Monthly Archives: July 2021

It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle – a Review

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It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle – a Review

 

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Description:
Don’t drink and text.

Even on the cusp of forty, I had to learn that the hard way. After discovering my best friend, who I was supposed to grow old and single with, got engaged, I drowned my loneliness in one too many Old Fashioneds and woke up with thirty-nine responses from every available man in my phone. Yup, I even texted my plumber…and he turned me down.

Apparently, my liquor-infused text said that while I don’t need a man, maybe I’d be down for a constant sidekick for movies, plus-one invites, and dinner on the table after my grueling shifts as a concierge doctor—till death do us part…and was anyone in?

Through the absolute mortification of thirty-seven rejections, shockingly, I realize two men have said yes. Behind Bachelor Door #1 is Rob, my old high school crush: the comfortable, dependable boy-next-door. Behind Bachelor Door #2 is Darius, the exciting, flashy news reporter about to hit it big. Does this mean I’ll have to get out of my yoga pants and actually go on dates now?

Dax, the local bartender who got me into this disaster in the first place—remember the Old Fashioneds?—can’t believe I’ve given up on finding true love. What does a tattooed, broody twentysomething know about carving out a future for yourself, anyway?

Too bad the further into this hot mess I get, the less I know about who I am. And I’m going to have to figure out exactly what I need if I ever want to find a true happily ever after.

 

 

Review:

I quite enjoyed It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle.  It’s a fun, charming and flirty story about Annie Kyle who’s about to turn 40 with no man in her future in sight.  After a drunken night she accidentally texts all the men in her phone and the next morning the fun or chaos ensues for Annie. 

I found the characters to be very likeable and relatable with real life issues.  All the characters from Annie, to all her potential mates(Rob, Darius, and Dax) had no problem holding their own and being able to carry the story forward to make it all make sense. There were many sweet and funny moments, with enough serious ones to balance everything out and make the whole story very relatable for the reader regarding life and relationships. 

I liked Dax from the get go and wanted him to be her guy from their first scene together. I was very happy in the end when Dax did turn out to be the one, even though he’s much younger then her.  There was just something about him, and together he and Annie just had this vibe about them whenever they had a scene together. It was something that just couldn’t be ignored whenever Annie and Dax were together. Whether is was just teasing each other at the bar, or chatting about his dog, something was in the air around them.  Now don’t get me wrong, her other potential mates(Darius and Rob) were well rounded characters and generally good guys.  However, whenever Annie was in a scene with them, that vibe wasn’t there for me.  Neither of them seemed like ‘the one’ for Annie in my opinion, but that’s just me. 

It was fun and intriguing to watch Annie juggle all 3 guys and try to figure out just who was best for her in the long run.  At times I thought the story was just going to run off the rails but instead Miss Hammerle did a great job of balancing everything out all the while making sense of all 3 relationships for Annie.  It never truly got complicated or messy for anyone involved.  Miss Hammerle kept everything real, open and relatable to life’s daily issues and it made for a very enjoyable story.

If you’re you looking for something fun and easy going to pass the day away, especially a rainy day.  Then I’d say It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle is just what you need.

Until next time, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Void of Magic by Sandy Williams – a Review

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A Void of Magic by Sandy Williams – a Review

 

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Description:
They trusted her to keep the peace between the paranorms. They made a mistake.

Kennedy escaped the family business when she turned eighteen. Now, an ill-timed vacation pulls her back to The Rain Hotel, the only known null zone on the planet. It’s a place where vampires can see the sun rise and werewolves can avoid the lure of the full moon. And it would be the perfect place for a paranormal wedding…if the bride wasn’t the local alpha’s daughter and the groom the scion of a vicious master vampire.

With a sexy werewolf determined to sabotage the wedding and dark forces threatening The Rain, Kennedy’s life is thrown out of balance when she’s forced to confront a past, she swore to avoid. Ultimately, she must choose: will she maintain the stability of the supernatural world…or will she destroy it.

