Monthly Archives: June 2019

Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson – a Review

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Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson – a Review

 

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Description:
NEVER SAY NEVER
Sadie Gold is ready to take her career to the next level with the role of a lifetime. Finally, she can shake her reputation as a pretty face with more wealth and connections than talent. But Sadie is not prepared for the wild turn her own life is about to take. The man in charge of training Sadie for her most demanding role yet is none other than her first real boyfriend—the one who took her heart and ran away.

WHEN IT COMES TO LOVE
Bo Ibarra is as good-looking and irresistible as ever. Maybe even more so, now that everything once worked against them—Sadie’s pampered and privileged upbringing and Bo’s childhood in a family struggling to make ends meet—is in the past. But the future is still unwritten…and getting there, together, means coming clean about painful secrets and slashing through nasty tabloid rumors while trying to control the attraction that crackles between them. Maybe it’s finally time for them to walk off into the sunset and into a true and lasting love?

 

 

Review:

Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson is the 3rd book in her Sometimes in Love series.   Sadie Gold, whom we met in the previous books, and our heroine in this story, is training for her upcoming movie. Sadie is determined to prove that she is a good actress, especially with this leading role that could change her life.  Sadie comes from a wealthy family, and has continually fought off the reputation of a spoiled rich girl, which she is anything but that. When she and her co star are told that they will need training for all the stunts that are in the movie, Sadie is shocked to discover her ex-boyfriend from high school is the trainer.

Bo Ibarra, our hero, has successfully risen from a life of struggle for his family growing up as a teenager to a partnership in movie stunts business.  Years ago (11 years), Bo took Sadie to the prom, only to leave her after it was over, without so much as a reason.  In truth, Bo felt there could be no future for their relationship, as she came from wealth and he was poor.  Sadie was heartbroken, not understanding why he dumped her.  Now with the two of them working together, Sadie tries to keep her distance, but both of them slowly feel the attraction that they had years before is still there.   Can Sadie forgive Bo for breaking her heart?  Does Bo feel secure enough in his life to pursue Sadie for a second chance?

I enjoyed seeing Sadie step up her performance in the movie, as well as her accepting the help from Bo for perfecting the stunts.  This did lead to at first a friendship, but eventually turning into a wonderful sexy romance.  I loved Sadie, as she made a fabulous heroine.  The best part of this story, was Sadie friends, especially Ava.  The group together were a blast.  I also thought that Bo’s sister was not nice, and did some unforgivable things in the past against Sadie.  But by the end, they both reconciled their differences, as Sadie proved that she was not driven by her family’s money, and not spoiled, as others may have thought of her.  I did like Bo a lot, as he was friendly and hot, though I thought what he did when he left her without discussing things with her was not nice.  Bo realizes that he loves Sadie, but will he be able to get past a secret Sadie has kept all these years?

Once a Bad Boy was a nice second chance romance written well by Melonie Johnson.  If you love contemporary romance with a bit of everything, great couple, wonderful secondary characters, I suggest you read this fun enjoyable book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Cowboy in Wolf’s Clothing by Kait Ballenger-a review

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COWBOY IN WOLF’S CLOTHING (Seven Range Shifters #2) by Kait Ballenger-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2019

Born a cowboy and bred a warrior…
High Commander Colt Cavanaugh has spent his life defending his pack and its sprawling ranchlands. But the hardened Grey Wolf soldier has a dark secret that could destroy his life forever.
Belle Beaumont is a wanted woman, on the run from the wolf pack that kidnapped her. When fate brings her face-to-face with the Grey Wolf High Commander himself, rivalry becomes passion, and suddenly more than just her freedom is at stake.
Colt will fight to the death for the healing Belle brings to his battle—worn heart—and for this cowboy wolf, all’s fair in love and war…

••••••••••

REVIEW: COWBOY IN WOLF’S CLOTHING is the second instalment in Kait Bellanger’s contemporary, adult SEVEN RANGE SHIFTERS erotic, paranormal romance series, a spin off from the author’s EXECUTION UNDERGROUND series. This is wolf shifters doctor Belle Beaumont, and High Commander Colt Cavanaugh’s story line. COWBOY IN WOLF’S CLOTHING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information for the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Colt and Belle) COWBOY IN WOLF’S CLOTHING follows the building relationship between wolf shifters doctor Belle Beaumont, and High Commander Colt Cavanaugh. Dr. Belle Beaumont, a rogue wolf without a pack, has been imprisoned by the Seven Range Shifters. Upon her escape, Belle would come face to face with High Commander Colt Cavanaugh, a wolf that stirred something deep within our story line heroine, something she is hoping to explore. An attack by a group of vampires and half-vampires leaves our hero struggling for his life, a life of which Belle is about to save. What ensues is the building relationship between Belle and Colt, and the potential fall-out as Belle discovers the truth about our story line hero, a truth he has been hiding most of his life.

