The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton- a Review

The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton- a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
Penelope Fletcher gave up everything to board the RMS Titanic.

Forced to travel to America for her father’s new job, Penelope left her home in Scotland, her beloved grandmother, and even her girlfriend, who promptly got engaged to someone else. Heartbroken, Penelope isn’t looking forward to the weeklong journey. Or that her parents want her to find a husband in America. To make matters worse, she also has to share a cabin with a complete stranger.

Ruby Cole, her spunky Irish roommate, is unlike anyone Penelope ever met. They become fast friends as they bond over crushing family expectations and sneaking into lush parties together. That Ruby likes women, too, comes as a surprise to Penelope, but she knows their affair can only be temporary. Because as soon as the Titanic arrives in New York, Penelope will have to marry someone of her father’s choosing.

Before long, though, they’ll both have to decide what–and who–is really worth fighting for.

 

 

Review:

The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton begins with Penelope Fletcher and her family boarding the RMS Titanic.  Penelope has had to leave her home in Scotland and those she loves behind.  Her father has accepted a job in America and both of her parents expect her to find a husband soon.  Neither of those things is what she wants to do.  To add insult to injury, she must share a cabin on the ship with someone she doesn’t even know.

As Penelope is starting to unpack, her roommate, Ruby Cole, comes into their shared cabin.  Penelope is instantly drawn to Ruby.  The two young ladies become fast friends as they navigate the ship together and spend more and more time together.  Penelope finds herself attracted to Ruby and to her relief, she finds out that Ruby likes women as well.  As they develop feelings for each other, tragedy hits and the two of them get separated not knowing if the other has survived the sinking of the unsinkable ship.

The Breath Between Waves is a creative retelling of the Titanic story.  Both main characters were well written, as were the secondary characters.  The instant (and I do mean instant!) attraction that Penelope had for Ruby was a bit much for me, but I did enjoy them getting to know more about each other.  If I’m being honest, there’s a lot of Jack and Rose in the second half of the book.  With the parties they attended and trying to keep their affair a secret took me back to those scenes in the actual movie.  With all of that said, I did enjoy the book.  If you’re a fan of the genre, as well as stories about the Titanic, you’ll certainly enjoy it as well.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

The Traitor by Abigail Owen – a Review

The Traitor by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
Decades ago, rogue dragon shifter Rune Abaddon took a stand against the decaying, corrupt systems governing their people. He now uses his bad-ass reputation to protect the innocent as it all comes crashing down. But he’s pushed the limits one too many times. His hideout is destroyed, his few allies are scattered and hiding, and the Alliance has placed a dead-or-alive bounty on his head, making him the most wanted dragon in the western hemisphere. 

And then the most enticing woman he’s ever met barges into his mountain, demanding an audience.

Hadyn Reece’s future was ripped away long ago. The man fated to be her mate was murdered alongside her parents before Hadyn was old enough to be turned, leaving her to be raised and trained by her dead mate’s parents in the dragon shifter world. Now, the Alliance has come for the only family she has left. It’s a good thing she was raised by dragons, because the only one who can help her save them is a traitor she’d be smart to fear.

Especially when his dragon decides she’s theirs.

 

 

 

Review 

The Traitor by Abigail Owen is the 5th book in her Fire’s Edge series.  Finally!  I’ve waited (sort of) patiently for Rune Abbadon’s book for a while now, and it was well worth the wait. 

We’ve known about Rune since the first book, in fact he’s been mentioned (and possibly appeared) in the spin off series (Inferno Rising Series). He’s a rogue dragon that defies the alliance, and he’s been a thorn in the The High King’s side for some time!  But in this book we find out more about the man/dragon. We already know he’s a snarly, lone Wolf! An enigma.  But he was once part of the infamous Huracáns team. 

So what happens for him to go rogue?  We know he’s taking mates that are destined to other dragons! Why? It’s all to do with a theory he worked out. But no one really believed him,  so going rogue was his only option! 

