Tag Archives: Contributers Reviews

Wild Nights by Katherine Garbera – a Review

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Wild Nights by Katherine Garbera – a Review

 

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Description:
Master illusionist Nicholas Pine has learned the hard way that nothing—and nobody—is what they seem. So when he runs into sexy antique shop owner, Zelda Quincy, he knows there’s more to her than meets the eye. Still, what he sees is very, very intriguing…and he can’t get her out of his head.

Zelda has spent her whole adult life running away from her family’s reputation. She’s changed her name and tried to move on. The last thing she wants is to return to the world she left behind, even with someone as hot as Nicholas by her side.

But after one hot night––she’s addicted––and so is he.

Too bad the skeletons in Zelda’s closet won’t stay hidden for long…

 

Review:

Wild Nights by Katherine Garbera is just that for Nicholas and Zelda.  From the moment the two meet the sparks fly and it just keeps getting better and better.  The two characters had chemistry that just burned through the pages.  Then add in the Vegas setting, some magic and illusion and you have yourself one hell of a story. 

I really liked both characters from the get go. In Nicholas and Zelda Ms. Garbera writes two very solid and real characters.  You get where they are coming from and their backstories only add to their personalities and storylines.  You can’t help but love both of them and want to see them move on from their pasts and find love and happiness with each other. 

Once again Ms. Garbera does a great job of creating the secondary characters who help to add some humour and spark to both Nicholas and Zelda’s stories. I love the friendship between Zelda and Molly, as well as her relationship with Molly’s son Stetson.  It’s so cute and touching, it melted my heart a few times.  As for Nicholas and his buddies, once again it was fun to see them altogether again in Vegas at their casino.  I really liked seeing more of Nicholas and Dare’s friendship in this one.  I know it was Nicholas’ story this time, but I really do like Dare and want to read more about him one day.  

I really enjoyed Wild Nights by Katherine Garbera.  It had all the right elements for me to keep me entertained and intrigued. From the Las Vegas landscape, to the elements of magic and illusion making me feel as though I was right there in the audience, along with some fun and flirty moments between Nicholas and Zelda. If you are a fan of magic, illusion, Las Vegas, with some bad boy friends who run a Casino then this one’s for you. 

Until next time, happy reading!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Must Keep You by Deborah Garland – a Review

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Must Keep You by Deborah Garland – a Review

 

Amazon

Description:
I’m the heir to my family’s fortune.
My best friend is having my baby.
My father has a wife already picked out for me.
Can you say royally screwed? Fitting for a crown prince, huh? 

I need Lily to be my pregnant fake fiancé to help me fight for my independence. She’s terrified my family will stop at nothing to take the baby from her. But I’ve convinced her to meet my parents this weekend to prove they may be rich, but they’re not monsters. 

Can I walk away from a billion-dollar fortune if my inheritance is put on the line? I’m ready for anything. Just not the biggest surprise of all. That I’m in love with Lily and she’s in love with me. 

Two damn days. 

Everyone just has to behave and act normal for 48 hours so I can have it all. Keep my baby and the woman I never knew I couldn’t live without. 

Find out how much can go wrong in two days in this edgy romantic comedy about what happens when best friends from different worlds give into passion and play just the tip.

The Darling Cove Series features a recurring cast of Mallory family and friends, but each book can be read as a stand-alone. No cheating. No cliffhangers.

Get the whole series:
Book 1. Must Love Fashion- An Enemies to Lovers Steamy Office Romance
Book 2. Must Have Faith- A Runaway Bride Second Chance Romance
Book 3. Must Be Crazy- A Single Dad Fireman Romance
Book 4- A Must for Christmas- A Family Crisis Christmas Romance
Book 5- Must Keep You- A Billionaire’s Surprise Baby Romance 

 

Review:

I’ve read a few of Deborah Garland‘s books, but nothing from Darling Cove. I don’t think I missed anything from not reading the others in this series. 

Must Keep You is the 5th book in this series and starts with Lily praying she’s not pregnant. After 5 years of knowing Carter, six months ago they took the plunge and started seeing each other, lily knows it won’t be forever, he said as much. Plus he’s a really rich guy, she’s not got the right pedigree to marry into the Holden empire. Lily knows he won’t want to be saddled with her and a baby. And as she has trust issues anyway (her adopted parents loved her intensely, until they had a biological child, Lily then got forgotten)she can’t let Carter get too close, it was only meant to be fun. 

