Tag Archives: Contributers Reviews

The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman – a Review

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The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman – a Review

 

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Description:

Prudence Carlson has been lucky in life. A fulfilling wedding-planning business run with her girlfriends in Colorado, plus the best guy friend ever in her firefighter bestie Finn.

 All that’s missing from it is a baby. Luckily, it’s the twenty-first century—Pru can take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t need to find true love to create the future love of her life. 

 Except all this talk of babies and insemination and…Pru and Finn cross a line they never expected to. Sure, one night of passion won’t change their close friendship. 

Until Pru goes in for a fertility check-up to find… she’s already pregnant. As best friends, Pru and Finn have survived college, new jobs, and bad breakups, but can they survive crib shopping, birth classes, and late-night cravings? Especially when Finn has never considered himself even remotely Daddy material?

 

 Review:

Upon reading the back cover of The Best Friend Problem my Mariah Ankenman,  I wasn’t really taken with it (never a big fan of friends to lovers books) but I opened up the kindle and flipped the page ….. 

Pru is successful at business, loving life, but something is missing, Pru would love a child. Being an only child and orphan (she lost both her parents at a young age.) But with no man on the horizon (not counting her best friend Finn) Pru doesn’t see it happening anytime soon. But who needs a man when you have anonymous sperm donors?! 

Finn has known Pru since they were teenagers, they know each other inside out, she gets him like no one else does (so subconsciously has he been measuring past flames against Pru?) he’s a love them and leave them type of guy, not really looking for a commitment. But all that changes one night ….. 

After a booze filled evening Pru and Finn sleep together, both are terrified that it will ruin their friendship, and when she finds out she’s pregnant, what will they do next? 

Exploring their growing feelings for one another, it felt like it was only going to be a matter of time before this happened.  

I still don’t like the friends to lovers genre, but I did like how the author put this book together. 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Secret About Time by Kathryn K. Murphy – a Review

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The Secret About Time by Kathryn K. Murphy – a Review

 

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Description:
Austin Brooks is almost one hundred-years-old, but he, like all of the residents of Brightrock Island, doesn’t age normally. The tight-knit community off the coast of Massachusetts has a closely-guarded secret—they’ve discovered the fountain of youth. In an effort to escape his painful memories of World War II, Austin has settled into his job at Brightrock’s only school as the funny guy, Mr. Fix It, on track to becoming a principal. Then new teacher Caitlyn Landry arrives from the mainland, throwing all life on Brightrock—especially Austin’s—into chaos. 

After suffering several major losses, Caitlyn is looking for a fresh start. Brightrock doesn’t take kindly to outsiders, but Caitlyn was a necessary hire, and when Austin is tasked with mentoring her, he discovers keeping his lips sealed is easier said than done. With her own regrets and mistakes haunting her, Caitlyn is hardly looking for love, but the more time she spends with Austin, the harder it is for either of them to keep their distance. But what no one on Brightrock knows is that someone is on to their secret, someone who poses a threat to everyone on the island, leaving Austin to decide between his loyalty to Brightrock and his desire to fight for the woman he can’t live without. 

 

 

Review:

A Secret About Time by Kathryn K. Murphy is the first book in her new The Firemark series.

To look at Austin, you wouldn’t think he was nearly one hundred years old!!! Time and the residents of Brightrock are different from “outsiders” it’s a slower pace, and the residents age differently too. 

Austin is a jack of all trades at the school, nothing he can’t turn his hand too, he’s worked hard to forget his past, and becoming principal at the school will keep him pretty occupied. So when members of his community tell Austin they’ve hired an “outsider” to teach at the school, he’s not too keen, he is not keen at all!!! They have too many secrets to keep from the new teacher, it’s going to be tough. Will Austin rise above it? 

Caitlyn needs a break, the death of her beloved parents, and another death after losing them was really hard (she felt guilty about the other death for some reason)

And this seems like too good an opportunity to miss. But on the way over to the island, she’s hit with doubts. And meeting Austin doesn’t help, she gets the distinct impression she’s not welcome!! 