Colt Cavanaugh is first and foremost a warrior, a shifter, and a cowboy at heart but Colt has been targeted by a group of vampires who know more about our hero than the pack he represents. Fighting for his life, Colt struggles with his attraction to a woman who could threaten any semblance of peace our hero has earned. At war with the rogue pack known as Wild Eight’s as well as the ongoing battle with a group of vampires hunting on their lands, the Seven Range Shifters must come to a decision as it pertains to the threat against all of their lives. Meanwhile, Belle Beaumont is desperate to escape the strangle hold of both the Wild Eights, and the Seven Range Shifters. Not quite a prisoner but detained none the less, our heroine struggles with her attraction to a man who doesn’t do relationships, and is more into one-night stands. A series of attacks against the Seven Range Shifters finds Belle on the run, not only for her life but to escape the man with whom she has fallen in love.

The relationship between Belle and Colt is one of immediate attraction but Colt doesn’t do relationships, and Belle is in no position to settle down. Belle gives as good as she gets including her one on one banter with our story line hero. With her freedom granted for services rendered, Belle heads to place unknown until news of a different kind changes her plans. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but I struggle with the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Wes Calhoun and Naomi Evans (Cowboy Wolf Trouble #1), Colt’s sister Sierra, Packmaster Maverick Grey and his sister Maeve, Malcolm, Dean, Austin, IT specialist Blaze, vampire Lucas, and several members of the Seven Range Shifters and Wild Eights packs.

COWBOY IN WOLF’S CLOTHING is a passionate story of family, friendship, bonding and blood. The premise is dramatic, energetic and engaging; the characters are edgy and animated; the romance is spicy and hot. COWBOY IN WOLF’S CLOTHING is an imaginative and intense addition to Kait Ballenger’s SEVEN RANGE SHIFTERS series.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one COWBOY WOLF TROUBLE

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

BIO: Kait Ballenger is a full-time paranormal romance author, wife, bellydancer, graduate student, and soon-to-be-professor. She is the multi-published, award-winning author of the Execution Underground paranormal romance series. With a B.A in English from Stetson University, Kait is currently earning an M.F.A in Writing. Kait believes anything is possible with hard work and dedication. One day, she hopes to be a bestseller and to see her novels on the big screen. Look for the next two books in her page-turning Execution Underground series: Twilight Hunter, book one (August 2013) and Immortal Hunter, book two (January 2014). For more information, please visit www.kaitballenger.com or follow her on Twitter @kait_ballenger.

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One Night of Temptation by Darcy Burke-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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One Night of Temptation (Wicked Dukes Club #6) by Darcy Burke-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2019

Meet the unforgettable men of London’s most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough…

Faced with a marriage she can’t abide, Lady Penelope Wakefield takes drastic measures to preserve her freedom. Her brilliant plan is foolproof until a sexy but imperious rector “rescues” her.

Rector Hugh Tarleton has no patience for the Society philanthropists who seek to bestow their pity—and not much else—on his oppressed flock in one of London’s worst neighborhoods. When the daughter of a marquess is kidnapped and brought to the rookery, he vows to protect her, but the temptation to surrender to their mutual desire will certainly ruin them both.

•••••••••

REVIEW: This wickedly wonderful story is another in the Wicked Dukes Club by author Darcy Burke. If you are familiar with this series, you will find it refreshingly romantic with appearances by some of the familiar characters in this very well written series.

This is the story of Lady Penelope Wakefield and Rector Hugh Tarleton.

Lady Penelope is the daughter of the Marquess of Bamber. She’s just turned twenty-one and has not gotten an offer of marriage, so her father has begun the process of bethrothal to the Earl of Findon, a man old enough to be her grandfather. She’s determined to escape her fate, so she hires someone to pretend to kidnap her. She figures if she stays out overnight, she’ll be ruined, and the marriage will be off.

