Monthly Archives: January 2018

6th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway at The Reading Cafe

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6th Anniversary Celebration and Giveaway at The Reading Cafe

Please be aware this is NOT the give-away post. This post is our opening remarks to introduce our 6th Anniversary Celebration. The official giveaways begin  February 1, 2018.

On February 2, 2012 The Reading Cafe was born. From our love of books, an idea came to life and our adventure began. The success has been phenomenal-reviews, interviews, authors and cover models, giveaways, and cover reveals -we offer something for everyone. As we surpassed our 5,160th member we cannot contain our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made The Reading Cafe a great place to visit.

To show our appreciation and to celebrate our 6th Anniversary we are offering you a chance to WIN a number of anniversary prize packages, including a  $50 Amazon Gift Card, throughout the month of February, as well as our regularly scheduled promotions and giveaways.

Many of your favorite authors and publishers have graciously donated books, swag and prize packages to help us celebrate with you. Remember to drop by The Reading Cafe every day to enter for your chance to WIN.

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NOTE: 

If you miss a daily giveaway, you may go back and enter until the giveaway deadline.

Most Anniversary Giveaway promotions will post at 6pm est

Some of the print/paper books are ARC copies from the publisher and have not gone through final edits.

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RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. ALL GIVEAWAYS REQUIRE A COMMENT to be eligible. Please leave a comment under each giveaway you would like to enter. Nothing much-‘enter me in the giveaway’- is fine. Please follow the giveaway instructions under the daily posts. If you are entering through the Anniversary giveaway page, click on the different giveaways ( by date) and the link will take you the to individual giveaways.

NOTE: If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-in. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook etc, please post your email address with your comment, as Twitter etc does not account for email contact.

If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, refresh the page (at the top of your computer screen). This should solve some of the difficulty.

2. The paper giveaways are open to USA only unless otherwise specified. (it will be highlighted)

3. The ebook giveaways are open INTERNATIONALLY unless otherwise specified. (it will be highlighted)

4. Winners of all giveaways will be notified by email at the end of the promotion. Winners will have 72 hours to respond to the email notification. If the winner does not respond to the email within 72 hours, another name will be drawn.

5. Giveaway promotions will run February 1 to February 14, and February 15 to February 28, 2018. Read each giveaway for end dates.

Again, we want to thank you for making The Reading Cafe a success.

Sandy, Barb and The Reading Cafe Team
(Vickie, Georgianna, Rachel, Julie B, Erin, Carmen, Xtina, Marcie, and Tricia)

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Do Over by Serena Bell-a review

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DO OVER by Serena Bell-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 30, 2018

Toe-curling? Check. Sheet-twisting? Check. But is that enough for a second chance?

Jack: I’m pretty much as tough as they come. But when a woman comes to me in tears, I’m jelly. Scratch that—when Maddie Adams comes to me in tears, I’m jelly. That’s how we ended up making our incredible son five years ago, and that’s why I practically beg her to move in with me when she’s in a tight spot. Of course, the last time I got the chance to be the hero, I let her down, but I’m not making the same mistake twice. This time, I’m going to be the man she deserves—and then I’m going to lay every ounce of sexy on her until she lets me back into her heart.

Maddie: Jack Parker is hot, and he knows it. What he’s not is a family man, something this single mom had to learn the hard way. Still, moving into his place until I get back on my feet makes all kinds of sense. He’s an old friend. He’s, ahem, the father of my child. And let’s face it, now that I’ve just been colossally dumped, we’ve got nowhere else to go. The truth is, I never could resist Jack. Living under the same roof puts dirty thoughts in my head. And when my brilliant plan backfires, my whole body is begging for a do-over. . . .

Do Over is a standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a satisfying happily ever after.

