Monthly Archives: March 2024

Last First Kiss by Carrie Ann Ryan-review tour

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Last First Kiss (Montgomery Ink: Legacy 5) by Carrie Ann Ryan-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 4, 2024

One look across the aisle at a wedding and I fell in lust.

He’s on the bride’s side. I’m on the groom’s.

But by the end of the night, we’re against a wall, over a table…and in bed.

I’m prepared never to see him again except in my memories.

Only the next week things become awkward: I’m his new boss.

And it turns out he’s just as demanding outside of the sheets as beneath them.

We need to stay away from each other—he has his demons, as well as an adorable little girl, and I’m trying to heal after a job gone wrong.

I know I need to walk away…even if neither one of us wants to.

•••••

REVIEW: Last First Kiss is book five in the Montgomery Ink Legacy Series by Carrie Ann Ryan. As always, I recommend reading a series in order, but these books can be read as standalone should the reader choose. LFK is a funny, contemporary romance that CAR fans are sure to love.

Weddings make people two things; happy and horny. For Daisy and Hugh that is even more true. From the moment they set eyes on each other it was pure lust, and a mutual lust at that. Quicker than quick; these two are tearing up the sheets, but when the night ends, they both never think of seeing the other again. Even if they wanted to.

Too bad life doesn’t always go the way you want it to. Now; for Daisy and Hugh, she just happens to be his new boss, and the awkward faze is going to take a while to get over. I feel for Hugh in this book so much. He’s a single Dad, just trying to settle into life in a new place, throwing Daisy into the mix during this time and chaos, pure, fantastic chaos. As a long time CAR reader, and a lover of all things Montgomery, I am so pleased with Last First Kiss.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Bittersweet Promises
At First Meet
Happily Ever Never 2.5
Longtime Crush
Best Friend Temptation
Happily Ever Maybe

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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Dark Angel/The Investigator by John Sandford – Reviews

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Dark Angel/The Investigator by John Sandford – Reviews

 

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Description:
Letty Davenport, the tough-as-nails adopted daughter of Lucas Davenport, takes on an undercover assignment that brings her across the country and into the crosshairs of a dangerous group of hackers.

Letty Davenport’s days working a desk job at are behind her. Her previous actions at a gunfight in Texas—and her incredible skills with firearms—draw the attention of several branches of the US government, and make her a perfect fit for even more dangerous work. The Department of Homeland Security and the NSA have tasked her with infiltrating a hacker group, known only as Ordinary People, that is intent on wreaking havoc. Letty and her reluctant partner from the NSA pose as free-spirited programmers for hire and embark on a cross country road trip to the group’s California headquarters.

While the two work to make inroads with Ordinary People and uncover their plans, they begin to suspect that the hackers are not their only enemy. Someone within their own circle may have betrayed them, and has ulterior motives that place their mission—and their lives—in grave danger.

 

Review:
Dark Angel by John Sandford is the second book in his exciting Letty Davenport series. Letty is an investigator for Department of Homeland Security, but her real boss is with Senator Christopher Colles. She has garnered a lot attention from her last case, with other government leaders interested; but she is asked to help with a joint operation between Homeland Security and the National Security Agency.  Letty will partner up with Rod Baxter, an NSA security computer programmer; as they will need to go undercover to infiltrate an organized cell of hackers known as “Ordinary People”.  Both Letty and Rod agree that they suspect NSA leaders are not telling them all the facts. 

Letty is smart, calm, fantastic ability with guns, and determined to find the information that they need; Baxter is the programmer/hacker guru, who is not a fan of any violence.  They are both opposites, but they each have a sense of humor and focus on what needs to be done. They make contact with some hackers, showing them, they can break down Ordinary People. After they complete the work, things turn violent, as the breakdown brings in a dangerous adversary; a Russian crew is murdering people from the Ordinary People hacker group. Letty and Baxter realize the real danger is with the Russians who are bent on revenge against the OP group, as well as fighting a battle with Ukraine.

