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Wolf Hunger by Ella Phoenix – a Review

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Wolf Hunger by Ella Phoenix – a Review

 

Wolf Hunger
Dragon Heat – Book #3
by Ella Phoenix
Release Date: March 11, 2014

WolfHunger_EJP_400px_FINALLink to order Wolf Hunger: Amazon

Description:
When the last box of deadly bullets is stolen, the hunt is on and the Vampire King’s band of fighters is set for the challenge of recovering it. But Yara, the shifter-witch, has other problems to face. She must help her leader to overcome the strange illness that has befallen her before it’s too late. For that, she must go back to the only place she swore never to return – her homeland.

Rafe is a typical lone wolf who spends his nights earning his bucks in the fighting ring. When he was offered a pardon for his debts in exchange for the Vampire King’s head, he didn’t even blink, thinking it would be a hard mission but not impossible. He just wasn’t expecting the saucy shifter-witch to cross his path and ruin his plans. Now, he can’t get her out of his mind and the clock is ticking for him to make good on his word.

This is the third novel of the Dragon Heat series – a paranormal lover’s delight with vampires, shifters, dragons, witches and much more.

***Warning: this novel contains hot, steamy, descriptive sexual scenes. Enjoy.***

 

Review:

I think it is very safe to say that thanks to The Reading Café and coming across new authors, I’ve become a huge fan of Ella J. Phoenix and her Dragon Heat series. I absolutely love this series, her writing style, world building, flare for the imagination, her characters and plot lines keep me riveted and entertained. I’ve had the pleasure of reading and reviewing all three novels in the series so far, and let me just say, she hasn’t disappointed me yet.  I absolutely loved this latest addition to the series, Wolf Hunger and Yara and Rafe had me salivating throughout the story.  They brought their story to life and kept me on the edge of my seat with every turn of the page. 

I was very happy to finally, finally learn about Yara and how she came to be a panther shifter, on top of being a witch.  Ms. Phoenix introduces us to Yara’s family/coven of Water Witches when she has to return home to find herbs and insects that can help her friend Zoricah .  We learn of the type of magic the water witches possess, and where they live in the Amazon was very intriguing and interesting.  Meeting Yara’s fellow sister witches, the Mothers of the water witches and why Yara hasn’t been back there for years added another layer of interest and intrigue to the story and provides us with one of the subplots when Yara’s sister witch Naiah winds up being teleported back to Tardieh and Zoricah’s mansion with Yara and Dayam. 

As I said in my past reviews of Ms. Phoenix’s books, she has a knack for writing a sub plot that seamlessly weaves it’s way throughout the main story and she does it once again in Wolf Hunger.   This time we have two secondary plots working in the story; Zoriacah’s ‘illness’ and Dayam and Naiah’s friendship/relationship.  Both subplots are important to the main story and future storyline’s to come in this series and they only had me wanting more by the end of the book.  If I had one pet peeve in this story, it has to do with Dayam and Naiah, but not being one to reveal many spoilers in my reviews, you will have to read the book to find out.  The only thing I will say is, I hope the next book in this series is Dayam’s because he has really intrigued me from the beginning of the series, but more so now after reading Wolf Hunger. 

Now, onto one of my favourite characters in this series, Rafe, our wolf shifter, who we first meet in Vampire Thirst.  Rafe didn’t want the job of being the Alpha when his father died, so he allowed his uncle to become Alpha.  One problem, his uncle isn’t Alpha material, and is running the pack into all sorts of money troubles.  To help his pack, Rafe winds up getting in deep with some bad Draco’s who aren’t happy with the mating of the Vampire King, to the Draco Demi-goddess  Zoricah.  It’s through his association with the Draco’s Balaur and Phillip that he crosses paths with Yara.  From the first moment they met in Vampire Thirst, I knew to keep an eye on them cause I had a feeling they’d be meeting again and boy was I right.  Rafe is your typical Alpha wolf and he shows it every chance he can. He had me fanning myself quite often as I read this one, boy can that wolf heat up the pages of a book.  He and Yara to put it mildly are combustible whenever they are together in a scene.  Both feel a pull towards the other and don’t know why since both are from different species, Rafe being a wolf, and Yara being a panther.  Cats and dogs don’t usually get along, but in this case, the chemistry between Yara and Rafe is off the charts.  Rafe isn’t one to believe in the whole soul mate thing, but once he meets Yara and the two of them get together, there’s no denying she’s his and he will stop at nothing to keep her, even if it means, possibly loosing her by coming clean about everything regarding the deadly bullets and his deal with the Dracos Balaur and Phillip. Rafe may be the resident ‘bad boy’, but he’s got a heart of gold and we see it shine through in his treatment of Yara and how he will do anything to keep her safe and protect her.  I really grew to love Rafe and hope we get to see more of him and Yara in future books.

As I said earlier I love this series and Wolf Hunger is a wonderful addition to the series.  Rafe and Yara really turn up the heat in this one and bring the reader along a dangerous, yet adventurous journey.  Ms. Phoenix had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and I found I just couldn’t put the book down once I started it.  Ms. Phoenix has a knack for writing her stories to a point I just get lost in them and before I know it I’m done the book and am left with wanting more. If you are a fan of stories that combine vampires, witches, dragons, magic, off the charts chemistry between the hero and heroine, well written characters and overall creative storytelling then this series is for you.

Until next time, Happy Reading!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author

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How to Handle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy – Review, Interview and Giveaway

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How to Handle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy – Review, Interview and Giveaway

How to Handle A Cowboy Banner

How To Handle A Cowboy
Cowboys of Decker Ranch #1
by Joanne Kennedy
Release Date: April 1, 2014

How To Handle a CowboyLinks to order How to Handle a Cowboy:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Sidelined by a career-ending injury, rodeo cowboy Ridge Cooper is desperate to find an outlet for the energy he devoted to his sport. He decides to teach rodeo skills to the kids at the Phoenix House, a local group home for foster children. Here he falls for a big-city girl who just might make him the perfect wife.

Inner-city social worker Sierra Dunn has been exiled to a last-chance home for foster kids in a remote Wyoming town for blowing the whistle on her boss. Her only goal is to prove herself and move back to the city, but the town’s rodeo hero is going after her heart.