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REVIEW: DO OVER by Serena Bell is an adult contemporary, erotic, romance stand alone story line focusing on construction worker Jack Parker, and pharmacy employee Maddie Adams.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maddie and Jack) using present day and memories from the past DO OVER is a second chance romance that follows the rekindling relationship between our leading couple following the break-up of Maddie’s most recent relationship. Five years earlier a pregnant Maddie walked out of Jack’s life but in the ensuing time the couple have remained friends for the sake of their son Gabe. Having caught her boyfriend Harris in bed with her best friend Mia, Maddie runs to the only person with whom she can depend, the father of her son, and the man who originally broke her heart Jack Parker. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Jack and Maddie when Maddie and Gabe must take up temporary residence with Jack, and the potential fall out as their time together comes to a close when Maddie finds another place to live.

Jack Parker is a man used to his freedom: drinks with the boys; weekends at the games, and a ‘friends with benefits’ sexual partner who has no expectations except the here and now, but saying that Jack’s attitude at times is disconcerting especially his inner turmoil as it pertains to being a father, his son’s behaviour, and the curtailing of his freedom to come and go. It is the inner turmoil and thoughts where the reader is up close and personal with a man who is ambivalent about fatherhood and the future but thoughts many parents have as they struggle with the bigger picture.

The relationship between Jack and Maddie is one of mutual attraction but issues of trust made for some heartbreaking decisions that pulled Maddie out of Jack’s life. With Maddie in close proximity, their time together begins to rebuild the bond between Jack and the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Jack’s friends Henry and Clark; Jack’s sister Sienna, and his ‘benefits’ partner Lani; as well as Maddie and Jack’s son Gabe.

DO OVER is a second chance story line; a rekindling romance between two people whose lives were pulled apart by betrayal and mistrust but brought back together by an innocent child hoping for a happily ever after. The premise is sweet and emotional; the romance is passionate and heartbreaking as past betrayal and issues of trust are kept at the forefront; the characters are coloful and dynamic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy 

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Runaway Groom (I Do, I Don’t #2 ) by Lauren Layne-Review Tour & Giveaway

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Runaway Groom (I Do, I Don’t) by Lauren Layne-Review Tour & Giveaway

RUNAWAY GROOM
I Do, I Don’t #2
by Lauren Layne
Release Date: January 30, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /  GPlay / iBooks

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 30, 2018

For one charming playboy, getting cast on a Bachelor-esque reality TV show is the shock of a lifetime—until he finds love where he least expects it. And now the chase is on!

Gage Barrett’s reputation as a ladies’ man has been greatly exaggerated, but none of that matters after a drunken bet lands him on Jilted, a reality TV show that matches runaway grooms with wannabe brides. Now he’s stuck at a Hawaiian resort with nineteen women competing to drag him back to the altar—and one contestant who’s even more miserable than he is. Gage has no idea how feisty, independent Ellie Wright wound up in the cast, but it’s obvious she hates his guts. And if there’s one thing Gage likes, it’s a challenge. . . .

Ellie can’t believe she let her best friend talk her into exchanging her dignity for a glorified bikini contest. Still, she could use the exposure—her business is struggling—and she’ll probably be one of the first to get eliminated anyway. But Gage isn’t the shallow jerk Ellie anticipated—and he’s in no rush to send her home. As stolen kisses turn into secret trysts, she finds herself losing track of what’s real and what’s for the camera. With the wedding finale looming, this runaway groom is tempting Ellie to start believing in storybook endings.

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REVIEW: RUNAWAY GROOM is the second instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult I DO, I DON’T romance series focusing on the ‘reality’ television show Jilted. This is Hollywood actor Gage Barrett, and small business owner Ellie Wright’s story line. RUNAWAY GROOM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual first person points of view (Gage and Ellie) RUNAWAY GROOM follows Hollywood leading man Gage Barrett as he struggles with his time on the television show Jilted, a Bachelor-esque style reality show that was never on his radar until he lost a Vegas bet to his best friend Wes Carver. The perpetual ‘runaway groom’ Gage has walked away from two previous attempts at walking down the aisle only to face twenty four potential brides who will do anything for their shot at fame and glory. Enter reluctant contestant Ellie Wright, co-owner of a small clothing business, and a woman equally opposed to appearing on TV, especially a show where the woman sell themselves for a few minutes of fame. What ensues is the building relationship between Ellie and Gage, and the potential fall out as Gage and Ellie make a promise to protect one another from the game show fall out, only to have Gage push away our story line heroine.