Hugh Tarleton is a rector in St. Giles parish, a rough and tumble area. He’s not exactly the picture of what you think of as a “man of the cloth”. He’s handsome, large build, and very muscled. He’s also gentle, patient, and honorable.

Hugh sees her being kidnapped for real, and steps in to protect her. When she explains her problem and what happened, he decides to help her as much as possible. The more time they spend together, the more they fall in love.

That’s the setup. Of course, there’s much more, but I don’t want to spoil the story for you. Grab a copy and curl up for a wonderful and heart throbbing read. Author Darcy Burke has added this truly marvelous love story to her Wicked Dukes series, you don’t want to miss it!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
One Night for Seduction
One Night of Surrender
One Night of Passion
One Night of Scandal
One Night to Remember
One Night of Temptation

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Georgianna S

 

She shot a glance in his direction. “Who is the right person? For you.”
He ignored the desire pooling in his belly. The possibility he’d imagined a moment ago took root. He was incredibly drawn to her, and with each passing moment, the connection between them grew stronger. Did she feel that too? “I would like a wife who, above all, wants to help others, particularly those who are unable to help themselves. She should be intelligent, warmhearted, and, if it’s not too much to ask, in possession of a fine wit.”
“Why would that be too much to ask?”
He shrugged. “I am often told I should laugh more. A wife with a sense of humor would undoubtedly help with that.”
“Who tells you that?” she asked.
“Tom—my curate. My housekeeper. My sisters.”
“Not your brothers?”
“They wouldn’t dare. They laugh less than I do.” He smirked, especially as he tried to think of Gabriel, his eldest brother, so much as chuckling.
“I’m trying to think back, and I don’t recall you laughing today. Maybe a chuckle, but nothing more.”
“I did laugh.” He cocked his head to the side. “You, however, genuinely laughed when we discussed Maisie and Joseph.” The memory of that warm sound teased a smile to his lips.
Her eyes glowed with something that might have been merriment. “It was your sarcasm.”
“Sarcasm was the primary form of humor in my house growing up.”
“Mine didn’t have any humor, sarcastic or otherwise.” She looked toward the window, then shot him a quick look. “That wasn’t sarcasm, by the way, but I can see where you might think it was.”
No, he didn’t think that. She’d drawn a troublesome picture of her family.
He moved the conversation back to where they’d been. “I told you about the wife I’m looking for. What are your requirements for a husband?”
“Kindness.” 


 

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

Ready to WIN?

USA Todaybestselling author Darcy Burke and New York Timesbestselling author Erica Ridley are teaming up to bring you a brand new series of six fun, sexy historical romances: the Wicked Dukes Club!

To celebrate, we’re giving away WINNER’S CHOICE of any six (6) books in our backlist: Three (3) from Darcy, and three (3) from Erica in the format of your choice! (Paperback or ebook)

You can have your pick from Darcy Burke’s Untouchables series, Legendary Rogues series, and Secrets & Scandals series, and from Erica Ridley’s Dukes of War series, Rogues to Riches series, or 12 Dukes of Christmas series.

Just enter HERE for your chance to win!

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page,www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

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Teardrop Shot by Tijan-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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TEARDROP SHOT by Tijan-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/30hnAN1

About the book: Release Date June 24, 2019

I asked for his criteria for bed buddies-that’s the PG version.

He swore at me and said he didn’t do groupies. And just like that, our friendship was off to a great start.

Reese Forster was the starting point guard for the Seattle Thunder.

Gorgeous. Cocky. Loved by the nation.

He’s also attending preseason basketball training camp where I used to work.

Correction: where I work again, because I was fired from my last job.

And dumped.

And I might have a tiny bit of baggage, but that’s normal. Right?

Reese and I shouldn’t have become friends. We shouldn’t have become roommates.

And we really shouldn’t have started sleeping together … (Except we did.)

I’m adorably psychotic. He’s in the NBA.
This is not a disaster waiting to happen, at all.

•••••••••

REVIEW: TEARDROP SHOT by Tijan is a contemporary, adult, stand alone romance story line focusing on Charlotte aka Charlie, and professional basketball player Reese Forster.