Review:

There’s just something about a cowboy that gets my blood pumping, so when asked to read and review How to Handle a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy, I wasn’t passing up the chance.  I’m very happy that I read this one and hope there will be more stories to come regarding the cowboys of Decker Ranch.  We get to meet the Decker cowboys in this one, but the story focuses solely on Ridge Cooper, a recently retired rodeo cowboy due to a career ending injury, and Sierra Dunn, social worker from the city of Denver.  These two are pretty much opposites, but as they say opposites attract, and boy do these two ever have that combustible kind of attraction for one another.  From their first scene together their mutual attraction for one another is palpable and the story just flows from there.  Ridge and Sierra run away with this story and take us on am emotional journey of finding what it really means to find that special someone that you can call home with.

As I said I was very happy to have read this one.  Ms. Kennedy has a way with words and sets up the story just so. I was hooked from the first chapter and knew I needed to learn more about our battered cowboy and social worker from the city.  Ms. Kennedy sets a nice easy going pace to her story and never rushes anything.  We get to learn who Ridge and Sierria were before they met, who they are now, and who they’ve become because of meeting one another. I really enjoyed getting to meet both Ridge and Sierra and see them as two separate entities but missing that one key ingredient, that special someone who brings out the best in you and makes you feel like you’ve finally come home.  Even though they are opposites, for some reason they bring out the best in the other, and it feels right, like it was meant to be.  However, they are both very stubborn and proud personalities and due to their pasts, have a hard time just letting go, and letting someone else in.  If it wasn’t for Sierra’s foster kids, and Ridge teaching them the ins and outs of ranch life, who knew if these two lonely souls would ever have met. Thanks to her foster kids, Sierra and Ridge both discover a different side to themselves and start to think that maybe, just maybe they can have everything they ever dreamed of.  The romance between Ridge and Sierra is sweet and unrushed. I enjoyed watching these two come together and realize they are better together then apart.  

As I said I’m a sucker for a good cowboy read and this really hit the spot for me.  For some reason I’ve always loved a book with a hero who feels he’s broken and doesn’t deserve the life he’s always wanted.  I got this and more with Ridge Cooper. My heart broke for him and his brothers and what they went through as kids, and now dealing with a career ending rodeo injury.  At first he thinks rodeo is all he ever had to live for, but once Sierra and her band of misfits enter the picture, he sees a side of himself that can relate to those kids and knows he can make a difference in their lives, just like the Deckers did for him and his brothers.  I really enjoyed watching Ridge transform from a sullen and bitter cowboy, to one who feels with all his heart and wants to make a difference in the lives of a group of foster kids and win his lady’s heart. For anyone who is a fan of cowboys, then this one is a must, and I only hope Ms. Kennedy will have stories to tell for Ridges’ brother’s Shane and Brady.  Having met them in this story and learning a little about them, I’m rather captivated by these other cowboys and want to learn more about them.  Here’s to hoping for more wonderful cowboy reads from Ms. Kennedy. 

Until next time, Happy Reading pardners, Yee Haw!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

Interview beige

Joanne KennedyTRC: Hi Joanne and welcome to The Reading Café.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Joanne: I’m actually an Easterner who fell in love with the West on a vacation to Yellowstone National Park when I was eight years old. I loved the fact that the chipmunks ate out of your hands and I thought jackalopes were real, so vowed I would move West someday. Twenty years ago, I did just that, running away from home to Montana, then Colorado, and finally Wyoming. I was a little disillusioned about the jackalopes, but otherwise the West has exceeded all my expectations.

I’ve worked in the book trade all my life, as the owner of a used and rare bookstore, the manager of an independent, and the manager of a Barnes & Noble. I’d always wanted to write a book, and finally, at 45, I decided it was time. My first published book was “Cowboy Trouble,” and I’ve written about cowboys and the West ever since.

TRC: HOW TO HANDLE A COWBOY is the first installment in your new Cowboys of Decker Ranch series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

How To Handle a CowboyJoanne: My new series centers on three cowboys who were all foster kids until they were taken in as teenagers by rancher Bill Decker, who taught them to ride and rope and schooled them in the Code of the West.

In the nearby town of Wynott, the elderly residents are struggling to keep their community alive. When an old Victorian mansion is turned into a foster home for boys, the cowboys see a chance to pay it forward and give the kids there a chance to learn the cowboy way.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the Cowboys of Decker Ranch series?

Joanne: I’m planning on three books, so I can tell the story of all three Decker Ranch cowboys: Ridge Cooper, Brady Caine, and Shane Lockhart. But there are a lot of stories in Wynott, Wyoming that want to be told, so there may be a spin-off in the future.

TRC: Will each storyline have a different male and female lead? And will the previous storyline characters play any significant role in future storylines?

Joanne: Yes. Each book will feature one of the brothers and the woman who is his destiny. I just finished book two, which is Brady’s story, and although the book stands on its own (that’s very important to me!), there are lots of fun connections to the previous story. For example, Tornado, the bucking bronc who ended Ridge’s rodeo career, continues to pose a challenge to the cowboys. And Isaiah, one of the kids from the foster home, brightens up the heroine’s lonely life after Brady accidentally injures her in a roping accident.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters in this storyline, which models or actors best represents your ideal image?

Joanne: Sourcebooks really got it right this time. Ridge looks like Wade Russell, whoever he is. He’s listed on the copyright page as the model for the cover, and he looks very much like I pictured Ridge. Just picture him saying, “Howdy, Ma’am” in a Sam Elliott growl and then not saying another word, and you’ve got Ridge.

But I hesitate to define characters in that much detail. I try to tell just enough about a character so they can create their own image, and I hope it’s as strong as the image in my head. It doesn’t have to match; it just has to be real to the reader. I think books are a collaboration between the reader and the writer, where the writer brings a story to life and the reader creates the pictures in her head that make it real. I hope that makes sense to people!

TRC: Most, if not all, of your books focus on cowboys and western romances. What or who was the driving factor behind your foray into this particular genre?