Ellie Wright never intended for things to go this far when her business partner signed her up as one of the potential brides on the reality show Jilted. Thinking the groom-to-be was nothing more than a Hollywood player, Ellie is surprised to find herself falling for the man who would eventually break her heart. Gage Barrett has no intention of all falling in love, least of all selecting a bride from the crazy bunch of females the show has to offer-been there, done that twice without any success. Meeting Ellie Wright, the only ‘sane’ woman in the crowd, finds Gage wanting a future but a future he has to put on hold until he rides out his time on reality TV.

The relationship between Gage and Ellie begins acrimoniously as Ellie refuses to play the game, regardless of the rules for appearing on TV. A reluctant contestant, Ellie finds herself falling for the man in question but a man who is willing to risk their time on the show for some personal R & R together. The $ex scenes are intimate and seduction without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The back and forth banter is fun, revealing, and real.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including twenty-four potential brides willing to do anything to get close to Gage Barrett.

RUNAWAY GROOM has moments of heartbreak and tear; humor and fun; romance and love. The premise is engaging; the characters are colorful and real; the romance is passionate and loving.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Lauren LayneFollow:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS  INSTAGRAM

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.

She lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL’s ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the author.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Hold On Tight (Man of the Month #2) by J. Kenner-Review tour

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Hold On Tight (Man of the Month #2) by J. Kenner-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / ibooks

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2DkbgDW

ABOUT THE SERIES

Who’s Your Man of the Month?

When a group of fiercely determined friends realize their beloved hang-out is in danger of closing, they take matters into their own hands to bring back customers lost to a competing bar. Fighting fire with a heat of their own, they double down with the broad shoulders, six-pack abs, and bare chests of dozens of hot, local guys who they cajole, prod, and coerce into auditioning for a Man of the Month calendar.

But it’s not just the fate of the bar that’s at stake. Because as things heat up, each of the men meets his match in this sexy, flirty, and compelling binge-read romance series of twelve novels releasing every other week from New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner.

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ABOUT THE BOOK: : Release Date January 30, 2018

Hard body. A dangerous past.

Meet Mr. February.

A former reality-TV star, remodeling expert Spencer Dean doesn’t trust women. Not after his fiancée, Brooke, left him at the altar five years ago, breaking his heart and hardening his soul.

Now, Brooke is close to a deal for her own show that will launch with the remodel of a popular Austin bar. The problem? The network insists that Spencer step in as her partner.

He’s tried to forget her—but he can’t deny that he still wants her. More than that, he wants to punish her. And so he agrees, but only on terms that are provocative, demanding, and wildly sensual.

It’s the perfect set-up for extracting revenge. But he doesn’t expect to fall for Brooke all over again…

Revenge never looked so hot.

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REVIEW:HOLD ON TIGHT is the second instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult MAN OF THE MONTH erotic, romance novella series. This is celebrity and former reality star Spencer Dean, and real-estate rehabber/business entrepreneur Brooke Hamlin’s story line. HOLD ON TIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Some of the events in HOLD ON TIGHT cross over and run parallel with the events of book one DOWN ON ME with the reintroduction of an ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Spencer and Brooke) HOLD ON TIGHT follows the second chance romance between former reality star and remodelling expert Spencer Dean, and real-estate rehabber Brooke Hamlin. Five years earlier our heroine walked away from the only man she would ever love but a man she vowed to protect even if it meant destroying his heart. Abandoned and humiliated at the altar, Spencer Dean would go on to make it big in the reality rehabbing business but fame would come at a cost when someone he trusted took everything he owned including the woman that he loved. Fast forward to present day wherein the local hangout, known as The Fix, is in desperate need of renovations, and a plan is put into motion including a Man of the Month calendar competition, and a reality show aimed at rehabbing the bar. Spencer is offered a role in the local television show but a role that comes with an unwanted co-star. Enter Brooke Hamlin, Spencer’s ex-fiance, and the woman who destroyed his heart. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Brooke and Spencer, and the potential fall out when Spencer’s past threatens to destroy-everything-once again.