Hadyn is such a complex character. Definitely human, brought up by dragons after her parents and their son died. Teaching her all there was to know about dragon kind.  She’s a human meant to be a mate for a dragon.  And after losing her adoptive parents to a rogue seeking team, she’s now looking for help. Her dragon father told her of a dragon that could help her. 

But when she finds him, he’s not that helpful! In fact he doesn’t trust her at all!!  His dragon is very interested in the little human (Hadyn) but Rune doesn’t let anyone get too close. And so an uneasy truce/alliance is formed. 

Spending time with Hadyn is very distracting for Rune, he’s usually not interested in females. But this one is crawling under his skin with her constant questions, attitude and determination. Maybe he ought to suggest a no strings affair whilst he helps her?! 

I love these stories. It’s easily read on its own, but read in order just gives the book more depth.  We see how and why Rune is so closed off. There is also a lot of action (running from rogue hunting squads). The attraction between these two is just hot. But he knows she can never really be his. She belonged to someone else, and a fated mate only gets one chance, so trying to mate with Hadyn could cause her death! 

We catch up with previous couples, we also get more info on what’s happening with the Alliance. And when a bounty is placed on Rune’s head it places everyone he cares about in danger! There is so much going on, death of a beloved couple. Fights for freedom and rescue missions. It doesn’t let up!! 

I’m recommending this book, but I’m also asking that you read the others as well. You won’t be sorry. The pace, the passion and the story is just one you’ll want to read again and again. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Share

It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle – a Review

It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / Book Depository

Description:
Don’t drink and text.

Even on the cusp of forty, I had to learn that the hard way. After discovering my best friend, who I was supposed to grow old and single with, got engaged, I drowned my loneliness in one too many Old Fashioneds and woke up with thirty-nine responses from every available man in my phone. Yup, I even texted my plumber…and he turned me down.

Apparently, my liquor-infused text said that while I don’t need a man, maybe I’d be down for a constant sidekick for movies, plus-one invites, and dinner on the table after my grueling shifts as a concierge doctor—till death do us part…and was anyone in?

Through the absolute mortification of thirty-seven rejections, shockingly, I realize two men have said yes. Behind Bachelor Door #1 is Rob, my old high school crush: the comfortable, dependable boy-next-door. Behind Bachelor Door #2 is Darius, the exciting, flashy news reporter about to hit it big. Does this mean I’ll have to get out of my yoga pants and actually go on dates now?

Dax, the local bartender who got me into this disaster in the first place—remember the Old Fashioneds?—can’t believe I’ve given up on finding true love. What does a tattooed, broody twentysomething know about carving out a future for yourself, anyway?

Too bad the further into this hot mess I get, the less I know about who I am. And I’m going to have to figure out exactly what I need if I ever want to find a true happily ever after.

 

 

Review:

I quite enjoyed It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle.  It’s a fun, charming and flirty story about Annie Kyle who’s about to turn 40 with no man in her future in sight.  After a drunken night she accidentally texts all the men in her phone and the next morning the fun or chaos ensues for Annie. 

I found the characters to be very likeable and relatable with real life issues.  All the characters from Annie, to all her potential mates(Rob, Darius, and Dax) had no problem holding their own and being able to carry the story forward to make it all make sense. There were many sweet and funny moments, with enough serious ones to balance everything out and make the whole story very relatable for the reader regarding life and relationships. 

I liked Dax from the get go and wanted him to be her guy from their first scene together. I was very happy in the end when Dax did turn out to be the one, even though he’s much younger then her.  There was just something about him, and together he and Annie just had this vibe about them whenever they had a scene together. It was something that just couldn’t be ignored whenever Annie and Dax were together. Whether is was just teasing each other at the bar, or chatting about his dog, something was in the air around them.  Now don’t get me wrong, her other potential mates(Darius and Rob) were well rounded characters and generally good guys.  However, whenever Annie was in a scene with them, that vibe wasn’t there for me.  Neither of them seemed like ‘the one’ for Annie in my opinion, but that’s just me. 