Carter isn’t your usual rich guy, he works and he works hard. He loves his mother and hates the fact she’s dying, but what really hurts is his father, he looks at his son as an investment m, but worse, he’s taking her money. And he feels like he’s on borrowed time….. 

He thought lily was having a good time, he thought he was proving to her that what they had together meant more than just fun. And when Lily announces she’s pregnant, his gut told him “mine” then she throws out she’s leaving the place they both work at. What will it take for Carter to show Lily she means more than just a few fun nights. He wants more….. 

The book plays out of a forty eight hour period. (Yes they’ve been seeing each other for six months, and known each other for five years) 

I liked the fact is a dysfunctional family. Lily with her trust issues, but knowing she will be there for her baby. Carter the doting and caring son, but also the hot guy and potential father. 

I liked the thought process that Lily went through. Didn’t like the thought she could terminate Carter’s rights. Liked how other friends and family members had their say, and valid points. 

Carter’s family was a right mixed up bunch. A father who thought he was entitled to run his family like a dictatorship, wasn’t too keen on him. And when Carter asks her to be his “fake” fiancée! Will she help him out? 

So will Lily let Carter see his baby? Will he be brave enough to fight for what he really wants? 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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The Sinful Scot by Maddison Michaels – a Review

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The Sinful Scot by Maddison Michaels – a Review

 

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Description:
Constance Campbell, the Duchess of Kilmaine, once believed that all she needed in life was a duke. But everything unraveled when she realized her perfect husband was a perfect monster. Now broken beyond repair, she hides her misery behind a perfect Society mask…even from her childhood friend, Alec.

Dr. Alec McGuiness reluctantly finds himself back in Scotland, and checking up on the only woman to ever get under his skin, Connie. After she spurned him many years ago, he knows his humble life as a doctor could never be enough for her. But when the Duke of Kilmaine is murdered in cold blood, with Connie sleeping right next to him in bed, Alec knows he must protect Connie at all costs from those who would frame her for the duke’s murder.

Now on the run, Connie feels a freedom she only ever dreamed about before, and an unexpected attraction to the man who is keeping her safe. But even if they can win her freedom and clear her name, could she ever open her heart up to someone again?

 

 

Review:

The Sinful Scot by Maddison Michaels is the third book in her “Saints and Scoundrels” series. They don’t need reading in order. It’s told in the third person. A well thought out book, touching on a few subjects that a few readers might find hard to read about. 

Connie is use to putting on a show. For years now, she’s acted the dutiful wife, even when her husband beat her, even when he abused her mind and body. The only time she tried to escape, she almost lost her life. So now she’s resigned to her fate. Her life is in her husbands hands, and as he get a monthly allowance from her inheritance, he’s not going to end her life just yet. 

But life has its twists and turns, and fate throws her a lifeline…..

Alec has always remembered Connie, but he knew she’d never be happy as a wife of a doctor, so he moved away, but circumstances bring him back to Scotland, and into Connie’s life. He’s under the false impression (like everyone else) that she’s a spoilt woman, who wanted a Lady title, and would do anything to get it …… 

The death of her husband should have her mourning him, but all Connie feels is numb at his death. But it’s not a natural death, it was murder, and the finger is pointing firmly at Connie. But did she do it? She doesn’t remember.

A few things I found a little hard. Connie and Alec getting together, if she’d been that badly abused, wouldn’t it take longer to get over all that violent abuse? Romance books can survive without the sex, if the story is strong enough, then it doesn’t need the sweaty bodies writhing around. I would have preferred the story to concentrate on Connie’s road to recovery.  So is she guilty? Will she be able to escape the Duke and the legacy he left her with? And who was the murderer? 

I liked Connie because although brow beaten, she still had thoughts of other people. Her stepdaughter, and her household. I liked Alec but only when he realised her character is only a facade. A murder mystery book, with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure…

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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About an Earl by Diana Lloyd – a Review

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About an Earl by Diana Lloyd – a Review

 

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Description:
An outsider at her first English ball, Jewel is fascinated with the beautiful dresses and the lovely dancing, but she’s vowed to save the Earl of Winchcombe from her cousin’s marriage trap. When she first glimpses the handsome lord, her heart beats faster. As they plan to thwart her cousin’s machinations, she discovers a kindred spirit in Oliver—even if he’s a peer and she’s a lowly colonist. Caught kissing the earl, the ball ends in disaster and Jewel’s displeased uncle whisks her away to Scotland..