Joanne: I’m not sure when my fascination with cowboys started. Partly it was from watching The History Channel years ago. I got interested in Western history, and of course cowboys are a huge part of that. Then, when I moved West, I was fascinated by how different Western culture is. It was like going to another country. And once I met a few cowboys, I discovered that no matter what their age, they had certain traits in common: old-fashioned values, a deep connection to the land, and a reverence for home and family as well as tradition. That makes them perfect romantic heroes for me.

TRC: Have you ever ridden a horse?;)

Joanne: Yes! But have I ever ridden a horse well? No! I’m not any kind of athlete, and that extends to horseback riding. I love horses and had one of my own years ago. At the time, I could afford the horse, the feed, and the vet bills, but that didn’t leave anything left over for a saddle. So I rode bareback most of the time, and fell off a lot. My horse was a wise old Arabian mare who would respond to the slightest movement from her rider. It felt like she could read my mind; I’d just think about where I wanted to go, and she’d go there. She was wonderful and taught me so much.

TRC: How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Joanne: It’s hard, because all romances are predictable to some degree. You know the hero and heroine are going to end up together; the trick is to make the reader forget that fact. I believe that if you set a story in a believable enough world, the reader will forget she’s reading a romance. Hopefully, she’ll forget she’s reading at all, and be swept away by the story as if it’s real life. So the content itself is the key to believability. You need characters that seem real, events that mirror real life, and a setting that draws you in and makes you feel the story with all your senses.

TRC: Are you a plotter or a panster (write by the ‘seat of your pants’)?

Joanne: I try very hard to be a plotter, but my inner pantser refuses to let that happen. I once tried to slavishly follow an outline for a story, and a third of the way through the story up and died. Nothing seemed real, nothing was believable, and my characters felt like cardboard cutouts. I had to start over and loosen up a little, and then it became one of my favorite books (Cowboy Fever).

Now I write a very general outline that will keep the story on course, and then let my inner pantser loose. I rein her in once in a while, going back to the outline to make sure I haven’t lost the thread of the story, but I love to write intuitively.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Joanne: I create the characters and the situations they’ll have to deal with. Their reactions to those situations are what drives the story.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavor?

Joanne: I think it’s essential for a writer to feel the characters’ emotions deeply and completely. You have to be able to put yourself into a character’s head and heart and live their life. Empathy is the most important skill a writer can possess, because it lets you feel the joy and pain others experience.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?

Joanne: Every writer has to discover what their block means. For me, it’s usually a sign that there’s something wrong with the story. The flaw, which can be subtle and hard to see, keeps me from enjoying the work and I suddenly don’t want to write. I have to step back and look at the story objectively to find the problem. Sometimes the issue is at the core of the story, and I have to do a lot of soul-searching and rewriting to straighten things out. Naturally, my mind resists this—and that’s writer’s block.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Joanne: My husband. I call him the “Plot Monkey.” (Although he bears no resemblance whatever to a monkey. Honest. Well, sometimes his personality…but not his looks! He looks like Sam Shepard. Lucky me!) Whenever I can’t figure out how to get a character out of a jam, he can figure out a way. This might have something to do with the fact that he was a fighter pilot. Those guys get in a lot of trouble, and always manage to find a way out of it. Trust me – it’s still happening!

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Joanne: I just finished the second book in the Cowboys of Decker Ranch series, How to Wrangle a Cowboy. It’s the story of Brady, the youngest of the Decker Ranch cowboys, and what happens when he causes an accident that puts a barrel racer out of commission for the rodeo season. Brady might seem like a guy who’s just out for a good time, but he’s determined to take care of Suze Carlyle until she’s back in the saddle again. The fact that she doesn’t want him around since their disastrous one-night stand a few months earlier doesn’t faze him at all.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Joanne: Just a huge thank you to you in particular and bloggers like you in general. You are the connection between authors and their readers, and add a wonderful new dimension to the reading and writing experience by bringing us together and letting us get to know each other. Thank you for all your hard work.

And, of course, thank you to my readers for caring about my characters and their stories.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Roast chicken.

Favorite Dessert
Bread pudding.

Favorite TV Show
NCIS, on the rare occasions when I watch TV. I also love Storage Wars, because I used to go to a lot of auctions and buy box lots, which is a similar experience.

Last Movie You Saw
Twelve Years a Slave. I loved it. Lupita Nyong’o was incredible.

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark. Especially Dark Chocolate Kit Kats!

Secret Celebrity Crush
Sam Shepard. Handsome and smart. And the young Clint Eastwood. I love a tough guy:)

Last Vacation Destination
Polebridge, Montana for my son’s wedding. This tiny town consists of a Mercantile and a saloon. My daughter-in-law’s family has a homestead there, and it’s as close to heaven as you’ll get – partly because of the Mercantile’s incredible Huckleberry Bear Claws.

Wait. Can I change my answer on favorite dessert? Is it too late? Because it’s Huckleberry Bear Claws! They’re also my favorite food. Rewrite!

Pet Peeve
When my husband blames me for stuff I didn’t do! Every time he loses something, he is convinced that I took it, moved it, or hid it for some nefarious reason of my own. Why would I take his dirty old chainsaw-sharpening thing-a-majig? I don’t even know what it’s called! I didn’t take it!

TRC: Thank you Joanne for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release and new series.

Joanne: Thank you. I loved this interview – it really made me think! Thanks also to all my readers for bringing my stories to life. I hope everyone will feel free to join this conversation and ask their own questions in the comments.

Giveaway beige

Sourcebooks and Joanne are offering a paper copy of HOW TO HANDLE A COWBOY and a ‘cowboy themed’ gift to one (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

 4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway open to USA and Canada only.