 

 

Review:

A Void of Magic by Sandy Williams is the 1st book in her new Kennedy Rain series. Kennedy Rain, our heroine, has returned home to her family’s unique Rain Hotel. Her parents, who have run the hotel for many years, have gone on vacation and Kennedy, has been summoned to run the hotel in their absence.  What makes the Rain Hotel unique?   The hotel is a null zone for paranormals, with a treaty that has been in effect for hundreds of years; a place to recover, be at peace, or just time to relax with no pressure; a werewolf can avoid the full moon or a vampire can see the sun, or recover from an injury. The Werewolves and Vampires, plus some other unknow species take turns to come and stay at the hotel.  Kennedy knows how good her mother and father are in handling every issue, and keeping the peace; but she hated it, and left to go to school at 18. 

Kennedy was a great heroine, though a bit more stubborn and tough then her parents, and at times I thought she went a bit overboard, but she really stood up to them all, not letting them intimidate her.  Nora (a werewolf) comes to the hotel and gives Kennedy money for a wedding she wants to have at the hotel.  Kennedy does everything in her power to tell Nora that this was not a good idea, especially since her groom to be was an ancient Vampire.  This would cause bitter fights and chaos.  Kennedy also learns while running things, that the hotel is in financial straits. 

With both Vampires and Werewolves are determined to stop this wedding, Kennedy finds herself in the middle of a battle she really wanted no part of.  Blake, the second in command, for the werewolves tries to get Kennedy to help stop the wedding, which will blow up, causing her to have more angst.  Blake was a charming hunk, who truly liked Kennedy, and I expect a possible romance in future books; but Blake answers to his boss, no matter what.

What follows is a wonderful fun, tense and exciting story, with Kennedy in the middle of it all.  A tragedy will occur that will change the game, making Kennedy’s life more difficult and dangerous.  There is a dark enemy out there who will stop at nothing to sabotage the treaty, including causing her harm, and she has no idea who to trust. Will she help keep the Rain Hotel stable for the paranorms?

I do not want to say too much more, as it would spoil things, since you do need to read this book from start to finish.  A Void of Magic was a sensational start to this new series, which was very well written by Sandy Williams.  I for one cannot wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 


Sandy Williams writes urban fantasy and science fiction, both with a strong shot of romance. She’s a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope and loves books with high stakes and fantastical settings. When she’s not being a bookworm, she loves playing board and card games like Dominion, Quacks of Quedlinburg, Dungeon Petz, etc (but not Goblins because she ALWAYS loses that damn game). Her next book, A Void of Magic, releases in the summer of 2021.

 

 

 

 

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JETT (Arizona Vengeance 10) by Sawyer Bennett-Review & Giveaway

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JETT (Arizona Vengeance 10) by Sawyer Bennett-Review &Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 20, 2021

Jett Olsson isn’t looking for anything serious and she’s not looking for anything at all, so why does it seem so hard to keep it professional?

I love my life—the thrill of being on the ice as part of the Arizona Vengeance, the rush of winning, the adoration of the fans. And if that adoration means I don’t have to spend the night alone, well even better. I’m content being single and always ready to mingle.

But the day Emory Holland walks into a Vengeance team meeting my attention is caught like never before. I can tell right away she’s full of smarts and sass, and the fact that she’s hot as hell sure doesn’t hurt either. She immediately shuts down my advances, so I opt for the road less traveled—straight to the friend zone.

My approach works like a charm, and when she invites me into her bed for a no-strings, friends-with-benefits arrangement, I vow to give her everything I have. She’s been hurt before, and if I’m able to help her heal while giving her a spectacularly satisfying time *pats self on back*, then I’ll be happy.

Or at least that’s the lie I keep telling myself as the time ticks down on the final buzzer of our “relationship”. Now the real question is, can I score the winning goal in a game neither of us realized we were playing?

•••••••

REVIEW: JETT is the tenth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult ARIZONA VENGEANCE erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the professional hockey team the Arizona Vengeance. This is twenty-six year old, right-winger Jett Olsson, and the Vengeance’s Vice President of Digital Marketing and Analytics / single mother Emory Holland’s story line. JETT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jett and Emory) JETT focuses on the building romance and relationship between twenty-six year old, hockey player Jett Olsson, and the Vengeance’s Vice President of Digital Marketing and Analytics / single mother Emory Holland. Emory Holland is new to the Arizona Vengeance, and the Phoenix area but a business meeting with Jett Olsson stirs something in our story line heroine but dating a player means crossing the line. Giving in to her emotions, Emory offers Jett a friends with benefits type of arrangement, an arrangement that is about to turn into something more. What ensues is the building relationship between Emory and Jett, and the potential fall-out as Emory’s past returns wanting a second chance.

