Monthly Archives: April 2019

Cat Chase the Moon by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

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Cat Chase the Moon by Shirley Rousseau Murphy – Review

 

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Description:
Joe Grey and his partner, Dulcie, are frantic when Courtney, their pretty teen-kitten goes missing. Aided by their two- and four-legged friends, they hit the streets of Molina Point in search of their calico girl. Has Joe Grey and Dulcie’s only daughter been lured away by someone and stolen? Is she lying somewhere hurt, or worse?

Courtney has no idea that everyone is desperately looking for her. Locked in an upstairs apartment above the local antiques shop, she’s enjoying her first solo adventure. When she first met Ulrich Seaver, the shop’s owner, Courtney was frightened. But the human has coddled and pampered her, winning her trust. Sheltered by her parents, her brothers, and her kind human companions, the innocent Courtney is unaware of how deceptive strangers can be. She doesn’t know that Ulrich is hiding a dangerous secret that could threaten her and everyone in this charming California coastal village.

With his focus on finding Courtney, Joe Grey has neglected his detective work with the Molina Point Police Department. Before his daughter disappeared, Joe found a viciously beaten woman lying near the beach. Now the police investigation has stalled, and the clever feline worries his human colleagues may have missed a vital clue. Joe is also concerned about a family of newcomers whose domestic battles are disturbing the town’s tranquility. Loud and abrasive, the Luthers’ angry arguing, shouting, and swearing in the early hours of the night have neighbors on edge and the cops’ on alert. One of the couple’s late-night shouting matches masked the sounds of a burglary, and now a criminal is on the loose.

Though the crimes are as crisscrossed as the strands of a ball of yarn, Joe Grey’s cat senses tell him they may somehow be linked. It’s up to the fleet-footed feline and his crime-solving coterie to untangle the mysteries before it’s too late.

 

 

Review:

Cat Chase the Moon by Shirley Rousseau Murphy is the 21st book in her fun Joe Grey series.  I have read every book in this series, and it is one of my favorite go to books when I want a fun relaxing story to read.  Refresher:  Joe Grey series is always sweet lighthearted mysteries with a group of wonderful talking cats, and their humans.  These are magical sentient cats that live in Molena Point, California, but only their humans close to them know they can talk, and the cats are the real ones who solve the crimes.   I am still amazed that into the 21sth book, Murphy can still win us over each and every time.  I adore our cats, Joe, Dulcie, Kit, Pan & the kittens.  They are awesome, sweet, daring, and clever.  The humans who are a major part of this series, are Clyde and Ryan; Wilma, Charlie (who is married to the police chief, and he does not know about the cats).  They are all an awesome group that makes this series so much fun and exciting.

In Cat Chase the Moon there is another mystery starting with a women found badly beaten, which will lead to a family involved in stolen goods, as well as being very abrasive and loud.  The town of Molena Point does not take well to the Luthers, who also do not take good care of their young daughter,Mindy, who runs away to find her grandpa.  The police and Joe Grey keep a close eye on the Luthers, especially trying to discover about the stolen goods. 

While this is going on, Courtney, Joe and Dulcie’s daughter suddenly goes missing.  This will bring everyone, cats and family humans desperately trying to find her.   When they finally find her locked up in a antique store and apartment,  Courtney wants to say to find out more information to help find why they kidnapped her, and what are their plans for her.  Currently they are treating her nice, but Joe and Dulcie worry. 

What follows is an exciting mystery, trying to help the beaten woman hide from those who are trying to harm her from revealing information about them; as well as trying to get Courtney out of the house she is locked in.  The police bring the women to a hiding place to protect her, and in time when Courtney is rescued, she will be put there too. 