What follows is an exciting and intense thriller in the last half of the book.  Letty asks for help bringing in her CIA friend Barbara, who also is great with guns, and Kaiser (her previous partner), as well as other help from NSA.  The hackers, who they worked with earlier, and Baxter are trying to bring down the Russian attack on Ukraine; while Letty and her team prepare for the Russian invasion.

The final attack was wild, haunting and riveting, with violence, murder, and a fantastic ending.   Dark Angel was suspenseful, fast paced, and action packed throughout, with a lots of violence, murder, espionage and hackers.  I loved Letty, who was a sensational leader, and happy to see Kaiser join closer to the end, as well as Barbara.  I also like the rest of the team and hackers who were very good characters. Dark Angel was very well written by John Sandford.

 

 

 

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Description:
By age twenty-four, Letty Davenport has seen more action and uncovered more secrets than many law enforcement professionals. Now a recent Stanford grad with a master’s in economics, she’s restless and bored in a desk job for U.S. Senator Colles. Letty’s ready to quit, but her skills have impressed Colles, and he offers her a feet-on-the-ground investigative work, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security.  Several oil companies in Texas have reported thefts of crude, Colles tells her.  He isn’t so much concerned with the oil as he is with the who is selling the oil, and what are they doing with the profits? Rumor has it that a fairly ugly militia group might be involved. Colles wants to know if the money is going to them, and if so, what they’re planning.  Letty is partnered with a DHS investigator, John Kaiser, and they head to Texas.  When the case quicky turns deadly, they know they’re on the track of something bigger.  The militia group has set in motion an explosive plan . . . and the clock is ticking down.

 

Review:

The Investigator by John Sandford is the 1st book in his new Letty Davenport series. This is a spin off of Sandford’s US Marshall Lucas Davenport series, with his adopted daughter, Letty taking center stage. At the age of 24, Letty is working for US Senator Colles, but she is bored and ready to quit, but Colles is impressed with her skills and offers her a job doing investigative work along side of the Department of Homeland Security. Letty learned at a young age from her father, on handling firearms, knowledge of police procedures, handling tense situations as well understanding all kinds of investigative reports.

Letty is pared with Homeland Security investigator John Kaiser; at first John wasn’t sure that Letty would make a good partner. But she quickly proved that she knew what she was doing, not to mention her sharp abilities using guns. In a short time, they began to trust each other, making them have a great working relationship.  

Their mission involves checking out recent oil thefts in small Texas towns, as a number of oil companies have reported thefts. Rumors are reported that a militia group may be involved, and what are they doing with the profits from the stolen oil?  While doing their investigations, they discover an oil company employee, and wife is murdered in their home; with some other people also being murdered. Letty and John begin to suspect that this militia group is planning a possible anti-immigration explosive attack at the Tex-Mex border. With time running out, Letty and Kaiser alert Homeland Security and local police to help stop the attack. Who will survive?

The Investigator was an exciting, intense story line, with the last third of the book had me unable to put the book down.  I really liked Letty, who was a compelling heroine, with her overall intelligence, amazing ability with guns, and so very confident and independent. The Investigator was very well written by John Sandford. I look forward to more of Letty Davenport.

Reviewed by Barb

Copies provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter – a Review

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Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter – a Review

 

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Description:
Nell Ingram draws her powers from deep in the earth, and uses them to help Psy-LED, the Psychometric Law Enforcement Division, which solves paranormal crimes. When a local vampire calls to report a dead body on her compound, Nell knows she and her team have to be ready for anything.

But the dead body is just the beginning of a mystery that involves supernaturals of all kinds, including some of the most powerful vampires in the country. As Nell gets closer to the truth, she begins to understand that the perpetrator is tracking her too—and that there is something personal about this crime. Something with roots that go almost as deep as those in Soulwood.

 

 

Review:

Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter is the 6th book in her terrific Soulwood series.  Brief refresher: Nell Ingram is a member of PsyLed (Unit Eighteen), a Homeland Security division that investigates paranormal cases and is based in Knoxville, TN, close to Soulwood.  The PsyLed team is made up of witches, werewolves, empaths and Nell fits right in with her Soulwood powers; they make a great team, as they are all very likeable (Occam, Ayatas, T-Laine, JoJo, Tandy & Rick). Nell has really come into her own, as she is a powerful woman controlling her Soulwood land and plants.

