Tag Archives: Book Review

Book Review – The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

06 Friday Mar 2015

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cover60841-mediumEnjoy the witty, emotional second book in USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley’s new Dukes of War regency romance series!

Captain Xavier Grey’s body is back amongst the beau monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war. His friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn’t deserve it. Just like he doesn’t deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed…

Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?

I don’t think I’ve ready any of Ridley’s work (I know I haven’t read any of the Dukes of War books) and I have no idea why not.  They are fantastically written, with great flow and addictive characters.  The story just flew by and I absolutely could not put it down until I was done.

I love, love, LOVE Jane.  My only complaint in the entire book is that we got very little of her interactions with anyone but Xavier.  There is some in the beginning but I would have really enjoyed seeing more of her outrageous behavior with the Ton that ignores her.  She’s such an intriguing character that it would have been great to see her out and about more. 

With Xavier though she is a hoot.  She pokes at him just enough to get him riled; it’s so much fun seeing her try to seduce him.  And the glimpses we get into her character are priceless.  The surprises she leaves him when she goes home are just the perfect capsulation of what kind of person she is – subtle humor, but with a playful streak.  She’s smart, sassy, and sadly overlooked. 

Xavier came back from war with a lot of baggage, but a few days alone with Jane means that his darkest secrets and desires will be brought into the open.  As appealing as she is to readers, she’s even more so to him and closes quarters make her very hard to resist … but it sure is a blast to see him try 🙂

The reasons he’s trying to hide himself away are very emotional, as is his realization that he needs Jane in his life.  His internal battle after Jane leaves is great and I love how Ridley has him declare himself.  It fits so well with the characters she’s given her readers. 

Full of humor and heart, a devil cat and whimsical woodland creatures, a heroine looking to sin and a hero determined to honorably resist, The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress is a historical romance that can’t be beat.  I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series.

Book Review – One Wish

28 Saturday Feb 2015

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cover58116-medium#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers another smart, funny, emotional novel about the complexities of life in the small Oregon town of Thunder Point

Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she’s proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she’s created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement.

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace’s fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other.

But things get complicated when Grace’s past catches up with her, and she knows that’s not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He’s determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

I have not hidden the fact that I love Carr’s Thunder Point series (see The Wanderer, The Newcomer, The Hero, The Chance, The Promise, and The Homecoming).  All of these books are full of real people with real issues – hopes, dreams, troubles and foibles – and One Wish is no different. 

I love the relationship that develops between Grace and Troy.  Though they start as friendly acquaintances, they quickly and easily move into something more.  Once again Carr captures the fluidity of real life, the ease of deepening feelings as time goes by.  But unlike the average person, Grace is keeping a pretty big secret – one that will have an impact on her relationship with Troy.  Captured beautifully, the way they figure out whether they can move on together is very touching and makes for a true Carr ending.

In addition to the fantastic main story, returning readers are also treated to an update on some of their past favorites, plus we get a sneak peek at the next story.  My favorite part is that it doesn’t feel forced and every time a new story comes out I feel like I’m coming home again, visiting old friends and making new ones. 

Emotional, full of warmth and heartbreak, offset with humor and fun, One Wish highlights why Thunder Point is one of my favorite places to visit.  I get giddy at just the notion of a new book and the fact that Carr usually releases at least three a year just makes me so darn happy. 

Book Review – Can’t Get Enough

20 Friday Feb 2015

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cover57067-mediumCan’t Get Enough

River Bend series

by Molly McLain

When life gives you lemons, find a former Marine with sexy abs to lick the lemonade from…

Tony Dunn’s panty-snatching bachelor life has been turned upside down—he now has custody of a daughter he didn’t even know he fathered. With his focus solely on doing right by his little girl, the last thing he needs is a sexy, totally distracting blonde showing up on his doorstep.