Both settle into the roles they are given, and try to keep out out of each other’s way, but with fate playing its hand, it’s not long till they start bumping into each other. 

Caitlyn still feels like an outsider, the role she’s taken on doesn’t really feel like hers, it feels like she’s only there till the person she’s filling in for comes back!! And her feelings for Austin confuse her too, but she can’t get involved, it hurts to lose someone you love.

Austin is beginning to look at Caitlyn in a different way. She’s smart, fun and totally hot. And after seeing her in a World War II outfit, Austin wants more than a kiss, much more ……

But something or someone has noticed the residents on Brightrock are different. What is in store for Austin and the islanders? And how will it involve Caitlyn? 

I really enjoyed this book. Well written, and very descriptive. Hoping this isn’t that last time we visit Brightrock. 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy supplied for review.

 

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The Nanny Rules by Melynda Price – a Review

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The Nanny Rules by Melynda Price – a Review

 

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Description:
Don’t touch the nanny. It’s one rule I’m most certainly going to break.

Since becoming a single father, I have two things that keep me sane—my daughter Lily and playing football for the NFL. But when my meddling sister hires a nanny without my knowledge, I’m not thrilled to come home and find the woman has taken over my house. Our instant attraction is one more complication I don’t need in my life.

But my daughter loves Amelia, and I will do anything for that tiny munchkin. Even if it means walking around with blue balls most of the time. Why does the nanny have to be so sweet—and drop dead gorgeous? She’s driving me crazy. Never in my life have I wanted a woman more.

I just need to make it through this season. I can do that. Hands free, of course. But then there’s that moment, and I know she’s thinking what I’m thinking and, well, yeah. Screw the rules…

 

Review:

Single father, NFL Browns quarterback Brody Evans comes home from an away game to find a stranger in his kitchen. Amelia Renshaw was hired by Brody’s sister as a nanny for Lilly – Brody’s daughter.

Even though Brody is completely taken by the appearance of Amelia, he does not want a nanny, nor does he want one this attractive.  After calming down, and placing a call to his sister – he realizes that Amelia has a masters in child psychology with special interest in children with PTSD.

Lilly lost her mother in a tragic accident a year ago and both her and Brody are struggling to find a balance and move forward in their lives.  But Brody is struggling for a much different reason. Brody is angry and pissed off after finding out during the accident investigation that his wife was having an affair with a team mate of his.  He has sworn to never allow another woman into his or his daughters life.

But the moment he meets Amelia he already knows that’s going to be an issue. Brody is a straight forward, no nonsense, handsomely built single father. His love for his daughter shows threw this entire story.

When he is away he facetimes with Lilly to read her bedtime stories. But he is also so caught up in his emotions of losing his wife, finding out about her infidelity and trying continue with the wall he has built around himself and Lilly.

Amelia has taken a job as Lilly’s nanny out of necessity more than anything.  Her brother has battled addiction and she has used every ounce of money she had saved to help him get out of situations he seems to find himself in.  While the money is nice, she had no idea how much she would fall for Lilly.  She has her own baggage coming into this, and part of her problem is trying to hold onto secrets she doesn’t want her new boss to find out. 

The chemistry between Brody and Amelia is palpable. I am a huge football fan but have never read a sports romance before this one. It was an enjoyable, fun, steamy read.  I loved how playful the characters were with each other, while fighting the urge to give in to their desires.

This book dealt with a lot of social issues – single parenthood, addiction, adultery and commitment issues.  There is a bit of a struggle between the main characters, but in the end they get their happily ever after.

The Nanny Rules by Melynda Price is a quick read, highly recommend if you need a steamy fast paced, HEA read!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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She’s Got Game by Laura Heffernan – a Review

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She’s Got Game by Laura Heffernan – a Review

 

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Description:
WINNER TAKES ALL
 
Travel blogger Gwen Williams is about to live the dream—competing in the annual American Board Game Championship. She’s up against some stiff competition, namely legendary gamer and four-time champ Cody McKay. The seriously buff hottie and shameless flirt is going all-out to seduce her. That’s when Gwen lays her cards on the table: She never, ever mixes gaming with romance . . . until resisting Cody becomes a losing proposition. 