HOLD ON TIGHT is a quick read; a story of second chances; of the emotional fall-out of one man’s power and need to control; and the emotional and heartbreaking backlash as it affects three lives, and the future of our story line couple. The premise is captivating; the romance is passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text; the characters are charismatic and real. J. Kenner’s MAN OF THE MONTH series is a sexy, sassy and intriguing look at family, friendship and the consuming nature of romance and love.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DOWN ON ME

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

J. KennerJ. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

Social Butterfly PR

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A Scandal by Any Other Name ( A Tale of Two Sisters #2) by Kimberly Bell-a review

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A Scandal by Any Other Name (A Tale of Two Sisters #2) by Kimberly Bell-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 30, 2018

Jasper De Vere doesn’t do sad. Ever since the death of his parents, he’s devoted himself to life’s many pleasures—while making sure to avoid attachments. It’s difficult to avoid your own grandfather though, especially when you’re the heir to his Dukedom. Unable to sit by and watch one of the few people he cares about wither away, Jasper flees to his friend Nicholas’s country estate.

Julia Bishop leads a life of glorious excitement—in her head. The spinal injury she was born with makes her a permanent pariah in society, so despite being the daughter of an earl, she’s spent her life in the country with just her family to keep her company. When her brother-in-law’s flirtatious—and devilishly handsome—friend mistakes her for an untroubled debutante, Julia isn’t about to let an opportunity for some real, live adventure slip away.

Delicious distraction and flirtation turn into an all-out affair, and slips dangerously close to something more when family intrudes. Can Jasper and Julia return to their separate lives in isolation, or will they take a risk and choose each other?

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REVIEW: Before I got into romance genres, I was very big into historical books. I love my historical books especially my historical fiction. I was excited to get a historical book to read. I really wanted to like this book I really did. There were just some things about the characters I had a hard time with.

Don’t get me wrong, Jasper is an all-around fun guy that exuded warmth, charisma and a lot of genuine affection to Julia. He is in fact easy to like. Just the fact that he ran out on the queen when he had to accept his new title as duke and when he ditched on Julia without leaving her an explanation did not sit well with me. It came off a little cowardly to me. I am all for my strong and bold heroines and Julia most definitely fit the bill on that. Despite having spinal bifida, she does not take crap from others. I was cheering her on when she slapped the hostess at the dinner table who was being insensitive to Jasper. I loved that she had courage and initiative to live her life to the fullest and not let her condition slow her down. Unfortunately, what rubbed me the wrong way was how desperate she was coming off to experience lust, romance and sex with Jasper like he was going to be her only chance. Like I get it that you have a condition that disfigured parts of your body, but you can’t be that grotesque that you are going to die a virgin. Her low self-image issues did put me off. However reading how cruelly she was treated by others regarding her condition, I did cut her slack.

Despite that there were many great elements I did enjoy and appreciate about the book. The turning point where Julia fully trusts Jasper baring her back and foot for Jasper to see when she spent 2/3 of the book hiding it from him. You do admire her strength knowing she was terrified of his rejection. Of course Jasper does not reject her and still sees her as a beautiful girl that he loves. It was an outstanding prelude to them making love for the first time. The scene was explicit yet very tastefully written. The scene where they sat on the floor on cushions eating their dinner together in front of the fire was my favorite scene. The chemistry was very tangible in this scene. They got to know each other a bit, they joked and played complete with nice wholesome cuddling. Emotion packed scenes like this is what make me reach for romance books the way I do. As a playboy in his past, I do appreciate the pace Jasper tried to take with Julia. To take things slow and actually court Julia made my respect for Jasper grow.