Nicole Hodges is in River Bend temporarily, to handle her grandmother’s estate and get the heck out of Dodge before her past catches up with her. Only problem is…she likes the quiet little town more than she expects, and she can’t resist overextending herself to help her built-like-a-bad-boy neighbor get his life back on track.

Tony and Nicole have different goals in mind, none of which include a relationship. But what harm could come from a little fun–the naked kind–if they both know the rules up front?

Warning: This book contains a sex-deprived single dad with a wicked tongue. Enough said.

Y’all need to take that warning seriously because Tony definitely knows what he’s doing …. and McLain isn’t afraid to let him do it.  Oh, and surprise surprise, I picked up another series after it starts – I’m so good at that 🙂 – although Can’t Get Enough can definitely stand on its own and everything wraps up nicely at the end.  But there are some sexy men and women who are just begging for a story of their own!

I will say that I don’t know that there is any man on earth who is as wonderful as Tony – he’s a dedicated father, a hard worker, and is amazingly sensitive to other people.  I don’t think he made a single misstep in the entire story, so I just had to add him to my fictional boyfriend list.  Caring and generous and sexy as all get out, I don’t think you’ll have any problem adding him to yours too!

Nicole has a few more problems – she’s trying to get back on her feet after a disastrous marriage and she’s just passing thru town so falling for Tony is a big no-no … but see the previous bit about Tony’s perfection and you know how hard that is going to be.  Together Nicole and Tony make a great pair, sassy and fun, although thanks to that disastrous marriage Nicole definitely has a hard time letting Tony all the way end.  But he handles it very well (perfect, remember?). 

I know that some people prefer a more PG story but if you are good with steamy scenes and coarse language, then I definitely recommend picking up Can’t Get Enough as soon as possible.  The romance itself is heartwarming and the characters are really loveable, you just have to be prepared to get a little hot under the collar 🙂

Book Review – Raindrops on Roses

16 Monday Feb 2015

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Happy Monday!  We’re starting off with a book review (and we’ll see what the week brings).

*****

Raindrops on RosesRaindrops on Roses (Favorite Things Trilogy #1)

by Millenia Black

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

Age category: Adult

Release Date: November 18, 2014

Blurb:

What happens when the man you love falls in love with someone else?

Mayfair Island, Florida. Grief-stricken after the sudden loss of her beloved grandmother, an enduring but reclusive Hollywood icon, young Priscilla Bauer finds herself adrift and looking to find solace in the arms of her vast inheritance, when she meets the kind and considerate corporate brand designer, Michael Frost—a drop dead gorgeous beacon of light in her all too dark night.

Falling hard and falling fast, Priscilla has no idea she’s stepped into dangerous territory…Because someone else has already branded Michael Frost her very own—and she has no intention of ever letting him go.

Passions are high, but bitter vengeance gets even higher!

With Raindrops on Roses, the captivating Favorite Things Novella Trilogy—takes flight!

You can find Raindrops on Roses on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23443274-raindrops-on-roses

You can buy Raindrops on Roses here:

– Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Raindrops-Roses-Favorite-Things-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00OSOF0AO

– Amazon paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Raindrops-Roses-Favorite-Things-Trilogy/dp/1502951495

– Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raindrops-Roses-Favorite-Things-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00OSOF0AO

– Amazon Uk paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raindrops-Roses-Favorite-Things-Trilogy/dp/1502951495

– Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raindrops-on-roses-millenia-black/1120788676

– Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/raindrops-on-roses-book-one-of-the-favorite-things-trilogy

– Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/492380

You can watch the trailer for Raindrops on Roses on Youtube: http://youtu.be/hSrlJJUgef0

*****

Excerpt:

Walking into the bathroom, he went right up to the mirror and looked himself in the eye—and that’s when he knew.

It was already too late. Too late to try talking himself out of pursuing her. She had left him aching, craving much more of her company.

And although they had been together since high school, he didn’t feel this way about Amber—and now he could see that he never had. Raw and exciting passion was a definite first for Michael Frost.

