Tag Archives: Contributers Reviews

Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown – a Review

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Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown – a Review

 

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Description:
This Passover is starting to feel like the ten plagues might be coming back to haunt them before the weekend is over…one hilarious misstep after the next.

Gaby Fineberg just wants to get through Passover Seder without her “well meaning” family playing matchmaker. She needs a date, just for one simple meal—that includes singing, the history of her forefathers, and not one bit of yeast. The hot guy at her gym would be perfect. He probably hates bread, anyway, with a body like that. But when she finally works up the nerve to ask him…he doesn’t hear a word she said.

Levi Miller is deaf and happily single. Initially, he doesn’t know why this beautiful woman is talking to him, but it’s clear she needs help—and suddenly so does he. In a very complicated situation, Levi finds a simple solution. Gaby will pretend to be his new girlfriend to bail him out, and he’ll return the favor. But he didn’t bargain for a family dinner quite like this one…

 

Review;

I really enjoyed Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown.  It was a cute, charming, and sexy fast read with two characters who just stole the show from beginning to end.  Levi and Gaby are two complex characters that are real, relatable and have their own drama/baggage in their lives that they haven’t properly dealt with. It isn’t until they meet each other and start to fall for each other that they are able to fully deal with the drama in each of their lives.  Gaby and Levi both inadvertently wind up helping the other see just what it is that’s missing from their respective lives.

I enjoyed the pace of this story, I didn’t find it rushed at all. I thought Ms. Brown took the necessary time to set the back-stories for both characters to allow us the reader to fully get to know them.  We also get to know more about both Gaby and Levi as their romance develops and Levi tries to teach ASL to Gaby to pull off their fake relationship for her family.  The scenes with Levi trying to teach Gaby and the two of them using their phones to communicate were sweet and just downright adorable.  It’s through these scenes that we really get to see the real Levi and Gaby emerge.  Levi’s deafness never hampered their relationship at all, if anything I found it wound up elevating it and making it something more.  They found a way to communicate and know each other in way no one else could. It created a bond that only the two of them could ever have, which made their romance that much more special and sweet. 

If you enjoy a sweet solid romance with just the right amount of charm, humour, and sexual chemistry all mixed together with some drama/angst, then Matzah Ball Surprise is just the book you’re looking for.  Sit back, relax, pour a glass of wine and enjoy Gaby and Levi’s adventure.  Trust me you won’t be disappointed. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Alpha and Omega by Carol T. Luna – a Review

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Alpha and Omega by Carol T. Luna – a Review

 

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Description:
Ao never believed in monsters—not after being branded one since childhood. Exiled, he lives with his adoptive guardian, Kaisei Aizawa, amidst verdant valleys surrounded by desolation. 

Humanity only had themselves to blame for the wretched landscape. Their war poisoned the seas. Their greed coveted the fertile and the green.  

Their ambition set it ablaze. 
One hundred years had passed since the war banished Talus to the skies. Doomed to chase the sun, the once proud nation survives as a floating city. But the fallen always hunger for more. 

When the Talarians descend to claim the earth as their own, Ao escapes capture—but nothing is without its price. The only man he ever saw as family, Kaisei, is imprisoned instead.  

Ao vows to rescue him, no matter the cost—even if it means taking a stand against the most powerful nation left on earth. He knows of the risks. He knows of the dangers. But never would he know that someday, somehow, he would finally believe in monsters. 

 

Review: 

Alpha and Omega by Carol T. Luna is the first book in her Project Blue series.  After killing his sister, Ao was banished, he would have died if it hadn’t been for the Doc, he took him, and began to teach him trapping and showed Ao how to fight, how to put that restless energy into something else. They live a simple life, going to the outpost to trade. It’s Ao’s highlight, and he has managed to get a gift for his friend and guardian. 

Not quite sure how old Ao is, I’m thinking late teens maybe. 

They are trading when it all goes horribly wrong for Ao. Talarians are seen in the distance, this land they live in isn’t to be invaded. But that’s not what happens, Ao goes to fight, and in the ensuing commotion, his beloved friend and guardian Kaisei is taken!! 

Reading the back cover, I got the distinct impression that Ao was either disfigured or looked like a monster. So are we talking metaphorically? Because he killed his sister?He’s an outcast in his village, so maybe he sees himself a monster. 

Ao needs to find and rescue Kaisei, if not for his friend, Ao would have been lost. He’s been like a father to him, but Ao has no idea where to go, so he follows the slave train in the hopes of seeing and maybe freeing Kaisei….. 

