Monthly Archives: December 2022

Guarded Hearts (Revel Rose Billionaires) by KE Osborn-review tour

Posted on by
11

Guarded Hearts (Revel Rose Billionaires 2) by KE Osborn-review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2022

I hide behind humor…
Because that’s what you do to deflect the traumas of your past—to make people believe you’re something you’re not.
Completely fine.
When in fact, you’re broken—a shell of the man you want to be.

Despite my past, I made something of myself.
As the COO of my best friend’s company, I aim to be the best at everything—business, life, in the bedroom.
I earned myself an ego in all areas.
Then she walked in.
Paisley Drake—the temptation I can’t resist. Spirited. Artistic. Seductive.
I have to have a taste.
But there’s just one problem—one night with her would never be enough.
I’m that guy who always ditches the next morning.
Though she’s worked her way under my skin, my past haunts me every step of the way.
I’m going to hurt her.
But when she leaves, taking a secret with her, will our guarded hearts be open enough for us to find the happiness we least expected?

•••••

REVIEW: GUARDED HEARTS is the second instalment in KE Osborn’s contemporary, adult REVEL ROSE BILLIONAIRES erotic, romance series. This is twenty-eight year old, COO of Ensure Asset Management and billionaire Lucas Grant, and artist Paisley Drake’s story line. GUARDED HEARTS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order. Most of the events of GUARDED HEARTS run parallel to, and cross over with the events of book one HOSTILE HEARTS.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Paisley and Lucas) using present day and memories from the past GUARDED HEARTS follows the building but secret relationship between twenty-eight year old, COO and billionaire Lucas Grant, and artist Paisley Drake. Paisley Drake is best friends with Brianna Cox (Hostile Hearts), and Lucas Grant is the COO of his best friend’s company but Lucas doesn’t do relationships, and he is warned away from our story line heroine. A one night stand finds Lucas lusting after our story line heroine but Lucas’ past has destroyed his ability to love, his ability to accept a woman in his life. As the weeks and months pass, Lucas continues to drop in and out of Paisley’s life until Paisley’s heart is unable to withstand any more drama. Walking away is the most difficult thing Paisley has ever had to do but walking away with the secrets of Lucas’ unborn child mean Paisley is about to destroy what is left of the man that she loves. What ensues is the building but rocky relationship between Paisley and Lucas, and the fall-out as Lucas continues to struggle with the demon from his past, affecting his relationship with Paisley going forward.

Lucas Grant’s childhood was anything but normal, and the resulting chaos has left our hero a shell of his former self. Unable to move beyond the terror and nightmares, Lucas is unable to commit to the woman he loves, losing more than he could have ever imagined. Two years will pass before Lucas is able to reconnect with our story line heroine, two years wherein so much of his life is about to change.

The relationship between Lucas and Paisley begins as a one night in which Lucas all but ghosts our heroine the next morning. Intermittent contact and sexual relationships with one another will end when Lucas is caught between the past, unable to move towards a new future. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with some scenes of bondage and discipline.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Brianna and Nash (Hostile Hearts, Brianna’s best friend turn Nash’s business partner Blake Branson; as well as their friends Cam, Asher,Cade and Dane; Nash’s PA Zoey, and her ex Kyle, and Lucas’ father Ray Grant.

GUARDED HEARTS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and abuse, attraction and obsession, understanding, forgiveness, acceptance and love. The premise is emotional and heart breaking; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of demons from the past, and interfering but well-meaning friends; the characters are broken, embattled, charismatic yet strong.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HOSTILE HEARTS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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

 

With a flair for all things creative, International Bestselling Author K E Osborn, is drawn to the written word. Exciting worlds and characters flow through her veins, coming to life on the page as she laughs, cries, and becomes enveloped in the storyline right along with you. She’s entirely at home when writing sassy heroines and alpha males that rise from the ashes of their pasts.

K E Osborn comforts herself with tea and Netflix, after all, who doesn’t love a good binge?

