Tag Archives: Contributers Reviews

Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne – a Review

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Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne – a Review

 

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Description:
Ailsa Connery has waited three long years to finally escape her enslavement at Stirling Castle and reunite with her clan. But her carefully laid plans are completely destroyed by the arrival of the infamous Highland warrior known as Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil…who has plans of his own.

Kallum MacNeill’s fearsome reputation has long allowed him to keep hidden his secret double life of freeing enslaved captives across the land. It’s only when he kidnaps a servant lass—quite by accident—that he finds himself facing a wee predicament. He must accompany the lass home or risk her exposing his true identity. It’d be easy enough…if the feisty hellion didn’t fight him at every turn.

As they make their way to the Highlands, the perils the two must face are surpassed only by their constant sparring. Soon, their heated sniping sparks heat of a totally different kind. The kind that ignites a hunger that could consume them both. Yet the difficult journey is no match for the dangerous secrets they’re about to uncover.

 

Review:

Never Cross a Highlander begins with Ailsa Connery in service to Princess Elizabeth.  Ailsa know that a tournament is being held and that her clan will be in attendance.  The only way for Ailsa to be able to view those coming to attend is from the Princess’ balcony and she, the Princess, is less than enthused.  Through some mental manipulation, Ailsa gets Elizabeth ready and onto the balcony just as the riders from the clans start entering. 

Duff Kallum MacNeil, the MacNeill war chief, is less than enthusiastic when he’s told he must enter yet another tournament ordered by the King.  When his “brother” tells him that it is a must, Kallum knows he has to go.  Once they enter the King’s lands and parade by for all to view, Kallum (aka The Black Devil) hears the whispers.  What he doesn’t plan on is catching the eye, and vice versa, of a striking lass.

Once the tournament begins, it comes down to  Kallum and another fighting to be the victor.  Once Kallum’s foe is defeated, he faces the King for his approval only to be attacked again.  Thankfully Ailsa’s face told him what he needed to know.

Having seen her clan, Ailsa, who was born free and taken by the King’s guard into servitude for the last few years, makes her plan to escape to be reunited with them.  Once she sneaks from the castle, things take an interesting turn for her as she is mistaken for someone else running for a different reason and is forced to go with the group that is being taken out under the cover of darkness.  Having no other choice, Ailsa finally submits, but has another plan to escape to finally make it back to her clan after all these years.   Little does she know the twists and turns ahead……………..

Never Cross a Highlander is an interesting and timely twist on the highland historical.  As Ailsa and Kallum navigate her continuous attempts at escaping, things start coming to light that she had never thought of.   Once Kallum convinces her she can trust him, things start to happen quickly.  Ailsa’s whole life was not what she thought she knew.  And once Kallum discovered what the true plot was behind her being held in servitude by the King, all hell breaks loose.  They trust no one as they uncover plot after plot against her, but hell hath no fury like a Highlander crossed.  ? 

Never Cross a Highlander is a uniquely written tale of inequality being brought into the light and all being made right.  The romance was a slow build which added to the two main characters’ chemistry.  If you’re a fan of historicals, with a twist or without, you won’t go wrong with this one.  Well done, Lisa Rayne!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Pets of Park Avenue by Stefanie London – a Review

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Pets of Park Avenue by Stefanie London – a Review

 

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Description:
“One of the year’s most delightful rom-coms.”—New York Times bestselling author Julia London on The Dachshund Wears Prada

The perfect romcom for dog lovers! Pets of Park Avenue is the story of a self-confessed hot mess who learns that life is more fun when things don’t go according to plan.

What do you do when The One is also the one who broke your heart?

Self-proclaimed hot mess Scout Myers is determined to prove she’s finally got her act together. Raised by grandparents who saw her as her wayward mother’s wayward daughter, Scout’s used to being written off. So when the opportunity for a promotion arises at Paws in the City, the talent agency where she works, Scout is desperate to rise to the occasion. With shared custody of her little sister also on the line, Scout can’t afford a single mistake…like suddenly needing a canine stand-in for an important photoshoot. Luckily (or not) she knows the owner of the perfect pup replacement: the estranged husband she walked out on years ago.

On the surface, it appears Lane Halliday’s life has been blissfully drama free without Scout, but she suspects her handsome-as-ever not-quite-ex-husband doth protest too much. Working together even feels like old times—except for all that lingering, unresolved tension. But Scout’s not sure she’s ready to confront the reasons she left Lane, and when their plans to finalize the divorce become very real, Scout starts to wonder whether second chances might be worth a little hot mess.