Ao is captured by the Talarian’s, but he manages to escape. Still hoping to find Kaisei, Ao never gives up hope, and there are a lot of things he has to do in order to survive…..

Ao is found and cared for by a group of freedom fighters known as the Silver Legion. He joins them in his bid to find and rescue Kaisei. There are plenty of battles to keep the bloodthirsty happy. Monsters that hunt them as well as the Talarian guards. Ao gets himself into a few scrapes, and a few close moments to dying. But his will to survive is stronger than his will to give up, he knows Doc is alive, and would be searching for him if he could. 

So does Ao find Kaisei? Will he be persuaded to join the Silver Legion? And what are the Talarian’s up to? And why do they only want the young people? A few questions that I’m hoping the next book will answer ?

Wow, that was really good. A post apocalyptic world. The author had really captured it well. The fight scenes were pretty well graphic, but brief. The characters were really well thought out, and I could picture them really easily. Daru was one of my favourite’s the trader and friend, some of his witty comebacks had me chuckling. Gen a silver legion fighter, her dry sense of humour is a good companion for Ao as they search for his guardian. The scenes flow from one chapter to another (you get some that seem to jump around too much). I’m definitely ready to read book 2. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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The Anti-Honeymoon by Bethany Michaels – a Review

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The Anti-Honeymoon by Bethany Michaels – a Review

 

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Description:
No groom? No Problem. When her fiancé tries to turn their wedding into a publicity stunt, Jenna ditches the nuptials—and the groom she shouldn’t have been with in the first place—and skips straight to the honeymoon. The getaway driver, her ex-fiancé’s former business partner, Zach, is the perfect guy to help reshape her romantic newlywed itinerary into an anti-couple, anti-romance, anti-honeymoon adventure for two. They trade couples yoga for kickboxing lessons. Five-star dining on the beach for pizza and beer at a dive bar. Forget couples massage—Jenna’s getting that tattoo she’s always wanted, and dares Zach to get one, too. And those naughty boudoir pics she took in place of romantic sunset snaps? Those aren’t going in anyone’s wedding album. Not that Zach will forget them anytime soon. As each item on Jenna’s anti-couples list is checked off, the anti-honeymoon with Zach feels more and more like the real thing, and she wishes the list was just a little bit longer…and even steamier.

 

 

Review: 

The Anti-Honeymoon by Bethany Michaels is a funny book….. 

Poor Jenna feels like the whole of her wedding is a publicity stunt, the dress is horrid, the shoes too tight, but when her fiancé puts her two favourite people in the world in a tiny corner, Jenna’s had enough. It doesn’t feel right and after talking to Aggie (one of the people she invited) Jenna has some serious thinking to do….. 

Zach doesn’t know why he’s come to this stupid wedding, he and Eliot haven’t been friends for a while, and when his ex-best friend walked away with the company they both worked on, that was the final nail in their friendship. Was Elliot trying to reach out with an olive branch? Or was it something else? 

But before he can pull away, the back door of the car opens and a pile of while lace falls in….. 

Zach helps Jenna to escape from the wedding. He then helps her get to the resort she’d booked for the honeymoon.  Zach hits a snag, he’s beginning to really like Jenna, would it be inappropriate for him to hit on the ex-fiancée of his ex-best friend? 

Jenna and Zach seemed a much better fit than Jenna and her ex. The “to-do list” Jenna has compiled made me chuckle, from couple yoga to kick boxing. It’s all in the name, it’s the opposite of whatever she had written. 

I got the feeling that Jenna and Eliot were more of a parents wish for them to be together (they’d also known each other for years, until he’d asked Jenna to marry him).  Jenna and Zach are totally different, both into each other, ready to have a laugh and complement each other. With both hoping that the anti-honeymoon will last for just a little longer….. 

But what happens when the Anti-honeymoon is over? Where will it leave them both?  And is Zach using Jenna for information on a failing company that he use to half own? 

I must admit it’s the first time I’ve heard of any of those things being done on honeymoon. But it did have me chuckling at odd moments. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Worth The Wait by Traci Douglass – a Review

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Worth The Wait by Traci Douglass – a Review

 

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Description:

Mandy Reynolds needs a reset on life in so many ways. Her acting career isn’t exactly where she’d hoped it to be. She can’t even get a job as a germ for a commercial. When she inherits half a house she sees it as a sign and heads home to Heavenly Falls, Illinois. She’ll sell the house, and use the money to take her career to the next level in Los Angeles. That is if she can convince her hard-headed––and stupidly gorgeous–– ex-stepbrother, Alex Noonan, to sell fast.