Turn lust into love at www.keosbornauthor.com

AUTHOR LINKS

Website / Instagram / Twitter/Facebook / Goodreads / Bookbub / Amazon Author Page/ Newsletter /

Share

The Scramble (Single in Seattle) by Kristen Proby-review tour

Posted on by
11

The Scramble (Single in Seattle / 1001 Dark Nights) by Kristen Proby-review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ELiq2K

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2022

There are two things you need to know about me. 1: I’m never late. And 2: I hate Christmas. Yes, I’m a girl who hates the holidays.

My entire, enormous family is already enjoying their holiday vacation in Iceland, but thanks to my busy job and having to meet them there, I’m late. They could have chosen any holiday to fly across the world, but Christmas won, which sent me scrambling because the end of the year is my busiest time. It’s difficult to carve out moments to see the family at all.

So, now, I’m forty thousand feet in the air, trying to get to Iceland before Christmas morning, all while also attempting to get some work done. If only the hot guy next to me would leave me be.

Dylan says I should put the work away until after my holiday and relax a bit. And while his suggestion of spending some time together on the north Atlantic island seems preposterous, I can’t help but feel intrigued when he promises to show me how to enjoy the Yuletide season properly.

After all, I can’t possibly spend every minute with my family.

But how do I just shrug off my duty to my job and throw caution to the wind for a stranger…no matter how handsome he is? Because that’s something else about me: I never throw caution to the wind—even a beautiful, blustery Icelandic wind.

Then again, Mama always said, “Never say never…”

•••••

REVIEW: THE SCRAMBLE by Kristen Proby is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romance novella found in the author’s SINGLE IN SEATTLE series, a spin off from the author’s WITH ME IN SEATTLE series, and a part of the 1001 Dark Nights. This is accountant Maddie Montgomery, and travel blogger Dylan’s story line. THE SCRAMBLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Maddie is Caleb and Brynna’s daughter (Safe with Me/With Me in Seattle).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maddie and Dylan) with a final chapter from Caleb, THE SCRAMBLE follows Maddie Montgomery as she embarks on a family trip to Iceland, where she will meet her future in the guise of Dylan, a travel blogger, who convinces our heroine to extend her stay beyond twenty-four hours. As the Montgomery family celebrate the Christmas holidays in Europe, Maddie struggles to let go of her work until Dylan proves to Maddie there is more to life than accounting and numbers. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Maddie and Dylan, and the potential fall-out as their time together comes to a close.

The relationship between Dylan and Maddie is one of immediate attraction,acted upon in the ‘mile-high’ club. Staying at the same hotel as the Montgomery family, Dylan sets into motion a plan to seduce our story line heroine, never thinking she would steal his heart in the process. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, most of whom we have met in the original WITH ME IN SEATTLE series.

THE SCRAMBLE is a fast paced story of family and relationships, the holidays and love. The premise is entertaining, fun and frenetic; the romance is provocative and passionate; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Bookbub / Goodreads / Website / Twitter

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen lives in Montana with her husband and their four pets, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Share

Make Me Dream (Oil Barrons 4) by Marie Johnston-review tour

Posted on by
10

Make Me Dream (Oil Barrons 4) by Marie Johnston-review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3D11Pqd

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2022

Being ghosted by my best friend’s brother was easier to get over than the pink positive sign I got six weeks later.

With our ten-year age difference, I didn’t think I was more to Stetson Barron than his little sister’s quirky best friend, the one with store-bought hair color and thrifted clothing. Until one hot summer night at his cousin’s wedding when I climbed him like a water tower.

And then he didn’t talk to me for weeks afterward.

A pink plus sign and a panic attack later, the trailer house I share with my mom burns down. Stetson shows up at the ER like a country knight on a diesel-powered steed, arranges a place for my mom to stay, and takes me home with him.

The weeks of radio silence after our hookup have left me wary. Being with Stetson should be a fantasy come to life, but I’m waiting for my prince to ride away. I’m not the type of woman his parents want him to be with, and they’d rather pretend there’s no baby than welcome me to the family. My mom was in the same situation once, and I’ve learned her lesson—alone is better than abandoned.

When Stetson is forced to choose between his new family unit and old family expectations, will he prove to be the man of my dreams? Or am I in for a heart-breaking wake-up call?

