Monthly Archives: February 2022

SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Wild Widows 1) by Marie Force-Review Tour

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SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Wild Widows 1) by Marie Force

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 15, 2022

The group has only one requirement—members must be willing to entertain the possibility of a “Chapter 2,” as it’s called in widow circles, which means a second chance at love.

Roni
After I suddenly lose my husband, Patrick, in a senseless shooting, I’m lost in a sea of well-meaning people trying to make the unimaginable seem possible. How am I supposed to go on without the man who’s been at the center of my life for nearly a decade? My friends and family do what they can for me, but I quickly realize that surviving this loss is going to be on me. One day to the next, I have to make the decision to go on, but life isn’t done throwing me ringers, and just when I think I’ve got this young widow game figured out, I find out how wrong I am. When a friend of my sister’s connects me to the Wild Widows, I find a group of fellow travelers who understand my new reality in a way no one else in my life ever could. The Wild Widows have one requirement for membership to their group—I must be open to the possibility of a Chapter 2, which is what they call a second chance at love. While I’m not in any way looking for or ready for a Chapter 2, if I’ve learned anything it’s that I’m not in control of where this journey will take me.

Come along as Roni and the other Wild Widows navigate their new realities with grace, humor and compassion. They will make you laugh and cry and root for each and every one of them in this exciting, heartfelt new series from New York Times bestselling author Marie Force.

•••••

REVIEW: SOMEONE LIKE YOU is the first instalment in Marie Force’s contemporary adult WILD WIDOWS romance series-a spin off from the author’s romantic suspense FORCE series. This is twenty-nine year old widow Veronica ‘Roni’ Connolly’s story line. Roni’s story begins in Fatal Reckoning (Fatal #14). As per the author’s request, the hero’s name will not be revealed .

Told from dual first person perspectives SOMEONE LIKE YOU follows in the aftermath of the murder of Roni’s husband Patrick, a stray bullet meant for someone else. Meeting police lieutenant and first lady Sam Holland throughout the investigation into her husband’s murder, Roni becomes quick friends with the US President’s wife, a friendship that will afford her the offer as the first lady’s White House communications director but first Roni must take a small step towards recovery and acceptance, having been welcomed into the a group known as the ‘Wild Widows’, a club for recently widowed singles who are struggling to move on where she will meet the man who will steal her heart. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Roni and her new man, as our couple must navigate the ups and downs of widowhood; the judgemental people in and out of their lives; the ethical conundrum of once again finding love; and the grief, recovery and welcome surprises along the way.

The relationship between Roni and our hero is one of mutual grief. Never expecting to meet someone that could fill the void, Roni’s growing relationship is slow to develop as each must come to terms with what happened in the past.The lone $ex scene is passionate and heart warming.

The wonderful secondary and supporting characters include Nick and Sam (Force Series), as well as both extended families including Roni’s former in-laws Peter and Susan. We are introduced to the Wild Widows members: Iris, Gage, Aidan, Brielle, Naomi, Aurora, Lexi, Kinsley, Hallie and Christy-all of whom have a tragic story of love and loss. Iris and Gage’s story is next in SOMEONE TO HOLD.

SOMEONE LIKE YOU is a story of grief and recovery, loss and acceptance, loneliness, relationships, friendships and love. The premise is powerful, raw and heart warming; the romance is emotional and subtle; the characters are real, intense and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Fatal, First Family, Gansett Island, Butler Vermont, Quantum, Treading Water, Miami Nights and Wild Widows. 

Her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Spiegel bestseller in Germany. 

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news. 

Join Marie’s mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook and on Instagram. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

 

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Inked Craving (Montgomery Ink) by Carrie Ann Ryan-Review Tour

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Inked Craving (Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins 4) by Carrie Ann Ryan-Review Tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 15, 2022

Instead of walking away with a marriage proposal, Paige Montgomery ended up broken hearted and pregnant.

Now she has to figure out how to begin her life again alone.