Emory Holland is a divorcee; a single mother whose ex is no longer in the picture, and as such, Emory struggles with issues of trust, as it pertains to her hearts, and that of her seven year old daughter Felicity. Emory knows Jett’s reputation off the ice is a bit of a player but Emory’s heart wants more than she could have ever thought possible. Jett Olsson never expected to fall hard for a woman, having seen his fellow teammates fall hard and fast but something about Emory draws Jett like a ‘moth to a flame’, a moth that is about to get burned when Emory’s past threatens our heroine’s well ordered life.

The relationship between Jett and Emory begins as a business arrangement; co-workers of a sort who both work for the Arizona Vengeance. Emory is unsure as to the reactions of the franchise but Jett wants nothing more than to claim Emory as his own. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Emory’s seven year old daughter Felicity, her sister Jenna, and he ex Shane Kelly, as well as team owner Dominik Carlson, injured player Baden Oulett, defenseman Riggs Nadeau, and several members of the Arizona Vengeance.

JETT is a story of family, relationships and love; of camaraderie and friendships; second chances and moving on. The premise is thought provoking, emotional and real; the romance is provocative yet tender; the characters are sassy, determined and spirited.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Bishop
Erik
Legend
Dax
Tacker
Dominik
Rafe
Wylde
Kane
Steele

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | INSTAGRAM

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

Enter the Release Giveaway for a signed copy of JETT and a $100 Amazon Gift Card:
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The Adversary by Thea Harrison – Dual Review

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The Adversary by Thea Harrison – Dual Review

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Description:
When Dragos and Pia move to the Other land of Rhyacia, they hope starting a new life will bring safety and freedom to their family, especially their young baby, Niall. And at first their new home seems perfect… but looks are deceiving.

Beneath Rhyacia’s idyllic façade an ancient, malevolent force lurks, waiting for the right opportunity to break free of its cage. When that opportunity comes, it strikes with devastating accuracy.

While Dragos has never backed down from a fight, he’s also never encountered an enemy like this one before. How can he fight a foe who doesn’t have a body? A foe who can invade and turn his own mind against him?

How can Dragos protect his family, when at any moment one of them may become the enemy?

As Dragos and Pia race against time to fight this unseen menace, they must also acknowledge a terrifying truth—when anyone can become the enemy, no one can be trusted.

An adversary who can trap the dragon poses a threat to everyone in Rhyacia, and that means no one is safe…

•••••••••

Barb’s Review:

The Adversary by Thea Harrison is the 2nd and final book in The Chronicles of Rhyacia.  The Adversary is a 2-book arc that is part of her wonderful Elder Races series.  The story is focused on our favorite couple, Dragos and Pia, and picks up immediately after the last book (The Unseen) left off.

We left off a cliffhanger, as Dragos was possessed by a malevolent being, who takes over his body and mind. Pia calls in all the Sentinels to help fight this new enemy.  She does get a brief glimpse of Dragos telling her to do whatever is necessary to try and stop this dangerous adversary; though Dragos is ultra-powerful, he has been unable thus far to find a way to take control back. 

Pia gives orders to all the Sentinels to hurt this new enemy, in hope to get the entity to leave Dragos’s body.   She was simply amazing, fighting off her fears, and stress, and using everyone to bring back Dragos; proving herself over and over that she was also a strong leader, and the perfect mate to Dragos.

We got to see Dragos fight this possession, as he uses all his knowledge, power, and even magic/spells to stop this takeover. It is a race against time to save Dragos; and just when you think all is well; they learn quickly that this evil being can move into someone else.  How can they stop this unseen being?

What follows is an exciting, riveting, non-stop action filled thriller, with a few twists along the way. I do not want to tell too much more, as you need to read this book, without spoilers.  I absolutely loved seeing all of our favorites again, which included Liam, Rune, Graydon, Eva, Aryal, Carling, Khalik, Grace, Bel, Morgan LeFey, baby Niall and Skeeter (dog). 