••••

REVIEW: This book can be read without reading the previous books (that’s what I’ve done) I don’t think it makes a lot of difference (but apparently this couple gets together in the last book) Unexpected pregnancy/age gap romance/small town romance/forbidden romance (best friends brother) 

I’d heard about Stetson in a previous series (?) and to be honest I wasn’t too enamoured with, he’d seemed like a self centred type of guy! And as I began to read this book, my opinion of him wasn’t too high! (His mother dictates all of his actions!) But give it a chance….. it turns out to be a really good read. 

The Barron family are treated like royalty in their home town, and that gives Stetson the appearance of a spoiled rich kid! But underneath the facade is a man who wants to be seen and loved for who and not what he is! It’s easier to give into family notions and pressures than buck the trend……

Lyric isn’t from the right side of the tracks, she might (just) be good enough for Stetson’s little sister to be friends with, but dating/marriage, no, definitely not good enough! 

But an unexpected problem has occurred from their hot night together….. an unexpected pregnancy!! How will Stetson react when Lyric finally plucks up the courage to tell him? 

I grew to like the couple as I read the book. They’ve both had a hard time pulling away from their families. Lyric has a carefree attitude to life which is the complete opposite of Stetson, he really was a jerk sometimes, and you just wanted to shake some sense into him.. 

So can this couple overcome their own insecurities, his families interference and the town’s expectations? Or will it all be just too much for them? 

I’m going to go back and read this series and there is a few things that apparently roll through this series ? I love the author’s paranormal series, but her contemporary books are becoming a one click. 

Click HERE for Julies review of book one MAKE ME WHOLE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

FOLLOW: Goodreads/Website/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram / Bookbub/ Pinterest

Marie Johnston is a RITA® Finalist, and a best-selling and award-winning writer of paranormal and contemporary romance – and an avid reader of them both.

Several years ago, when kids started outnumbering adults in the house, Marie Johnston left her job as a public health microbiologist to stay at home. Settling into working part-time and shuttling kids around gave Marie the opportunity to think about what she wanted to be when she grew up. A die-hard science geek, she explored her previously thought to be non-existent creative side after much time spent making snowman crafts and coloring princesses. Having entertained thoughts of writing a book one day then subsequently deciding it would be too hard, she finally put the figurative pen to paper and began to type – and fell in love with storytelling.

The Sigma Menace is the first series by Marie with Fever Claim being her first book EVER. She is humbled by the fact that people are willing to read to her books and looks forward to keeping readers entertained for many years.

Marie lives with her husband and four kids in the Upper Midwest where the summers are gorgeous, the winters are brutal, and spring and fall are luxuries.

Share

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross – a Review

Posted on by
11

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross – a Review

 

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

 

Description:
East and West. Humans and Spirits. Breccans and Tamerlaines. The Isle of Cadence has always held itself and its residents in a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has pushed everyone and everything in his path off-kilter in a bid to claim dominion over all.

In the West, Adaira struggles to adjust to the more brutal, bitter ways of life among the Breccans. Striving to find her place in the clan, she swiftly realizes that it just might be the last role she desires to hold. And while magic blooms effortlessly for the Breccans in the west, the spirits continue to suffer beneath Bane’s harsh power, felt in every gust of wind.

In the East, Jack is adrift without Adaira until he sings to the ember-weak fire spirits, acquiring a dangerous mission he never expected. One that is destined to lead him westward. Likewise, Torin and Sidra are consumed by a new mystery as sickness spreads first amongst the crops, and then to the people of the Tamerlaine clan. While Sidra desperately searches for a cure, Torin dares to strike a bargain with the spirits—a precarious folly anytime, but especially now as the days grow darker.

With the island falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike will need to join together to face Bane, and Jack’s gift with the harp will be called upon once more. Yet no one can challenge the North Wind without paying a terrible price, and the sacrifice required this time may be more than Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra can bear to pay.

In the stunning conclusion to the Elements of Cadence duology, A Fire Endless finds the delicate balance between the human and faerie realm threatened by Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, whose defeat can only come through fire, song, and heart-rending sacrifice.