The last time Alex saw Mandy, she was a gangly teen, who followed him around like a sad puppy. But she’s grown into a smart and funny woman, who is as frustrating as she is beautiful. The fact that they have to live in the house––together––while they fix it up, is one temptation he doesn’t need. And while he’s having fun spending time with her, she’s moving on soon, and he needs time to heal.

Plus, she has no idea he’s got a secret that could put a monkey wrench in all of her plans…

 

 

 Review:

Worth the Wait by Traci Douglass is a standalone novel.  Mandy needs help, her acting career isn’t where it should be (well in her opinion), so when she gets the news she’s to inherit half a house, it’s the answer to her prayers, fix it up… sell it on…. easy…. well it would be if it wasn’t for her brother, well stepbrother, well in fact not even that now their parents are  divorced, he won’t help her. 

Alex wants this house, he has plans, and they don’t include Mandy. He wants to use the house as a showpiece, to show potential customers what he can do. Being an ex-investigator for the IRS paid the bills, but after being shot, Alex now suffers with anxiety and PTSD. So working on the house, he’s hoping will help him. Neither can afford to buy one another out, so they agree to work together, fix the house, then Alex can buy her out. Then Mandy will be back on the road to stardom. 

The story trots along, with both Mandy and Alex fighting and repairing the house, they also take sneaky peeks at one another.

Mandy thinks she’s nothing like her mother, she was into being with “the one” the relationships never lasted. So subconsciously she’s always on the move, and never getting involved in any long term relationships. The love affair between her mother and Alex’s father lasted only for a year, but long enough for Mandy to have an enormous crush. 

Have to admit love affairs between siblings isn’t on my reading list. I know it’s only step-siblings, (but I have stepdaughters, and I just couldn’t see my son and his stepsister ever being a couple) but that’s my opinion.  But saying that, it’s a nice story. Plenty of loose ends that could have been sorted. And plenty of questions that went unanswered. A little frustrating at times. 

So will Mandy move on, once the house is ready? Will Alex be able to see past his failings? Can he forgive Mandy for caring, and wanting the best for him? And can they be more than step-siblings? 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Devil at the Gates by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Devil at the Gates by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
One dark night she meets her fate in the arms of shadowy duke…
Fleeing a cruel stepfather, Harriet Russell escapes into a stormy night, relying only on the mercy of servants to help her. Her coach overturns, leaving her and her driver injured. Seeking help from whoever lives nearby, she stumbles between a set of gates guarded by fierce demonic gargoyle statues. As she enters the shadowy, haunted lands belonging to the Duke of Frostmore, she’s afraid of meeting with him, but she must in order to help her driver. Harriet comes face to face with the duke, she understands why he’s called the Devil of Dover, with his fierce sensual magnetism and his frightening temper. He’s beautiful, tempting and dangerous…

He made a mistake once by falling in love and death followed…
After the tragic deaths of his wife and brother, Redmond Barrington, the Duke of Frostmore, wants to be left alone and has barred all strangers from his lands. When an injured young woman begs for help, he finds himself reconsidering his vow of solitude as Christmas draws near. Harriet is as unwilling to trust in love as he is. What begins with a terrifying tension between them soon becomes something else entirely, a sensual passion that frightens him with its intensity. The more time he spends with her, the more Redmond wonders if fate might give him a second chance to chase away the ghosts of his past.

 

 

Review:

Devil at the Gates by Lauren Smith originally started out in a box set, but the author has now released it on its own.  Devil at the Gates is a short story set in the late 1700’s.

The Duke of Frostmore, also known as the Dark Duke, or the Devil of Dover. Redmond “Red” Barrington wasn’t always like the title he was now known as. He’d been a better man, but after finding his new wife in bed with his brother, Redmond had stepped off the cliff and into hell. His heart black and cold, vowing never to love again…..

Harriet needed to escape, as her stepfather had plans for her, and they weren’t very nice ones. Escaping without her beloved mother was hard, but she was dying and Harriet   couldn’t risk her. So with the aid of the housekeeper and her coachman she makes a bid for freedom…..

Harriet goes to the Dark Duke’s home to ask for his aid, her carriage has over overturned and the driver is badly injured. it’s not a good idea, in fact it’s a dangerous idea, but what choice has Harriet got? She won’t go home, not whilst that man is there. She needs the Dark Duke’s help. An agreement is made, she will stay until she is well, and her coachman’s leg has mended. Then he will help her reconnect with her mother’s family.