Dragos and Pia are such an amazing couple, who are one of the best in the literary world.  I never tire of seeing them in new stories.   The Adversary was a wonderful conclusion to this arc, and so very well written by Thea Harrison. If you are a fan of the Elder Races series, this is a must read. 

 

Sandy’s Reviews:

THE ADVERSARY is the second novella in Thea Harrison’s contemporary, adult ELDER RACES paranormal/ fantasy romance duet focusing on the former leader of the Wyr demes new in New York, Drago Cuelebre, and his mate Pia Giovanni. THE ADVERSARY should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one THE UNSEEN.

SOME BACKGROUND: Dragos and Pia, along with 20,000 members of the supernatural Wyr leave New York to begin a new life in the Other land known as Rhycia but not all goes according to plan when an unseen force begins to cause a disturbance within the new society-misplaced items, collapsing buildings, and taking control over the mind, body and soul of our story line hero.

NOTE: If you have not read THE UNSEEN, there may be spoilers in my review. The author had plans to write a four-part novella series but at this time, I am unsure as to the number of instalments. Thea Harrison has left THE ADVERSARY open ended, laying the groundwork for future story lines.

Told from third person perspective (Pia) THE ADVERSARY focuses on the fight to ‘free’ Dragos from an ‘unseen adversary’. Dragos is no longer himself, in fact, he is often someone else. Struggling to free her mate from an ancient enemy, Pia and the Wyr, must formulate a plan in an effort to release the ‘unseen’ from her mate’s body but once released, the ‘unseen’ needs another host, and Pia and Dragos find themselves, once again, facing the prospect of losing someone they love. From Azreal, the angel of death, to the Seraphim, Dragos and Pia must accept that life and death are not theirs to control.

THE ADVERSARY is a story of family and friendships, power and control, loss, love, desperation and revenge. Thea Harrison pulls the reader into an action packed, emotional and intense tale of magic and the supernatural, of other worlds and the paranormal, of the power of love for mate and child. The premise is strong and impassioned; the characters are numerous, familiar and charismatic; the romance is magical-the love is palpable.

Copies supplied for review

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DELIVER US FROM EVIL(Deliver Us From Evil)by Monica James -review

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DELIVER US FROM EVIL (Deliver Us From Evil 3) by Monica James

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 2021

With Babydoll gone, I’m going to do whatever it takes to find her.

I will lie.
Cheat.
Murder…and I’ll do so with a smile.

I’ll even sell my soul to the devil…because that’s who my father, Sean Kelly, is. He won’t stop until Belfast is his. He knows I’m at my breaking point. Just how far will he push until I lose myself to the darkness for good?

But I’m prepared to give it all away. She’s all that matters.

However, this life isn’t done with me yet.

A startling secret threatens to destroy me, and a new player is introduced into the game. I don’t know if he is a friend or foe. What I do know is that he has the power to change the world as I know it.

He wants what is mine.

My kingdom.
My name.
And my legacy.

But I am Puck Kelly—and every monster is scared of somethin’…and that somethin’ is me.

No more hiding in the shadows because I’m huntin’ youse, and this time, I won’t lose.

Run, wee monsters, run.

•••••••

REVIEW: DELIVER US FROM EVIL is the third instalment in Monica James’ contemporary, adult DELIVER US FROM EVIL dark, Irish Mafia, romance trilogy focusing on Puck ‘Punky’ Kelly, and Camilla ‘Cami’ ‘Babydoll Doyle. DELIVER US FROM EVIL should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the cliff hanger and events of book one.

NOTE: If you have not read books one and two, there may be spoilers in my review.