It was fun and intriguing to watch Annie juggle all 3 guys and try to figure out just who was best for her in the long run.  At times I thought the story was just going to run off the rails but instead Miss Hammerle did a great job of balancing everything out all the while making sense of all 3 relationships for Annie.  It never truly got complicated or messy for anyone involved.  Miss Hammerle kept everything real, open and relatable to life’s daily issues and it made for a very enjoyable story.

If you’re you looking for something fun and easy going to pass the day away, especially a rainy day.  Then I’d say It’s Raining Men by Julie Hammerle is just what you need.

Until next time, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

The Matchmaker Bride by Ginny Baird – a Review

The Matchmaker Bride by Ginny Baird – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Successful Boston matchmaker and television personality Meredith Galanes’s reputation is on the line. During a guest appearance on a morning talk show, she’s broadsided by questions about her own romantic attachments, just as she’s trying to secure a syndication deal. Afraid to admit her love life is a total disaster, Meredith blurts out that she’s seriously involved with a very special man–a boatbuilder in Maine. She never expects that small slip to get spun into a story about her supposed engagement.

Or that the paparazzi will track the guy down…

Derrick Albright is laid-back about many things. Being hounded by the press about some imaginary engagement to a woman he’s only met once–and couldn’t stand–isn’t one of them. Then Meredith actually shows up at his cabin in Blue Hill, Maine, with an apology, a pot roast, and a proposal–play along until she secures her TV deal, and she’ll help him win back his ex.

It’s a simple plan, but if they have any chance of pulling it off, they’ll have to survive each other first…

Each book in the Blue Hill Brides series is STANDALONE:
* The Duplicate Bride
* The Matchmaker Bride

 

Review:

The Matchmaker Bride begins with Meredith Galanes’s both nervous and excited about the possibilities before her.  She has a local matchmaking show that she is hoping will be picked up and go into syndication.  Her being interviewed by the host of Talk Time should be just the thing to get the executives to pick up her show.  What Meredith did not count on was the host asking her about her love life, which was non-existent.  She made a split-second decision to say that she, in fact, does have a special someone in her life, even though that is not true.  In her mind, how could a matchmaker NOT be involved with someone?  Meredith also does not count on the story being picked up so quickly and the press going to find the “boatbuilder in Maine”, even though she never gave a name.

Derrick Albright had no idea what to think when the press showed up at his house in Maine wanting to know about his engagement to Meredith Gaines.  When Meredith shows up in the middle of the chaos, he is even more surprised.  They had only met once and to say they did not get along is a bit of an understatement.  Once Meredith lays out what is going on and proposes that this will help him get back with an old ex, he finds himself intrigued and agrees to go through with the plan for a few weeks.  However, neither of them expected to get along, let alone start to develop feelings for each other.

The Matchmaker Bride is nicely written by Ginny Baird, with very relatable characters.  Meredith and Derrick were each strong on their own but really flourished together.  I really liked the dynamic between the two of them.  The secondary characters were also well written.  The worldbuilding was great as well.  If I am being honest though, I did have a bit of an issue with not knowing about their history, other than the author saying that they did not get a long when they first met.  The other characters also talked about issues that I feel would have been good to know before reading this story as well.  I would not normally bring that up, as I read and review books in the middle of series all the time that say they can be read as a standalone.  But I do feel like something was missing for me due to the multiple references to the first time they met and the other characters’ comments.  With that said, I enjoyed the story and have put the first in the series near the top of my “to be read” list!  If you enjoy the genre, you will certainly enjoy this one. 

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

The Do-Over by Melissa MacKinnon – a Review

The Do-Over by Melissa MacKinnon – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play 

 

Description:
After years in the grueling California dating scene, Maggie Kelley has finally agreed to marry her Mr. Right Now. But there’s just one teensy problem…the county clerk lets her know that she’s technically still married to her Vegas fling: the best three days she ever had…and can’t actually remember. The moment she sees her very hot husband after eight years, with his works-well-with-his-hands attitude, she’s sure their wedding night must have been explosive. 