I have to admit it felt like the odds were stacked against Jasper and Julia so much, I felt sad for the couple if they were going to get a happily ever after like all couples deserve. The book at the last minute delivered and the queen actually approves their wedding. The book had me cheering for the couple numerous times and I still highly recommend this book.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Xtina

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Mating A Grizzly by Dianna Love – a Review

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Mating A Grizzly by Dianna Love – a Review

 

Mating a Grizzly
League of Gallize Shifters series – Book #2
by Dianna Love
Release Date: January 30, 2018

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

 

Description:
MATING A GRIZZLY is book two in the unusual League Of Gallize Shifters series (all stand alone paranormal romances).

Justin is an elite black ops warrior on a unique shifter team. He’s as deadly as they come and determined to succeed on every mission. He turns into a monster grizzly and rushes into danger without hesitation to do his duty … but he’s having second thoughts on his current assignment. If there’s one thing he can’t tolerate it is arrogant people like the jerks he grew up around who acted superior to him. Justin can’t believe he’s stuck playing bodyguard for a Russian shifter princess. He’d rather face down a pack of armed terrorists alone than spend time with a cold-hearted prima donna. Except, Elianna turns out to be unlike anything he expected. She’s hot, but he’d like to see her smile. He’s on a mission to get that smile—and more. First he has to stop the assassin trying to kill him and kidnap her.

Having lived her life as an outcast among her own kind, Elianna hates being called princess. She’s the ugly mistake of a Russian grizzly shifter who got her polar bear mother pregnant while on a sabbatical from his mate. With the exception of the little boy she saved after his clan abandoned him, men are the bane of Elianna’s life. When she makes a miscalculation under duress, her biological father coerces Elianna into accepting a deal with high stakes if she fails.

Justin is unlike any other man, human or shifter, she’s ever been around. He makes her want things she can’t have—like mating—because the deal she struck prevents a relationship with him or she’ll never see the little boy again who is everything to her. Her plan was simple and doable, but meeting Justin complicated everything.

 

 

Review:

Mating a Grizzly by Dianna Love is the 2nd book in her League of Gallize Shifters series. The Gallize shifters, are run by an ancient and powerful shifter (Guardian), who secretly protect humans from bad shifter groups.  In Mating a Grizzly, we meet Elianna, our heroine, right from the start, as she is running away from a group of wolf shifters. When she gets caught, she fears for the life of her younger brother, Nico, but just in time, she is rescued by her father’s bear pack.  Elianna’s father is a powerful grizzly, who is married with other children, and looks upon her as his first child, by a woman he left long ago.  Elianna is the outcast princess.  To save Nico, she makes a deal with her father to go to the United States and mate with a member of Clan Boudreaux; once she does that they will send Nico to live with her.

Justin, our hero, is one of the Gallize shifters, and the Guardian forces him to take on an assignment to protect and bring a princess to her new Clan.  Justin, is a grizzly shifter, and is unhappy about this assignment to be a bodyguard for some princess.  He prefers to stay back and help his friend and partner recover from a previous attack (part of earlier novella).  When Justin meets Eli, she is not what he expected; as she is strong, determined and smart, though she does have a language barrier being Russian. Eli wants a 5 day break before she is taken to Clan Boundreaux, which she also secretly plans on finding a way to escape and get Nico back. 

Eli has trouble shifting, since she has no real control over her bear, not to mention suffering embarrassment from people who do not like her bear.  When she is injured, Justin will force her to shift, and he tells her she is a Ursine hybrid, but that that her bear is special and  unique.   Everything will begin to change, as Justin’s grizzly (named Herc) will recognize Eli’s bear as his mate.   This is an exciting and dangerous adventure that will put their lives in danger often.   Eli will fight off her growing attraction to Justin, as she knows she must mate someone from her new pack in order to save young Nico. Their slow built romance begins to sizzle, with both knowing their love is real, but can there be any future?

What they do not know is that someone is determined to stop Eli from arriving at Clan Boudreaux.  Who is trying to kill Eli?  