Rift in the Soul begins with Nell summoned by the Master of the City, vampire Ming of Glass, reporting a dead body; both Ayatas and Rick also respond, making sure to protect Nell. Ming tries to get Nell to kill a powerful and ancient vampire, who plans to destroy everything.  Nell senses things are not right, with Ming and her team; soon after, an attack destroys Ming’s home by the ancient vampire, who is searching for the Blood Tarot.  While on the site, both Nell and Occam find the Blood Tarot, which is now hidden at PsyLed.

In a short time, Nell learns that the perpetrator, has a demon inside him, making things even more dangerous.  All of the PsyLed team join Nell at Soulwood, where attacks are at full force; with Nell’s magical connection to the land, fighting off the vampires. We learn so much more about Nell’s family, and how her powers in the land continue to grow. I really love how her younger sister, Mud is also gaining powers as a plant-woman, throughout Soulwood’s land.  We get to see Esther, who recently divorced, and has two babies, now living in Soulwood, and is also gaining powers. Nell, her family and PsyLed friends do everything in their power to stop the baddies.

While all this is ongoing, the whole family is in the process of preparing Nell’s wedding to Occam (her cat man). I loved how much the relationship between and Occam and Nell became totally filled with deep love.  Though Jane Yellowrock (she is the Dark Queen), is not fully part of the story line, there were so many mentions of her; especially with her on her honeymoon, as well as her approving many issues to help.

What follows is an intense, exciting, gripping and violent story.  Rift in the Soul is another fabulous addition to this series, as it is non-stop action, suspenseful and intense..  The last half of the book was an edge of your seat thriller, and Nell was totally amazing stepping up in a wild and fantastic ride to the climax. We are used to Faith Hunter always having a fantastic group of characters, an amazing heroine in her series. Nell is a great heroine, and in this book, she evolves to be even more powerful.  I loved her sisters joining together to fight the evil. The epilogue was wonderful, as we get to see Nell marry Occam, with everyone there.  Faith Hunter has once again given us a fantastic story, with so many emotions throughout.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

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Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

 

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Description:
This book club is hooked on traveling into books to become the amateur sleuths! In this journey, the club travels to the Kingdom of Everglow.

The royal family is rocked to the core when a key staff member falls dead at a community event. In the turmoil that follows, any evidence of what happened is destroyed, so they must go by the recollection of witnesses who were too busy enjoying the celebration to offer any valuable testimony.

The royal family is further distressed when they return to the castle to see signs of a break in that somehow defied their complex security system. They wake the next day to discover that one member of the royal family has fallen into a deep, deathlike sleep.

Can the Snapdragon Inn Book Club uncover the plot behind this attack on the royal family? Can they find the antidote to wake the sleeping royal from a supernatural slumber? Can they bring peace back to the worried royal family and the frightened community?

Let’s hope they can, since they must solve the mystery and reach The End to get out of the book and back to their home in Colorado.

 

 

Review:

Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley is the 6th book in another enchanting and fun Magical Mystery Book Club series.  Refresher: Paige and Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library.  The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a fun, enjoyable, lighthearted series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

The surprise beginning has us discovering that there is more to our wonderful talking cat, Frank.  We learn everything about Frank’s past, which covers hundreds of years, including being a king, with an evil sorcerer changing him into a cat. Of course, now, Frank is a very content enjoying the mystery trips that are part of the mystery book club.

The Snapdragon club members pick a book and they are whisked away into the Kingdom of Everglow, which is comes across as a fairyland location, with sprites.  Upon arrival, they see a key member of the staff being killed during a celebration, shocking the royal family.   The Royal family welcomes the group, to help solve the murder, with them treated like royalty; especially king Frank, who is considered and treated like royalty.  Lots of fun with this.

The next day, everyone is shocked that one of the princesses is in a deep sleep, and no one can wake her.  The Snapdragon members are assigned to try and discover who did this to the Princess, as well as solving the murder of the staff member.  The crew will need to interview people within the community, who may have clues to both incidents.  A garden party gathering with most people in the community, enables them to find information as they mingle, eavesdrop, question and observe those attending.  Can the Snapdragon Inn Book Club uncover the plot behind this attack on the royal family, as well as find the antidote to wake the princess?