Paws in the City Series:
Book 1 – The Dachshund Wears Prada
Book 2 – Pets of Park Avenue

 

 

Review:

Pets of Park Avenue by Stefanie London is the second book in her Paws in the City series. Scout needs to bag the big promotion, her reputation and her baby sister are relying are on her. She wants, no needs to prove to herself and everyone that she’s not a waste of space. She doesn’t want the same label her mother had….. She needs to do something and fast…..

Lane wants nothing to do with his estranged wife! She walked out and took her dramas with her. But his feelings never did really die out for his wife, can he really want to be drawn back into a life with drama, but also fun?  How she approaches Lane, will have you chuckling. She needs a doggy stand-in and she knows who has a look a like, but getting his approval is going to prove difficult!

We find out that after a whirlwind romance and a quick wedding in Vegas, things quickly deteriorate and Scout walked away never looking back. But neither started divorce proceedings, so you have to wonder if they hoped to reunite some day?

If you’ve read book one in the series, you would have already met Scout, but don’t worry if you didn’t, the book is a standalone story, (but after reading this book, you’ll probably go back to read the first one ?)

So how will she get him to agree to work together, when he really doesn’t want all that drama back in his life? Can she show him she’s changed? The more time they spend together, the more they remember the good times, the fun times. But with the divorce finally within reach, can Lane walk away?

It’s not necessary to read book one before reading this one. But there are a few characters from the previous book that make an appearance.It will have you smiling and crying throughout the book, the author knows how to bring out the best in a rom-com. I did love the four legged star Twinkle, she’s such a cute dog, and her antics had me shaking my head. ?

I highly recommend this book if you love second chance romance.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Betting on a Duke’s Heart by Royaline Sing -a Review

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Betting on a Duke’s Heart by Royaline Sing -a Review

 

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Description:
Aetius White, the Duke of Saxton, couldn’t save his father, but he’ll be damned if he won’t save the man’s dream. He’ll acquire a Triple Crown–winning horse at any cost, even marriage. Luckily, the lovely lady in mind loves challenges as much as he. Certainly he can win her heart without losing his own…

Hell will freeze over before Miss Dina Campbell agrees to marry a horse-mad man who wants her dowry of a prize stallion, no matter what her father wants. The duke may be handsome, but he’ll have to prove he is a suitable match for her before she’ll even consider the offer. And there’s no way this love-averse man will ever succeed with the wager that she has planned…

 

Review:

Betting on a Duke’s Heart begins with Dina Campbell checking her appearance before descending the stairs to meet yet another suitor whom she does not want.  She, as always, has tried to make herself as unattractive as possible.  When she enters the room to meet Aetius White, the Duke of Saxton, she is astonished when he tells her “…you are to be the Duchess of Saxton”.  She immediately tells him that she is not, but she is even more surprised when she is told that her father has already agreed to the marriage.  Dina is even more put out when Aetius basically tells her this is the way of it and he’ll be back in touch.

Dina knew of the Duke and knew well his love of horses, but it galled her that her horse was what he wanted and not her.  She didn’t want to be anyone’s second.

Aetius finds himself intrigued by Dina.  But his first priority is to win the Triple Crown which he can do if he marries her and is able to use her prized horse.  What he does not count on is that just as he is determined to marry her, she is just as determined to not marry.  What neither count on is the growing attraction between them and how to handle it. 

Betting on a Duke’s Heart is a nicely written story.  Dina is a strong and independent woman, albeit a little naïve at times.  Aetius is your typical male who was only marrying to further his personal endeavors.  I did enjoy some of the banter between the two of them. However, there was so much about horses (breeding and all!) that it almost overwhelmed the story.  Do not get me wrong.  Horses are part of the plot, but breeding in detail? I also enjoyed getting to explore a little of Dina’s mixed heritage.  Overall, even though I found Betting on a Duke’s Heart a little slow, it was an enjoyable read.  If you’re a fan of the genre, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as well.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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A British Heiress in America by Becky Lower – a Review

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A British Heiress in America by Becky Lower – a Review

 

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Description:
Lady Philippa Worthington wants to marry young and sexy. Her father plans for her to marry stodgy…old…and rich.

What’s a beautiful British heiress to do if she’s going to escape a life of passionless marriage? With her father planning to sell her off to the highest bidder in order to support his own lavish lifestyle, Pippa knows there’s only one thing she can do to save herself.

Lady Philippa dons boys’ clothing and stows away on a London ship destined for the American colonies and a new life. One full of hope, freedom, and the chance to finally live up to her feisty nickname among the rough sailors—‘Pip.’

But instead of finding independence on the high seas, Pippa is plunged deep into the dangerous world of espionage–and the arms of handsome Daniel Simmons, a merchant sailor for the British—who is also an American Revolutionary spy!