What follows is an exciting action packed story, but I do not want to ruin it for you by giving any spoilers. The last half of the book was great, especially as we raced to the wild climatic ending, It was an edge of your seat suspense that had us holding our breaths to find out if they would survive.  I loved Justin and Eli together, but even close to the end, I was not sure if they could find a way to become mates.  Dianna Love once again gives us another wonderful story, and a series that continues to wow us and look forward to more of the same.  Mating a Grizzly was a fun, exciting, action packed adventure; with a great sexy couple, which you should be reading. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren – a Review

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Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
WELCOME TO ALPHAVILLE, where the she-wolves and alpha-males play. . .for keeps.

Renny Landry is a wolf on the run. Pursued by a shapeshifting stalker and his slobbering pack of killer coyotes, she is forced to flee her job as a librarian to find sanctuary in the wooded hills of Alpha, Washington. A well-secluded safe space for troubled shifters, Alpha is Renny’s last hope. But the first person she meets there is a gorgeous alpha male with fiery eyes, fierce tattoos, and one ferocious appetite—for her…

Mick Fischer thought he left his past behind when he moved to Alpha. But fate has a way of biting him in the tail when a female wolf shows up on his property. Wounded, desperate—and disarmingly hot—Renny brings out the snarling, protective alpha beast in Mick like no other woman he’s known. Can these two haunted, hunted wolves manage to mate for life…even as the deadliest past demons howl at their heels?

 

Review:

Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren is the 1st book in her new Alphaville series. Having enjoyed the novella (Something to Howl About) to open this series, I looked forward to reading this one, and I am happy to say this series is already a winner.

Renny Landry is our heroine, and a wolf shifter on the run.  Renny has a stalker, who is the leader of a coyote shapeshifer  pack, and no matter where she goes, they always find her.   Her last hope is to get to Alpha, populated by various species of problem or damaged shifters.  Before Renny can get there, she is attacked by some of the members of the coyote pack, but lucky for her, someone comes to her rescue. 

Mick Fischer, our hero, moved to Alphaville years before after his mate was murdered. He still grieves for his deceased mate, and doesn’t understand why he is still alive, since mates usually follow one another. 

When Renny regains conscious, she opens her eyes to 4 people staring at her.  Mick, Molly (paramedic), Jaegar (the mayor) and Zeke (local deputy, and Molly’s brother).   She tells them who attacked her, and why she comes to Alphaville. Though they know the stalkers will follow her here, they all agree to help her and offer her protection.  She stays in Mick’s cabin just overnight to recuperate, and Molly will help her, with clothes and sharing an apartment.  But before that, Mick’s wolf keeps telling him she is his mate.  Mick brushes him off, and says he already had his mate.   When Renny begins to feel better, she senses her strong attraction to Mick, and also knows he is her mate.  But when she tries to mention that, Mick ignores her. 

When Renny moves to town, she and Molly will be attacked by the coyote pack members, with Mick, Zeke and others coming to their rescue.  Mick is determined he will bring her back to his cabin to protect her, and in a short time, though he doesn’t understand this, he starts falling hard for Renny, and accepts that his wolf is right…she is his mate.  But Renny, though she wants Mick, acts distant a bit, because of how he brushed her off earlier.  Of course, that won’t last, especially with her staying in his cabin.   The chemistry between them was sizzling hot, and they truly did make a great couple.   But first they need to find a way to stay alive and stop the coyotes.

Geoffrey is the leader of the coyote pack, and he is insanely obsessed with Renny.  She has turned him down a number of times, but he refuses to let go, and continues to attack.  Mick remembers Geoffrey, who happened to be his ex mate’s brother.  Mick knows Geoffrey is not only crazy, and but very dangerous.

What follows is an exciting, at times tense paranormal story that was fun, and very steamy.  There were so many dangerous situations that held my breath a few times, wondering if they will survive.   There was a number of intense edges of your seat moments, with lots of action.  I also like the chemistry between Renny and Mick.   In Baby, I’m Howling for You About, we meet some excellent characters that I would love for them to have their own books, such as Zeke and Molly, who were great.   There is a lot of potential in this series, as we have different types of shifters; bears, lions, cougars, just to name a few. 