Told from first person perspective (Charlie) and one chapter from Reese TEARDROP SHOT follows the building relationship between Charlie and professional basketball player Reese Forster. For the past several years, our heroine Charlie, has been living in her own private h*ll, a hell of which few people are aware. One year earlier Charlie walked away from the love of her life, and entered into a relationship with a man who broke her heart. A phone call from a former friend finds Charlie the ‘ball girl’ at Echo Island Camp, a private camp where the Seattle Thunder basketball team will be holding preseason workouts. Enter professional basketball player and starting point guard Reese Forster, our heroine’s favorite player, and the man with whom Charlie will fall in love. What ensues is the building but forbidden romance between Charlie and Reese, and the potential fall-out as Charlie pulls away before yet another crack in her already broken heart.

Charlie is what can only be labelled quirky and strange; a little cray-cray with a slight case of rambling Tourette’s where our heroine asked questions that make no sense at all. Struggling in her own personal nightmare, Charlie’s failed relationships, and continuing job losses constantly pushed at her already fragile heart-Charlie’s secrets have built a wall between herself and her friends, friends from whom she walked away eight years earlier. Meeting her idol Reese Forster, stirs something deep within our heroine, something that manifests itself just short of an emotional breakdown.

The relationship between Charlie and Reese is one of immediate attraction. Charlie’s peculiar way of dealing with stress comes across as odd and unorthodox. Reese Forster finds Charlie’s peculiarities wacky but fun, fun enough to answer her constant stream of unusual questions. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Charlie’s friends Trent, Owen, Hadley, and Grant; camp administrator Keith Gimpel; as well as several team members –Garth, Terry, Matthew, Juan, and their significant others; and coaches, agents and administrators for the Seattle Thunder Basketball Team.

TEARDROP SHOT is a story of secrets, heart break, love and loss; of friendship and family; of struggle and peace. The premise is fascinating; the characters are flirty, sassy and wounded; the romance is spicy, edgy and intense. TEEARDROP SHOT is a wonderful, emotional and captivating story line that touches on some traumatic times for our story line couple.

Copy supplied for review

Copy supplied for review

NOTE: The Excerpt is intended for mature readers 18+ due to strong language and content