Torn between allegiance to her home country and the passion she’s always been searching for, Pippa now faces an unexpected threat—and it may cost Pippa and Daniel the very freedom—and love—they’ve both been searching for.

If they manage to survive the very heart of the beginnings of the Revolutionary War, can the daring spy find love in the arms of A BRITISH HEIRESS IN AMERICA?

 

 

Review: 

A British Heiress in America by Becky Lower is the first book in her new Revolutionary Women series. A sea captain who may or may not be a spy. A runaway debutant who won’t be auctioned off to the highest bidder. A British Heiress by Becky Lower was not my usual read, but once opened it was a pleasant surprise.

Philippa “pip” Worthington isn’t sure if being a stowaway on a ship bound for America is the best idea she’s ever had, but she’s not going to become some bored London housewife. She longs for love and adventure….

Daniel is the captain of the boat Pip has stowed away on, only he’s unaware that Pip is actually Philippa!!  He’s aware the “boy” is running away from something in London, but that’s not Dan’s issue, but the boy could be useful, if he gets a job in the army, then Daniel could use him as a spy! But he has to be careful, his daughter could become a casualty of war (he’s a widower, his daughter lives with her mothers parents)

I did have to chuckle, Pip is not your usual debutant, she’s quite a character (smoking cheroots and drinking pints of ale!) she is very independent, she’s off for an adventure in America, she’ll marry an officer in the British Army and be happy! But working as a cabin boy is proving challenging, it doesn’t help that the captain is very easy in the eye, she has to remain in character at all times! Daniel is a double agent! To the outside world he takes arms to the British army, he also spies for the American government! If he’s caught it could mean death!

It’s a fun read. Well written and very descriptive. Had to laugh when poor Pip was feeling seasick. And when she wished she could have a cheroot! The banter between Daniel and Pip is lighthearted, Daniel feels he should take the boy under his wing, but with the option of using the boy to his advantage, I found I grew to dislike Daniel!

Chuckling at the inappropriate thoughts the captain has about his cabin boy, he’s off to get laid once he’s back on dry land, but his thoughts keep straying to his “boy”. And when Daniel discovers his cabin boy is in fact a woman ……

Daniel now changes strategy and decides a debutante would be a better spy! But does he take what Pip is offering?  And Philippa is now facing a dilemma herself, she knows that Daniel runs guns for the British, does she inform the American society she will belong to? Or can she be of some assistance in the fight for their freedom?

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for Review

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Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London – a Review

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Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London – a Review

 

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Description:
Welcome to charming Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, where bestselling author Ophelia London will bring you on a moving and unforgettable journey through faith, forgiveness, and ultimately love.

Everything changed for Esther Miller with the death of her beloved fiancé, Jacob. Even years later, she still struggles with her faith and purpose in the small, tight-knit Amish village of Honey Brook, especially now that her younger sister is getting married. All she wants is to trust in the Lord to help her find peace…but peace is the last thing she gets when Lucas, Jacob’s wayward older brother, returns to town. 

Lucas Brenneman has been harboring a secret for years, the real reason he never returned from Rumspringa and the truth behind his brother Jacob’s death. Honey Brook still calls to him, but he knows his occupation as a physician’s assistant must take precedence. With sweet and beautiful Esther he finds a comfort he’s never known, and he feels like anything is possible…even forgiveness. But she was Jacob’s bride-to-be first. And if she knew the truth, would she ever truly open her heart to him?

 

 

 

Review: 

I must admit I don’t usually read books on religion, they either tend to bog the book down on religion, or try and cram their beliefs down your throat!

In Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London, I didn’t get that.  What I got was a lovely story about two people who should have been together from the start, reconnecting and finding one another again. 

Esther was two weeks away from being a bride….. That was two years ago, she didn’t  marry the man she was betrothed to, he died. Not being able to move forward, Esther mourns for her dead fiancé, watching her siblings and friends marry. Will she forever remain a single woman? 

Lucas left his old life behind him, moved on and became a doctor’s assistant. His love for his brother made him the man he is today, the frustration and anger towards his community and father was put across well. I got the impression he wasn’t happy with his way of life, and when he lost both Esther and his brother, it gave him the strength to go. 

When they accidentally meet up, panic and confusion is uppermost in Esther’s mind. What is Lucas doing back here? Why now? Confused Esther goes back home to think about Lucas. 

Lucas has always loved Esther, he knows she’s the only woman for him. But getting her to see him proves difficult, and then there is his family and council to face. Does he really want to come back to this place? And will Esther and his family listen and forgive him for turning his back and walking away? 