She refuses to fall for another man, yet every time she sees Lee Grier, her traitorous heart aches for him. It doesn’t matter he’s her brother’s best friend and wants to be her rock in the storm. She knows she has to weather the oncoming pressures on her own.

When they can no longer fight the pull between them, they’ll have to remember that passion can only shelter them from reality for so long and letting themselves fall will be the hardest step yet.

••••••

REVIEW: If I could live in a world like the one Carrie Ann Ryan builds, I would be a happy reader. Inked Craving is the fourth in the Montgomery Ink Fort Collins series. The book can be read as a standalone or in order of series. Like many of C.A.R books, Inked Craving is a contemporary romance that ends with a HEA, no major triggers and all smiles.

Paige is a one woman show, or at least she is now. After thinking she had found the man she was going to spend her life with, she is overjoyed at their possible future. Low and behold Colton is leaving, and he couldn’t care enough to even ask Paige to come along for the ride. A moment that Paige thought her life would change for the better, turns into one that haunts her. Fast forward a few weeks, and Paige’s life is altered even more than she thought. With what you ask?

A Baby.

A baby her ex wants nothing to do with. Paige has her family and friends around her, but is determined to make sure her child doesn’t suffer. When she gets low, the one person to bring her back to herself is Lee. Good ole Lee. Her brother’s best friend, she’s known him almost her entire life, but now things are different. Paige is hell bent on never putting herself on the line again to be hurt, and that means keeping her distance from the handsome Lee…but things don’t always go to plan and the most beautiful moments are the ones we never see coming.

I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading this book. Paige and Lee’s relationship was fun to read and I really enjoyed how they started off friends and built from there. It was more than just a sexual thing for him, he truly cared about Paige and her baby, he was always there for her in a way that she needed him to be. Inked Craving was a pure happy read that any confidential reader would enjoy.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Inked Persuasion
Inked Obsession
Inked Devotion
Nothing but Ink

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

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Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

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The Reading Cafe 10th Anniversary Celebration with Sawyer Bennett

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The Reading Cafe 10th Anniversary Celebration with Sawyer Bennett-Today’s Prize Package

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

Sawyer Bennett is graciously offering a $25 Amazon Gift Card 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).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE and FOLLOW author SAWYER BENNETT on FACEBOOK .

4. FOLLOW author SAWYER BENNETT on TWITTER .

5. LIKE and FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK  for an additional entry.

6. FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW  The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway open internationally

10. Giveaway runs until February 14-28, 2022

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A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett – a Review

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A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett – a Review

 

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

 

Description:
Six years ago, Miss Letitia Fenley made a mistake, and she’s lived with the consequences ever since. Readying herself to compete for the prestigious Rosewood Prize for Mathematics, she is suddenly asked to take on another responsibility—managing Athena’s Retreat, a secret haven for England’s women scientists. Having spent the last six years on her own, Letty doesn’t want the offers of friendship from other club members and certainly doesn’t need any help from the insufferably attractive Lord Greycliff.

Lord William Hughes, the Viscount Greycliff cannot afford to make any mistakes. His lifelong dream of becoming the director of a powerful clandestine agency is within his grasp. Tasked with helping Letty safeguard Athena’s Retreat, Grey is positive that he can control the antics of the various scientists as well as manage the tiny mathematician—despite their historic animosity and simmering tension.

As Grey and Letty are forced to work together, their mutual dislike turns to admiration and eventually to something… magnetic. When faced with the possibility that Athena’s Retreat will close forever, they must make a choice. Will Grey turn down a chance to change history, or can Letty get to the root of the problem and prove that love is the ultimate answer?

 

 

Review:

A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett is the 2nd book in her The Secret Scientists of London series. I have not read the first book in this series, but this did read very well as a standalone. We meet our heroine, Letitia (Letty) Fenley at the start, as her best friend Violet wants her to manage Athena’s Retreat, while she is away. Letty accepts the challenge, but when she learns that Lord Greycliff (Grey), our hero, has been asked by Violet’s husband to watch over things; she is not happy.  Six years ago, Letty thought she was in love with a young man (from a powerful family); his father humiliated her when he caught her in bed with his son. The father made sure to ostracize her within society, causing damage to her family as well.  At that time, Grey was very demeaning and nasty to her, as Melton (the boy’s father) was like a father to him.