The absolute last person Finnegan Garrity expected at his door is Maggie—his ultimate “one who got away.” Yet here she is in his small-town boat shop, looking just as adorable as ever…and wanting a divorce. Yeah, he has no intention of letting that happen. Now he’s got one week to convince Maggie that they’re still perfect for each other. 

But he’s going to need more than just a do-over: he’s going to need a miracle.

Content Warning The Do Over  is a heartwarming romance with two at-odds main characters. However, the story includes elements that might not be suitable for some readers. Cancer, a child with a disability after a car accident, mentions of a car accident, mentions of a violent relationship and alcoholism, parental death, and mentions of childhood parental neglect are included in the novel. Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.

 

 

 

Review:

The Do-Over by Melissa MacKinnon is the 1st book in her new Finding Home series. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author, and I have to admit I laughed through most of the book. 

A drunken Vegas wedding!! Sounds like a recipe for a disaster. But for four days Maggie and Finn were inseparable, drunken dares had led to a spontaneous marriage proposal and Finn had hoped to keep Maggie forever. But with a dawn four days later comes regret and guilt. They both their separate ways, each thinking the other had “sorted” the annulment!! 

Eight years later, Maggie is looking for a divorce from her four day husband….. And that’s where we start our story. 

Maggie needs a divorce and she needs it done now. Her family need her to solidify a union between two families (I know right! Sounds like a mafia deal!). But doing her duty for her family is what she’s all about. But there is a small party of her that was relived when she finds out her divorce hasn’t gone through. 

Finnegan thought he’d found the woman he’d spend the rest of his life with. He’d even plucked up the courage to find her after Vegas. But he’d been made to realize that they were from two different worlds.  And so he resigned himself never to see her again. 

And now he’s got a second chance, can he get her to change her mind? Will she even want to after eight years? Well he needs to give it one last shot…..

A fake engagement leads to all sorts of misunderstandings. Finn tells his grandmother that Maggie is his girlfriend from New York (looooong story) grandmother sees Maggie’s ring and assumes they are now engaged!!! Finn asks Maggie to pretend to be his fiancée until the divorce is signed…. 

The chemistry is still there, but Maggie is trying really hard to keep her distance, and Finn isn’t helping one bit…So what happens when the papers finally come? Will Maggie leave and return to California? Or has Finn done enough to keep Maggie by his side permanently this time? 

Loved the grandmother, she wasn’t as silly as people thought her to be. And a few supporting characters were just a joy to read about. And if I had to pick a family to visit…. I’d pick Finn’s family every time, they were just so warm and friendly. Maggie’s family were just so cold and power oriented! 

It’s a book that can easily be read in a few hours. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

A Lot Like Love by Jennifer Snow – a Review

A Lot Like Love by Jennifer Snow – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
They have different ideas about the fate of an old inn…until it brings them together.

When Sarah Lewis inherits a run-down B&B from her late grandmother in coastal Blue Moon Bay, the logical thing to do is sell it and focus on her life in L.A. But when she learns that interested buyers will only tear it down in its current state, she feels a sense of obligation to her grandmother to get it back to the landmark tourist destination it once was…even if that means hiring the best contractor for the job, who happens to be her old high school crush.

Wes Sharrun’s life has continued to unravel since the death of his wife three years before. Now with a struggling construction company and a nine-year-old daughter, he sees the B&B as an opportunity to get back on his feet. Unfortunately, despite trying to keep his distance, his daughter has taken a liking to Sarah, and his own feelings are tough to deny.

As they spend more time together painting, exploring a forgotten treasure trove of wine in a basement cellar, and arguing over balcony placement, the more the spark between them ignites. But will saving the B&B be enough to convince them both to take a second chance at love?

 

Review:

A Lot Like Love by Jennifer Snow reminds me a lot of the many Hallmark movies I’ve watched over this past year.  It was very sweet, charming and endearing.  It had a little bit of everything in it; past issues that need to be dealt with, trying to move on after the death of your spouse, old family history coming to the surface thanks to the discovery of an old journal, and finding love with the one you were always meant to be with.  This is the journey of Sarah and Wes and I really enjoyed reading this one.  Oh and lets not forget the chemistry between these two that just keeps getting hotter and hotter as the story goes on.