 

 

Review:

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross is the final book in her wonderful Elements of Cadence duology.  I have become a fan of Rebecca Ross’s wonderful fantasy novels. A Fire Endless picks up where the first book left off. Adaira is now in the West, trying to adjust to a more difficult life, as well as learn more about her true family (Breccans), her mother, Innes being the laird of the West and her father David. She misses her husband, Jack, who was left in the East, since being a bard, he cannot play music in the West.

In the East, Jack misses Adaira, but is determined to use his harp, to sing to the spirits, who suffer from King Bane’s nasty powers, bringing severe sickness to crops and people. The blight continues to grow, and Sidra, the healer in Tamerlaine, becomes infected, trying desperately to find a cure. Torin, the Laird of the East, finds himself approached by a spirit, who needs him to solve a puzzle, which would help save the land.  He is then stuck in the spirit realm, trying to search for the clues, to free himself, and stop the blight; with him being unable to see anyone in the mortal world, including his wife, Sidra and daughter, Maisie. 

Adaira slowly begins to learn more about her parents, and the world within the Breccan clan; but she also tries to change the way things are being done, especially the culling.  In a short time, Jack, will decide to join Adaira in the West, since he wants to be with his wife, and willing to give up his music.  It was a dangerous journey for Jack, as some evil Breccans threatened his life, with Adaira coming to his rescue.  Very exciting.  I loved Jack and Adaira together, as they were a fantastic couple.

With both the East and West beginning to suffer the terrible consequences of Bane’s rule, they will need to find a way to bring both sides together, as well as the spirits, who also suffer from Bane’s horror. Each of them (Adaira, Jack, Sidra and Torin) have their own difficult arcs, as we spend time with each of them in their compelling journeys.  Jack’s gift of music will bring Bane to destroy the spirits, more blight and stop the Bard. Will Jack survive?

What follows was an amazing, fantastic adventure in a world filled with magic, spirits, enemies, betrayals and romance.  There are some surprising twists, that will eventually force the two clans to join together to save the Isle of Cadenc.  Adaira, continues to be a fantastic heroine, as she was strong independent, determined, savvy and fierce. I loved Jack, Sidra and Torin, who played major parts in this story. 

A Fire Endless was a wonderful, captivating, unique story filled with spirits, magic and folklore.   To say too much more would ruin it for you, as you really do need to read this fantastic finale.  Rebecca Ross once again gives us a wonderful fantasy, with great characters and keeping me enthralled from start to finish.  If you have not read this duology, I suggest you start with A River Enchanted, then read A Fire Endless.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

A Dirty Business (Kings of New York 1) by Tijan-Review tour

Posted on by
10

A Dirty Business (Kings of New York 1) by Tijan-Review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3CmkAUz

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2022

When Jess Montell meets Trace West at a hockey game, she doesn’t know his name or occupation. What she does know is there’s an instant attraction that’s impossible to ignore—or forget. And forgetting is exactly what she wants to do when she learns he’s not just a successful Wall Street suit but the heir to one of New York’s biggest Mafia families.

The last thing Trace needs is a romantic anything with law enforcement, and parole officer Jess has trouble written all over her. Too bad he likes trouble. Especially when it’s a brunette bombshell with attitude and legs for days.

She’s an absolute spitfire, and he wants to stoke that flame.

Trace didn’t ask for the Mafia life. Jess doesn’t want any part of it. They both know it’s safer to stay away, but the temptation is too hard to resist—no matter how great the danger

••••••••

REVIEW: A DIRTY BUSINESS is the first instalment in Tijan’s contemporary, adult KINGS OF NEW YORK erotic, Mafia romance series. This is twenty-nine year old, parole officer Jess Montell, and heir to the West Mafia Tristian ‘Trace’ West’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Trace and Jess) A DIRTY BUSINESS follows the forbidden but building romance and relationship between PO Jess Montell, and Trace West. Jess’s mother is an alcoholic, her father is dead, and her brother is in prison serving a life sentence but to make ends meet Jess has been bartending at a local night club where she will discover her boss’s boss is the heir to the West Mafia. Enter Trace West, and the man with whom Jess will fall in love but life straddling the line between law enforcement and the world of crime pits Jess against the people in charge, people working both sides of the law. With her best friend in hiding, her mother in rehab, and Trace’s right hand man suspecting Jess is an undercover spy, our heroine must face reality that to fall in love with Trace means walking away with a broken heart. What ensues is the building relationship between Trace and Jess, and the potential fall-out when several members of organized crime are targeted, not only by the police but by someone else hoping to take charge.