What follows is a fun story that has all the members trying to find clues, as well as suspects. I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige leading the way. I loved most of the characters, especially Frank, my favorite.  I also like Mollie, the resident ghost, who in Everglow is unseen, and she secretly discovers some clues. 

Sprites & Scuttlebutt was another terrific, enchanting and fun magical addition to this series, with wonderful characters. There were a few surprises, especially learning all about our hero, Frank.  Sprites & Scuttlebutt was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Never Too Late by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Never Too Late by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Kezia Cooper Hobson, recently widowed, arrives in New York from San Francisco.  Determined to make a fresh start, she has just completed the sale of her Pacific Heights home, not to mention her husband’s venture capital firm, and in doing so, is also freed from her responsibility as a board member of the company. Bringing with her only a few personal treasures, she is excited to move into the blank slate of a beautiful midtown penthouse, in the city that she has always loved. It is also where her two adult daughters now live.

As Kezia settles into her new apartment, she meets her movie-star next-door neighbor, Sam Stewart, whose terrace borders hers. Just a couple of weeks after she arrives, however, a devastating crisis strikes New York City. Kezia and Sam find themselves connecting over their strong impulse to help those in need. As they share a life-changing experience of volunteering, a bond is sparked and a friendship is formed.

Kezia’s daughters, Kate and Felicity, are taken aback by their mother’s new friendship, both more focused on their own love lives than hers. But Kezia is learning that the changes she’s making are just what she needs to open new horizons.

In this powerful and moving new novel, Danielle Steel illuminates the importance of human connection and embracing brave change, proving it’s never too late for a brand-new start.

 

 

Review:

Never too Late by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful novels. We meet Kezia Cooper, who has lived in San Francisco, California for a long time, but after her husband died, she spent 5 years on his board and now decides to sell her place and the business and move to NYC. Kezia’s grown daughters both live in NYC, and with her 60th birthday upcoming, she wanted to try something new, and enjoy life in New York City, as well as be able to see her daughters. Kezia’s two daughters were very different, especially with Kate being 14 years older.

Kezia arrived in NYC in June, settling into her new midtown penthouse, awaiting more of her furniture, but she is happy to start out fresh, living on the 60th floor; and enjoy everything in the city. Her youngest daughter Felicity, is 23 years old, and a very successful model; currently in Paris for Fashion Week. Kezia has a warm close relationship with Felicity, who never let her success go to her head and was very well grounded.   

Kate has always been more complicated to deal with. She wants to write a novel, and felt she needed to learn more about her biological father, and why he wanted nothing to do with Kezia and her pregnancy.   Kezia married Andrew when Kate was very young, and he treated her like his own daughter, and he adopted her.  When Andrew died (5 years ago) he split the inheritance between Kezia, Kate and Felicity.  Though she was close to her adopted father, Kate needed to learn more about her biological father. She decided to go with her boyfriend to Africa and meet him. 

With both daughters away, Kezia sits on her Terrance watching the July 4th fireworks, and she meets Sam Stewart, a movie star; he lives on the terrace next to her, which has a hedge plant dividing them.  Sam lost his wife two years ago.  He manages to get into the hedge to talk to Kezia, as they watch a horrific attack in New York City, with bombs exploding at the Empire State Building and Hudson Yard. Both Kezia and Sam volunteer to help hospitals, police, who are understaffed.

In a short time, the friendship between Sam and Kezia slowly turns into love and happiness.  Felicity is happily in love with her boyfriend, and she accepts his proposal of marriage, making Kezia very happy, as plans begin for a wedding.  Kate after her return from Africa, recognized that her biological father, was nice but she knew he was never there for her, and her adopted father was always the one who loved her.   Kate will also break up with her boyfriend, and find love with Sam’s son.