There are trying times  for Joe and Dulcie, who know their sweet little girl is in danger, and perhaps moving on with her life away from them.  I loved how Charlie, Ryan, Wilma, Clyde all work closely with our wonderful smart talking cats, to solve the crimes.  Even 21 books later, the Molena Point police like the snitches who give them info, but they are still stumped who they are.  Of course, would they believe it is the cats that are snitches?  lol

Cat Chase Moon was a good exciting mystery with some very bad villains; who have to deal with Joe Grey on the job, and his little group of friends. This is a fun series, exciting mysteries, and fantastic characters, including cats and humans.  Do not let that fact that these cats can talk deter you into reading this series. It is a fun and awesome series, and so well written my Shirley Rousseau Murphy. Give yourself a chance to read this enjoyable series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Red Zone by Janet Elizabeth Henderson – Review

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Red Zone by Janet Elizabeth Henderson – Review

 

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Description:
In a world where everything you see and hear is recorded by an implant in your brain, Friday Barnes has seen something she shouldn’t. And now everyone either wants her dead or to steal what’s locked in her memory banks. She has no choice but to take poison that will block recall of the information, but it will also kill her in four days if she can’t reach the antidote. She’ll need the help of a ruthless mercenary if she has any chance at survival. 

The last thing Striker wants to do is draw attention to his team and their special abilities. Helping Friday will do exactly that. She’s hard-headed, smart, and a walking dead woman. But when he discovers what’s in her head, there’s no way he’s going to leave her behind. They’re in a race against time to save both the information and Friday, but Striker has secrets of his own that could kill them all.

 

 

Review:

Red Zone by Janet Elizabeth Henderson is a Sc-Fi book (not read one in a while), and the first book in her new Red Zone series.    This reads a little like Johnny Mnemonic and Total Recall. 

In the future your brain let’s you download and store EVERYTHING you see and hear, and Friday overheard something that she really shouldn’t have!!! Taking a poison to stop the “downloading the hardware” in her brain, she now needs to cross “The Red Zone” to get the antidote, otherwise she’s dead in four days….. and the best man for the job is Striker. 

He’s a mercenary/smuggler, and a good one, but his team have secrets and abilities that he doesn’t want found out. And helping Friday will bring both Striker and his team under scrutiny, but how can he not? The secrets that she holds in her brain are too important to ignore. And as the story unfolds, Friday becomes important to his team as well as Striker. 

So what’s Friday seen? Who wants it and Friday erased? 

What is the secret Striker is so hard to hide from everyone? 

Will they cross the Red Zone in time? 

A well thought out story, and nicely written, the characters were really well thought out. The camaraderie between Striker and his team, the chemistry between Friday and Striker, very descriptive and narrated well. 

I did have a few small issues …. I felt more background was needed with Striker and his team, and maybe a little more on why the Red Zone is called The Red Zone!!! 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

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HIS WICKED TOUCH by J. Kenner-Review & Excerpt Tour

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HIS WICKED TOUCH by J. Kenner-Review & Excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Release Date: April. 2019

ABOUT THE BOOK:

She was his mate … the only one who could save him. Bound by his cursed heritage, shapeshifter Luc Agassou must constantly fight the call of the great cat that lives inside him. His only hope for controlling the beast within is to find his one true mate, but after years of searching, he is no closer to finding his love. Or his redemption. Desperate, he stays hidden in the shadows, locking himself away from those he might harm.

Caitlyn Raine has spent her life trying to escape the shadow of her terrible childhood and has given up on the possibility of ever finding someone to love. Instead of romance, she pours her passion into her work. A detective, she’s made it her mission to track down and lock away the human monsters that roam the dark streets of New Orleans. From the moment they meet, the attraction between them is combustible.

Luc is determined to have her, certain she is his mate, his redemption, his love. But there is a killer on the loose in the Crescent City, and all signs point to Luc. Can Cate overcome her own fears and leap into the dark … trusting that their love will save them both?

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW:

NOTE: HIS WICKED TOUCH was originally titled WILD THING and was released in the 2017 ESSENCE OF MIDNIGHT anthology.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Luc and Caitlyn) HIS WICKED TOUCH by J. Kenner is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, erotic, paranormal romance novella focusing on wealthy businessman and panther shifter Luc Agassou, and police officer Caitlyn Raine. For several months Caitlyn Raine visited the panther exhibit at the local zoo, mesmorized by the beast known as Midnight, a beast she believed called to her heart. A beautiful birthday gift from a Voodoo priestess somehow connected our heroine to a series of nightmares and dreams, dreams that would lead to our story line hero. Unable to refuse his advances, our heroine trusts a man she knows nothing about.