As Gwen gives in to temptation, everything’s in play for a major heartache. With the rounds heating up and players eliminated, she knows she’s gambling a lot more than a seat at the final table in Vegas. But Cody’s kisses promise more than a fleeting romance. If she plays her cards right, Gwen just might walk off with the championship and the man of her dreams. 

 

 

Review…. 

She’s Got Game by Laura Heffernan is the first book in her new Gamer Girls series.

Living your life playing games, it seems like a great life. 

Gwen is also a blogger, and likes (no loves it) to travel. Reading the description, I did wonder if Gwen was more of a dungeon and dragon type player. (The game was fairly simple. Players rolled a pair of dice, then collected cards with different “resources” on them. The resources could be discarded to build various structures. A bad roll could result in losing cards, and the first player who got to ten points won.) 

Cody loves to win, and there is nothing he won’t do to make sure he comes out on top. He seems like a nice guy, until he hits the tables, then all bets are off. 

Cody and Gwen meet at the gaming tables. There is lots of “trash talk” and a little flirting. But although Gwen finds him cute, she won’t date a gamer. (She did once and got taken advantage of, so she swore never again) But as the games proceed, Gwen is finding it harder and harder to resist him. 

Then the inevitable happens ….. Gwen doesn’t know how to process the night they spend together, her emotions are running high, she second guesses everything. 

So will Gwen give Cody another chance? What happens when the game ends? 

You’ll need to read to find out ?

Well written and thought out. Hoping Shannon and Holly get stories and they are Gwen’s best friends. 

That was a fun read ?

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy supplied for review

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Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy – a Review

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Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy – a Review

 

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Description:
I may know everything there is to know about baseball, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Or like him. Garrett Reeves: sidelined player and the embodiment of everything I’ve learned to hate about baseball. He’s gorgeous, he’s cocky, he’s laser-focused on getting back in the game, no matter the cost.

When he convinces me to call games alongside him, our chemistry heats up the booth. We’re good together, whether I want to admit it or not. I’m finding that I like baseball again, but even worse, I’m liking Garrett. A lot.

But when he has to decide between our future and a new shot at his dreams, I know baseball will win out every time. 

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book has tons of hilarious banter, lots of sexual tension, and a hero who will throw a wild pitch right at your heart.

 

 

Review;

Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy is a cute, fun summer read for any sports fan.  This book has everything the disclaimer states and then some.  There was even some of the usual teenage angst thrown in to provide just the right amount of drama to carry the story to its end. 

I really liked our main couple Garret and Josie.  They were fun, exciting, full of energy, head strong and charming. These were two characters who very much complimented each other and brought a nice balance to their adventure.   Their scenes were fun, comical at times and even heart breaking.  Both had different aspects/issues in their lives they had to deal with and come to terms with in order to move forward in their relationship.  They were backed by a strong set of secondary characters who helped to provide more insight to each of their background stories, and move Garret and Josie’s adventure along.  At the root of their story and the main theme that brings them together and eventually holds them together is their love for the game of baseball.  For any baseball fan you’ll find you get sucked right into the baseball scenes cheering on the Cholla Wildcats just like Garret and Josie are doing from the announcers booth at every game. This is how the two meet. Josie can’t handle the terrible job that Garret’s colour commentator is doing so she just barges in to the announcers booth and pretty much tosses him out. Thus Josie and Garret’s adventure begins on a very comical note.