Never Too Late was a compelling, inspiring, captivating and engaging story that kept our attention from start to finish.  The story follows the main characters as they find love, second chances and discover that it is never too late to pursue happiness.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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FOREST OF SHADOWS (Alexis Forrest FBI 2) by Kate Gable-review

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FOREST OF SHADOWS (Alexis Forrest FBI Mystery Thriller 2) by Kate Gable-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 28, 2024

When she finds out that the man convicted of killing her sister may be innocent, FBI agent and forensic psychologist Alexis Forrest goes on the search for the real culprit. Evidence of her sister’s murder was found in a remote cabin, along with traces of dozens more young women. A serial killer has been stalking these woods for decades and he’s still out there.

Alexis had returned to Broken Hill, the snowy New England town where she grew up, to investigate another case. But after finding the serial killer’s cabin with evidence of other victims, she will do anything to track him down.

Meanwhile, a family is torn apart when their son goes missing while they’re on a family vacation nearby. He disappears while sledding right outside of his Airbnb. The sled is found but the boy is gone. With a huge blizzard blowing in, Alexis must fight against nature and man to find the boy before all of the evidence of who took him and what happened to him is buried.

Will Alexis be able to find the boy in time? Can she find out who killed her sister before the serial killer claims another victim?

••••••

REVIEW: FOREST OF SHADOWS is the second instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary, adult ALEXIS FORREST mystery, thriller series focusing on thirty year old, FBI Agent/ forensic psychologist Alexis Forrest.

SOME BACKGROUND: Twenty years earlier, Alexis’ older sister Maddie was abducted and murdered, destroying the Forrest family in the process. With her return to Broken Hill to investigate a series of similar abductions, Alexis will reconnect with family, and the man who once held her heart.

Told from first person perspective (Alexis Forest) FOREST OF SHADOWS follows dual pathways including the search for a missing child, and the ongoing investigation into a decades old serial killer case. Assigned to Broken Hill, the small New England town where Alexis grew up, our heroine finds herself enmeshed into an investigation with eerily similar hallmarks to her sister’s kidnapping and murder but a missing child places Alexis’ focus somewhere else, revealing secrets hidden within the walls of a quiet, vacation rental.

FOREST OF SHADOWS reveals the horrendous crimes of a twisted mind; an obsession with notoriety and death but more so the possibility that all is not as it appears to be. With several clues and outlying suspects interconnected to the ongoing investigation, Agent Forest discovers there is more work to do on a case that is larger than she could have ever imagined.

FOREST OF SHADOWS is a story of love and loss, murder and madness, obsession and intrigue. The premise is dark and dramatic; the characters are determined and desperate.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one FOREST OF SILENCE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Charming a Cursed Highlander by Vonda Sinclair-review & excerpt

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Charming a Cursed Highlander (Highland Shifter 2) by Vonda Sinclair-review & excerpt

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 14, 2024

The myth and magic of the Scottish Highlands comes to life in this fun, historical, fantasy, paranormal romance.

A Determined Lass…

Since Catriona MacCain was a young girl, she has been in love with Torr MacElrath, but he doesn’t seem to realize she exists. His recently acquired curse of shapeshifting into a kelpie, or water horse, at night doesn’t deter her. Brodie, her older brother and the MacCain chief, is also entangled in the curse. He has abandoned the clan, and in his absence, their mother negotiates a marriage alliance for Cat with the cruel Chief MacPeter in exchange for his protection. After rejecting the atrocious marriage plans and learning what will destroy the curse, Cat runs away to find Torr and gain his help.

A Cursed Highlander…

Torr, trapped by the curse, hates his dark and lonely existence. With her ginger hair and sunny enthusiasm, Cat bursts into his life like a fiery explosion. He remembers her as a wee lass and can hardly believe the beautiful, tempting young woman Cat has grown into at age twenty. He wants to help her escape marriage to a vicious beast, but how will he resist her, especially when she’s determined to captivate him and shatter his curse? Falling for her would surely destroy his friendship with Brodie and bring destruction upon their clans.