Lord Scar, as the ton calls Oliver, would rather be anywhere than at a godforsaken masquerade ball and when he learns from the free-spirited colonist about the nefarious marriage plan, he grudgingly accepts her help. Jewel intrigues him and sets his heart racing. Yet, when the ball is over and the mask is off—Oliver curses the scar that will send her screaming away.

When her uncle banishes her, Oliver comes to her rescue by offering Jewel his hand in marriage. She agrees, despite his disfigurement. But what’s a beastly lord like him to do with such a beautiful wife—especially when he discovers she’s delightfully saucy?

Each book in the What Happens in the Ballroom series is STANDALONE:
* How to Train Your Baron
* About an Earl

 

 

Review:

What was meant as a benign offering of appreciation, a stolen (given?) kiss with Juliana, a Bostonian colonist, is now the impetus for a betrothal?  An archaic tradition to be sure, and the would-be Earl of Winchcombe, Oliver Chalford, does not budge under duress.  Until word of a nefarious plot to declare Oliver a lunatic, causing him to relinquish his seat in the House of Lords, pushes him to consider a feigned engagement to keep appearances.  About an Earl, a What Happens in the Ballroom novel, is yet another awesome offering by author, Diana Lloyd.  I am always swept up by the lovely storytelling and savor each character.

A story of opportunistic, conniving mamas vying to wed off their daughters to the highest rank of nobility, by fair means or foul, so long as their own indiscretions remain buried.  Altruistic Jewel was trying to right her family’s wrong by alerting Oliver to their scheme.  No good deed goes unpunished and our heroes will find themselves inextricably entangled.  Oliver and Jewel are collaborating to achieve individual goals, but they’re quite different individuals.  While she longs to be heard, he’s maintained an unmatched anonymity.  As soon as you read Oliver and Jewel ‘s exchanges, you will feel their connection.  Two souls trying to find their place.  I recommend they start with each other 😉

Once Oliver stepped up and pushed back, accusations of madness, “Lunacy, witchcraft, and consorting with the devil” intensified.  Midnight strolls and a bird for a pet are just too scandalous, it would appear.  With gossip spreading in Society, just enough merit as to be believed, Oliver’s rightful place as Earl grows more precarious.  Is Jewel starting to regret her honorable act for all the trouble  befalling her?

Misunderstandings aplenty, borne of insecurity, lead to the swooniest explanations and declarations.  About an Earl was great!  Ms. Lloyd tells a love story with intrigue, a wonderfully supportive cast, a ready humor, and so much more to keep you enchanted.  An excerpt of the next novel, Last Lord Standing, has me extending a chair so that I may observe more closely.  To be so lucky!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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A Valentine Proposal by Viv Royce – a Review

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A Valentine Proposal by Viv Royce – a Review

 

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Description:
Just as free-spirited bookstore employee Cleo Davis faces closure of her beloved shop, the owner informs her it will continue as part of the successful Stephens chain. When the chain’s risk assessor, the very reserved, very attractive Mark Stephens, enters the store to look over her business plan, Cleo clashes with him right away. Oil and water have nothing on them.

Mark has always followed the rules. But the minute he steps into vibrant and spunky Cleo’s store, he knows he’s in trouble. One moment he’s in her “craft corner” painting bookends with kids, the next in a bidding war with Cleo at a charity auction. He can’t deny that opposites attract, and Cleo’s vivacious personality has him rethinking his life in more ways than one.

But when Cleo’s store officially becomes part of the bookstore chain, Mark will become her boss…and completely off limits.

 

Review:

I really enjoyed A Valentine Proposal by Viv Royce.  It kept reminding me of all those Hallmark movies that are so popular right now.  I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually got turned into one of those movies one day.  Set in a small town, girl next door type heroine, big city bookstore chain hero type, the two meet, clash over their thoughts for the town’s bookstore, have an instant attraction to one another, but are on opposite sides of the fence regarding what should happen in this small town regarding the bookstore that our heroine just happens to work at. 