But how did you break up with the girl you lived with? Did you just leave? And when would he tell her? Where would he go? And what if things didn’t work out with Priscilla Bauer—would he want to come back to Amber?

These questions strained him, but still they were no match for the unforgettable evening he’d had at Emerald Leas: The soulful music that had scored the occasion. The profound love she had clearly had for her grandmother. Her palpable grief. The formidable efforts she’d made to smile and graciously accept condolences from her guests.

Not to mention the unforgettable hours they had spent together in her bed.

Despite everything, Michael smiled ear-to-ear as he stepped into the shower reliving every moment. More than anything else in the world, he wanted to learn more about Priscilla Bauer and he wouldn’t let anything get in the way of that. The mere idea of seeing her again excited him and made him feel happier than he’d felt in years, since he was a young boy.

The pulsing hot water hitting his back felt amazing, almost therapeutic, so Michael stood under the spray longer than usual, allowing himself this time alone to think. He realized that he’d been feeling this change coming for over a year now—a vague unhappiness that meeting another woman had exposed, in high definition.

*****

Author Info:

No one does family and relationship drama quite like bestselling author Millenia Black! Heralded as a double life and relationship expert, she’s been a featured guest on radio shows across the country, discussing the 7 Smoke Signals Your Man is Living a Double Life.

A celebrated alumnus of Keiser University, Millenia lives in the State of Florida where she’s currently hard at work on BLUE SATIN SASHES, book two of the highly acclaimed Favorite Things Trilogy!

Currently unmarried, she’s never dated anyone living a double life…

She thinks.

You can find and contact Millenia here:

– Website: http://www.milleniablack.com

– Blog: http://milleniablack.blogspot.com

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/favoritethingstrilogy

– Twitter: https://twitter.com/MilleniaBlack

– Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/milleniab

– Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/milleniablack

– Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/milleniab

– Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Millenia-Black/e/B001ITX4M8

*****

Review:

I will give the warning that this is one of those series where things don’t end – I’m guessing that you’ll need to read all three books in order to get the complete story.  And while I really liked Priscilla (she’s smart and interesting), I didn’t like Michael much at all.  He cheats on his long-term, live-in girlfriend and then waffles around on telling her … continuing to lead Priscilla on while he figures out a way to break things off with Amber.  Now, Amber does go off the deep end when she finally finds out and the things she does to keep Michael are a little scary, but he definitely doesn’t do much to redeem himself.  I can kinda understand how he got in the situation, but he should have manned up a lot earlier than he did. 

Black is a fabulous writer though and I kept turning pages until I was done (luckily it is a short book 🙂), so I’m curious where she goes from here.  Hopefully Michael will have a chance to become that better man that Priscilla deserves. 

*****

Giveaway:

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Raindrops on Roses.

– a 100$ amazon gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1000e4f193/

*****

This is my stop during the blog tour for Raindrops on Roses by Millenia Black. This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 9 till 22 February, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours:

http://lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-raindrops-on-roses-by-millenia-black/

Raindrops on Roses tour banner

Book Review – New Year’s Resolution: Romance!

05 Thursday Feb 2015

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Ncover55236-mediumew Year’s Resolution:  Romance!

Say Yes\No More Bad Girls\Just a Fling

Christie Ridgway, Leslie Kelly, Tanya Michaels

Midnight, January 1: time for a big change. Time to make a New Year’s resolution to find romance or else!

Say Yes by Christie Ridgway

Cautious florist Ashley Walker is excited to embark on her “Year of Yes” no matter what happens. But accepting a surprise job offer leads to an awkward discovery: she’s hot for her millionaire boss, Chase Bradley!

No More Bad Girls by Leslie Kelly

Scorched by a string of nightmare ex-girlfriends, Lex Rollins resolves to date only nice women then is lured by siren Lia before midnight! But Lia is really Amelia, a good girl playing naughty for a night. Can a blind date as their real selves uncover their true desires?