6. Giveaway runs from April 10 to April 14, 2014

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The Duke’s Quandary by Callie Hutton – a Review

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The Duke’s Quandary by Callie Hutton – a Review

The Duke's QuandaryLinks to order The Duke’s Quandary:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
This is the first sequel to The Elusive Wife. In the Duke’s Quandary, we are re-introduced to Jason’s best friend, Drake, who is now the Duke of Manchester.  Drake, duke of Manchester has always known he would one day step into his father’s shoes. However, the older man took the family by surprise when he died in a riding accident.  Not feeling ready for the responsibilities, Drake decides marrying a perfect woman will assure him, as well as the ton, that he is, indeed, up to the job. Miss Penelope Clayton, a shy and somewhat clumsy botanist, intends to spend her life as a spinster, crawling around in the dirt pursuing her work.  That all changes when her aunt insists she travel from her home in the country to London and present herself to the dowager duchess of Manchester who will guide Penelope through a Season.  The first meeting between Drake and Penelope is a disaster, and he resents his mother’s request that he help keep their houseguest’s dance card filled with eligible gentlemen.  He wants to spend the time this season looking for the perfect wife.  Penelope doesn’t want a husband, and Drake surely doesn’t want her for a wife.  But things change when they’re caught together in a compromising situation.  Will he have his perfect duchess?


Review;

Having recently become a fan of historical romances, this one did not disappoint me one bit.  I’ve never read anything before by Callie Hutton, but let me just say this won’t be the last for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed this read.  The Duke’s Quandry is a short and fast paced read and many times had me chuckling out loud at the antics of one Penelope Clayton. 

I would have to say that the reason I enjoyed this read so much would be because of our unlikely heroine, Penelope Clayton.  Her whole persona appealed to me and many times had me thinking, yup that would so be me in that situation at a coming out ball.  You see Penelope is not your typical lady of the ton in a society where ladies are to present themselves in just such a way.  No, not at all, she’s shy, clumsy, introverted and a tad on the geeky side, and just wants to be left to her botany pursuits.  I don’t know how many times I laughed out loud at something that happened to poor Penelope.  Whether she was bumping into pieces of furniture because her aunt convinced her she’d never find a husband wearing her glasses, or knocking drinks over, or crawling around in the dirt digging up flowers while catching her night gown on fire, and causing our poor Duke to wring his hands over her, she just brought the story to life for me.  Penelope was a like a breath of fresh air in a stuck up society where ‘perfection’ in a wife is what the men are looking for.

Which leads me to our hero, Drake the Duke of Manchester.  Having decided in order to show he is ready to truly take up the mantle of Duke of Manchester after their father perished in a riding accident he decides it’s time to find a wife amongst the ladies of the ton.  Looking for the ‘perfect’ lady doesn’t go quite as he thought it would.  For some reason there’s just something about Penelope that keeps drawing Drake to her, and causing him to loose all control and reason around her.  Even though she’s constantly causing him grief with her awkwardness in society, and pretty much driving him batty, he’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and he can’t quite figure out why.  I got such a kick out of watching Drake flounder around where Penelope was concerned, and convince himself that there were no feelings of love developing towards her on his part.  There were times he seemed completely clueless where he and Penelope were concerned, but then the more time he spent with her, and the more he got to see just who Penelope really is, we get to see a transformation in Drake as he begins to realize maybe he doesn’t need the ‘perfect’ wife, but a wife who’s perfect for him. 

I would have to say that Ms. Hutton has another hit on her hands with The Duke’s Quandry.  It’s a fresh and witty story, with plenty of comical scenes that will have you chuckling to yourself many times.  Penelope is the type of heroine that you can really identify with, and come to adore.  You want to see her succeed in both her botany pursuits and finding love.  I really enjoyed the way Ms. Hutton slowly built up the romance between these two characters and allowed the reader to come to know both and see how each see themselves in society and in a relationship.  The descriptions of the balls, ballrooms and gowns transports the reader back in time to a place where the girls had coming out balls to be presented to available suitors.  I felt like I was right there with Penelope worrying about how I was going to do at the latest ball I was being dragged too.  For anyone who is a fan of historical romances, then I highly recommend this one and trust me you won’t be disappointed. 

Until next time, happy reading!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by publisher

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Nicholas (The Circle Eight #5) by Emma Lang-Review, Excerpt, Guest Post and Giveaway

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Nicholas (The Circle Eight) by Emma Lang-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

Nicholas Banner 2

Nicholas
The Circle Eight #5
by Emma Lang
Genre: Western, romance,
Release Date: February 12, 2014

Nicholas

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

About the book:  Release Date February 12, 2014

Even in the darkest of shadows, love can light the way.

Nicholas Graham is caught in the middle: of his family, of his desires, of his own unhappiness. After he meets Winnie Watson, his self-imposed curmudgeonly existence pales in comparison to spending time with her. He wants to be with her, to get to know her. She is a beacon to all the secret cravings he has controlled. Until now.

Winnie Watson endured, and survived, a horrendous childhood that would give others nightmares. She started over, a new name, a new goal in life. Then she met the Grahams and everything went sideways. She’s done the unthinkable and struggles to accept it. She wants to forget it all again, but the specter of Nicholas Graham, physical and in her dreams, won’t let her move on.

Caught between their needs, their wants, and what the world will allow them, Nick and Winnie are doomed from the moment they met. However, love will teach them that even the biggest obstacles can be overcome if you believe in love.

•••••••••••••••••••••

This is book five in The Circle Eight series by Emma Lang. I’ve never read any of Ms. Lang’s books before, but I can see I’m missing out on some wonderful wild west adventures filled with sinfully swoon worthy cowboys. Even though this book is a short but fast paced read, Ms. Lang packs it full of detail and back story so I never once felt I was missing pieces to a puzzle.

We quickly learn that Nicholas and Winnie have already crossed paths in the previous book. Nicholas lives with his 7 siblings at their Circle 8 Ranch, while Winnie runs a boarding house in Houston. We also learn that he wound up saving her life in the previous book. Thanks to all the backstory, we see how this leads us up to this point in both their lives. Both characters are feeling lost, alone and carry a darkness in them that they can’t seem to banish without the other. Somehow over their short time together previously, they formed a bond, and discovered they are whole as long as they have the other in their lives, but can they find a way to be together, and does the other person feel the same way? As Winnie and Nicholas embark on a journey to find her daughter she had given up at birth, they find that love does indeed conquer all and both will fight with everything they have to be together and form a family neither thought they’d ever have one day.