I liked this book. We had Esther and Lucas finding their way back to each other. Misinformation and fear kept these two apart for too long. It was nice that Lucas found his family again, forgiveness on both sides was needed, as was the long talk they had before Lucas came home. 

If a slow burn romance is your thing, then this one is for you. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Bait N Witch by Abigail Owen – a Review

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Bait N Witch by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

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Description: 
Rowan McAuliffe has been hiding most of her life. Secretly trained in her powers by an unusual source, she’d been taught not to trust anyone. Especially other witches. However, after she was forced to perform a hateful act against her will, she now hides from the Covens Syndicate and their judgement.

Greyson Masters is the Syndicate’s best hunter. On top of the danger of his job, Greyson is trying to raise his triplet daughters alone, budding new witches who display an alarming combined power no one understands. Too bad he doesn’t have a clue how to deal with them. Until Rowan walks in and the chaos settles for the first time in…well, ever. Little does Greyson realize that his new nanny is the very witch he is hunting, and she’s been hiding right under his nose this whole time.

 

Review: 

Bait N Witch by Abigail Owen is the 3rd book in her Brimstone Inc series. Greyson is a powerful mage, he works for the Covens Syndicate (it’s like a witches and warlocks council.) Basically finding witches or warlocks that break the rules set by the council. He either brings them in for judicial system to sort, or he can dispense justice there and then. 

Rowan is a witch on the run, after being held against her will and made to do evil things, she escaped. But she always has her eye on the road, she can’t stay long. The nanny job is a great way to hideout until her trail has gone cold. 

I liked this book. You could probably read without reading the previous books, I did, but I felt I was missing things. So I may have to go back and start at the beginning. Well written, very descriptive.  I sense there is more to Rowan than just a simple witch (do previous books give us more?) am I right? Read it and find out?

Grayson has pre-teen triplet daughters, his wife died in childbirth, so a succession of nannies have tried to help him. But his daughters aren’t having any of it, they don’t need a nanny (so reminds me of the film “The Sound of Music”)  and try to cause trouble for Rowan at every turn. But slowly she wins them over, she treats them like young adults rather than little children. Grayson also has a hard time with his daughters, he’s not sure how to relate to them, and when they ask about their mother, what does he say? 

Rowan knows what it’s like to lose someone, her parents were killed in an accident, the woman/demon/witch who looked after and cared for her like a daughter was killed by the werewolf that took her. So Rowan can’t get attached to the teens, and certainly not the dad!! 

The attraction between Grayson and Rowan was fun to read, the lust was practically instant, the trust comes later, (along with a few scorching kisses) but with both of them hiding secrets from one another, how long will it be before secrets coming tumbling out? 

And how will the witch hunter react when the witch he’s hunting is right under his nose? 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Seduction of Laird Sinclair by Kara Griffin – a Review

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The Seduction of Laird Sinclair by Kara Griffin – a Review

 

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Description:
In order to love, she must first seduce…

Callum Sinclair should have known the night the great fireball lit the sky would change everything. He returns from battle wounded of body and heart to find his clan in disarray. Someone within his clan wants him dead and tried to assassinate him, his brother/laird murdered, his wife died in childbirth. Family dysfunction forces him to accept a destiny he never expected.

Violet Danvers’s life takes a complete turn when the king executes her husband for treason. Now he vows she will either wed his favored knight or suffer his punishment. With help from her husband’s ally, the king’s cousin, he sends her to his comrade in Scotland. He gains one promise from her, never to return to England, even if she must seduce the Highlander to gain his aid.

Even with the five rules of enticement, Violet’s seduction doesn’t come easy. Callum is broken of spirit, but she is not one to easily surrender to defeat. With laughter and grace, The Seduction of Laird Sinclair might lead them both to lose their hearts.

 

 

Review:

The Seduction of Laird Sinclair by Kara Griffin is a historical romance set in the time of 1388 in northern Scotland.

Callum Sinclair is the next in line for the title of Laird in the Sinclair clan. His brother, Gavin, now holds the title. There is quite a bit of family and clan dysfunction that Gavin does not wish to deal with. Haley’s comet is passing by, and the clan is frightened and needs leadership that Callum tries to provide because his brother doesn’t care. Callum also has a wife that doesn’t care for him, he feels like it’s his fault. Callum is sent by his brother to join James Douglas in a battle to stop English raids on Scotland’s towns. Callum is badly hurt, betrayed by his own soldiers. His life is saved after the battle by Henry Bolingbrook, the enemy. They become friends and Henry allows him to return home. However, everything at home has changed.