He came out, all ready, saw me, and shook his head.
Giving him the biggest smile I could muster, I handed over his coffee and dangled my keys. “Let’s go.”
My neighbor was coming home from his night shift at a factory. He was trudging down the hallway when he saw us, lifted a hand in greeting, then stopped. His head shot upright and his shoulders stiffened.
He rotated swiftly on his heels, his eyes wide and bulging. He held up a hand. “Is that—”
“No.” Lying. Another superhero quality of mine. “It’s late, Bill. That’s my brother.”
Reese squashed a laugh and nodded to the guy. “What’s up.” It wasn’t a question, but a greeting, and he hustled me past my neighbor.
I gave Reese a look as we went to my underground parking spot. “He’s going to hammer me later. He’ll know he wasn’t seeing things.”
“He’s a fan?”
“The biggest.”
Reese smirked, meeting my gaze over the top of my car. “Bigger than you?”
We were entering cheesy territory here. We needed to scale it back.
“I have a cardboard cutout of you,” I told him. “In my closet.”
He froze. “You’re joking.”
I was, but now I had to buy one. “Wouldn’t you like to think that.” Settling into my chair, I felt better—more familiar terrain again. “But the funny thing is, next time you come, you won’t know if I was serious or if I bought him after I told you.”
Reese just rolled his eyes, putting the coffees in the cup holders for both of us.
He was looking around as I pulled out of the lot. “This is actually a nice place.”
“The underground parking is nice. The apartment building itself is okay. Nothing great.” I didn’t tell him how the lights in the laundry room would dim, so if I used those machines, I had to prop the door open with a rock. Or how I’d only do my clothes between seven in the morning and nine. Nine was the latest. After that, people were stirring, and there were a few neighbors I wasn’t so sure about.
Reese whistled as I pulled up to departures seven minutes later. “You weren’t kidding. That’s close.”
“And you’ve barely had your coffee.”
He yawned now, blinking a few times. “I’ll grab some inside. You can have it.”
I parked, but didn’t shut off the engine.
“Do not get out,” he warned.
I grinned. “Wasn’t planning on it. We really don’t need to go to that level, with the hugging, would we kiss or not… Too many strings, friend.”
He smiled back, but his eyes had started to smolder a bit. He leaned over, dropping his voice, “I’ll answer one of those questions.” His lips caught mine in a good, firm kiss, one that sent my senses spiraling and stole just the slightest bit of oxygen from my lungs.
I might’ve needed to gather my bearings as he pulled back and grabbed his bag from the back. Before he turned, he gave me a second kiss, this one lighter. “Go home. Go to bed,” he said as he reached for the door. “Text me when you park, and again when you’re inside your place. Humor me. I’m a friend. I can care.”
He was starting to leave, but I tugged on his shirt.
He paused, looking back.
“And after that?” I asked.
“We’re friends. Let’s play it by ear.”
Our gazes held, a shared reminder of the other details in our agreement. I saw his darkening, so I let go. “Okey-dokey. Hope you don’t get mauled.”
He laughed. “It’s too early for that.”
But we both knew the truth. It could happen.
As if reading my mind, he amended, “It’s usually not that bad. If it is—and I don’t think it will be—airport security is good with celebrities here. They’ve got a special room and everything. Plus…” He reached in his bag and pulled out a baseball hat, dragging it low over his eyes and flicking up his hood. “This is pretty incognito.”
His height wasn’t, but I decided to pick my battles. “I’ll expect twenty questions by the time you land.”
He laughed. “Don’t think so. I’m going to be sleeping that whole time, but I’ll text you updates just to annoy you.” He got out, but bent back down, his tone more serious. “Do me a favor? Only take that job if you want it. Don’t take it because you feel desperate. I can loan you money, if anything.”
That wiped all joking aside. “Reese.” Dammit. “I’ll never lose myself in a guy again. Ever.”
“Yeah, but before you didn’t have a friend who could loan you money until you got to a place where you could pick something that actually made you happy.” His eyes flashed a warning. “Now you do. Just think about it. It’s a loan. I’d give one to another friend in the same spot.”
I rolled my eyes.
He chuckled. “Drive safe. I liked screwing you. Let’s do it again and soon.”
“I changed my mind. Get mauled!”
I could hear his laugh as he shut the door and headed inside, his bag over his shoulder. Only a couple guys squinted at him, their heads cocked to the side. He was right. His incognito look really was incognito, but he was still frustrating.
And I was hoping for thesoontoo.
Driving back, my phone kept buzzing.
Reese: Checking in.
Reese: I had to check my bag. It’s too big for a carry-on.
Reese: Two autographs.
Reese: Going up the escalator now.
Reese: At the security line. The guards are cool. They promised not to be angry when Thunder beats the Coyotes.
Reese: Through security.
He knew I couldn’t answer. I was driving.
Reese: I’m at gate A6.
Reese: This is a nice airport. I always forget till I get here.
Reese: I upgraded to first class.
Reese: Coach wants to make sure I get back in time for meetings this morning.
Reese: Still not boarding. Just letting you know.
After parking, I grabbed my phone.
Me: It’s supposed to be questions. Like, if I asked security if I could put a body in my bag, could I still check it? Questions like that. You’re not following the rules.
Reese: Fuck the rules. These are my rules.
Reese: You do questions. I do updates. Deal with it.
Reese: Except now. Are you back at your place?
Me: Yes. Walking upstairs now.
Reese: No updates from you. Well. Yes. Tell me when you get in your place.
I turned down my hallway. Bill’s door opened and his head popped out. His hair was scruffed up like he’d been trying for a Mohawk. “No bullshit. Was that him?”
I was about to break a fellow Reese Forster fan’s heart. “It was my brother.”
He glared. “You’re not fucking with me?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
That was it.
His head went back in, and he slammed his door shut.
Immediately Mrs. Rings yelled from her apartment across the hall. “STOP SLAMMING THE DOORS! EVERYONE FUCKING SHUT IT!”
And her parrot a second later.
“STOP SLAMMING FUCKING SHUT IT!”
And then, “SHUT IT, BORIS!”
And her parrot again, “EVERYONE FUCK IT AND GO TO SLEEP!”

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and the Broken and Screwed Series among others. She is currently writing a new YA series along with so many more from north Minnesota where she lives with a man she couldn’t be without and an English Cocker she adores. 

Connect with Tijan

Amazon: https://amzn.to/30oxe0f

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tijansbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tijansbooks

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tijansbooks/

Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TijansFanPage/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EcGBqB

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tijan

Website: http://www.tijansbooks.com/

 

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After The End by Clare Mackintosh – a Review

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After The End by Clare Mackintosh – a Review

 

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Description:
Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. They’re best friends, lovers—unshakable. But then their son gets sick and the doctors put the question of his survival into their hands. For the first time, Max and Pip can’t agree. They each want a different future for their son.