WARNING: Due to the graphic nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: At five years of age Puck ‘Punky’ Kelly witnessed the brutal rape and murder of his beloved mother Cara, and in the ensuing years Punky vowed vengeance against the Doyles, the family he blames for her vicious demise but secrets and lies are about to be exposed forcing Punky to choose between family and the truth, blood and oath. Having never forgiven his father for his lack of concern regarding the death of his mother, Punky knows it is only a matter of time before he takes his place on the proverbial throne but someone else is waiting for the perfect opportunity and Punky is about to pay the price. Focusing on a decades old feud in Ireland between the Kellys vs the Doyles, the Protestants vs the Catholics, Belfast vs Dublin in a fight for power and control of the criminal underworld in Ireland, DELIVER US FROM EVIL follows the rise to power, and the all out war to stay in control.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Puck and Cami) DELIVER US FROM EVIL focuses on the search for Cami Doyle, the woman who owns Puck Kelly’s heart but a woman who has become a pawn in a fight for control. With Cami missing, Puck finds himself at his father’s mercy, a man whose predilection for evil is only surpassed by our story line (anti) hero but even more secrets are about to be revealed and with it betrayal and vengeance come at a cost. Sean Kelly wants the ultimate control of Belfast and Dublin but needs Punky to fight for everything and more. What ensues is the fight for power and control, as Punky quick discovers that trusting anyone other than the woman he loves threatens everything and everyone he has put into play.

DELIVER US FROM EVIL is ultimately a story of betrayal, deception, double cross and revenge. Friends become enemies, enemies become foes, a fight for control means trusting no one but the woman you love. Monica James writes a another dark, gritty, raw and dark story of organized crime at its’ ugliest; where blood means family and death but family doesn’t always mean related by blood. The premise is twisted, tragic and haunting; the romance is unconventional and provocative; the characters are dangerous, edgy, broken and intense. DELIVER US FROM EVIL ends on a happily ever after-for now-I suspect the author has plans for several of the secondary characters.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Thy Kingdom Come
Into Temptation

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

She is a bestselling author in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

TWITTER /  FACEBOOK /  PINTEREST / AUTHORGRAPH /  WEBSITE

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Justice for JoElla(Bluegrass Bravery)by Deanndra Hall-Review Tour

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Justice for JoElla (Police and Fire: Operation Alpha;Bluegrass Bravery)by Deanndra Hall-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 20, 2021.

Damaged and devastated …

Detective JoElla Tompkins is struggling to make ends meet. After a routine police stop results in her suspension and her reputation destroyed, all she can do is try to keep her head above water. Her only saving grace is to help an old friend on a new—yet perilous—case. But when she meets an EMT in a bar, everything changes.

Destroyed and demoted …

EMT Brandon Fox was living large as chief surgeon at a local hospital. He had the world in the palm of his hands. But, a slew of poor choices lands him out of a job and scrounging for work as a paramedic—a definite downgrade from his surgical days. Encountering the broken detective turns his world around.

Redemption and revival …

As JoElla delves deeper in her case, it’s apparent that her life is in danger. Determined to help at any cost, Brandon refuses to let JoElla face the criminals alone. After all, her enemies are closer than she ever imagined. Now, come hell or high water, Brandon must follow his heart and finally get Justice for JoElla.

•••••••

REVIEW:JUSTICE FOR JOELLA is the eleventh instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult BLUEGRASS BRAVERY romantic suspense series, and the latest instalment in the multi-authored POLICE AND FIRE: OPERATION ALPHA series focusing on a number of characters created by author Susan Stoker. This is disgraced surgeon turned EMT Brandon Fox, and Detective JoElla Tompkins story line. JUSTICE FOR JOELLA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Some of the events in JUSTICE FOR JOELLA are based loosely in fact, following a similar case seven years earlier in Illinois and Kentucky.

Told from dual third person perspectives (JoElla and Brandon) JUSTICE FOR JOELLA follows in the aftermath of Dr. Brandon Fox’s suspension from his position at the hospital, and ultimately separating from his wife in the process. Working as an EMT was beneath Brandon’s station in life but Brandon needed a job, and was well aware of the requirements to save a life. Meanwhile, JoElla Thompkins , suspended from her own job as a police detective finds herself a potential witness in a murder and the abduction of her neighbour. In the fall out, JoElla is reassigned as a detective at the local precinct in Taylorsville, Kentucky, working on the case she knows only too well. A night out with her co-workers, brings her up close and personal with doctor turned EMT Brandon Fox, and in the ensuing days and week , JoElla slowly releases the pent up anger that has been controlling her life. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Brandon and JoElla, and the potential fall-out as the case of the missing woman begins to take a familiar but twisted turn.