Like I said earlier on this is a fast paced read, but never once did I find I was confused or missing pieces to the story. The story is well written, with a solidly developed plot that’s easy to follow, and a cast of characters that are well developed and easy to like. The men are strong and capable, and want nothing more then to protect what’s theirs and love their women. These men are your typical gun- slinging cowboys who don’t allow anyone or anything to threaten their own. Love of family, unity and loyalty is seen throughout the book and is showcased in every interaction between the Graham siblings. I especially enjoyed the sibling interactions where they poke fun at each other, but through it all they love one another unconditionally and will always have each other’s backs. These comical scenes were well placed and timed in my opinion and balanced nicely with the seriousness of the plot that involved Nicholas, Winnie and her daughter. Now I just wish I had been reading this series from the beginning. Guess I’ll have to find the time to so.

Until next time, happy reading everyone

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Marcie

Excerpt beige

Just like that Nicholas was there in front of her. All the breath whooshed from her body and her face heated. She felt like a twelve-year-old girl and not a twenty-five-year-old woman.He was incredibly handsome with thick, dark wavy hair and those blue-green eyes like Elizabeth. His jaw was set, seemingly carved of granite. He stood with his legs apart, arms crossed and hat down toward his eyes. Dangerous. Unfriendly. A shiver ran up her spine despite the warm summer day.Beside him were three other men, two were obviously kin with the same eyes and build. The other had hair as dark as pitch and the coldest blue eyes she’d ever seen. The four of them were a wall of muscle and guns.

“Montgomery. Who’s your friend?” One of the other men spoke to Vaughn.Vaughn squeezed her arm.

“This is Miss Winifred Watson. She is a friend of mine and Ellie’s. Benjy and Nicholas also know her.”

The men’s gazes cut to Nicholas, who hadn’t moved so much as an eyelash.

“That true, Nick? You know her?” The same man spoke, and she came to the conclusion he must be the eldest, Matthew. After a few moments of excruciating silence, during which Winnie’s cheeks heated, he finally nodded. It wasn’t as if she came armed and threatened the family. She was a wedding guest. This type of greeting was unacceptable even in impolite society.

“I am also able to speak for myself. Elizabeth and Vaughn invited me to the wedding. I’m unaware there was an inquisition involved to attend.” Her sharp words made three of the men smile.

“She reminds me of Aurora.” The second brother spoke.

“And Hannah when she gets a bee in her bonnet.”

“Damn sure is tart like Liv, too.” This from the dark one.

“We’re pleased you could come, Miss Watson. I’m Matt Graham and this is my brother Caleb and brother-in-law Brody Armstrong.” Matt tipped his hat. “I’m sure Ellie will be happy to see you. The women folk are in the house. Why don’t you take her there, Montgomery?”

“I’d be happy—”

“No.” Nicholas finally spoke.

“Pardon me?” Vaughn’s tone told her he was near his breaking point with his new family. They were tough men—she didn’t blame him. If she hadn’t been dealing with men her entire life who were harder, darker and more evil, she might have been intimidated.

“You go near that house, and the women are gonna shoot you.” Nick unfolded his arms. “I’ll take her.”

Guest Post beige

What’s so good about being the guy in the White Hat?

As a western romance writer, I have all sorts of heroes in hats, the cowboy kind that is. Not all of them are honorable men though. *gasp* Yes, it’s true, sometimes my heroes don’t where the white hat.

ICowboy in white hat am very much the kind of writer who tries to stay true to real life. I’ve had heroines who are homeless, disabled, bitchy and even scarred physically. I’ve had heroes who are drunks, suffer from PTSD, or missing a limb. Yes, the book is an escape from reality but in order to identify with the hero/heroine, I feel like they have to feel real to me, and consequently, to the reader.

So my heroes can also be bad guys, who find their way to a good place with the love of a heroine. I’ve had heroes who are truly badasses, men you would not want courting your daughter.

The first was Hermano, who made an appearance in my first book, The Bounty. In the first scene, Hermano was torturing the hero, Tyler Calhoun, to give him information. Nice guy, eh? He pops up throughout the book, and the next, The Prize, dancing in the shadows in the periphery.

Hermano kept whispering in my ear while I slept, telling me he needed his own story, por favor. I couldn’t resist the pull of such a dark, sexy man, one who valued loyalty but would kill in a blink if need be.

Thus, my third book, The Reward, became Hermano’s story. He was Malcolm Ross y Zarza, a half-scottish, half-mexican man with a past of his own, one that thrust him into the role of a bandito.

Cowboy in black hatHe’s unapologetic for his actions and his choices – one of the things I love about him. He’s real, y’know?

The second hero with a gun and a dark soul is also from the Malloy family books, Kincaid. Oh, Kincaid, how I love thee. He first appeared in book five, The Gift, as a man hired to kill the heroine, Adelaide. Somewhere along the way he became friends with Brett Malloy, the most reticent and quietest of the brothers. So when Brett’s story, The Tribute, was published, Kincaid played a major role. He found a friend in Brett that he’d not found before. At the end of The Tribute, Kincaid disappears only to resurface in his own book, Hell for Leather.

A man who survived a wickedly awful childhood, Kincaid tries to start over, to emulate the man he wants to be like his friend Brett. He finds a place to be, and a new name, Cade Brody, and tries to keep his dark past buried beneath the roots of a pine tree. It takes a strong woman, Sabrina, to force him to confront that blackness and find the love he deserves.

My third serious badass hero is Grady Wolfe from Ruthless Heart, my first book published as Emma Lang. Grady is the penultimate bad guy – who will take any and all jobs for money. He’d been an assassin since he was fifteen, darkest of dark. It takes a scientific, brainy heroine like Eliza Hunter to smash through the castle of hell he lives in, and find the man he could be.

Onto the Circle Eight… Brody Armstrong first appeared in the Circle Eight: Matthew as the investigator for the crimes committed against the Graham family. Black hair, ice blue eyes and an attitude to match, Brody was a mysterious force who needed to return for his own story, The Circle Eight: Brody. He wears a black hat and is hard as the land he protects. Fortunately for him, Olivia Graham is just as tough and stubborn as Brody. Clash of the Titans, y’all. 🙂

And now back to the Malloys – they lure me back in, don’t they? My newest release is THE PROSPECT. Not only is Declan Callahan a badass, he’s an enforcer for an Irish gang. He isn’t the darkest of men, but he lives in the shadows of all the things he’s done for money, including kidnapping Francesca Chastain who becomes John Malloy’s wife in THE FORTUNE. Her sister Josephine gets trapped with Declan through a series of circumstances. Declan wrestles with the chains that keep his soul trapped and his heart, which has fallen in love with Jo.