What if they could have both?

A gripping and propulsive exploration of love, marriage, parenthood, and the road not taken, After the End brings one unforgettable family from unimaginable loss to a surprising, satisfying, and redemptive ending and the life they are fated to find.

 

 

Review:

After the End by Clare Mackintosh is an emotional standalone novel.  I have read and loved all of Mackintosh’s previous suspense thrillers, and was surprised that this novel was not a suspense, but an emotional tearjerker.  After the End is a story that she needed to write, as it was so close to her heart.

We meet Pip and Max, a wonderful couple, happily married, but life changes when their son Dylan, becomes very sick with a brain tumor.  They both help each other get through the emotional agony of watching their son go through so many operations and medicine to find a way to cure him.

As Dylan becomes sicker, with the lead doctor, saying that they need to do the unthinkable, since the tumor has grown and his survival rate has decreased, and all they can hope for a few more years. Dylan is at the point where the damage to his brain is irreparable, with him unable to talk, walk or communicate. This is where the story changes, and Pip and Max become divided. Pip does not want to see her son suffer anymore, as ‘it is not a life’, and she wants to allow him to die peacefully.  Max is the opposite; he wants to try another procedure that will bring him to the United States that will prolong his life.

What follows is an emotional journey that will tragically divide and separate our couple. A major court case is publicized, with Max using all means to get money to fight, and at the same time Pip will receive bad publicity.  Who is right?  What would any of us do?

This story has a Before and After POV; before the court case and afterwards.  The difference here is that in the After, Mackintosh gives us a what if?  Just when the court decision is to be announced, we are thrown into what if Pip wins the case, and what if Max wins the case.  At first I was confused, then I realized what she was doing, and it was an interesting and different concept.

After the End was a heartbreaking storyline that was at times depressing, as we felt for both parents.  The decision making, the division and pain, as well as the final results can very well destroy marriages. Pip and Max were a great couple & very well portrayed by Mackintosh. After the End was so well written, that even though it was heart-wrenching, it was an excellent story.  My heart goes out to Clare Mackintosh, as she had to have used her own heart break to write this emotional story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Changing Lines (Bellevue Bullies 5) by Toni Aleo-Review Tour

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Changing Lines (Bellevue Bullies 5) by Toni Aleo-Review Tour

 

 

ebook ONLY 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / iBooks

ADD TO YOUR Goodreads TBR — http://bit.ly/2ItznB0

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2019

Claire and Jude Sinclair have been living the perfect life for the last ten years.

Blissfully in love, professionally successful, happily married… They have everything they want—except a baby to make their family complete.

On the eve of the birth of the baby they’re planning to adopt, Jude gets traded to another hockey team in another state, and their thoughtfully planned-out road to parenthood hits a speed bump.

But they didn’t survive all the turmoil of their pasts to get knocked out now. This is their game seven, and they won’t accept anything less than a win for the family they’re destined to have.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: CHANGING LINES is the fifth instalment (and novella) in Toni Aleo’s contemporary, adult BELLEVUE BULLIES hockey romance series. This is the continuing story of husband and wife Jude and Claire Sinclair. CHANGING LINES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Jude and Claire’s story line begins in book one BOARDED BY LOVE (see below).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Claire and Jude) CHANGING LINES follows husband and wife Jude and Claire Sinclair as they await the arrival of their first born child. Having struggled with infertility, our couple had considered surrogacy but a chance meeting with an abused teen gave them hope when Tristan offered her unborn child to the couple who saved her life. But things don’t go according to plan when the team announces Jude’s trade, just days before their child is born.

CHANGING LINES is an emotional story line of struggle and loss; of family and friendship; of babies, love and happily ever after. The emotional premise is both heart breaking and satisfying; the characters are colorful, real and charismatic. CHANGING LINES is a quick glimpse at one couple as they struggle with life and everything it has to offer.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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BOARDED BY LOVE
(Bellevue Bullies #1)
by Toni Aleo
Genre: new adult, contemporary, hockey, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2014

Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but

I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.

She’s beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.

She’s my game changer.

“He’s trouble from the moment I see him. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but from the moment I meet his gaze, I’m his. It’s a scary feeling.