Christine Warren once again gives us an exciting new series, a great couple and wonderful secondary characters.   I look forward to the next book in this series. If you like romance, paranormal, and shifters, then you should start this series.
Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Dark in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

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Dark in Death by J.D. Robb – a Review

 

Dark in DeathAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
It was a stab in the dark.

On a chilly February night, during a screening of Psycho in midtown, someone sunk an ice pick into the back of Chanel Rylan’s neck, then disappeared quietly into the crowds of drunks and tourists in Times Square. To Chanel’s best friend, who had just slipped out of the theater for a moment to take a call, it felt as unreal as the ancient black-and-white movie up on the screen. But Chanel’s blood ran red, and her death was anything but fictional.

Then, as Eve Dallas puzzles over a homicide that seems carefully planned and yet oddly personal, she receives a tip from an unexpected source: an author of police thrillers who recognizes the crime—from the pages of her own book. Dallas doesn’t think it’s coincidence, since a recent strangulation of a sex worker resembles a scene from her writing as well. Cops look for patterns of behavior: similar weapons, similar MOs. But this killer seems to find inspiration in someone else’s imagination, and if the theory holds, this may be only the second of a long-running series.

The good news is that Eve and her billionaire husband Roarke have an excuse to curl up in front of the fireplace with their cat, Galahad, reading mystery stories for research. The bad news is that time is running out before the next victim plays an unwitting role in a murderer’s deranged private drama—and only Eve can put a stop to a creative impulse gone horribly, destructively wrong.

 

 

Review:

Dark in Death by J. D. Robb is the 46th book in her fantastic In Death series. I am one of the proud fans who can say that I have read every single book, including novellas in this series…..and I never ever want it to end.  I have said this so many times…I love Eve & Roarke; the best literary couple ever. Ok, now let’s move on to my review. 🙂

Dark in Death begins when Eve has just gotten home from a long day at work, when her phone rings to summon her to a murder scene.  Eve and Peabody will begin to investigate the gruesome death of an actress in a movie theater, which was showing the film Psycho.  The actress was stabbed in the back of her neck with an ice pick, and there were no witnesses, since everyone in the theater was engrossed in the wild violent shower scene of the movie.  

A well known author comes forth to mention that the murder scene resembles one of her books.  In a short time, Eve will realize that this is not the first murder, as a recent death also resembles another of the author’s books.  The race is now on to find the now serial killer before they kill again.

Eve and Roarke begin to read the author’s books to find clues to who & how will be next.  I thought this was a great theme, especially since Eve Dallas written by J.D. Robb is also a murder themed series.  It was kind of a different storyline for Robb (aka Nora Roberts), and yet very interesting.  

What follows is an intense and suspenseful case, with the team desperate to find the murderer.  As they get closer to discovering the identity, the culprit will be a step ahead of them to slip away.  Just when Eve warns people that they could be the next target, to her dismay, they did not listen and another murder happens.  Eve, Roarke, Peabody and the team are able to identify the murderer, but will they be able to stop the next murder in process?  I will not give spoilers, as saying too much more would ruin it for you.

Dark in Death was another wonderful intense, exciting murder mystery in the wonderful world of Eve and Roarke, and the great supporting cast that surrounds them.  It was nice in calmer moments to see Nadine again, as well as Mavis, Leonardo, Bella, not to mention the regulars we have come to love; Peabody, McNab, Feeney, etc.    I loved the scenes with Eve and Roarke cuddling on the sofa by the fireplace reading the books, and with Summerset on vacation, deciding to test out having sex in the other rooms.  Those were the light fun moments, as they are so great together in every way.  Sigh  I love them,  andeven Galahad their cat. lol

Dark in Death was so well written by Robb, and there were some hold your breath moments that kept us on the edge of our seats. If you have not read this series, you are missing one of the best thrillers, with a super couple, and awesome secondary characters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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