Luc Agassou believed himself the monster of legends when a series of attacks against the people of New Orleans reveals a large feline may be responsible for the injuries and more. Finding his mate would hopefully end the curse, and with it the probability of the end to the animal rampage. What ensues is Luc’s rapid seduction of our story line heroine in an effort to stop the beast from hurting again.

The relationship between Luc and Caitlyn is one of immediate attraction but an attraction Luc knows is fated by DNA. Caitlyn is our hero’s mate but months of watching and waiting meant Luc would have to set himself free from the confines of his self-imposed prison. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

HIS WICKED TOUCH is a fast paced story of want and need; obsession and fate; animal instinct and DNA. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful; the romance is steamy. My only complaint-I wish there was deeper character development and world building but such is the nature of a novella length story.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

A tear slid down her cheek, and she roughly brushed it away. “It’s only a birthday,” she said, her whisper directed toward the panther.
The great cat stared back, then settled himself on the cool stone, his regal head resting on crossed paws.
“Time to see what I’ve got here,” Cate told it. At midday in the summer heat, the zoo was almost empty, so no one would hear her talking foolishly to a cat. As she lifted the lid on the box, though, all thoughts of idiocy left her head, replaced with an intense sense of wonder.
There, nestled in the velvet-lined interior of the box, lay the most beautiful glass perfume bottle Cate had ever seen. The product of exceptional artistry, the bottle evoked an erotic sensuality, warm silver intricately intertwined through cut, cool crystal. “Oh,” she whispered, the word little more than a sigh, as she lifted the bottle out.
Obviously an antique, the bottle was more solid than it looked, and despite its almost ephemeral beauty, she didn’t worry that she would accidentally break it. This bottle had seen the world, and she let her imagination fly as she pictured it decorating the dressing tables of royalty, holding specially commissioned perfumes or scented oils for a king’s mistress. Because surely a bottle such as this had witnessed both passion and intrigue.
This was no casual gift, and Cate was baffled that Alma—a woman she barely knew—would give her such an extravagant present. Although the bottle was empty, Cate couldn’t resist the urge to tug at the stopper, but it was stuck fast. Not that it mattered. The bottle was bone dry and probably had been for some time. And it wasn’t as if she’d ever take the time to fill it with her favorite fragrance. That was hardly her style, though she was happy to add the beautiful bottle to her dressing table.
She held it up to take a closer look at the fine crystal. The facets caught the light, breaking it into a rainbow of color. And when she shifted the angle, sparks seemed to leap from the bottle into the humid Louisiana air.
In front of her, the cat raised itself, then stood rigid. Its nose twitching and its eyes near-slits.
“What is it,” she whispered. “What’s wrong?”
The cat didn’t answer. And Cate realized that she’d actually expected it would. Absurd.
Instead, it began pacing, more frenetic than before. It circled the habitat, faster and faster, as if searching for a heretofore unnoticed exit.
Still holding the bottle, she stood, then moved to the fence. The cat stopped, turning to face her. Their eyes met, and she lost herself in the deep color of the beast’s irises. She stood, mesmerized, as seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to eternity. She’d been drawn in, and now the panther was filling her head, overwhelming her senses. She was the panther. Stalking. Caged. Anguished.
Wanting. Needing.
Needing her.
Gasping, Cate jumped back, the spell broken. She glanced at her watch—barely a minute had passed. Had she drifted off into her own daydreams? Or had the panther called to her, reaching out to meet her mind?
Once again, she had to wonder at her far-fetched imagination today. A mind meld with a panther? Because, yeah, that was so much more likely than the reality that she’d simply drifted off because she was overtired and sleeping so poorly.
That was it, of course. A reasonable, rational explanation. And Cate clung tightly to it.
But at the same time, she couldn’t shake the overwhelming sense of foreboding. The sense that she was being stalked.
That there were demons in the dark, and they knew her name.
“Do you know?” she whispered to the panther.
“Do you know what’s happening?”
And then, drifting on a wind that was surely born of imagination, Cate heard the whispered reply—I know, Caitlyn. I know that you are mine….

J. 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

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CHAOS OF THE FAE (The Forbidden Fae #4) by Carly Fall-a review

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CHAOS OF THE FAE (The Forbidden Fae #4) by Carly Fall-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 25, 2019

When one of Gabe’s pack members is brutally murdered, Devon, the pack leader, brings in Avery to help Gabe solve the case.