Trace West never expected to fall in love with a member of law enforcement but his attraction to Jess is immediate and intense, forcing his men to question his allegiance to the family.Desperate to protect the woman he loves, Trace must walk away, breaking Jess’s heart in the process. As Trace struggles to uncover the identity of a potential mole in the organization, Jess quick discovers that the people she once loved and trusted may be the very people who take her down.

The relationship between Jess and Trace begins acrimoniously but quickly turns into a forbidden romance. Jess knows that to get involved with Trace could mean the end of her career, but the heart wants what the head refuses to accept. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Jess’ brother Isaac, and their long suffering, abusive and alcoholic mother Chelsea: Jess’ best friend and roommate Kelly, and her boyfriend Justin, as well as Justin’s brother Detective Worthing; Trace’s best friend and fellow crime lord Ashton Walden, as well as Jess’ boss Leo, and her mother’s friend Bear. The requisite evil has many faces; there are three crime families fighting for control of New York.

A DIRTY BUSINESS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, death and destruction, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is gritty, dark and captivating; the romance is provocative and seductive; the characters are determined, charismatic, powerful and lost. A DIRTY BUSINESS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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

Facebook/ Twitter / Reader Group / Goodreads/ Bookbub/ Website/ Amazon Author Page

Share

High Impact (High Mountain Trackers) by Freya Barker-review tour

Posted on by
10

High Impact (High Mountain Trackers) by Freya Barker-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2022

Manager for Hart’s Horse Rescue, Lucy Lenoir, finally feels she has a handle on life after having worked hard to leave her old one behind. So hard, there are times she almost forgets what she escaped. Memories which suddenly come flooding back when she catches a glimpse of a familiar horseman in town.

What’s worse, he’s in the company of the unlikely cowboy she’s only just beginning to trust.

High Mountain Tracker, Bo Rivera, tries hard never to repeat his mistakes. A huge one changed the course of his life and made him particularly cautious, especially around women. So much so, he almost passed up on the best thing to ever walk into his life; the compact, blonde ballbuster in need of a gentle hand.

However, the more he learns about her, the more he realizes a soft touch alone won’t keep her demons at bay. Those will need a firmer hand…to keep the gun steady.

•••••

REVIEW: HIGH IMPACT is the fourth instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult HIGH MOUNTAIN TRACKERS romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers who own and work for High Mountain Trackers in Libby, Montana. This is forty-four year old tracker Bo Rivera, and thirty-eight year old Hart’s Horse Rescue manager Lucy Lenoir’s story line. HIGH IMPACT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lucy and Bo) HIGH IMPACT follows in the wake of the rescue of a mother goat and her kids, a rescue that sees Lucy the target of some questionable attacks forcing Bo Rivera to take control, offering his protection to the woman that stars in his fantasies and dreams. When the original owner of the goats is found dead, Lucy becomes the prime suspect, followed by another threat against the animals Lucy so desperately works to foster and protects. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Lucy and Bo, and the potential fall-out as the attacks against Lucy begin to play out a familiar scenario.

Lucy Lenoir has a secret past one that she slowly but reluctantly reveals to our story line hero. As Bo Rivera begins to dig into the circumstances of Lucy’s past, Bo himself must come clean with his secrets about the past. The relationship between Bo and Lucy begins acrimoniously but Bo has lusted after Lucy for as long as he can remember but getting past Lucy’s barriers means letting go of his own demons in the dark. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including ranch and High Mountain Trackers owner Jonas Harvey and his wife Alexandra Hart; Fletch Boone and Nella Freling: Jonas’ teammates James Watike, Sully Eckhart and Pippa Freling, as well as Jonas’ father Thomas Harvey, and FBI Agent Wolff. We are introduced to Bo’s mother Zuri. The requisite evil has many faces.