Letty wants nothing to do with him, and vice versa, but soon they are forced to work together and things begin to change.  They both learn more about each other that they did not know, and they move past their dislike of each other; as Grey also discovers his treatment to Letty was truly unwarranted. 

Athena’s Retreat is a women’s club for female scientists, who are smart, savvy, independent, intelligent, women who work on their own time to practice and learn how to create scientific things. The women shine in their secret haven, exceling in many areas, such as Letty being a brilliant mathematician, with others being scientists, engineers, etc. They all support one another, and fight against the injustices that women should stay home and let men do the work.

What follows is a slow build romance between Grey and Letty, as he recognized how great she was, and did not deserve the awful treatment years before.  The banter between them was fun, and the sexual tension between them grew; with their chemistry off the wall.  When a nasty group, Guardians of Domesticity push to close Athena’s Retreat, Grey goes against Letty and the other women to close the retreat; as he is up for the director ship, and knows what they expect of him to win. This causes problems between Grey and Letty, that may harm their budding relationship. 

A Perfect Equation was an enemy to lover’s trope, which was at times humorous, sexy, suspenseful and angst.   Letty and Grey were a great couple, with lots of chemistry.  I also liked many of the secondary characters, including Sam (Letty’s brother), Winthram, Grantham and the ladies of Athena’s Retreat.  A Perfect Equation was well written by Elizabeth Everett.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Reading Cafe 10th Anniversary Giveaway 7-Prize Package

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The Reading Cafe’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize Package

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

The Reading Cafe is offering a 4 paper/print ARC book prize package for today’s giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will WIN all FOUR (4) books.

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).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE and FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK for an additional entry.

5. FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs February 13-28, 2022

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The Deepest of Secrets (Rockton 7) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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The Deepest of Secrets (Rockton 7) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 15, 2022

It’s not always easy to live in the hidden town of Rockton, something Detective Casey Duncan knows firsthand. Tucked away in the Yukon wilderness, the community survives—and thrives—because the residents’ many secrets stay just that—secret.

But what happens when these secrets start to come out? Overnight, no one is safe. It’s not a question of if your secret will come out—but when.

Casey and her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, need to find the culprit while protecting those who have been thrust into the spotlight. For a place built on privacy and new beginnings, Rockton isn’t handling these revelations very well. People are turning on one another, and when one of the loudest complainers turns up barely alive, it’s clear that their trickster is actually a murderer.

The threat of exposure is reaching its breaking point, and no one knows what’s going to happen next.

•••••

REVIEW:THE DEEPEST OF SECRETS is the seventh and final (?) instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s contemporary, adult ROCKTON mystery, thriller, suspense series focusing on the fictional town of Rockton, in the Yukon.

SOME BACKGROUND: Rockton Yukon does not exist on any map, and the residents all have a questionable past, fake names and false histories. Most were once considered to be white collar crimes but with increasing regularity, hardened criminals have somehow paid their way into Rockton, seeking sanctuary against future prosecution, a safe place for two years before seeking asylum somewhere else. Built in the 1950s, Rockton is a refuge for people in trouble but a refuge run by a ‘council’ with the ultimate control, moving Rockton from a commune into a for-profit institution. Entirely off-grid, with no modern amenities, Rockton’s secrets are about to be exposed.

NOTE: If you are new to the series, the author offers up an introductory chapter focusing on the history of Rockton, and the key residents who have made a name for themselves throughout the series including Detective Casey Butler and her partner Eric Dalton..