As they look into their possible suspects, they realize the list is long, and includes Avery’s father, as well as Gabe’s pack leader.

The further they delve into the case the more dangerous it becomes.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: CHAOS OF THE FAE is the fourth is instalment in Carly Fall’s contemporary, THE FORBIDDEN FAE paranormal suspense series focusing on half-Fae Avery Dubois, and wolf-shifter Gabe Turneaux who co-own and work together at Phantom Investigations, a small firm that investigates supernatural problems. CHAOS OF THE FAE should not be read as a stand alone as is picks up after the events of book three KISS OF THE FAE.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabe and Avery) CHAOS OF THE FAE continues to follows the building relationship between half-Fae Avery Dubois, and wolf-shifter Gabe Turneaux. The Fae and the Wolves are enemies, fated by DNA and a history of supernatural ugliness but a series of murders brings Gabe and Avery together to investigate Gabe’s Pack, an investigation that lands our heroine in the middle of a plot to destroy her life. Threatened on more than one occasion, Avery struggles between the growing love she has for Gabe Turneaux, and walking away to protect her heart and her life.

CHAOS OF THE FAE is a story of forbidden love; of secrets and lies; of betrayal and murder; of heart break and loss. Carly Fall pulls the reader into a world of the supernatural where no one is safe, everyone is suspect, and our heroine has become the target of more than one individual hoping to permanently remove her from Gabe Turneaux’s life. The premise is engaging and fast paced; the romance struggles in the face of betrayal and pain; the characters are colorful and energetic. CHAOS OF THE FAE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Revenge of the Fae
Blood of the Fae
Kiss of the Fae
Chaos of the Fae

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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DEADLY OBSESSION by April Hunt-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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DEADLY OBSESSION (Steele Ops #1) by April Hunt-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30, 2019

Someone is watching their every move.

After a lifetime spent in and out of hospitals, Zoey Wright is tired of playing it safe. She’s ready to take charge of her own life and get out of her comfort zone, starting with a new job as a CSI agent. But when her childhood crush Knox Steele gets pulled onto her case, Zoey needs to put her feelings for him aside or more women will die at the hands of the serial killer preying on her hometown.

Former Army Ranger Knox Steele is back in Washington to help his brothers open an elite private security firm. He never expected to stumble onto a crime scene, or see his best friend’s little sister working it. Zoey is all grown up now, and the attraction between them is electric, despite his best efforts to resist it. But all that changes for Knox when he realizes the victims have one thing in common . . . and Zoey might be next.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  DEADLY OBSESSION is the first instalment in April Hunt’s contemporary, adult STEELE OP romantic suspense focusing on the Steele family. This is CSI investigator Zoey Wright, and former Army Ranger Knox Steele’s story line.

Told from several third person perspectives including Zoey and Knox DEADLY OBSESSION follows the best friends’ little sister/ forbidden relationship between CSI investigator Zoey Wright, and former Army Ranger Knox Steele. Two years earlier Knox returned State side when a military mission went all to h*ll but in that two years Knox refused to go home believing himself unworthy. With his brothers’ insistence, Knox comes back to Washington DC to help set up their new security business, a business Knox wants no part of now or in the future. Rekindling his friendship police officer Cade Wright brings our hero face to face with the woman who has starred in all of his fantasies and dreams but a woman off limits by way of friendship and love. When a serial killer ups his MO, and the victims resemble our story line heroine Knox makes it his mission to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the friends to lovers relationship between Knox and Zoey, and the potential fall-out when Zoey is targeted by a twisted mind.

Zoey Wright has struggled most of her life with cardiac issues. Several surgeries and an over-protective brother meant Zoey found herself surrounded by protectors including the man with whom she will fall in love. Knox Steele hadn’t planned at sticking around but threats against the woman that called to his heart meant Knox wasn’t willing to risk the people he loved.