He tries his damnedest to forget his past, but it hangs on his back. While Jo tries to make him see all their future can be, he drags around those damn chains. It’s only when he loses everything he has, again, that he recognizes he has been reborn, and a second chance awaits him with Jo.

Who doesn’t like a dark, tortured hero? Each of these men personified what I want to see happen to all badass men, redemption. I find the bad heroes are the ones who steal my heart, especially those in the black hat riding a horse. 😉

~~Emma Lang~~

About The Author beige

FOLLOW: Website/ Goodreads / Facebook /

Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both 2009 and 2010.

Emma LangBeth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses, as well as bookstores. Her path in life has taken several right turns, but she’s been with the man of her dreams for more than 20 years.

Beth works full-time and writes romance novels evening, weekends, early mornings and whenever there is a break in the madness. She is compassionate, funny, a bit reserved at times, tenacious and a little quirky. Her cowboys and western romances speak of a bygone era, bringing her readers to an age where men were honest, hard and packing heat. For a change of pace, she also dives into some smokin’ hot contemporaries, bringing you heat, romance and snappy dialogue.

Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. 😉

Giveaway beige

Emma is offering an ecopy of NICHOLAS (The Circle Eight) #5 to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

6. Giveaway runs from March 14 to March 18, 2014

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Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton – a Review

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Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton – a Review

Melting The Ice
Play by Play series – Book # 7
by Jaci Burton
Release Date: February 4, 2014

Melting the IceLinks to order Melting the Ice: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Everything’s coming together for budding fashion designer Carolina Preston. Only months away from having her own line, she could use some publicity. That’s when her brother suggests his best friend as a model—hockey player Drew Hogan.
Carolina and Drew already have a history—a hot one, back in college. Unforgettable for Carolina, but for Drew, just another slap shot. This time, though, it’s different. His perfect body would be for professional use only. This time, she could use him.
Drew is all for it. He’s looking forward to the exposure. Plus, it would give him a chance to prove to Carolina that he’s changed. If only he could thaw her emotions, convince her to let down her guard and let him in just one more time…

Review:
For anyone who knows me, they know I love my sports, especially hockey.  So it shouldn’t come as a surprise I’m once again reviewing Melting the Ice, another hockey themed book by Jaci Burton. I just love her Play by Play series as every book has another hero who’s a professional athlete.  I had never heard of Jaci before her previous hockey themed book Taking a Shot which I reviewed for TRC, afterwards, I had to go back and read the others.  I wasn’t disappointed that I did, and am glad I’m trying to keep up with this series.   So when I heard she had another hockey themed book coming out, I couldn’t wait.  I had to read about her latest hockey hero Drew Hogan and his lady love, well, he wants her as his lady love, Carolina Preston. 

Drew and Carolina have a history dating back to a one night stand in college.  At the time Drew was spooked by his strong feelings for Carolina so like a coward he was back then, left and never contacted her again, and that didn’t sit well with Carolina.  Now it’s eight years later and she’s trying to make a mark in the fashion world, so when her brother Gray(One Sweet Ride) suggests his best friend and hockey star Drew Hogan as a model, Carolina isn’t so sure. However, once she sees him again, things really progress between them.  Ms. Burton really hit the mark with these two characters. They just brought the story to life with their personalities, witty banter, playfulness, sexual chemistry that was off the charts, and just a real sense of ease and comfort around each other. I found them to compliment and balance each other just right, but at the same time, each had their own edge to their personalities that drove them professionally and personally. I really liked these two characters and found the story just flew by for me because of it. It was so easy to sit back and read about these two characters and enjoy what was happening.  When a book can fly by like that for me, and before I know it I’m reading the last page, then I know I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve just read, but am sad I’m done that book so soon. 

The hero and heroine weren’t the only well written characters.  All the secondary characters in the book were equally as good and help to move the story along and add depth and personality to not only the story, but our main couple.  We get to see pieces of them through the eyes of the secondary characters.  We get to see Caronlina’s family again, and also get to see just how much her family has always seen Drew as family through his friendship with Gray.  Watching Gray first catch Caronlina in Drew’s bed at their family home over Christmas, then come to terms with their relationship was fun to watch.  He had that whole ‘big brother must protect little sister’ thing going on, very sweet.  It was also fun to watch Drew muddle his way through this relationship.  He’s your typical jock, who is more comfortable in his sport skin, then relationship skin.  He had me chuckling as I read the scene where he finally was attempting to admit his feelings to Carolina.  Even though he was doing a semi bad job at it and tripping over his words, I loved the scene for it was sweet and endearing and made me love Drew all the more for it. Watching Drew slowly whoo Carolina and get her to see he changed from college and is really ready to settle down and that she’s the only girl for him, can I just say swoon time.  Drew is so charming, fun, and sexy as hell, plus a professional hockey player, that spells perfect male for me. 

This was a fun and fast paced read for me. I loved every aspect of the book from beginning to end.  The slow to build romance, the fast paced hockey scenes and team mate camaraderie, playfulness between Drew and Carolina, and the off the charts chemistry and love scenes between them that left me needing a cold glass of water.  Let me just tell you, I will never be able to go to a hockey game again, or watch one on tv without thinking of the underwear photo shoot scene that Carolina did with Drew on the ice in front of the net, wooo baby…fanning self.  Once again Jaci has out done herself with this latest installment in her Play by Play series.  Now I have to wait a whole year before the next one comes out. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone

Reviewed by Marcie

 

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Dark Bites by Sherrilyn Kenyon – An Anthology review

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Dark Bites by Sherrilyn Kenyon – An Anthology review

 

Dark BitesLinks to order Dark Bites:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository


Description:
For years, eager fans have been clamoring for an all-in-one collection of #1 bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon’s novellas. At their enthusiastic behest, we have delivered this brand-new short story collection, including stories previously exclusive to Sherrilyn’s website, as well as an all-new, never-before seen story!