Just a Fling by Tanya Michaels

Shy, insecure Erin Cross makes two bold resolutions: (A) get on a plane, and (B) have a fling. In pursuit of Option A, she’s mistaken for a key witness in a mob trial and whisked away by a sexy FBI agent! Which just leaves Option B…

All three of these talented ladies are staples in the Harlequin world – with extensive booklists and expressive writing styles, they are some of the best at what they do.  And this New Year’s Resolution anthology just highlights why they are so loved. Each has her niche but they will all capture your attention and take you on an adventure.

Ridgway is a delight at penning contemporary romances with both humor and heart.  Her characters are detailed and complicated, with realistic troubles and foibles.  Ashley has been hiding from life but she’s decided it is time to start living again.  Unfortunately she isn’t prepared for the affect that Chase has on her.  Chase is a good man, kind and caring.  It’s easy to see why he attracts Ashley but is she willing to take a chance on him?  Even novella in length, Say Yes is a complete and emotional story.

Like Ridgway, Kelly writes delightfully addictive stories, with complex characters and fun storylines.  Both Lex and Amelia are fun and their cute-meet is absolutely adorable – I love the back-and-forth of the mistaken identity plot.  Kelly writes an amusing and likeable couple that you root for from page 1. 

Michaels writes some of the most fun action adventure romances that I’ve read, complete with danger and characters with great chemistry.  Even though she doesn’t have a lot of pages, with Just a Fling she still manages to deliver great suspense and a believable love story.  Erin and Foster are just too much fun together. 

Book Review – The Cowboy

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

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cover59037-mediumCarina Chapman wants a vacation. Somewhere hot. Somewhere decadent. Somewhere far, far away from her complicated life in New York. Somewhere in Australia appears to be the answer, until Carina discovers her PA has booked her into the wrong resort.

Cowboy Jake Richardson can cook a mean camp-oven roast, track wild horses, breed cattle and knows Australia’s rugged High Country like no other, but he needs to diversify if he wants to keep his land. Tourism seems like the answer, but his housekeeper just quit, the rooms aren’t ready and he doesn’t know a short black from a cappuccino.

Then his first guest arrives.

City slick Carina is smart, classy and disgruntled that her dreamy five-star retreat has been replaced by a rustic homestead beside the Barcoo Creek. Jake has seven days to convince Carina he can deliver all the items on her vacation checklist – including the five-step method to an everlasting relationship…

With him.

The Cowboy was novella length but still managed to fit in a lot of fun and emotion into a smaller book.  It wasn’t an overly deep story but it was entertaining and sweet, just what I wanted in a short contemporary romance.  Some might complain about the Aussie stereotypes or clichéd language, but I found it cute. 

Osborn did such a fantastic job describing Barcoo Creek and the Australian wilderness, I felt like I was along for the adventure with Carina – I’m ready to vacation at the resort and experience all of the beauty for myself.  Jake and Carina were fun together, throwing off sparks and laughter at the city slicker’s expense.  I did like that Carina decided to go with the flow, although her decision at the end was a little abrupt – but with a novella like this you want your happy ending and you only have so many pages to get there 🙂

For an amusing read, where you feel like you’re on vacation down under and maybe even falling in love a little with a rugged Aussie, give The Cowboy a shot.  With its shorter length and beautiful descriptions, highlighted by comedic fish-out-of-water moments and an endearing opposites-attract storyline, it is sure to please.

Book Review – Without You Here

03 Tuesday Feb 2015

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cover51663-mediumAfter fighting with her boyfriend, Ettie’s only goal is to drown her sorrows in some Jack Daniels. But when she walks into a country tavern, her attention is immediately redirected to the sexy, older man at the bar. He looks lonely, and sad, and absolutely mouth-watering. Ettie can’t wait to put a smile on his face.

For the first time in two years, Wyatt finds himself jolted out of his grief—and by a spunky, vivacious young woman who somehow sees right into his soul. What follows is a passionate weekend full of more life, laughter, and pure joy than he experienced in twenty years of marriage.