The relationship between Zoey and Knox is forbidden by a friendship, a promise and threats against Knox’s life. Zoey and Knox have lusted after one another from afar but Zoey’s brother Cade is unwilling to let go of the alpha attitude when it comes to protecting his little sister. Knox knows his time in DC comes with a deadline but he is willing to go after and protect the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Zoey’s brother, police officer Cade Wright, as well as Knox’s brothers: retired Navy man Liam , retired Marine Ryder and US soldier Roman, as well as their cousin FBI agent Grace Steele; Zoey’s doctor Phillip Samuel; Lieutenant Mason, and ADA Francine Smoke. Cade and Grace’s story line is next in LETHAL REDEMPTION.

The world building followed several paths including the building relationship between Zoey and Knox; the fractured family dynamics between the Steele brothers, as well as the hunt for a killer whose ultimate target and infatuation is our story line heroine.

DEADLY OBSESSION is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and obsession. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the characters are broken but strong, energetic and colorful; the romance is captivating and passionate. DEADLY OBSESSION is a suspenseful and thrilling story to a new series by April Hunt.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

She tilted her face to the cloudless night sky. “I’ll stay here and enjoy the stars.”
“Don’t fall overboard.” He gestured toward a cushioned bench. “Maybe you should sit until I get back.”
Zoey plopped down on the seat and caught Knox’s satisfied nod. “I’m not sitting because you told me to sit. I’m just trying to get the feeling back in my toes.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t care why you’re sitting as long as it means I’m not fishing you out of the river.”
Zoey wrinkled her nose at his back and watched him disappear below deck. Yawning, she tucked her legs beneath her body and got comfy. Her eyes drooped closed until something brushed her cheek once, then twice.
With an irritated huff, she batted at the offending nuisance. “Go away. Sleeping.”
“I can see that.” A husky voice cut through her dream state. “But you need to wake up, sleepyhead. Stay curled up like that much longer and you’re not going to be able to move for a week.”
Zoey peeled open her eyes and came nose to nose with Knox. She jumped, startled, and crashed the top of her head into his chin with a loud crack.
“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry.”
“No worries. I didn’t need a movable jaw anyway.” Knox slid his jaw side to side, barely hiding a grimace. “Shit. Your brother wasn’t lying when he said you’re hardheaded.”
“Ha. Ha. And to think I almost cared about hurting you.” Zoey ambled to her feet, but on her first step, her legs gave out, attacked by pins and needles.
Despite having been assaulted by her hard head, Knox quickly banded a supportive arm around her waist. “You okay?”
“Sea legs. I didn’t mean to maul you.”
Knox’s watch ticked, emphasizing the sudden awkward silence. Her hands automatically flexed on his arms. That same scent of pine and spice invaded her nose, and she took another involuntary whiff.
“Are you going to deny smelling me now?” His chest vibrated with his husky question.
Zoey forced a lump down her dry throat. “No. You smell really, really good.”
Knox’s gaze flickered down to her mouth, stealing her breath. A rush of thoughts and choices swirled through her head in one jumbled mess. It was difficult to pick out any single one…except the desperate need to feel his lips against hers.
“We should get you home,” Knox announced.
But he didn’t move.
Neither did Zoey. Her heart thumped hard behind her sternum, and led her to making a very un-Zoey-like decision.
For as long as she could remember, she’d always played things safe, did the smart, responsible thing, and kept her distance from anything that could end in crushing disappointment.
Stepping so far out of her comfort zone as to kiss Knox Steele definitely risked a severe, crushing blow to her pride. But suddenly, she didn’t care.
Skating her palms from his biceps to his broad shoulders, she admitted, “I don’t think I’m ready to go home.”
Knox sucked in a slow, deep breath. “This isn’t a smart idea, angel. For a lot of reasons.”
“I’m sick and tired of always doing the smart thing, Knox.” Zoey’s subconscious spoke its piece…aloud.
Zoey swallowed her nerves. Lifting onto her toes, she brushed her lips against Knox’s once, then twice before taking his bottom lip in a gentle nibble.
He didn’t kiss her back.
He didn’t deepen the embrace.
She’d scared the man immobile.
A tsunami of embarrassment flooded over her as she un-fused her lips from his. She’d barely taken a breath when something snapped…changed. Like the veracity of a lightning strike, one large hand slipped into her hair, and hungrily guided her mouth back for a claiming of his own.
Suddenly, Zoey was pressed up against Knox’s hard chest, her fingers clutching his shoulders like a lifeline. She couldn’t feel enough…touch enough. This is had been one of her best-kept fantasies for so long and she was finally experiencing it.
And enjoying the heck out of it.
Knox’s tongue swept against hers and she was more than happy to reciprocate. She returned with as much as he gave, standing in the middle of his boat, oblivious to the world around them.
This was him devouring her.
This was her devouring him.
This was heady, in-the-heat-of-the-moment lust…and the most uncontrolled thrill she’d ever experienced in her life.