I found I had an instant attraction to our would-be couple of Cleo and Mark.  Even though they are at odds with each other regarding the bookstore, you can feel their instant attraction and feel the chemistry between them coming off the pages.  Their interactions with each other are fun, flirty and sexy at times.  Cleo being the door next door type isn’t afraid to get dirty, have fun and throw caution to the wind.  Matter of fact when Mark first encounters her she’s laying on the floor, inside a castle made out of books looking for a stuffed teddy bear for one of her customers.  It was quite comical and set the tone for our story’s couple.  Cleo and Mark’s  adventure takes flight from there and never wavers or dulls.  That being said, it was fun watching Mark let go of his stuffy big city boy mentality and start to adopt Cleo’s small town ideas for her bookstore.  This other side of Mark was a pleasant surprise in their adventure and I really liked this side of him.  Cleo and Mark seem to balance each other out in all the right ways. 

I found that both characters are able to hold their own in a scene, thus allowing for a good flow to their adventure all the while keeping you the reader invested in the story.  Viv Royce does a wonderful job keeping you the reader invested in the story because she’s created two characters who are well rounded with enough back story that they don’t feel one dimensional.  When this happens it helps to give more depth and heart to the story and this one had it in spades.  If you like stories with a small town feel, a little drama and angst between our hero and heroine then A Valentine Proposal is for you. 

Until next time,  happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Mismatched in Mayhem by L.E. Rico – a Review

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Mismatched in Mayhem by L.E. Rico – a Review

 

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Description:
Welcome to Mayhem, Minnesota, with its sweater-wearing cats and ultra-competitive trivia nights. Where love really does conquer all…if you’ll let it.

Walker O’Halloran is finally ready to shed her “wild child” persona. Bartending at her family’s pub, babysitting her adorable niece and nephews, and getting her degree during the day. What she doesn’t do is date–or even think about dating. Ever. Until he walks into her bar, looking like a former Mr. Quarterback of the Football Team and Student Council President all rolled into one. No, thank you.

Mason Stevens has a secret—and it prevents him from knowing if someone is truly interested in him, or just what he can do for them. Until he meets Walker. She’s the first person in ages who doesn’t recognize him, and her grouchy attitude feels like the greatest challenge of his life. And he’s ready for it.

But the more time they spend together, the more he’s desperate to come clean—it’s just never the right time. Until the paparazzi do it for him…

 


Review:

Mismatched in Mayhem begins with Walker O’Halloran working in the family pub.  She lives with one of her sisters, works, and adores her niece and nephews.  While closing up one night, Walker sees that a young man, Mason Stevens, has been left behind by his friends.  When Mason tries to secure a ride home, Walker tells him he’ll never get an Uber out that far to take him back to the university, and offers to give him a ride.  While on the trip home, they make small talk and Walker sees Mason as a person she would never be attracted to.  Walker is in a self imposed exile, if you will, from dating.  To say she’s surprised to find herself thinking about him after she drops him off is a bit of an understatement.

Mason finds himself almost immediately attracted to Walker, and also finds himself happy that she doesn’t recognize him.  When Mason sets out to get to know Walker better, she throws up all kinds of walls, but eventually relents and meets him for a ‘picnic’.  In Mayhem, Minnesota.  In the winter.  When she arrives at the picnic, what she finds leaves her surprised and enchanted.  While the two of them spend time together, she finds herself wondering….what if…..

Walker has blamed herself for her father’s death and doesn’t think she is entitled to be happy.  Mason knows she’s hiding something and sets out to break down her walls.  However, when Mason’s true identity is later revealed and misunderstandings arise, Walker does what she always does.  She shuts down and shuts everyone out.  Mason finds himself miserable not being with Walker, until, surprisingly, his parents give him a pep talk that will change their lives forever.  Mason then makes it his mission to get Walker back and to prove to her that they are indeed not mismatched.