It was nice to watch Josie get back to the sport she loved but tried to tuck away because of her dad. As she begins to realize she still loves the sport, she realizes she needs to come to terms with why she decided she didn’t like baseball anymore, how her dad leaving her and her mom altered her view on baseball and life in general has shaped her into who she currently is.  As if that isn’t enough to deal with for a teenager she also is coming to terms with admitting she’s falling for a baseball player/announcer and isn’t sure she can trust Garret and his feelings for her. This part of the story is heartbreaking at times and full of emotions but written extremely well and with great care.  Josie isn’t the only one dealing with emotion, growing feelings and decisions to be made.  Poor Garret with is injured arm but still wanting to get back into the game he loves has his stumbling block moments but never gives up.  His character had such a charm about him you couldn’t help but like him and I loved how he recruited everyone he possibly could to help him convince Josie to not give up on them as a couple.

Being a sports fan, and especially a baseball fan I really enjoyed Announcing  Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy.  Her characters were real and likeable with a realness to their story, choices and decisions they were faced with.  I have to say I really liked Josie’s friend Mai.  She had me cracking up throughout most of the book as she was clueless about the sport of baseball. I’m sure we all have that one friend who isn’t into sports, and I was totally able to relate to Josie and Mai’s friendship for that reason alone.  Ms. Fellne Dominy has hit one out of the park with this one!

 Until next time everyone, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Traitor Games by Sidney Bristol – a Review

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Traitor Games by Sidney Bristol – a Review

 

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Description:

Noah White has done a lot of bad things for the CIA, but this time they’ve crossed the line. He knows the kill order he’s been given is a set-up and the intended target is another covert agent. They’ve finally found a line Noah won’t cross. Not with her.

Lillian Matthews is living in the crosshairs and she knows it. While her friends are spread out over the globe gathering intelligence on a rogue covert agency, it’s her job to keep them all connected. Only now she’s the target. And her unlikely ally is the last man she’d expect. Lillian will have to make the biggest sacrifice of her life, because Noah will stop at nothing to protect her.

 

 

Review:

Traitor Games by Sidney Bristol is the 3rd book in her Tarnished Heroes series. I read book two in this series. You don’t need to read any of the previous books. But as there are references to previous book characters, it does help to have a little background. Book one was Rand and Sarah, book two (the one I read) was Andy and Carol (assassin games)

Noah is good at his job. But lately he’s grown weary of it all. And finding out there is an agency hiding undercover in the CIA was a blow, and a little worrying. And now he has a new target (a clean up job) he’s worried that it’s going to get messy ……

And if he doesn’t kill her, someone else will. At least he wouldn’t make her suffer, it would be quick and clean. But he can’t do it, so to find out who wants her dead, he’s going to have to step in and protect her.

Lillian is being stalked, she’s known it for a while, but why? What could they possibly gain from her death? And she knows it will be her death. And when her would be protector makes himself known, Lillian is confused, and extremely wary. He says he’s there to kill her, but he doesn’t want to, so what does he want?

Together Lillian and Noah don’t have much time to figure out who is trying to kill her and why. Each thought the other wasn’t interested in a romantic way, and with miscommunication and jumping to the wrong conclusions about each other, they don’t seem to be on the same page. But both are aware of the attraction growing between them.

So who is trying to kill Lillian? And can she really trust Noah? He could be playing a bluff, and when her guard is down, that’s when he will strike and kill her.

The book is very fast paced and full of action. The characters work well together, and we get to see previous characters come together to help Noah and Lillian. There are also other forces working to silence Lillian forever. So who do you trust ?

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Rogue King by Abigail Owen – a Review

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The Rogue King by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

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Description:
Kasia Amon is a master at hiding. Who—and what—she is makes her a mark for the entire supernatural world. Especially dragon shifters. To them, she’s treasure to be taken and claimed. A golden ticket to their highest throne. But she can’t stop bursting into flames, and there’s a sexy dragon shifter in town hunting for her… 

As a rogue dragon, Brand Astarot has spent his life in the dark, shunned by his own kind, concealing his true identity. Only his dangerous reputation ensures his survival. Delivering a phoenix to the feared Blood King will bring him one step closer to the revenge he’s waited centuries to take. No way is he letting the feisty beauty get away. 