April Hunt’s Publisher  (Forever Romance) is offering a paper copy of  DEADLY OBSESSION to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway is open to USA and Canada only

9. Giveaway runs from April 21-26, 2019

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A Match Made in Monaco by Shana Gray – a Review

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A Match Made in Monaco by Shana Gray – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
When the cynic…

Fredi doesn’t believe in love. She might be a successful bridal gown designer but that’s just business. Sure, she’s watched her three best girlfriends fall head over heels with the men of their dreams but she’s certain that’s not in the cards for her. That doesn’t mean that she’s not interested in some fun with a handsome movie star––one who just happens to be her assigned date for her best friend’s wedding in Monaco.

Meets the movie star…

Zayn’s used to women falling at his feet so he’s utterly captivated by Fredi’s quick wit and her refusal to be impressed by him. Their chemistry is off the charts and their connection is something unexpected.

Sparks are about to fly…

With only a few days before Fredi disappears back to her life, Zayn is determined to convince her that she can trust him with the one thing she swore to never give anyone–her heart.

Each book in the Girls Weekend Away series is STANDALONE:
* What Happens in Vegas
* Meet Me In San Francisco
* The Nashville Bet
* A Match Made in Monaco

 

Review:

A Match Made in Monaco begins with everyone getting ready for Bonni’s wedding which is taking place in Monaco.  Fredi is, of course, one of the bridesmaids, and just happens to be a successful wedding dress designer who does NOT believe in love.  She has seen all three of her best friends fall in love, but she’s still pessimistic about the whole ‘happily ever after’ thing.   Fredi has been paired with Zayn in the wedding party, whom she has never met.  The do text during the months leading up to the wedding and kind of get to know each other.

Zayn just so happens to be a famous movie star and is tired of not knowing whether or not the women he associates with like him for himself or for his celebrity.  Fredi has been a welcomed change in all of that.  He loves that she calls him on his BS and stands her ground. 

Fredi arrives in Monaco before her girlfriends to take care of some of the wedding preparations for Bonni and is looking forward to finally meeting Zayn in person, who happened to come in early as well.  Once the two of them meet for dinner, it doesn’t take either of them long to act on the mutual attraction that simmers between them. 

Fredi has avoided any kind of relationship for years after having her heart broken years before.  Zayn knows that he wants Fredi in his life and pulls out all of the stops to convince her that they belong together.  She is slow to admit that her feelings for Zayn may be the real deal, but even slower to admit that she may actually be wrong about relationships. 

A Match Made in Monaco is a great read.  I’ve been waiting for Fredi’s story since the very beginning.  She’s an amazing character and the one whom we all knew would fall hard once she fell.  Zayn is a great character as well.  The chemistry between the two of them leaps off of the page as their ‘fling’ transpires, but when they finally both admit their true feelings for each other?  To say it sizzles is putting it mildly.  But, if I’m being honest, I expected more for Fredi’s story.  It was too short and I wanted more of their story.  It felt a little rushed and tied up too quickly, especially if this is the last of this particular series.  (I don’t officially know that this is the last, but it’s based on four best friends, so with this being the fouth, I’m guessing it’s the last.)  With that being said, this entire series has turned into one of my absolute favorites.  It’s fun, sexy and smart and something everyone can relate to:  best friends.  Well done, Shana Gray!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Time: Laws of Physics #3 by Penny Reid-Review & Excerpt Tour

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TIME: Laws of Physics #3 by Penny Reid-Review & Excerpt Tour

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

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2F1Dql5

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 16, 2019

A (brokenhearted) physicist.

Now an infamous (who is LITERALLY EVERYWHERE!! UGH!) musician.

The worst has already happened.

Mona has learned that she has nothing figured out and plans are meaningless. After leaving her in Aspen, Abram is now breaking sales-records, rising to rock star fame almost overnight. Mona can’t seem to escape him. He is literally everywhere, or at least images of him are.