Yes it has the predictable ending, and the journey getting there was a little rough. Red didn’t want anyone in his home or heart, but Harriet managed both. She stirs feelings in him that he thought were long dead. But he won’t love again, that hurt the last time he did it.

Once Harriet got to know Red a little better, saw past the bluster and anger, saw the man still hurting after seven lonely years. But she won’t trust him, he may give her back to her stepfather, or worse, take her himself. She must remain on guard at all times.

It’s a nice little read. I know it was intended as a Christmas read, but I didn’t get it then ?, but it’s nicely written, and can be read in a few hours.

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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Fair Weather Enemies by Sawyer North – a Review

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Fair Weather Enemies by Sawyer North – a Review

 

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Description:
The Hancocks and Ashfords have had a long-standing feud between their families long before Miss Jane Hancock couldn’t stand the sight of gentleman farmer Adam Ashford. But after both families fall on hard times and an unscrupulous creditor forces Jane and Adam to sign a devil’s bargain, they’ll finally understand the true meaning of keeping your enemies close at hand.

The terms of this bargain? Locate a lost treasure shrouded in deception and mystery.

The catch? Only one can claim it to win…the loser is left to ruin.

As Jane and Adam embark on a trek throughout England they plan to hate their adversary, no matter how attractive, generous, and kind they are.

Sometimes, plans change…

 

Review:

Fair Weather Enemies is a historical romance novel by author Sawyer North. Sawyer North is a new author to me. However, this will not be the last novel I want to read from this author.

The story begins in September of 1816, in London.

The two main characters of the story are Jane Hancock and Adam Ashford. The families of these characters are and have been both neighbors and each a part of a family feud going on for generations. This all began over a business they ran together until the Jacobite rebellion put an end to it. Their respective grandfathers hired a good man to take hundreds of gold pieces past the rebels. The man sent both families a letter describing where the gold could be found. However, neither family was able to decern where the gold was hidden. An argument ensued between the great grandfathers and they fought a duel. Each mortally wounded the other. That started the feud.

They have all had a very bad year. Adam owes a lot of money to Mr. Rutley (the villain). Jane runs her families mill and since crops failed this year, she also owes way too much to Mr. Rutley. He called in their debts, employing a lawyer, Mr. Barlow to oversee the procedure. He would take the Ashford lands and send Miss Hancock to debtors’ prison. In explaining this to Mr. Barlow, when Mr. Rutley stepped out to go to another meeting, they discovered the letters to each family had to be read together…this had never occurred to the families. Mr. Barlow informed both Jane and Adam that Mr. Rutley and his father before him had been taking advantage of this feud to fund each family’s attempts to ruin each other, and that while they fought the evil Rutleys had now gained both family holdings.

On hearing about the gold, Mr. Rutley cut them another proposition. They would have thirty days to find the gold, if not found they would both be ruined, and Mr. Ashford would have to marry Mr. Rutley’s daughter and cede his estate to Mr. Rutley. If found, they must toss a coin to see who would get all the gold. If Jane won, she would pay Mr. Rutley and keep her mill. If Adam won, Jane would go to debtors’ prison and Adam would still have to marry Mr. Rutley’s daughter. Mr. Barlow would accompany them on their search to represent Mr. Rutley’s interests.

Okay, that’s the basic setup and there’s much more detail you can read for yourself. You might be able to imagine where the author is taking this story, but the “devil” is in the details! Wow, the detail in this story great! Grab a copy of this one and settle in for a great read. I can’t wait for more from this author!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Keep Me Wanting by Angela Addams – a Review

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Keep Me Wanting by Angela Addams – a Review

 

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Description:
All I’ve ever tried to do is keep the people in my life safe. That’s gotten me into hot water more times than I can count. Hell, the last time got me four years behind bars.

So when my favorite barista tells her mom that I’m her boyfriend to stop the woman’s endless criticism, I can’t stop myself from helping her out. But she’s too innocent and I’m too damaged for this to ever be the real deal.

I can’t allow myself to touch her, not when making her mine will drag her into my world and drown her in my messed up life. What I really need to do is stay away.

Except every touch and every accidental kiss breaks my control. I want her.

Then I find out her dad is the detective who put me away…and he’s trying to take down my family.

I don’t blame him. The secrets I’m keeping are big enough to destroy everything.