But when Kasia sparks a white-hot need in him that’s impossible to ignore, Brand begins to form a new plan: claim her for himself…and take back his birthright.

 

 

Review:

The Rogue King by Abigail Owen is the 1st book in her new Inferno Rising series.

She was spirited, resourceful, and full of surprises! I loved Kasia. She knew exactly who and what she was, she knew of the “other world” (shifters and magic) she also knew the dangers, (her mother had been killed at an early age, and had instilled the need to be wary and cautious) her mother had sent her daughters away from each other with the aid of magic, she was being hunted by a dragon king who had heard of the legend “he who mates a Phoenix will rule all the dragon houses” and he wanted Kasia’s mother. Being thwarted, he now has his sights on acquiring Kasia (he doesn’t know about her sisters)…. 

Brand wants justice, he wants revenge. He’s had to wait a long time for both, but with his new mission, all his hard work will soon pay off. But meeting Kasia, he doesn’t want to hand her over, he wants to keep her, and maybe just maybe, he will be able to claim his revenge and his place in dragon world. 

I liked this story, Kasia and Brand were a good match. Both were alone, not trusting anyone, both looking for justice. 

And we see more of the world that the dragons live in, and the “mad king” (he’s been around a long time, and if you don’t mate, you go mad and start to decompose) 

“This is a crossover series from Owen’s Fire’s Edge dragon shifter series and will be featuring the kings and clans. While each book is standalone and can be read out of order, the 2 series are best read together in the order released.”

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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Dangerous Lies by Claudia Shelton – a Review

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Dangerous Lies by Claudia Shelton – a Review

 

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Description:
To ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Granger, responsibility isn’t just a word. It’s his Code of Honor. But when assigned to protect Coercion Ten’s latest target, she challenges his authority, defies his rules, and wreaks havoc on his personal willpower. Fighting for her isn’t a problem. Giving his life for her isn’t a problem. Forgetting their world-stopping kiss? Definite problem. And if he can’t concentrate solely on keeping her safe, it may cost them both their lives.

Journalist Liz Walkert’s missing father sent her a cryptic message that she was in danger. What he didn’t tell her was why. Unbeknownst to Liz, her family has been in Witness Protection all her life. Mitch may be her bodyguard, but his protection comes close to being control, the one thing she has none of in his presence. After a kidnap attempt and a narrow escape from attacking CT forces, they both realize they’re going to need to focus on the mission and fight their attraction if they have any hope of surviving.

 

 

Review:

Dangerous Lies begins with Mitch Granger being excited to finally have some down time and heading out on a much needed vacation, only to be called in on another job.  He is sent to Florida, along with other members of his team, to protect journalist Liz Walkert.  As he goes to the designated meeting spot, he spots his protectee and introduces himself to her.  From her responses, he knows that she’s going to be a handful.

It doesn’t take long for Mitch to realize that there is more to this assignment than he was initially told.  Liz and her father are close friends of Mitch’s boss, Drake, and her father is missing.  Mitch and his team take Liz to a safe house to get their plan together, only to be attacked not long after they arrive.  Mitch gets Liz to relative safety, however, once Drake starts sharing important tidbits about Liz and her father, things start to go downhill fast.  Liz discovers that most of her life has been a lie and Mitch, finding himself attracted to Liz more and more as time goes on, vows to keep her safe at all costs.

Dangerous Lies is a wonderfully written story with twists and turns that keep you guessing until almost the very end.  Liz is a nicely written character.  She’s spunky and loyal, almost to a fault.  Her back story is one of heartbreak and loneliness.   Mitch is nicely written as well.  Yes, he’s your typical alpha male who moves heaven and earth to protect those he has deemed his, but his backstory endears him to the reader.  Their chemistry is raw and leaps off of the page.  The secondary characters are very well written too.  This is the first I’ve read by Shelton, but it will not be the last.  If you’re a fan of romance with a lot of intrigue and action, you will not go wrong with this one.  Well done, Claudia Shelton!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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