I’ve never trusted anyone outside my aunt and uncle—and even that took months. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My mom was usually strung out, and she didn’t give me a second thought. Drugs and the men who paid her were more important to her. It was horrible, but I’m stronger today. Because of my past, security is what I need most. Money assures me that I can take care of myself today, tomorrow, and next month. I don’t want to ever be hungry or go without again, so I work hard for every penny.

Oh, by the way, I’m Claire Anderson. I’m a hard-studying sophomore at the University of Bellevue, dancer for the school dance team, and a burlesque dancer at a club, but that’s my secret.
You may think you know how our story ends, but you have no clue. It’s not easy falling in love… or living happily ever after. At first it may seem so, but when is anything worth having ever won without a fight?

Especially when you’re boarded by love.”

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REVIEW: BOARDED BY LOVE is the first instalment in Toni Aleo’s contemporary, new adult BELLEVUE BULLIES hockey romance series focusing on the University of Bellevue, Tennessee hockey team. This is university hockey star Jude Sinclair, and choreographer/dancer/student Claire Anderson’s story line. The Bellevue Bullies series is a spin off from the author’s ASSASSIN series. Jude and Claire were first introduced in the previous series. Claire is Phillip Anderson’s niece (Breaking Away, Assassins #6).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jude and Claire) BOARDED BY LOVE follows the building romance between university students, hockey star Jude Sinclair, and choreographer/dancer Claire Anderson. Claire Anderson has struggled most of her life until the day her uncle rescued her as she spiralled out of control. Now a sophomore in university, Claire will come face to face with hockey star Jude Sinclair, a man she knows nothing about. As Jude begins a slow seduction of our story line heroine, Claire battles between head and heart knowing her life as a burlesque dancer is not conducive to the lifestyle of a budding hockey star. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Claire and Jude, and the potential fall-out as Jude uncovers Claire’s lies of omission.

Claire’s earlier life controls her present. Frightened of abandonment and losing it all, Claire works nights as a burlesque dancer in an effort to protect herself from the same life she lived when her mother was alive.

The relationship between Claire and Jude is one of immediate attraction; a palpable sexual energy that does not go unnoticed by family and friends. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Claire’s uncle Phillip and his wife Reese; Jude’s brothers Jayden and Jace, their sister Lucy, and parents Mark and Mrs. Sinclair; as well as roommates, students, and several dancers.

BOARDED BY LOVE is a story of family, friendship, secrets and lies; a story of betrayal, desperation, trust and love. The premise is engaging and energetic; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are colorful, dynamic and passionate.

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My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.
I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.
I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.
… and did I mention I love hockey?

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A Rainbow Above Us by Sharon Sala – a Review

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A Rainbow Above Us by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
What will it take to bring people together?

Hurricane Fanny left no one in Blessings, Georgia unscathed–including Rowan Harper, the only surviving member of her family. Rebuilding her life now seems almost impossible.

Bowie James comes back to help repair his grandmother’s house, but he doesn’t intend to stay long. He and his mother were forced out of Blessings a decade ago, and he’s neither forgiven nor forgotten those responsible.

But Rowan is kindhearted, beautiful, and lost, and Bowie discovers that he can entrust her with his deepest secrets. If only their love could bring hope and healing to everyone around them, maybe they’d be willing to give it a chance…

 

 

Review:

A Rainbow Above Us by Sharon Sala is the 8th book in her wonderful Blessings, Georgia series. As always when we return to Blessings, Georgia, I loved this story. In A Rainbow Above Us, Sharon Sala gives us another wonderful feel good romance and a great couple.

Bowie James, our hero, returns to Blessings after many years, to help out his grandmother and aunt.  In the last book, a hurricane damaged a number of properties, and Bowie’s grandmother sent a letter to ask him for help restoring their house.   Bowie is a successful builder, and returns home with some of his workers to rebuild the house. When he arrives at the nursing home (being used as shelter to those whose homes were destroyed), and he brings his grandmother, aunt and a young girl to his huge Trailer to live until he can repair their home. 

Rowan Harper, our heroine, is the young girl who has been spending time with the two older ladies, as she too lost her home, as well as having no family.  She is thrilled that the ladies insist that Rowan come with them to stay with Bowie. 