HIGH IMPACT is a story of obsession and ownership; power and control; betrayal and vengeance, love and acceptance, family friendships, and relationships. The fast paced premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are spirited and cheeky; the romance is seductive and provocative.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
High Meadow
High Stakes
High Ground

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We’ve Read All Year Award for “Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FreyaFacebook
Twitter: http://bit.ly/FreyaTwitter
Instagram: http://bit.ly/FreyaInstagram
Web: http://bit.ly/FreyaWeb
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/FreyaGoodreads
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/Freya_Newsletter
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/FreyaBookBub

Share

A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones-dual review

Posted on by
15

A Hard Day for a Hangover (Sunshine Vicram 3) by Darynda Jones-dual review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2022

Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.

Like we said, the new day can take a hike.

••••

Sandy’s Review:

A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER is the third and final instalment in Darynda Jones’ contemporary, adult SUNSHINE VICRAM romantic suspense series focusing on small town Sheriff Sunshine Vicram, her daughter Auri aka Aurora, and Del Sol’s eclectic group of mad men, thieves, murderers, mean girls and amateur investigators. A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER should not be read as a stand alone as there is an ongoing theme and premise throughout, and picks up immediately after the events of book two A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Sunshine and Auri) following several intersecting pathways, A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER follows the investigation into the discovery of a badly injured young woman who may or may not be a victim of a serial abuser. Sunshine and her team are called to the cliffs outside of Del Sol where a barely recognizable Jane Doe is struggling to survive. With her daughter Auri on the hunt for clues, Sunshine finds herself investigating the possibility of one of their own targeting innocent young woman. Meanwhile, the love of Sunshine’s life, distillery owner Levi Ravinder must contend with his dysfunctional family, a war ‘brewing’ for ownership of the business, and a secret that is about to change the direction of this life. From the town’s ‘tiny boy band’ breaking into local homes, to another orphan discovering his is no longer alone, Del Sol is the proverbial small town ‘Peyton Place’ and ‘Knot’s Landing’ where secrets reveal decades of lies, buried sins, and years of abnormal social behavior culminating in vengeance and obsession.

A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER is a story of family, relationships, friendships, and love with a little bit of Darynda Jones’ requisite humor thrown in for release; jealousy and greed, betrayal, vengeance, and murder. The premise is intriguing, captivating and thrilling but the ‘guilty party’ is too easily deduced; the romance between Sunshine and Levi is heartwarming and emotional; the characters are numerous, energetic and dynamic.

__________

Barb’s Review:
A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones is the 3rd book in her Sunshine Vicram series. Refresher: Sunshine (Sunny) Vicram, our heroine, is the newly elected sheriff in her home town of Del Sol, New Mexico.  Sunny recently returned home, having left town years before, at the age of 17; after she suffered a trauma, having been kidnapped and then pregnant. Sunny is a tough, independent, smart, funny heroine, which you couldn’t help but love.  Her relationship with her now 15 year old daughter, Auri was wonderful, as I loved how close they were; while Auri was slowly learning to be like her mother in helping solve crimes. 

Sunny has built her own team, as sheriff, with Deputy Quincy her right hand, not to mention best friend.  Seems things never slow down in Del Sol, and Sunny is called to the scene of a young girl found over the edge of the cliff, brutally beaten, but still alive and unconscious.   Sunny begins to suspect that this is another case of women being missing. Is this the work of a serial killer?

Auri, who likes to do sleuthing on her own, questioning others at school, much to the dismay of her mom. Despite the danger, Auri is too headstrong to listen, but she is very good in technical things, as well as finding some clues. 

Levi Ravinder, the man Sunny has always loved, has his own problems, with his ruthless members of his family.  Levi, who also cares about Sunny, will learn some secrets that will escalate their relationship.  Levi runs the family distillery, and is determined to make it successful; but he knows other evil members of this family are threatening his life, as well as others. 