JoElla Tompkins was once a respected Detective but a routine call was anything but. In the aftermath, JoElla was shunned and ostracised by her co-workers, and her partner was promoted to chief of police. Suspended by the man in charge, JoElla walked away from the life that she loved, leaving behind unanswered questions about the who, how and why. Dr. Brandon Fox screwed up both his personal and professional life, and no amount of grovelling was going to fix what happened or why. Needing a job and a place to live, Brandon moves in with his estranged twin Landon, and begins working at the local fire department as a fully trained EMT. Meeting JoElla stirred something deep within our story line hero but JoElla was all kinds of feisty and fire, angry at the world, with issues of trust and self-esteem but a woman whose life had completely spiralled out of control.

The relationship between JoElla and Brandon struggles with JoElla’s acerbic attitude towards life, in general, but more so towards the people who wanted to get close. Brandon Fox had been estranged from his family, in part, due to his own preconceived notions based upon the ways in which he was raised. Neither Brandon nor JoElla were perfect; both had questionable morals and judgement but life cut them both off at the knees, and they had to start from the bottom up. 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 colorful, energetic, and familiar secondary and supporting characters including Brandon’s twin brother Landon and his wife Jerrica (Shelter for Jerrica), their sister Liella and her fiancé Breckin (Justice for Liella); Sheriff Roy Billings; detective Michael ‘Mick’ Hovekamp; police chief Lance Margolis; lieutenant Quint Axton (Bluegrass Dynasty); several members of the police and fire departments; as well as Brandon’s parents. The requisite evil has many faces.

JUSTICE FOR JOELLA is a story of murder, betrayal, conspiracy and revenge; a story of family, friendships, secrets and lies; acceptance, forgiveness, romance and love. The premise is engaging, intriguing and tragic; the characters are energetic, broody, broken but surviving; the romance is spirited and intense.

Previous reviews
Shelter for Tanna
Justice for Leilla
Fighting for Lorna
Justice for Maisey
Shelter for Nita

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

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The Matchmaker Bride by Ginny Baird – a Review

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The Matchmaker Bride by Ginny Baird – a Review

 

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Description:
Successful Boston matchmaker and television personality Meredith Galanes’s reputation is on the line. During a guest appearance on a morning talk show, she’s broadsided by questions about her own romantic attachments, just as she’s trying to secure a syndication deal. Afraid to admit her love life is a total disaster, Meredith blurts out that she’s seriously involved with a very special man–a boatbuilder in Maine. She never expects that small slip to get spun into a story about her supposed engagement.

Or that the paparazzi will track the guy down…

Derrick Albright is laid-back about many things. Being hounded by the press about some imaginary engagement to a woman he’s only met once–and couldn’t stand–isn’t one of them. Then Meredith actually shows up at his cabin in Blue Hill, Maine, with an apology, a pot roast, and a proposal–play along until she secures her TV deal, and she’ll help him win back his ex.

It’s a simple plan, but if they have any chance of pulling it off, they’ll have to survive each other first…

Each book in the Blue Hill Brides series is STANDALONE:
* The Duplicate Bride
* The Matchmaker Bride

 

Review:

The Matchmaker Bride begins with Meredith Galanes’s both nervous and excited about the possibilities before her.  She has a local matchmaking show that she is hoping will be picked up and go into syndication.  Her being interviewed by the host of Talk Time should be just the thing to get the executives to pick up her show.  What Meredith did not count on was the host asking her about her love life, which was non-existent.  She made a split-second decision to say that she, in fact, does have a special someone in her life, even though that is not true.  In her mind, how could a matchmaker NOT be involved with someone?  Meredith also does not count on the story being picked up so quickly and the press going to find the “boatbuilder in Maine”, even though she never gave a name.

Derrick Albright had no idea what to think when the press showed up at his house in Maine wanting to know about his engagement to Meredith Gaines.  When Meredith shows up in the middle of the chaos, he is even more surprised.  They had only met once and to say they did not get along is a bit of an understatement.  Once Meredith lays out what is going on and proposes that this will help him get back with an old ex, he finds himself intrigued and agrees to go through with the plan for a few weeks.  However, neither of them expected to get along, let alone start to develop feelings for each other.