Told from first person perspective (Detective Casey Duncan Butler) THE DEEPEST OF SECRETS focuses on the search for a killer who is targeting the residents of Rockton, Yukon, taking aim at the people in charge. Someone has uncovered the truth, the backgrounds and crimes, about several residents of Rockton, and in this, the remaining people have taken it upon themselves to ferret out the person responsible, targeting the ‘guilty’ before any chance at redemption. The once tepid relationships between the residents is threatened when betrayal reveals a murderer among them, someone who they believe has not paid for their crime but as a number of residents find themselves the victim of a potential killer, the council steps in to shut down a town that doesn’t exist. As Casey, and her partner/ common-law husband Sheriff Erin Dalton begin an investigation, people begin disappearing, and the number of suspects grows with every clue.

THE DEEPEST OF SECRETS is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, murder and obsession, distrust and uncertainty, innocence and guilt. Kelley Armstrong pulls the reader into an intriguing, twisted and haunting tale of what if? Or how? A thought provoking series wherein if you were able to disappear without a trace, would you? Could you? Without any thoughts about who or what you left behind. The premise is detailed, intense, dramatic and original; the characters are spirited, edgy and often tragic. THE DEEPEST OF SECRETS is open ended, the main characters are considering their next step, outside of Rockton Yukon.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Reading Cafe’s 10th Anniversary Giveaway 6-Today’s Prize

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The Reading Cafe’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize Package

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

The Reading Cafe is offering a 4 paper/print ARC book prize package for today’s giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will WIN all FOUR (4) books.

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).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE and FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on FACEBOOK for an additional entry.

5. FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW The Reading Cafe on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs February 12-15, 2022

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Saving Valentine’s Day by Jenna Gunn-a review

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Saving Valentine’s Day (Eden Mountain Firefighters) by Jenna Gunn-a review

ebook only 99¢ USD Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 2022

She’s put off by his bad boy reputation. He’s amused by her take charge attitude. When a blizzard delivers them the quirkiest Valentine’s Day ever, will flakes be the only things falling?

Nolene- ♥

Worst day ever. I got ditched by my date. Then I really hit rock bottom.

Spending Valentine’s night in my car, alone in a whiteout, was so not on my to do list.

Neither was losing my head over the town’s heartthrob firefighter. Thanks, Cupid!

But when the snow melts, I’ll go back to my normal boring life and he will probably be the one that got away… got away with my heart.

Martin-♥

What kind of crazy woman drives in a blizzard?

Apparently a cute, sassy one with daggers in her pretty eyes.

I took the Valentine shift at the fire department because dating isn’t high on my priority list. And somehow I end up on the weirdest Valentine’s date known to man.

But I’m not in the market for more. I’ve got a ranch and a firefighting job filling my days and nights.

If only Cupid hadn’t struck and left me to wonder what it would be like to fill that ranch house full of love…

Saving Valentine’s Day, a Novella set in 1975, is full of quirky twists, sizzling heat, and a surprise chance at love for Eden’s heartthrob firefighter and the town’s sassy, determined hairdresser.

••••••

REVIEW:This book takes you back to the beginning of the “Eden Mountain Firefighters” series. It’s the parents story, so you call it a prequel. I’ve not read the previous books, but after reading this one, I’m definitely adding the series to my list ?

Nolene is Eden’s hairdresser, a fun but feisty young woman. She thinks her day can’t get any worse, being dumped by her boyfriend on Valentines Day is nothing short of humiliating and annoying. But being caught in a blizzard and her car almost being run off the road just tops this bad day off!

Being rescued by a hunky fireman would have been nice, if only it wasn’t him!

Martin works as a firefighter for the same town. A rancher by day, his nights are filled with one night stands or firefighting. He doesn’t need or want a permanent relationship, but when he “bumps” into Nolene in a blizzard, he may just have to rethink his ideas!

Spending time together at the ranch, this couple fight their feelings for one another, Martin doesn’t want to settle down yet, and Nolene has heard about this rancher’s reputation, there is no way she wants to be just another notch on his belt!

It was great reading about the past couple, it might not be set in modern times (70’s) but the steam level certainly is ? It’s really well written, and you can’t help but hope Martin sorts his act out and doesn’t mess up the relationship, and you definitely get the feel for this town.

So can this couple make a go of this fragile new relationship? Or will they both go their separate ways once the snow has melted and they can return to the town of Eden and their own lives?

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

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