The first half of the book was hilarious, funny, snarky that made us laugh often, especially with Quincy and her team; but the investigation still stood in front.  I loved how Levi and Sunny came together, and the love Auri had for both of them. The second half of the book was so exciting, filled with non-stop action, danger, murder and violence.  The suspense was so great, I could not put the book down, and the wild frantic ending had me on the edge of my seat throughout. 

A Hard Day for a Hangover was not only an intense, exciting, but with lots of heartwarming humor that was a lot of fun. Darynda Jones does an excellent job of giving us light-hearted humor, as well as an intense suspenseful page turner. Jones also gives us great characters, such as Sunny, Levi, Auri, Quincy, Cruz, just to name a few. If you have not read the first two books, I suggest you start with A Bad Day for Sunshine, then A Good Day for Chardonnay, and now A Hard Day for a Hangover.  I had heard this could be the finale of this series, but I would love to read more stories with Sheriff Sunshine Vicram.

 

 

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
A Bad Day for Sunshine
A Good Day for Chardonnay

Copies supplied for review

Share

Tempt Me (The Donovans 2) by Samantha Chase-review

Posted on by
10

Tempt Me (The Donovans 2) by Samantha Chase-review

 

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 7, 2022

He hates the holidays. She lives for them. Let the games begin.
A small town, grumpy/sunshine romance from NY Times Best Selling Author Samantha Chase

Six months ago, Liam Donovan met the world’s cheeriest, most upbeat woman at a wedding.
It was the longest two days of his life.
Now she’s his next door neighbor.
Talk about awkward.

Tessa Sullivan believes in always looking at the bright side. Unfortunately, her new neighbor is the most negative man on the planet and seems to have made it his mission to ruin her good mood on a daily basis. She loves to sing, she loves to smile, but more than anything, she loves to decorate for the holidays. The fact that this seems to bug her new neighbor is simply a perk.

After twelve years in the Marines, Liam is more than ready to come home and start the next phase of his life. He’s starting a business, reconnecting with his mildly over-bearing family, and loves the fact that he’s finally got a place of his own. If only his neighbor’s decorations would stay on her side of the property. There isn’t one thing about Tessa that tempts him…until there is. Now she’s all he can think about.

Being friends makes sense.
Becoming lovers was inevitable.
But having Tessa be his forever is more than tempting.

••••••

REVIEW: TEMPT ME is the third instalment in Samantha Chases’s contemporary adult THE DONOVANS romance series. This is former US Marine turned contractor Liam Donovan, and music teacher Tessa Sullivan’s story line. TEMPT ME 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 third person perspectives (Liam and Tessa) TEMPT ME follows the building romance and relationship between former US Marine turned contractor Liam Donovan, and music teacher Tessa Sullivan.Tessa Sullivan is a widow, having married her best friend prior to his death but Tessa struggles to move forward, constantly living in the past where life was easier and calm. Her new neighbor, former US Marine Liam Donovan was about to become the bane of Tessa’s existence as Liam’s grumpy attitude was harshing on Tessa’s perpetually happy outlook until their relationship turns from frenemies to lovers, a relationship that will struggle with ghosts from the past. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tessa and Liam, and the potential fall out as Tessa struggles between head and heart, and Liam feels like a third wheel in Tessa’s life.

The relationship between Tessa and Liam begins acrimoniously as Liam struggles to accept Tessa’s always positive outlook on life. Liam’s relationship with his siblings is fraught with jealousy and misunderstanding, and their issues begin to affect both his personal and professional life. Tessa has yet to realize her inability to let go may push Liam out of her life but a one on one with someone else shows Tessa that letting go doesn’t me forgetting the past. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Liam’s siblings Patrick, Rhyllie, Jamie and Arianna, Arianna’s fiance Will, and their parents Kate and Shane Donovan, and uncle Ronan. The siblings continue to have a love -hate relationship with one another, fraught with jealousy, misunderstanding and heartache but the parents attitude is a one-eighty from the first two instalments, more empathetic and compassionate towards their adult children.

TEMPT ME is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of grief and acceptance, understanding and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is sweet and passionate; the characters are emotional, charismatic but struggling to be.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DARE ME

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub /

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Share