I really like both Wes and Sarah from the very beginning. It’s obvious they have history that was never fully settled or dealt with, and thus the sparks spring forth between them right away.  Only for Wes he’s very hesitant because he has a nine year old daughter and he’s worried about her welfare and doesn’t want her heart broken again.  Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought his daughter would see through him and know he has feelings for Sarah and that she’s completely okay with it.  Marissa, Wes’ daughter actually becomes somewhat of a matchmaker and tells her dad he needs to admit his feelings for Sarah and ask her out.  She even goes so far as to tell him she’d be cool with Sarah as her stepmom.  The bond/friendship between Sarah and Marissa is quick to form and just blossoms throughout the story. You can see how the 3 of them make a nice little family and do belong together.  Thankfully it’s Marissa who helps her dad fix the mess he makes between him and Sarah and in the end they do find their happy every after. 

As I said earlier A Lot Like Love is a charming and endearing story between Wes and Sarah. It’s the type of story that you can’t help but keep reading until the end because you need to know what happens next.  It’s the perfect book to spend a lazy Sunday with and forget about the outside world for just a little bit. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Share

A Touch of Healing by Kathryn K Murphy – a Review

A Touch of Healing by Kathryn K Murphy – a Review

 

Amazon

 

Description:
Laura Burton has a secret. One that she has always been able to count on until Carter Price crashes back into her life. 

As a paramedic, Laura helps people, but her secret power heals them, or it had until now. She hasn’t seen the billionaire tech mogul since he broke every promise back when they were dating in high school. Now, in the back of the ambulance, Carter’s breaking the rules again when her power fails to work on him. Laura needs to find out why while managing to keep herself and her son afloat on a shoestring budget, when Carter offers her a deal. Live with him and help him recover in exchange for free rent. Can she figure out what has gone wrong while guarding herself from getting hurt again?

A steamy, second chance romance, A Touch of Healing is the first book in the Sisters in Sirens series. If you like strong women with secret superpowers and the men who love them, you’ll love Kathryn K. Murphy’s newest page-turning romance.

 

Review:

A Touch of Healing by Kathryn K. Murphy is the first book in her new Sisters in Sirens series. Laura can heal with just the touch of her hands! She doesn’t publicize the fact, she just starts the healing process. Laura’s a paramedic. She always wanted to become a doctor, but a failed marriage and a little boy put her dreams out of reach, so she trained hard and helps people in her own way….. 

Carter overcame what people thought of him! At school he got in with the wrong crowd and saw him fall from a great height! Prison gave him the wake up call, and a good friend helped him back into the right path. So he was here to say goodbye at the friend funeral! But one too many drinks now has him in plaster and trapped on the town he left behind…..

Laura and Carter are friends who dated brief  until one fateful evening changed all that. And Carter only saw Laura from a distance, until he moved away. An accident brings them back into each others world, but can she  ever trust Carter again? 

Romance? Carter had loved Laura for such a long time, and knew he’d blown his chances with her as a teen, but now he’s an adult and he wants another chance! But will Laura give him that chance? 

We also have the fact Laura doesn’t seem to be able to heal Carter! Is it a coincidence? Or has she lost her healing ability? 

Second chance at romance comes calling for Carter and Laura, whilst convalescing in the town he grew up in he offers Laura a job and home to become his nurse/carer. He’s looking for a second chance with Laura, and he’ll use whatever he can to succeed. They are meant to be together. 

Recommend? Definitely, it’s a great read, it is a slow burn romance, so if your looking for instalust you won’t get it here. We also have a love rival! It’s Carter’s assistant, and she really does try her best to split the new couple up! And we have the fact Laura has powers! Will she confide in Carter? 

I liked Laura she was a great character, love a little paranormal in with my reading. She has a great network of friends and a cute little boy (and an ex husband who may figure in future stories!) She tires so hard to be a good parent, but on a limited budget and now about to become homeless! But she just puts on a brave face and tries her best. 