Wyatt thought one weekend was all he had to give, yet in the days that follow, he can’t help dreaming up a future with Ettie. And then a chance meeting shatters his hopes, leaving him more lost than ever. Now Ettie must decide whether to walk away, or to fight for the love she knows they both deserve.

Without You Here is the sexy, heartwarming story of overcoming grief, embracing love, and learning to live in the moment.

I’ll be honest, there were quite a few times when I wasn’t sure what I thought about this book.  There is a lot of emotional trauma for both Ettie and Wyatt, plus a pretty big age difference between the two.  And then Ashby throws them a pretty huge curveball and things get even more complicated.  The Jackson family is fantastic though and I think I want to be adopted by them.  They are supportive, kind and loving people.  Good strong farming stock, who care about the important things in life. 

Wyatt has been having an extremely tough go since his wife died and they have no idea what to do.  Thanks to some time spent with Ettie, Wyatt is starting to look more like his old self.  But, something that I truly appreciate, she isn’t going to save him.  He needs to do that himself but, along with his family, she helps give him that wakeup call that he has to have in order to get the help he needs. 

It’s an emotional rollercoaster for all of them and one that I’m not sure everyone will like.  But I will say when I put it down I was extremely glad I’d picked it up. 

Book Review – Wolf’s Song

02 Monday Feb 2015

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Today I’ve got something fun for those of you who like your heroes a little … wild.

*****

Wolf'sSong_300x450Wolf’s Song

Black Hills Wolves

by Taryn Kincaid

Genre: Paranormal romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Date of Publication: January 30, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-61333-676-2

ASIN: B00QKLHNQM

Number of pages: 59

Word Count: 19,000

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Blurb:

Ten years ago, visions of death and the babble of lupine voices in his head, drove lone wolf Brick Northridge to challenge his cruel and greedy pack alpha. Beaten by the alpha’s thugs and banished from the pack, Brick lives a life of seclusion in a mountain cabin in the Black Hills.

Born into a rival clan of feline shifters, skinwalker Summer McCoy, in her guise as a raven, watches Brick from afar, giving him back a reason to live through her sweet songs and special gifts.

But when her clan attempts to tear them apart and threatens the pack that banished Brick so many years before, will their love be strong enough to withstand the forces bent on their destruction?

Available at Amazon

Wolf'sSongBanner

*****

Review:

Wolf’s Song is a nice transition piece for the Black Hills Wolves story.  It can stand alone but it felt more like a connector between the first couple of stories and what comes next.  It looks like all of the stories in the series are short (and by different authors) so I’m not sure if that is just how this book reads or if it is common to the series. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I really liked it. Brick is deliciously sullen & troubled and Summer is sweet and fun, the bright spot in his life (he just doesn’t know it).  Once they meet for real, their connection is undeniable – full of warmth and sizzle and heart. 

There is also some danger thrown in to keep things hopping.  Summer’s uncle has plans that don’t include Brick (or any of the rest of the wolves in the area).  I did see someone complain that the resolution seemed a bit fast but I’m not sure if any of this had been set up in any of the previous stories.  I’d assume so but since I (again) joined a series midway thru I’m not sure.  What they decide to do works, you just don’t see a lot of the decision making process and how they get there. 

But it is the relationship between Summer and Brick that really shines.  Being a werewolf romance there is a little fun with situations and language (some phrases that in a normal romance would be humorous, not sexy) but for me those kinds of things work when you talk about supernatural beings.  The world works differently for them but that is what makes them especially enjoyable – peculiar is not bad 🙂

If you like your heroes furry and you want a fast & fantastical read, Wolf’s Song is the book for you. 

*****

Excerpt:

Summer McCoy perched in the uppermost branches of her special Ponderosa pine, in raven guise, engaging in her favorite pastime, spying on the lone wolf chopping wood below. Two days’ worth of whiskers shadowed his rigid jaw. She loved when he forgot—or didn’t bother—to shave. Scruffy stubble suited him.