The previous year…

Lady Wilona MacRae has been honing her malicious witchery skills for years. When three friends—Gavin MacTavish, Torr MacElrath, and Brodie MacCain fight in a battle in which her son is killed, she accuses them of murder and condemns them to live under a curse for the rest of their lives. Against their will, they transform into beasts daily.
Gavin’s story: Dreaming of a Devilish Highlander
Torr’s story: Charming a Cursed Highlander
Brodie’s story: (coming soon)

A magical, opposites attract, grumpy-sunshine fairytale romance novel with shifters, a witch, a sorcerer, Scottish legends, steaminess, adventure, madness, and mayhem.

•••••

REVIEW:Torr and Catriona work hard to achieve their HEA, but things don’t go according to plan….

This is the second book in the trilogy. It’s not really necessary to read book one. It gives you a little background on the curse, but you get just as much info in here, so it’s really your choice. I read (and loved book one) and I’m looking forward to book three.

Torr is best friends with Brodie and Gavin. They’ve been friends and allies for years. Being cursed because of a mothers broken heart isn’t how the three friends thought their lives would turn out….

Gavin was cursed to live his life a Hawk (first book in the series) His two friends have different curses, Torr turns into a kelpie (water horse) so having a relationship isn’t in his future, slowly turning him into a grumpy and angry character.

Catriona has loved Torr for years, but has convinced herself that he never really saw her other than the annoying little sister of his best friend.
After her brother was cursed and abandoned his clan, his mother decided to marry off Catriona to protect the clan. But she has no wish to marry the vile MacPeter. So Cat needs to find and break their chiefs curse.

I have to admit I would have like to have seen more action between Cat and MacPeter, we only really got snippets! ?

Lady Wilona doesn’t see the curses as being enough. They killed her son, revenge will be served…..
I liked the fact we got to see the villains points of view and thoughts.

It’s a fast paced read with lots of humour. A feisty female that drags Torr back to life. But can they really break the curse? Or will Torr return to the water and never know love again?

A highly recommended read. ??

Click HERE for Julie’s review of book one DREAMING OF A DEVILISH HIGHLANDER

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B ?

 

Catriona shivered as the ferryman—she’d learned his name was Hamish—oared his small wherry along the length of dark Loch Mirich. Thankfully, no storm raged this night as it had the previous one.
She had not told Hamish their true names lest he tattle if her clansmen came searching. At the moment, no one would guess she was a lady, thanks to the cow dung aroma from the byre that clung to her old clothing and her grimy face.
Despite the chill breeze, she could not help but admire the stark white full moon and the millions of stars that twinkled in the midnight blue sky. She focused on the splash of the oars leaving the water and plunging in again. She prayed no giant loch monsters lurked beneath, waiting to rise up and devour them. She forced herself to take a deep breath of air scented with fish and peat bog.
Aggie gripped her hand and scooted closer. Despite her maid’s physical toughness, it seemed she was losing courage on the water and in these strange surroundings. She had never traveled far from home before.
“‘Tis all right, Aggie,” she whispered, squeezing her hand. “We shall be there forthwith.”
Hamish huffed as his robust arms pumped the oars. She’d told him she wanted to arrive quickly. And, of course, he wanted to hurry home and eat his supper.
When they arrived an hour later, Hamish jumped into the shallows and tugged the boat toward the bank. He held a hand up and helped her alight. Icy-cold water splashed onto her shins and filled her shoes.
She released a short scream. “Blast! I hate getting wet.”
“Pray pardon. ‘Twas as close as I could get.”
“Grrr.” Catriona dug into her pocket for the number of coins they’d agreed upon and pressed them into his palm.
“Many thanks.”
While he helped Aggie off, Catriona lifted the bottom edge of her skirt and squished onto dry land. She convulsed into shivers.
“Hurry, Aggie. My feet are like blocks of ice now. And we need to reach Castle Dubhuisge before it gets much darker.”
Aggie grabbed her arm, stopping her. “What’s that?” she whispered.
Catriona followed her gaze to a large white horse standing in the moonlight at the wood’s edge.
Hamish cried out a prayer and paddled away quickly. Why had he done that?
The horse snorted, then pranced before them, showing off his long mane.
“Oh, he’s magnificent,” Catriona breathed.
“Lass,” Aggie whispered, her eyes as big as the moon overhead. “Is that a kelpie?”
“Nay! ‘Tis but a beautiful horse. Someone’s prized stallion who’s escaped his stall. ‘Haps he belongs to Laird MacElrath.”
“And what do you think kelpies appear as? Bonny white horses. Look, his eyes glow evil green. ‘Tis a kelpie, I vow. Come! He will eat you alive.”
Aggie dragged Catriona away from the loch shore and toward a path. They ran a short distance.
“Are kelpies real?” Catriona paused and glanced back at the white horse that now calmly nibbled grass in the distance.
“Aye.” Aggie caught her breath as they continued to walk. “Selkies are real. So why would kelpies be only a legend?”
“But selkies are nay a threat to people.”
“‘Tis how they differ. A kelpie will lure you onto his back with his beauty and friendliness, then he’ll dive into the loch and eat you! Does nay matter to him if you’re alive or drowned when he has his meal.”
Catriona scowled at the images Aggie’s words conjured. “But horses neither eat meat nor live in lochs.”
“He’s nay a horse, lass; he only looks like one! You cannot apply reason to the world of magic.”
A stick snapped behind them. Catriona jerked around. The white horse stood close, watching them, his sleek coat glowing in the moonlight. His head held high, he sniffed the air and switched his tail. His breath fogged the chill night air.
“He’s following us,” Catriona whispered, now a bit uneasy because she hadn’t heard him approach.
“Run!” Aggie grasped her sleeve and took off.
Catriona had no choice but to sprint alongside Aggie if she wanted to keep her sleeve. “We cannot outdistance a horse!”
“If ’twas only a horse, I would nay be running.” Aggie huffed. 