Just when she thinks things can’t get any more confusing, Abram returns . . . What happens next? Only TIME will tell.

•••••••••

REVIEW: TIME is the third and final instalment in Penny Reid’s contemporary, adult LAWS OF PHYSICS romance trilogy focusing on twenty-one year old physics genius Mona Tang DaVinci, and twenty-five year old musician Abram Harris Fletcher. LAWS OF PHYSICS is the second trilogy in the author’s HYPOTHESIS series but can be read as a stand alone series without any difficulty. Abram was first introduced in the Elements of Chemistry series (a subset of the Hypothesis series).

NOTE: TIME should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book two SPACE. If you have not read MOTION or SPACE, there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Mona and Abram) TIME focuses on the building relationship and struggle between twenty-one year old physics genius Mona Tang DaVinci, and twenty-five year old musician Abram Harris Fletcher. Abram’s band Redburn is about to go on tour forcing another separation between our leading couple when Mona accepts a research position at the CERN in Switzerland. Nights apart mean texting and emails are their preferred form of contact, contact that is interrupted by illness, surprise visits and broken hearts. As Abram battles his loneliness without he woman he loves, Mona must contend with the fall-out and forgiveness between her siblings and herself.

TIME: LAWS OF PHYSICS is a character driven story about a young woman struggling to discover who she is and what she wants. Emotionally battered and scarred, Mona DaVinci will come to terms with her past, her family, and the man with whom she has fallen in love. From secret and lies, forgiveness and understanding, to setting the stage for what is and what will be, the LAWS OF PHYSICS trilogy is an emotional, realistic and moving story of love and the heart.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Motion
Space
Time

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

I wrapped my arms around her body, lifted her off the ground, and kissed her lips.
She was warm, and soft, and tasted like peppermint and honey. I bit back a groan.
God, she felt good. Great. Celestial. Heavenly. I may have surprised her, but she responded immediately, enthusiastically, twisting her arms around my neck, opening her mouth and welcoming the invasion of mine.
It wasn’t enough.
It was a crumb, and I was starving. Desire—to tighten my hold, devour, take, keep, cherish, to never let her go—obscured thought and sight, and I slipped a hand under her shirt to touch the silky skin of her back, sliding my fingers upward until they rested under her bra strap.
Mona lifted her chin, breaking our mouths apart, and I kissed the point of it, the elegant line of her jaw, the tender spot beneath her ear, the hot skin where Mona’s graceful neck met the slope of her shoulder. I was so hungry for her, I couldn’t stop myself from tasting every exposed inch.
“Abram,” she said, her voice a breathless, disbelieving whisper, followed by a little laugh. Her fingers flexed at the back of my neck, pressing me closer. Every part of my body hummed and vibrated, unable to contain the immensity of now, of this divine feeling.
“You’re here,” she said, her soft voice full of wonder and happiness, soothing the ravenous panic holding me hostage for the past six days. It had been a peculiar kind of madness, not being able to reach her while pretending all was fine, pretending she didn’t occupy my mind every second of the day. But receding now, it left a new kind of turmoil and urgency in its wake.
We had no time.
No, I corrected myself, We have time. We have the rest of our lives.
“I need your fu—your phone number.” I spoke gruffly against her neck, squeezing my eyes shut and breathing her in, again and again, the heat and sweetness of Mona.
I’d missed her, and that was a gross understatement. I’d been speeding toward this moment for days and being with her now felt like the aftermath of a head-on collision. Stupefied, frantic, but determined to enjoy every shared second remaining. My hands were shaking.
We have time. Calm down. Calm down.
Mona laughed lightly, the sound melodic, beautiful, and she pressed a kiss under my ear. “Why didn’t you just ask Leo? Or send me an email?”
Leo.
I worked to keep the darkness of my thoughts from showing on my face as I leaned away, letting her slide to the ground but unwilling to release her fully, fisting my unsteady hands into her T-shirt. “I couldn’t find an email for you anywhere, and neither could Marie. She tried calling your department for me. They told her all media requests had to go through the PR department at the university and it would take two weeks to a month for a response.”
“Ah, that’s true. My email is on lockdown, otherwise it gets out of hand.” She nodded contritely. “But what about Leo?”
“Leo.” I forced my jaw to relax and I lowered my voice but couldn’t completely disguise the intensity of my wrath. “Leo wouldn’t give me your number.”
Mona’s hand moved to my face, her palm pressed against my cheek, the pads of her fingers softly stroking my beard. “What? Are you serious?”
“Yes,” I ground out. “He said he was doing me a favor. So I flew to LA.”
“You flew to LA?” I felt her body tense, and the moment realization dawned, her beautiful eyes growing impossibly large as they moved over my face. “You must be so tired and—but I wasn’t in LA, I was—”
“Here. Yes. I found that out yesterday when I stopped by your department at Caltech and they told me you weren’t due back until Friday,” I rushed to explain, multitasking, using the time to devour the sight of her, soak and submerge in the reality of being here with her.
Calm down. We. Have. Time.

Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Please feel free to drop her a line. She’d be happy to hijack your thoughts! You can find her on her blog or email her: pennreid at gmail dot com

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The Rookie by Abigail Owen – a Review

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The Rookie by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

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Description:
To escape exile, Aidan Paytah has had to prove himself worthy. Every second of every damn day. He fought with everything he had to earn his precarious place on the Huracán team of dragon shifter enforcers. He can’t fail or afford distractions, no matter how temptingly sweet. Total loyalty to the clans and dedication to his team is the only way.

Sera Morrison lost her parents and her husband in short order, leaving her a single mother running her family winery alone. Nothing could ever have prepared her for the discovery that she’s a destined dragon mate. But once she finds out, there’s only one man she wants—the one who walks away.

However, the Alliance Council has its own agenda. They want to use her as a political pawn and force a mating that could ultimately kill her to save the High King. Aidan has no choice but to kidnap her, even if it means their close proximity reinforces their own mating bond. And mating with him could end up being a far worse fate for Sera….

 

 

Review: 

The Rookie by Abigail Owen is the 3rd book in her Fire’s Edge series.  I’ve read both the previous books “boss and the mate”. And to be honest, I think you need to read them in order. 

Aidan was an orphan, and dragons don’t look too kindly on orphans, too many go rogue. Being in Finn’s Huracan’s team is all Aidan wants, well not all he wants…. Sera had been on his mind since they met months ago. But she’s not on his plan, he wants to show the council that an orphan dragon is just as capable of being a valuable members the community as a dragon brought up with family. 

Sera only wants to raise her son and build her business. But after being made aware there are dragons in the world, Sera doesn’t feel safe anymore. She watched her best friend become a mate to Finn (the team leader) as far as she is aware, the Huracan team are like police, judges and firefighters all rolled into one, and when needed, they will dispense justice. Sera is also aware that some human females are compatible with the dragons, and can mate and be together. 

So Aidan wants Sera….. Sera wants more from Aidan, but he won’t acknowledge her or their attraction to one another. (But that doesn’t stop him from visiting her in his dreams, in his dreams he can be with her, love her, and talk to her) what’s a girl to do? 

Sera is then told by Aidan that she is a rare dragon mate, she doesn’t have one brand in the back of her neck, no, she has three!! Three different clans will be introduced to her, and three of those clans include three dragons in this team!!! (Dragons and human women, need to be compatible, if not, then the woman is consumed from the inside out with fire) 

But Aidan isn’t prepared to lose Sera in a missed matched mating, so he kidnaps her, this is going to make his life so much more harder, how can he prove an orphan dragon to be reliable, if he runs off with his new kings mate?! 

Being in such close proximity with Sera will surely bring on his own mating bond. But he can’t give in ….. 

I’m liking this series a lot. A different spin on dragons and their mates. A great team of dragons (that I’m hoping will get stories) and a bad guy that doesn’t seem all that bad (yes he’s starting fires, but he’s trying to save human women from being forced into matings that may kill them) 

And the mystery dragon? The one who wants a mate and keeps being thwarted? He thinks he’s entitled to a mate …. He almost had Delaney, and then Sera, it’s getting close.  I have my suspicions, I just need the next book ?

THE BOSS (book #1) is ONLY 99¢:

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

THE MATE (book #2) is currently FREE

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

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

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