Carter Was a nice surprise, he overcame his past, he learnt from his mistakes and tried to help others. Becoming a billionaire didn’t really change him as such, but if it hadn’t been for his old school coach, he probably wouldn’t be where he is today. 

This first book in a new series, (sisters in sirens) is all about first responders, but I’ve read and liked a previous series written by this author. (The Firemark Series) 

So can Carter convince Laura that they are meant to be together? And can Laura trust another man, after the last man broke her heart? 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

Share

Highland Hero by Cynthia Breeding – a Review

Highland Hero by Cynthia Breeding – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
If Juliana Caldwell said the sky was blue, Rory MacGregor would tell her it was gray with a storm due any minute. No man gets under her skin more than the arrogantly handsome Scot. When she is abducted by a rival clan, Rory is the last person she expects or wants to call her hero.

Rory is the best tracker the MacGregors have, so when his brother’s sister-by-marriage goes missing, he’s ordered to find her. But binding himself to the fiery English redhead with an opinion about everything is not how he saw this rescue going. To save her from the clutches of the villainous Cameron laird’s son, though, he must declare them handfasted.

When their escape goes horribly awry, Juliana and Rory are forced to take the long way home. Surviving blizzard conditions, meddling clanspeople, and a near-fatal ambush on the trail, nothing compares to the unexpected and unlikely passion that ignites between the rugged Highlander and his English warrior princess.

Each book in the Children of the Mist series is STANDALONE:
* Highland Renegade
* Highland HeroReview by Georgianna Simpson

 

 

Review:

Highland Hero is the latest in the Children of the Mist Series by Cynthia Breeding. This is the story of Rory MacGregor and Juliana Caldwell. If you read the previous novel, you will recognize many of the characters in or spoken of in this novel. Rory is the brother of Ian who has just married Juliana’s sister Emily. They are celebrating the wedding and the lifting of the proscription for the MacGregors. Rory and Juliana spar over every conversation. Both are strong willed and opinionated, and while neither will admit it, they love sparing with each other.

Rory is much more civilized and honorable than Juliana is willing to admit. He’s not the kind to treat a lady with less than some respect. Juliana has a dark secret that she hasn’t told anyone. As a young girl and living with Emily and her then husband, a count (although he was an opium and gambling addict, given to violence). She and her younger sister were home alone, when a nobleman who the count owed a gambling debt came to their castle to collect on the debt. She told him her brother-in-law wasn’t home just then and would he like to tell her what the problem was. They went to the library to talk. He locked the door and immediately began to tear her clothes off and rape her. He told her if she kept fighting, he would also take her little sister. To save her sister, she stopped resisting. She was hit, raped and humiliated, but never told anyone. To this day, she cannot stand too close to any man and plans never to marry.

When she goes outside to get some fresh air that night, she was abducted by Neal Cameron, a nasty little bugger from another clan. He intended to take her as a bride and bed her. She fought as much as she could, but they used a rag soaked in something to make her sleep while they took her away. When she was found missing Ian sent Rory out to track her and bring her back.

When Rory finds her, he tells the Cameron’s, they can’t have her for a bride, because she’s already handfasted to him. Juliana goes along with what Rory said just to get free. She has no idea that handfasted means legally married in all ways, at least for a year. Rory understands she doesn’t have a clue what she’s agreed to, but he intends to honor his part. However, he never intends to claim her against her will. Just as they take off, the Cameron’s find out that she lied. Neal and some of his men get saddled up and begin to pursue them. Rory is quite good about hiding and knows which way will get them to freedom.

Basically, that’s the gist. Now let me tell you what I found so entertaining. The conversations between the two main characters are witty and sometimes very funny. They irritate each other to the extreme, but slowly begin to find things that they actually admire about each other.  As they argue and face extreme weather and many other issues to get to safety, they slowly begin to fall in love…but neither will admit it, of course.

The misunderstandings are plentiful, the hidden desire is strong. This premise makes for a wonderfully exciting tale. There is danger, romance, and much more. My recommendation is to grab a glass of your favorite beverage (a cold glass of wine was my choice) and curl up for a unique story and a lot of fun.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

Share