Years before, Bowie and his mother left town, after the mother was raped, and the young boy was beaten.  Returning to Blessings brings Bowie face to face with the nasty Boone family, who try to chase him away; but Bowie is not little boy anymore, and stands up the family.  While the story revolves around Bowie and his family, and his slow built relationship with Rowan, there is the side story of the Boone family self-destructing.  Cora Boone, the matriarch, takes one look at Bowie, and realizes that he is her grandson, and she had been lied to all those years.   She will take matters in her own hands to disown her entire family; especially her husband, Jud, who has always been a bully.

As Bowie and his team begin their repairs, he enjoys the time he is spending with his family, and feelings he is beginning to have for the sweet beautiful Rowan.  The small town of Blessings begins to snub the Boone’s, especially after Jud loses his temper attempting to hurt his wife and then Bowie.  Life will change rightfully so for the Boones, as the town turns on them, but Cora will stand tall.

What follows is a fast-paced, heartwarming story in a small town ravaged by a hurricane, with wonderful characters that we keep meeting in all our visits to Blessings.   It is also a story of two families so different; one filled with love and the other filled with hatred.  I really loved the building relationship between Rowan and Bowie, as they made a wonderful sweet couple.

Sharon Sala writes another fabulous story, and she continually amazes me that she gives us such great couples that we care about with each and every book.  If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. A Rainbow Above Us was a wonderful read, written so very well by Sharon Sala.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Lost and Found by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Lost and Found by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
What might have been? That tantalizing question propels a woman on a cross-country adventure to reunite with the men she loved and let go, in Danielle Steel’s exhilarating new novel.

It all starts with a fall from a ladder, in a firehouse in New York City. The firehouse has been converted into a unique Manhattan home and studio where renowned photographer Madison Allen works and lives after raising three children on her own. But the accident, which happens while Maddie is sorting through long-forgotten personal mementos and photos, results in more than a broken ankle. It changes her life.

Spurred by old memories, the forced pause in her demanding schedule, and an argument with her daughter that leads to a rare crisis of confidence, Maddie embarks on a road trip. She hopes to answer questions about the men she loved and might have married—but didn’t—in the years after she was left alone with three young children. Wearing a cast and driving a rented SUV, she sets off to reconnect with three very different men—one in Boston, one in Chicago, and another in Wyoming—to know once and for all if the decisions she made long ago were the right ones. Before moving forward into the future, she is compelled to confront the past.

As the miles and days pass, and with each new encounter, Maddie’s life comes into clearer focus and a new future takes shape.

 

 

Review:

Lost and Found by Danielle Steel is another wonderful story about families that grow distant over time. 

Madison Allen, our heroine, is a 58 year old woman, who has a successful career as a famous photographer; lives alone in a firehouse in New York City that was made into a glorious house and studio.  Madison has three grown children, whom she rarely sees, as they all have their own lives. One evening, Madison decides to look through some old letters, and falls from the ladder, thereby breaking her ankle.  Madison’s daughter, who comes across as a coldhearted b*tch, tells her she should move to an assistant living home, that she might be becoming senile, etc.   This will lead Madison to take a couple of weeks off, and go on a trip down memory lane, to visit some old flames along the way.  Her trek will take her to Boston, Chicago and Wyoming, and in the first two stops she meets the men whom she had a relationship, and knows she made the right choice in leaving.  When she gets to Wyoming, she goes to meet the one man she still thinks about, but learns that he died a couple of months ago.  Madison enjoyed her visit with the rancher’s family, and how he never forgot her. 

Since Madison is not far from California, where her son lives, she decides to visit him.  I did like her son, who was determined to pay more attention to his mother, as well as telling off his sister, who was so negative and nasty to their mom.  I also enjoyed when Madison visited her younger daughter, who is a loner and a writer. It was really nice to see the change in her daughter and her surprise boyfriend.

Prior to visiting her son, she meets a man at the Big Sur, who is a writer from England.  They both enjoy each other’s company, and she meets him after the visit with her son; the attraction between them is strong, and Madison needs to decide if she really wants to get into any relationship.

What follows is a heartwarming story, as Madison builds her confidence and rekindles her relationships with her son and younger daughter, as well as standing up to her older daughter.  Over a short period of time, Madison opens to love again, but a tragic accident overseas on a photoshoot, will bring her family and boyfriend together in a sweet wonderful ending.  Lost and Found was another great story by Danielle Steel.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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