The sun beat down on the back of his bronzed neck and shone on his hair, the color of roasted coffee, a shade lighter than the dark shadow that charcoaled his face.

She fluffed her feathers in anticipation. Take your shirt off, Brick.

She’d heard the giant werebear, Gee, call him that name a decade ago. He’d made some joke about a wall and the hardness of the male’s head. But Brick hadn’t laughed back then. Not ever.

He’d fascinated her from the moment he’d arrived in the glade, bruised and battered. Once she’d learned his name, she’d treasured it, taking pleasure from repeating it often. Secretly, of course.

Unwrapping the syllable frequently to admire its radiance in the privacy of her tree house, the way a woman wearing pearls against her warm skin enhanced their luminosity and iridescence.

Now, as if he’d heard her silent urging, he complied with her plea, shrugging out of the plaid flannel and flinging it onto a tree stump. Her beak opened as she sucked in breath. Sweat glistened on his torso, glazing rippling pecs and abs, shoulders broad enough to span the Badlands. A huge, incredible specimen of masculinity. Thick biceps flexed as he wielded the ax. Her heart beat faster than a hummingbird’s wings. Heat licked her.

*****

Author (1)Author Info:

Taryn Kincaid is a former award-winning reporter and columnist, covering everything from fires and homicides, to corrupt politicians and hero dogs. Nowadays, she haunts courthouses (in least paranormal way).

She is the author of the Sleepy Hollow series–LIGHTNING,THUNDER,FROST,HEAT WAVE and IN FROM THE COLD — sexy paranormal romances for Decadent Publishing’s popular 1Night Stand series; BLIZZARD, a short erotic romance for Decadent’s The Edge line; HEALING HEARTS, a Regency romance from Carina Press, and SLEEPY HOLLOW DREAMS, an erotic paranormal romance from The Wild Rose Press. Books 1-4 of her Sleepy Hollow series, plus Blizzard, have been compiled in the SLEEPY HOLLOW edition, available in paperback and digital formats.

Coming January 30, 2015, WOLF’S SONG, a sexy paranormal romance for Decadent Publishing’s new Black Hills Wolves shifter line. And coming February 24, 2015 from Fated Desires Publishing, IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, a contemporary foodie romanceCheck out the fun videos for Thunder, Lightning and Frost.

Visit Taryn at her website http://tarynkincaid.com or her blog http://dreamvoyagers.blogspot.com as well as Twitter, Facebook , Amazon and Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

1 Autographed copy of print edition of SLEEPY HOLLOW (U.S. only)

1 ebook edition of SLEEPY HOLLOW  International

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc930/

*****

Tour Info:

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

Wolfs Song Banner 851 x 315

Book Review – On the Fly

30 Friday Jan 2015

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Yesterday we met a sexy soldier and today I’m really excited to bring you a yummy hockey player.  Introducing Carter Phlynn, captain of the Sinners!

*****

17338006Jacey Vaughn has a newly minted MBA when her father dies unexpectedly and leaves her his NHL team. Well-versed in business but not so much in hockey, Jacey navigates this new world with a few stumbles. She definitely doesn’t plan on falling for the team captain. At the first hint of scandal, a local Las Vegas reporter latches on, and Jacey finds herself in the newspaper with headlines that hurt instead of help. Jacey’s determined to keep her father’s legacy alive and make the team successful, but while she has no problem denying her feelings to the media, she can’t lie to herself.

Carter Phlynn has known nothing but hockey his entire life. Drafted into the NHL at age eighteen, winning the Stanley Cup is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing has ever disrupted his focus. Not until he meets his new boss. Jacey gets under his skin like no one else, and while dating the team owner would be a disaster for his career and reputation, he can’t get her out of his head. Carter has never had a relationship last more than a month, but the more he’s around Jacey, the more he can’t picture his future without her.