 

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DELICATE (Sierra Cove 6) by Lyssa Cole-review

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DELICATE (Sierra Cove 6) by Lyssa Cole

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 1, 2024

Have you ever been in one of those relationships where you love the person no matter how much they hurt you?

They leave scars. Permanent, ugly ones that my naive self didn’t see coming. One day it all went wrong. He hurt me and left me more guarded and closed off to the only thing I’ve ever craved. Love. I’ve always been good at hiding my pain, being closed off to the world. I don’t let anyone see the scars from my past or my present.

Until Rhett saw them. And yet he still wanted to be my friend. Despite my damaged heart.
When Rhett helps me find my happiness again with surf lessons, volunteering at the local animal shelter, movie marathons, road trips, and lots of laughter, I start to feel things I never thought I would.

Yet he insists on keeping things platonic leaving me with the proven fact that love isn’t real. I’d be stupid to open my heart up again. As graduation looms near, Rhett is headed back home to Florida and I’m stuck here in California. Leaving us right where we started. Nothing more than just friends.

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REVIEW: DELICATE is the sixth instalment in Lyssa Cole’s contemporary, new adult SIERRA COVE erotic, romance series. This is college seniors Rhett and Maia’s story line. DELICATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Rhett and Maia) DELICATE follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Maia is in a committed relationship with her boyfriend Alex but all is not well in romance land. Alex is controlling and emotionally abusive, and when Maia is befriended by fellow student and local surfer Rhett, Alex sees red. Refusing to see the real Alex, Maia continues to defend the young man with whom she claims to love until Maia sees beyond the façade, and the monster within. With Rhett by her side as emotional support, Maia walks away, and with a new direction, sees a little more clearly what was happening around her. What ensues is the building relationship between Maia and Rhett, and the potential fall-out when a trip to Florida reveals a friendship that turns into something more.

The worlding building focuses on controlling relationships, struggles to be free, new found friendships, miscommunication and misunderstanding.

The relationship between Rhett and Maia begins as friends in which Rhett see more than Maia refuses to admit. Always the protector, Rhett is often caught in the middle of Maia’s relationship fall-out but Rhett is hoping for something more from a woman who is struggling to walk away. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

Several of the previous story line characters and couples return in secondary and supporting roles including Holden and Lennox, Everleigh and Landon. We are introduced to Rhett’s large extended family, as well as Maia’s soon to be ex boyfriend Alex.

DELICATE is a story of power and control, emotional abuse, secrets and lies, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and emotional; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined and animated but our heroine is slightly immature.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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