 

Review:

Maggie Chandler is a barista at the local coffee shop, and her life just isn’t quite going as she had planned. Recently graduating from college with a marketing degree, she can’t compare with her successful lawyer older sisters. Her mother isn’t happy that she works small jobs to make ends meet, while interviewing for a marketing position. 

With her judgemental mother coming to town to meet her made up on a whim boyfriend. Maggie has no choice but to ask her crush customer Liam if he would pretend to be her boyfriend for a few minutes. But Liam has had a secret crush on Maggie since the moment he saw her, and while at first he balks at the idea of helping her, he quickly changes his mind and pretends to be her boyfriend for her mother’s sake.  But things then take a turn. 

Liam isn’t exactly who he says he is. He is actually Liam Doyle and he comes from a family that has done some shady things.  But what makes things even more complicated – Liam soon finds out that Maggie’s dad is the detective that put him away for four years – on a charge that should have put Liam’s older brother Shawn away, but he took the fall for the family.  After meeting her mother, Liam decides that he will attend a family reunion with Maggie, because if anyone in his family is going to keep an eye on the Chandlers – it’s going to be him. 

Maggie Chandler was a completely relatable character. Working several small jobs while interviewing for her dream marketing job. She has had a crush on her coffee shop customer for quite some time. She takes a leap of faith and asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend. I love Maggie’s vulnerability in asking Liam to help her. But what will happen when she finds out the truth of Liam’s past? Will she still feel the same way about him or will her feelings change?

Liam Doyle has lied to his barista crush. 

The moment he agreed to help Maggie with her mother he realized that Maggie was a Chandler. The detective that is gunning for his family and put Liam in prison for four years on a charge meant for Liam’s brother Shawn is Maggie’s dad.  In trying to keep his brother Shawn out of trouble with the law, Liam decides its best for him to keep an eye on the Chandler family while helping Maggie fulfill proving to her mom that she has a boyfriend!  

The chemistry between Liam and Maggie is explosive, but they both try to keep things cool and slow at the get go.  But both of them soon find out that it is easier said than done! But will Liam’s past ruin their future? And will Liam do what he needs to against his brother Shawn to protect what he needs to? 

Keep Me Wanting by Angela Addams was a great story, look forward to reading more! 


Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Kiss List by Sonya Weiss – a Review

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The Kiss List by Sonya Weiss – a Review

 

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Description:

All Haley Bowman has ever wanted was her One True Love. But now, with her cousin getting married and Haley back in her small town, the pressure is on. Good thing she’s got a foolproof Kiss List, full of potential OTLs. Her parents knew they were soul mates at their first kiss, so surely Haley will know the same. All she needs to do is…well, kiss each of these guys…

Enter Max Gallagher: bane of Haley’s existence, her nemesis since childhood, and, unfortunately, as a local, her way in with all the guys on the Kiss List. Max wants nothing to do with love and certainly nothing to do with Haley, but he can clear the way for her to get to know the guys on the list. Of course, he wants something in return: to be made a partner in Haley’s family’s business. One kiss for relinquishing her hold-out vote on Max.

But the more time Max and Haley spend together, the clearer it is that there’s a paper-thin line between love and hate. Max will have to decide between the job he’s always dreamed of or the girl of his dreams before his fate is sealed with someone  else’s kiss.

 

Review:

The Kiss List by Sonya Weiss is the first book in her Love List series.

Max and Haley have been enemies for as long as people can remember. He lived to irritate her, she just wanted to graduate and move away. She always intended to come home, settle down and have a family. 

Haley’s come home, but not to start a family, she’s hiding. After being dumped and it being filmed, this went from bad to worse. Going viral only made it worse, gossips made it twice as bed, and Haley is in hiding. 

Max needs to get away from his family, after watching his brother and girlfriend leave town together, he has to watch them come back and join the family business. He’s extremely bitter, and wants nothing to do with it all. 

Working at the Bowman’s family business is the way out he needs, he can work there full time and maybe become a partner. 

The enemy to friends has never been a favourite genre of mine. But the laughs along the way in this book smooths the way. 

Max and Haley both vehemently deny any attraction between them, and in fact if Haley helps him smooth his way into a partnership with her dad, then Max is happy to help Haley find a date for her cousins wedding. 

But the more time they spend in each other’s company, the more they see that person in a different light. 

But when his brother and ex-girlfriend turn up and she’s pregnant, it brings it all back crashing down around his head. He pushes everyone away, including Haley. Can Haley convince Max that she won’t break his heart? 

A few surprises that kept me reading, and the inevitable kiss and turn around….. From enemies to friends to more. 

It’s a fun read. 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

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