I love a good sports romance – there is just something about a big, strong man falling in love that just gets me every time.  And Kenyhercz delivers a fantastic hero with Carter.  There is just something sexy about a man who is comfortable enough to know how he feels and own up to it.  Carter quickly realizes what he feels and is willing to take that chance on it turning into something special. 

In a bit of a change, it’s actually Jacey who has a problem with the relationship.  She feels it too but she’s been burned recently.  Add in the stress of her new job and she’s not quite as brave as he his.  It’s not totally new for the heroine to have issues with commitment but it doesn’t happen as often as the other way around.  With their working relationship and Jacey’s trust issues, the romance isn’t going to be smooth. 

Jacey and Carter kept me glued to the pages as they faced their attraction and a ton of complications – every time I had to put the book down I couldn’t wait until I could pick it up again.  With masterful storytelling and engaging characters, Kenyhercz delivers an amazing start to her series.  

I think one of my favorite parts about sports romances based on a team sport is that there are unlimited possibilities for new stories with the supporting characters.  And with the Sinners it is no different.  Between Jacey’s brother and Carter’s teammates I’m sure we’re going to have fun for lots more books to come.  And if they are anything like On The Fly they are going to be winners. 

Book Review – HOT Ice

29 Thursday Jan 2015

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Once again Lynn Rayed Harris brings us a seductive military romance, with a to-die-for hero, in the latest installment to her HOT series!

*****

2940149922710_p0_v1_s260x420When fire and ice collide, you get steam…

Grace Campbell leads a privileged life. The daughter of a United States senator, she moves within the social circles of the rich and famous. But Grace is also a scientist, and when someone learns she possesses the knowledge necessary to create a new super virus capable of destroying entire nations, she becomes a target for terror groups and foreign governments alike.

Garrett “Iceman” Spencer didn’t join the Army’s elite Hostile Operations Team to babysit a spoiled rich girl, but when his superiors insist on assigning him to a senator’s daughter as her security detail, he has no choice but to comply.

It’s a shock to find that beneath the glasses and serious scowl, Grace Campbell burns hot. And Garrett, who’s been burned before, suddenly wants to immerse himself in the flames.

Keeping Grace alive—and keeping his hands off her—is a full-time job for this HOT soldier. Failure is not an option…

I’m sure I’ve said it before, but I’m going to again – Harris’s books pack quite a punch.  They are full of danger and intrigue, complicated Alphas and the women they fall for, oh-so-steamy sex scenes and emotions galore.  I can’t decide if I like her stories more for the romance or for the action.  But it doesn’t matter because she’s an artist at delivering both. 

The men of HOT are strong, dedicated, and brave, but as you would expect they have a ton of issues.  If you read Hot Rebel then you knew that Garrett was going to fall next … and fall hard.  The man has himself tied up in so many knots that it is going to take a very special woman to reach him.  And I’m SO glad that Grace is that woman. 

I think Grace has to be one of my characters in this series (and that is saying a lot).  She’s strong but unsure of herself, a fish out of water in most situations, but she’s got a level head and a lot of grit.  Faced with someone out to kidnap her, she rolls with it … granted she got a big, bad bodyguard at her side, and a yummy one at that, so that definitely helps 🙂

Garrett isn’t one for sharing, internalizing his troubles and pain, but time spent with Grace quickly changes that.  On the run and in very close quarters, he finds it hard to resist her.  The interactions between these two are the perfect mixture of humor, caring and heat.  It’s a fantastic ride from how they rubbed each other the wrong way at their first meeting to falling into bed together.  I loved them as a couple and although he fights it, Garrett sees it too … but getting him to act on it takes a lot.  Luckily Grace has the spirit to be the match he needs. 

And as much as I enjoy seeing these guys fall in love, I’m also kept on the edge of my seat by the danger they find themselves in.  There is a general theme that has been running thru the books as a lot of the plots are tied together, even just a little, so it does help to have read the whole series.  But trust me, with guys like this and Harris’s addictive writing style, you won’t mind a bit!