Mismatched in Mayhem is a nicely written story.  Walker is snarky and sassy and loyal.  Mason has struggled his entire life wondering if people like him for him, or for what he can offer them.  Mason also has a brother with special needs that Walker helps out in a big way, which only makes Mason love her more.  The secondary characters are awesome and quirky and leave you laughing out loud at times.  I also had no idea that this was part of a series, so this can totally be read as a stand alone.  I will, however, go back and read the others in the series.  It’s that good.  If you’re a fan of contemporary romance with some steam and a lot of humor, you won’t go wrong with this one.  Well done, Lauren Rico!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Landing the Lawman by Kadie Scott – a Review

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Landing the Lawman by Kadie Scott – a Review

 

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Description:
He thought he was in control until she snuck into his heart…

Carter Hill walked away from a perfectly fine life and relationship…all for a career she’s chased since she was fourteen. Years and a PhD later, she loves her job as a water rights consultant. At the same time, now that all her brothers are happily married, she’s lonely and wanting more. But the only man in her life is Logan – super serious, no sense of humor, and friend-zoned. Or is he? Perhaps a sexy, no-strings affair with a man more driven than she is could help her move on.

Logan Cartez doesn’t date, do relationships, or worry about commitment. He’s married to his job – making sure what destroyed his family ranch and their legacy doesn’t happen to others. When Carter propositions him, what began as a passionate and unforgettable night soon develops into more. Logan finds himself doing things he swore he never would, and the feisty, brilliant, blue-eyed rancher’s daughter has him thinking about so much more than work.

 

 

Review:

Landing the Lawmen by Kadie Scott is the 5th book in her The Texas Hill series, which  can be read in any order, but as the siblings all get married it makes sense to read them the way the author planned. 

Carter is the only daughter in the Hill household. Watching her brothers find love, Carter doesn’t regret her decision to leave family and love behind to pursue her dream job. But it’s a lonely life, has she left it to late? Well maybe not, yummy Logan hits all those buttons. An affair might be just the thing they both need….. 

Logan doesn’t need love, it makes life messy, he needs to concentrate on saving the little farmers and their rights. And Carter Hill is the right person for the job, (she is a water rights consultant) he just needs to ignore her as a woman, a fine complete package. 

With the arrangement of a no-strings affair, both Logan and Carter pursue it wholeheartedly. But when Carter’s mother is taken ill things change for both of them. 

I’ve read all of the previous books in this series, and loved them all. 

The descriptions the author gives is great. The attention to detail is very good. The characters are funny and the flirting is funny and very light hearted. 

Both characters have been hurt in the past, so I see where both Logan and Carter have issues with trust. 

I’d happily recommend this book. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

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Keystone by Katie Delahanty – a Review

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Keystone by Katie Delahanty – a Review

 

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Description:
When Ella Karman debuts on the Social Stock Exchange, she finds out life as a high-profile “Influencer” isn’t what she expected. Everyone around her is consumed by their rankings, in creating the smoke and mirrors that make them the envy of the world. But then Ella’s best friend betrays her, her rankings tank, and she loses—everything.

Leaving her old life behind, she joins Keystone, a secret school for thieves, where students are being trained to steal everything analog and original because something—or someone—is changing history to suit their needs.

Partnered with the annoyingly hot—and utterly impossible—Garrett Alexander, who has plenty of his own secrets, Ella is forced to return to the Influencer world, while unraveling a conspiracy that began decades ago.

One wrong move and she could lose everything—again.

 

 Review:

Keystone by Katie Delahanty is a little different from what I usually read. It’s basically a story of social media gone mad!! From birth you are put on a social platform, your whole life is for public viewing, the more views you get, the more adulation you get. If your at the top of the “social stock exchange” then there is nothing you won’t do to stay there…..

Once you get use to the jumping from past to present it an interesting read. Ella is the product of a social moment (no love) her “parents” did it to provide themselves with more ratings.

And when Ella meets a young man, (but that’s not in her timeline yet,) he has to go, and Ella is punished!! 

Meeting social outcasts (or disconnects) Ella realises there is more to life than popping your life out there for all to view. And they take her to Keystone…..

Keystone is like a school for thieves. And Ella is totally out of her comfort zone. The school needs to prove to the world that someone is out to change the past. Why? And for what gain? So they steal analogue (books and anything that’s not digital) 

The interaction between Garrett and Ella (she’s now called Elisha) is fun to read, their bickering will surely lead to something, (even thoughts has a girlfriend) and finding true friends, but the fake friends she had outside of Keystone. 

All this makes good reading. And all the secrets everyone has. What is Garrett hiding? Will Ella tell him about her parentage? 

With the cliffhanger ending, you know I’m going to need the answer….. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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