Sherrilyn Kenyon takes readers from the Dark-Hunters to the demigods, from Dream-Hunters to demons, and everything in between.  Dangerous and exciting, each story is one thrill ride after the next, proving time and again how Sherrilyn has captivated millions of readers worldwide.  Now, readers are invited to go deep into Kenyon’s rich and imaginative world and experience the heart-racing moments that never stop coming!

Included novellas:
From the World of the Dark-Hunters:
 Phantom Lover (V’Aiden),  Winter Born(Dante),  A Dark-Hunter Christmas (Gallagher)  Until Death We Do Part (Velkan),  A Hard Day’s Night Searcher (Rafael),  Shadow of the Moon (Fury),  Where Angels Fear to Tread (Zeke),  Fear the Darkness (First Time in Print),  House of the Rising Son (First Time in Print)

Unrelated Stories:  Love Bytes, and Santa Wears Spurs


Review:
As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of anything Kenyon, especially when it comes to her Dark Hunter series, and The League series.  So when I heard she was putting together this anthology I was stoked.  Let me just say, this is a perfect anthology to add to your Kenyon collection.  I thoroughly enjoyed having all my Kenyon novella’s at my fingertips in one collection.  No need to go scrounging around anymore to find them all to add to my ever growing Kenyon collection.  This was a wonderful treat for me to read and re-visit some of my favourite characters who aren’t focused on much in the other main stories.  For any Kenyon Menyon(nickname she calls her fans) this anthology is a must buy.  I promise, you won’t be disappointed. 

Now to keep this review at a decent length, I decided to review the two first time in print novella’s along with one other novella that was originally written as a thank you to fans. The other novella’s have all been published in other anthologies over the years, but all can be found in this long awaited edition. 

Here’s a brief commentary/review those three novella’s;
House of the Rising Son(1st time in print)
Since this is a new novella in this anthology here’s a little description from Kenyon’s website on the hero and heroine;

Aricles-Hero
The eldest son in a family of three boys, Aricles had no desire to be a soldier, even though his fighting skills were among the best in the world. He was more than content on his small Atlantean farm, living a quiet, uneventful life. But when his brother is determined to don a soldier’s uniform, Aricles joins him with a promise to their father to bring his brother home in one piece. What he never counts on is how much their new lives will forever change them, or what the risk of a forbidden love will ultimately cost him.

Bathymaas-Heroine
The first and original goddess of justice, Bathymaas was created to keep Set grounded and on the side he’s supposed to be on. Due to her justice duties, she believes herself incapable of feeling. Something that causes her to run afoul of several gods, including Leto who can’t forgive her for not punishing Hera for Hera’s curse against her and her children. But when a bitter, ruthless betrayal costs her everything, Bathymaas becomes humanity’s and the gods’ worst nightmare.

This novella about Aricles and Bathymaas is basically a prequel to Styxx.  Ms. Kenyon gives us the chance to see just where Styxx and Bethany’s lives began and then how they came to be in Styxx.  We get to see how Aricles and Bathymaas meet, fall in love and then are torn apart through treachery at the hands of that bastard Apollo.  Man that god never changes, I hate him as much as I hate his twin the heifer goddess as Simi calls her(Artemis).  Kenyon does a superb job of creating and writing her villians.  I really enjoyed this one, as there were so many parallels to Styxx’s story, and I was making certain connections from the past to the present.  Kenyon does a great job once again weaving her tale and carrying us along a fast paced story, that flows seamlessly from page to page.  When I got to the last sentence, I was very tempted to pick up my copy of Styxx and start all over again.  This is a lovely addition to the Dark Hunter series. 

A Dark Hunter Christmas
This is the special Christmas story that features the gangster Gallagher and Simi when Gallagher is temporarily relocated to New Orleans to help battle Daimons. Written as a gift for DH fans, it originally appeared in the back of the first edition of Dance with the Devil.

In Gallagher’s story, we learn of his past(being a gangster) and happily married to the love of his life.  However, one fateful night everything changes for him. While rushing to his wife’s side as she’s delivering their son, the cops show up to arrest him, and kill him on the spot.  Thus, he becomes a Dark Hunter, but is not able to have any contact with his wife and son.  It’s hard for him being a Dark Hunter knowing his family is still alive, but thanks to the Squire’s Council his wife and child are well taken care of.  Now it’s 70 yrs later, in New Orleans, and Gallagher rescues a female being attacked by Daimons, brings her to the hospital and meets his great granddaughter and isn’t allowed to let her know who or what he is now.  With this meeting all his memories of his wife and past life resurface.    Poor Gallagher is having a hard time dealing with everything, especially since his wife had just passed a way a year ago, and Ash went to tell him the news.  Feeling like he has nothing and no one Gallagher refuses to stay and celebrate Christmas with the Were’s and other Dark Hunters at Sanctuary. However, thanks to Simi, Gallagher develops a different outlook on life and families, and winds up celebrating Christmas with everyone at Sanctuary. This is a sad but sweet story.  Sherrilyn shows us just how hard it can be for a DH, and what they deal with every day regarding their emotions and existence.  The scenes with Simi and Gallagher are just so sweet and loving, and actually brought a few tears to my eyes.  I only wish the story were longer and that Gallagher would’ve found a new love at the Sanctuary Christmas party.  Who knows, maybe we’ll run across him in a future novel, here’s hoping. 

Fear the Darkness(First time in print)
This was originally done as a special thank you to readers for all the great years and was available only as a digital download. It’s a small story about Nick’s homecoming to New Orleans after his mother’s death and after Katrina.  I knew from the beginning what was going to happen to Nick. I wanted the reader to see the birth of a Dark-Hunter, only to have it with a twist. And even though I knew what was going to happen, I still cried when I wrote the scene.