The Matchmaker Bride is nicely written by Ginny Baird, with very relatable characters.  Meredith and Derrick were each strong on their own but really flourished together.  I really liked the dynamic between the two of them.  The secondary characters were also well written.  The worldbuilding was great as well.  If I am being honest though, I did have a bit of an issue with not knowing about their history, other than the author saying that they did not get a long when they first met.  The other characters also talked about issues that I feel would have been good to know before reading this story as well.  I would not normally bring that up, as I read and review books in the middle of series all the time that say they can be read as a standalone.  But I do feel like something was missing for me due to the multiple references to the first time they met and the other characters’ comments.  With that said, I enjoyed the story and have put the first in the series near the top of my “to be read” list!  If you enjoy the genre, you will certainly enjoy this one. 

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Serves Me Wright (Wright 9) by KA Linde-Review Tour

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Serves Me Wright (Wright 9) by KA Linde-Review Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 20, 2021

I never thought I’d say yes to a fake date.

Let alone with Julian Wright.

But I’m stuck attending my perfect brother’s doctoral graduation, and I can’t suffer through another round of parental disappointment. Julian has to go to a charity function he planned with his ex-girlfriend. We both need a date.

Yes, we shared one kiss in a darkened office to make his ex jealous. But it wasn’t real. Was it?

I’m sure I can get through this. Until we get to the house and there’s only one bed.

I’ve pined for Julian for three long years. More than my body is on the line…I need to guard my heart.

Because if I get hurt in our fake relationship, then it serves me Wright.

•••••••

REVIEW:SERVES ME WRIGHT is the ninth instalment in the contemporary, adult WRIGHT world erotic, romance series by KA Linde. This is winery owner Julian Wright, and photographer Jennifer Gibson’s story line. SERVES ME WRIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jennifer and Julian) SERVES ME WRIGHT follows the friends to lovers, fake relationship between winery owner Julian Wright, and photographer Jennifer Gibson. Jennifer Gibson needed a plus one for her brother’s graduation in an effort to avoid a confrontation with her mother.: Julian Wright needed a plus one for a winery event, in an effort to avoid his villainous ex, so to appease the need in one another, Julian and Jennifer offered each other up in a fake relationship, a relationship that was about to turn into something more. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Julian and Jennifer, and the potential fall-out as Julian’s ex begins to make life difficult for our story line couple.

Jennifer Gibson fell in love with Julian Wright the first time they met but our heroine struggles with severe anxiety, so severe that, at time, medication is required to prevent panic attacks. Believing Jennifer was overtly shy and didn’t want anything to do with him, Julian Wright battled between head and heart until he finally gave in to his attraction to the woman with whom he would fall in love but a family crisis, and a failed attempt at a merger, places Julian in the line of trouble, and he is about to destroy the only woman he has ever loved.

Meanwhile, Julian’s father Owen Wright has returned following several years absent, and the abandonment of his wife when she needed him the most. Julian’s brother Jordan was willing to listen to what Owen’s father needed to say but Julian didn’t trust the man that broken his mother’s heart. Not only has Owen destroyed his family but along the way, several new bits of information are about to throw the siblings in another family spiral.

The relationship between Julian and Jennifer is a friends to fake lovers in an effort to appease people in their lives but Jennifer is in love with Julian Wright, and fears her heart is about to shatter if Julian discovers the truth about her emotional disorders. Julian has lusted after Jennifer for as long as he can remember but his vindictive ex is about to destroy the love between our story line couple. 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 colorful, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including many of the former story line couples. We are Jennifer’s brother Chester, and their parents Connie and Dan Gibson, as well as the return of Julian’s ex Ashleigh Sinclair, Julian’s estranged parents Owen and Helena Wright, and rockstar Campbell Abbey.

SERVES ME WRIGHT is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; of secrets and lies, betrayal, acceptance and forgiveness. The premise is emotional and captivating; the romance is tender and compelling; the characters are sassy, strong, and inspiring.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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K.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding Series, Wrights, and more than thirty other novels. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, binge-watching Supernatural, traveling, and dancing in her spare time.

She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband and two super-adorable puppies.

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