stella obliged and parted her lips. With a hesitation that was sweet, yet longing, his tongue slowly pursued hers, touching just the tip before retreating again.

Since it wasn’t enough, since the minimal contact had opened an emptiness she’d been living with for a long time, Stella did her own pursuing. Her tongue chased his, testing the warmth of his mouth. When he groaned against her and tightened his hand on the back of her head, the heat was kicked up a notch. The passion she’d once possessed but that had gone dormant from lack of use awakened with an explosive burst of fireworks. She returned his groan with one of her own when he tilted her head to change the angle of the kiss, allowing him to dive deeper.

And she let him, because Brandon West was an overpowering man who held her passion and trust in the palms of his hands. The question was, what would he do with it?

Their tongues continued to dance and weave around each other until someone opened the front door of her studio, and the outside sounds of cars and people intruded on their moment of intimacy.

“Oh!” the startled voice announced, ripping her and Brandon away from each other like two teenagers who’d been caught necking by the principal.

Her mother stood by the door, her eyes wide to match the smile on her face, as though to say, Score one for the team, honey.

Only Gloria Davenport.

She held her hands up and backed toward the door.

“Don’t mind me,” she told them. Then offered Stella two thumbs up. For Pete’s sake. “But good job, honey. Way to take my advice.”

And then she was gone, blowing back out the door as quickly as she had interrupted them, taking Stella’s dignity with her.

One of Brandon’s dark brows lifted, showing nothing of the passion he’d exhibited just a second ago. “Advice?” he repeated.

“Ah . . . ,” she began, not sure how to explain Gloria Davenport to someone who didn’t know her. “Just ignore her. She obviously hasn’t taken her medication today.”

The slight curl of his mouth widened. “You look like her.”

Please God, don’t say that. “Okay.”

His brown eyes narrowed, scrutinizing way too much. “Is this another thing you don’t want to talk about?”

Right on. She lifted a shoulder and pretended her heart wasn’t still pounding from their kiss. “I have no issues with my mom.” At least none that she was willing to share.

Brandon nodded. “You know, one of these days all those walls you’ve thrown up are going to come crashing down.”

As Stella watched Brandon saunter out of her studio as though he hadn’t just knocked her socks off with his mouth, all she could think of was how right he was.

*****

Review:

Brandon and Stella are so absolutely adorable together.  They have the steam and the sass and all the feels that you could want!

Brandon found himself a single dad at way too young and while he is a fabulous dad his past has left him with some trust issues when it comes to women.  He can’t handle being left again and with Stella’s plans to go to Chicago that’s exactly what will happen if he lets himself get involved.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) the two can’t fight their attraction and he starts to fall, regardless of how hard he fights it.

Stella has her own trust issues thanks to her nomadic upbringing and the revolving door of men in her mother’s life (especially one in particular).  She’s trying just as hard as Brandon is to resist the pull between them but the man is just about perfect.  How can you turn away from someone with that much patience, that much understanding, and that much sexiness?!?

Kern does a wonderful job of addressing both Brandon and Stella’s issues with the consideration that they deserve.  She never glosses over their feelings and reactions, giving readers great back and forth between the two without getting overly dramatic.

She so great at drawing you in with the heartwarming emotions, entertaining you with the perfect amount of humor, and keeping you turning pages with characters that you can’t help but love.  I am SO looking forward to what she has lined up next!

*****

Author Info:

Erin Kern lives in north Texas with her husband, two kids and their dog. She loves BBQ, Texas sunsets, antiquing and high school football games. The Champion Valley series was inspired by Erin’s love of Texas football, small towns and happy endings. When she’s not at the computer working on her next tale, she can be found spending time with her kids or curled up with a good book.

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Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uvziHA

*****

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*****

Giveaway:

Win 1 of 10 paperback copies of BACK IN THE GAME by Erin Kern.

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*****

Book Review – Appetite of Envy

23 Monday Oct 2017

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A little klutzy and a tad awkward, Lia wiggled her way into my heart.

*****

Appetite of Envy

by Amabel Daniels

Romantic Suspense

Published July 8, 2016

Blurb:

You can’t always get what you want.

Shy and sweet Lia Gardella has only wished to make her father proud. Dropping plates, spilling drinks, and missing orders, she’s never fit in at the family business. And after nearly incinerating the whole building, she ran from the stressful environment.