Violet Danvers is a lovely woman, married to Lord Charles Danvers. She’s been summoned to London to the court of King Richard. As she arrives, Sir Nicholas Colfax tells her of her husbands execution and that the king is going to give her to him. They have a long history of him tormenting her. She abhors this man and would rather die than marry him. Hers was a marriage of content convenience, but she was always faithful to her husband. Violet has a three-year old daughter who she learns the king has custody of and will not return her to Violet since she refused to marry Colfax. Henry Bolingbrook was a friend of Violet’s husband and is cousin to King Richard. However, he’s about to be exiled for a time. Her life is in great danger, but Henry convinced her that King Richard would not harm Cora if she left. Henry would try to find Cora and send her back to Violet. He made arrangements for Violet to escape to Scotland and stay with his friend Callum Sinclair. He told her she should do anything to stay with Sinclair, even seduction. She absolutely had to  stay away from England.

Okay, that’s the basic setup and I’ve left out quite a bit of detail. I don’t like to spoil stories for those who might want to read them. There’s a lot more intrigue, and danger. The trip North to Scotland is interesting and the meeting of Callum and Violet is wonderful. There is much fun and beauty and a boatload of adventure and danger, not to mention steamy love scenes. Will Callum be able to take the betrayals and find peace for his clan? Will Violet stay and help him heal or perhaps become the queen of England? Awww…see what waits for you to discover!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for Review

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Trap ‘N’ Trace by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Trap ‘N’ Trace by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

 

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Description:
For wealthy socialite Katrina Vandenburg, business meetings and charity galas are all part of her orderly, structured world—one that gets blown to hell after finding two dead bodies in the same day. The police think she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. FBI Special Agent Dayne Andrews thinks otherwise. Dayne and his K-9, Remy, are tracking a cold-blooded killer, and that trail…leads straight to Kat.

Kat and her rescue shelter—the Canine Haven—are the only common denominators between the murders, and Dayne is convinced she’s dead center in the killer’s sights. Protecting her will test every ounce of his steely resolve. She’s the most intriguing woman he’s ever met. And everything he shouldn’t want. Too bad neither of them seem to have gotten the memo.

And they need to focus on catching a killer now more than ever. Because if Dayne and Remy fail in their mission, nothing will stand between Kat and the killer’s deadly blade.

Each book in the Federal K-9 series is STANDALONE:
* Lock ‘N’ Load
* Armed ‘N’ Ready
* Dark ‘N’ Deadly
* Trap ‘N’ Trace

 

Review:

Trap ‘N’ Trace begins with Katrina Vandenburg  trying to return a puppy, Angus,  that had been found wandering around her rescue shelter.  She had called the number on the tag the previous night and the following morning, but no one had answered.  As she enters the office of the owner, it takes just a few seconds for her to know something is wrong.  When she finds a woman’s dead body in the office she immediately leaves the building to call 911.

The authorities show up, as does FBI Special Agent Dayne Andrews and his K-9, Remy.  Dayne had met Katrina once before, through mutual friends, and that meeting had not gone very well.  Once Katrina had been interviewed by the authorities, Dayne takes a personal interest in the case due to the fact that the murdered woman was a former agent. 

Later, Kat drives down to her shelter to get Angus more food.  When she enters, the lights are off, which she finds strange.  She yells for her friend and employee, Amy, to no avail.  As she enters another part of the shelter, she sees Amy lying on the floor.  She is surprised even more when a man wearing a black ski mask attacks her and demands to know where “it” is. 

Dayne and Remy arrive at the shelter to take some of Angus’ things (that were given to him by the murdered former agent’s husband) when he hears a woman’s screams.  He draws his gun and gives Remy the command to find the intruder.   Dayne soon finds Kat leaned up against a wall moaning and calls for backup.  She tells him what happened and to help Amy, only it’s too late.  He finds Amy dead and knows two things:  these murders are connected and he will protect Kat with all that he has. 

Trap ‘N’ Trace is another outstanding addition to O’Fallon’s Federal K-9 series.  The characters are very well written and relatable.  Kat comes from money, which Dayne had prejudged her for.  When he became her protector and moved into her house, it didn’t take very long for both of their walls to come down.  Their attraction, although not immediate, was quick to grow.  The chemistry between the two of them is palpable, as is their love of dogs.  Kat has been a little too trusting of a lot of people in her life, but after the murders, she, at Dayne’s urging, starts reevaluating certain relationships, only to realize that he was right.  Of course, there are some misunderstandings along the way, but as the danger grows, so do their feelings.  I absolutely love the world that O’Fallon has built with this series.  If you like your romance with some intrigue, some amazing dogs and a lot of steam, you will never go wrong with her stories.  Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!!!!!  Very, very well done!  I can’t wait for the next one!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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