Want not.

As head chef of one of the city’s best eateries, Finn Newland seems to have it all. He enjoyed a youthful career in the MMA. Women worship him. After years of hard work, he finally has an opportunity to take over the restaurant he’s always considered his own.

Be careful what you wish for.

When Lia’s father summons her to supervise Gardella’s, instead of handing the reins to Finn, no one is happy. They don’t know how to collaborate on running the restaurant. Nor are they confident they can continue to deny their attraction to one another. But before they can attempt a partnership of any kind, they’ll need to find the culprit behind a trend of spiteful sabotage aimed at Gardella’s.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Appetite-Envy-Amabel-Daniels-ebook/dp/B01HY9E6PO

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/appetite-of-envy-amabel-daniels/1124061386?ean=2940158207006

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/appetite-of-envy

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1131044444

 

*****

Excerpt:

Finn nodded. “See. She knows she can’t handle it.” He held his hand up in a truce. “Give me a chance, Rico. Take some time off and let’s see how I handle it. All right? There’s no need to be rash. I already run the cook’s line. I’ll step up and watch over the servers on the floor. I’ll contract a bookkeeper. I told you I’d work extra. I’ll handle it all.”

“You can’t handle yourself! You can’t stop whoring around enough to even think about this place no more!” Enrico flared up in his face.

Working his jaw, Finn eyed the little man. That damn critic. “Maybe I’ll just sleep with Lia and have her give it to me, huh, Rico?” He smirked. “What’s one more woman in my way?” It was a dirty hit, but Rico’s decision was ridiculous.

Enrico waved. “Ha! Not with her.” He grunted. “Won’t work.”

Finn crossed his arms, enjoying the blush on Lia’s cheeks. “I think it could.”

She slapped him.

Are you kidding me? His glared at her. Well, he deserved it, but hell, he was just joking. He’d never seriously—

“I’m not a, a pawn!”

“See?” Rico ceased his chuckle. “She doesn’t fawn over pretty boys like you.”

Finn rubbed his cheek and faced his boss. “Rico, she’s got no business being here. I do. I’ve worked for this, Rico. I’ve been here for years. She’s never even bothered to come back here. Not even once!”

Enrico hardly batted an eye. Actually, he smiled. “I never asked her to.”

“Why are you asking me now?” she said.

“Because I am.”

*****

Review:

I really enjoyed the suspense element of this story.  Daniels does a really good job of keeping you guessing who is behind all of the “accidents” and mishaps at the restaurant.  She gives just enough hings to have your brain working as you work to figure out what is malicious, what is bad luck, and what might be something really dangerous.  I was surprised at the ending (which is always a bonus) but it worked really well with the rest of the story.

I also enjoyed Finn and Lia working their way into a HEA.  They are absolutely HORRIBLE about communicating and both do a lot of jumping to conclusions but they eventually figure things out.  They’ve got a lot of history and assumptions to overcome but Daniels does a good job of getting them there.

I was all that much of a fan of the rest of the characters.  They seemed like the cast of a really bad (fake) reality show.  They are awful to Lea, disrespectful to those in authority, and snipe among themselves when they aren’t trying to get in each other’s pants.  There is not a single redeeming one in the group, except for the dishwasher who keeps his head down and stays out of the way.  Even he has a moment though – although I totally get where he is coming from.

The writing style is also a bit awkward, but if you push through it (and the horrid people) you end up with a enjoyable romance and a good mystery to keep you turning pages.  Daniels is a pretty new author so I’m looking forward to seeing her talent blossom and will be on the lookout for new stories from her.

*****

Author Info:

Amabel Daniels lives in Northwest Ohio with her patient husband, adventurous toddlers, smiley baby, and a collection of too many cats and dogs. Although she holds a Master’s degree in Ecology, her true love is finding a good book. When she isn’t spending time outdoors, or wondering how to negotiate with her mightily independent two-year-old daughter, she’s busy brewing up her next novel, usually as she lets her mind run off with the addictive words of “what if…”

Website: www.amabeldaniels.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmabelDaniels

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amabel_daniels

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30902615-appetite-of-envy

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon egift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/40826401702/

*****

 

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