When Nick finally returns to New Orleans after becoming a Dark Hunter, it’s a year after Hurricane Katrina.  Kenyon not only shows the fans how Nick is dealing with not only his ‘death’, but his mom’s death, and also the destruction done to his beloved city.  Nick is very angry and pretty much wants to lash out at anyone and everyone, especially Ash.  His emotions are so strong they just pour off the page and make your heart break for him and everything that he’s lost in his young life.  This is a heart breaking yet touching novella.  The scene with Nick at his mom’s grave, running into Menyara and chatting with her just tore me apart.  It also helps to set the stage for future events regarding Nick in the DH series, as we see that he’s made a pact with Stryker and the Daimons to go against Ash, and we also get a little insight into the fact that Nick is more then just a DH. A little hint dropping at his powers of the Malachai.  This was a very nice thank you to all her fans, and I can see why Ms. Kenyon cried while writing it.  She had me tearing up a few times in this short, yet touching story of Nick.  I can’t wait to read his full length DH story when it finally comes out in the future. 

To sum up my review, I enjoyed this anthology, and being able to going back and read about characters I don’t get to revisit with in her full length novels.  The other two short stories are fun and totally Kenyon, with your alpha males and quirky fun heroine’s.  Oh and let’s not forget that classic Kenyon humour.  Even though some of these short stories are more dark and serious, she still manages to strategically place that humour of hers in each story to lighten the mood at just the right spot.  If you are a Kenyon fan like I am, I’m telling you now, don’t wait, go out and get this anthology, it’s a must to have in your collection. 

Until next time, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

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Compromising Willa by Diana Quincy – a Review

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Compromising Willa by Diana Quincy – a Review

Compromising WillaLinks to order Compromising Willa:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
England, 1805

Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope is ruined and everyone knows it. Back in Town for the first season since her downfall, Willa plans to remain firmly on the shelf, assuming only fortune hunters will want her now. Instead she focuses on her unique tea blends, secretly supporting a coffee house which employs poor women and children. If her clandestine involvement in trade is discovered, she’ll be ruined. Again.

No one is more shocked by Willa’s lack of quality suitors than the newly minted Duke of Hartwell. Having just returned from India, the dark duke is instantly attracted to the mysterious wallflower. His pursuit is hampered by the ruthless Earl of Bellingham, who once jilted Willa and is now determined to reclaim her.

Caught between the clash of two powerful men, a furious Willa refuses to concede her independence to save her reputation. But will she compromise her heart?

 

Review;

This is my first time reading anything by Diana Quincy and let me just say it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this historical romance and loved Ms. Quincy’s writing style, story telling ability and her character development.  Compromising Willa is a fast paced read that will get you hooked from the very beginning.  It’s a story filled with romance, suspense, treachery, and some well written witty banter between our hero and heroine. 

Our heroine of the story is Willa and I quite enjoyed her. She isn’t your typical female from that era.  She’s very independent, strong willed, witty, and loyal. Even though everyone believes she’s a ruined woman thanks to her evil ex fiancé, she doesn’t care what other’s think. She’s a woman who doesn’t back down and is quite capable of making her own way in a world where women should play second fiddle to their husbands. I really enjoyed Willa’s character and everything she stood for, plus she’s a perfect match for our dashing hero Hartwell. 

Hartwell is recently returned from India where he’s been doing business abroad and amassing quite the fortune, as well as moving into the title of Duke of Hartwell after his brother passed away.  Since he’s been away he has no idea about the rumours and stories that surround the woman who’s captivated him from their first meeting.  This is one of the reason’s I really liked Hartwell as our hero.  He didn’t care what was in Willa’s past, he only cared about the here and now and wanting to prove to Willa what an amazing woman she is, and that she would make a wonderful Duchess of Hartwell to his Duke.  There were moments when he would make me want to swoon with his treatments of Willa, being everything she needs, even her dashing hero who charges in to save the day.  There’s nothing quite like a man who stands up for his woman and is willing to fight a duel to the death to protect her and her virtues.  Just where are those types of men today…’looks around for her own dashing hero on a white horse’, nope nowhere to be found right now, LOL!!  Oops sorry I digress, back to my review. 

If there was one character in this story that made me want to just haul off and beat him, it was Willa’s ex fiancé, the Earl of Bellingham.  He is a bastard of a character and I could not stand him.  He actually gave me the creeps a few times in how he conducts himself, especially around women. He has no regard for them at all and doesn’t see them as anything other then an adornment on his arm and their usefulness in the bedroom.  Ms. Quincy wrote an outstanding villain in this one.  When a character can make me hate them to the point that I hated the Earl of Bellingham, then to me the author has done here job well. 

Compromising Willa is a fun read, that keeps the reader interested with every turn of the page. You will cheer for Willa as she stand up for herself and makes a life for herself in a male dominated society, and swoon along with her as Hartwell courts and surpises her at every turn, all the while calling for the Earl of Belligham’s demise as I was.  I very much enjoyed the way Ms. Quincy set up her story, spun her tale and kept me interested every step of the way.  I particularly enjoyed the witty banter between our hero and heroine.  It was refreshing and surprising at times, for back in that era, woman were suppose to be meek and mild, but Willa is anything but that and I feel that was one of the main reasons I liked this book. I enjoyed Willa’s character from beginning to end and kept turning the pages to see what scenario would befall our heroine next.  All in all, if you are a fan of historical romances then Compromising Willa is just what you are looking for.

Until next time,

Happy Reading everyone.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Holiday Games by Jaci Burton – a Review

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Holiday Games by Jaci Burton – a Review

Christmas Banner 2

 

Holiday Games
Play by Play – Book #6.5
by Jaci Burton
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Holiday GamesLinks to order Holiday Games: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
“A Riley wedding is in the works, a Riley Christmas means a house full of family, and baby making is on Liz Riley’s mind. Chasing Gavin around and meeting in dark closets can be fun, but Liz is more than a little determined. Even with family in every corner of the house, Gavin is more than ready to do whatever Liz wants—especially when sex is involved. It’s a Riley family Christmas.”

 

Review;

For anyone who is a fan of Jaci Burton and her Play-by-Play series then this short story is a must.  It’s a nice reunion of sorts with all the members of the Riley family and their significant others.  I really enjoyed being able to revisit with all these characters and see what they have been up to. Ms. Burton has created a wonderful set of characters within the Riley family and their significant others and all are showcased nicely in this story.  I also love that fact that the story takes place around Christmas, with a Christmas wedding taking place, and thoughts of baby making running through Liz’s head. Oh what a fun filled Riley Christmas this is turning out to be.

Since this story is more of a reunion of sorts for Burton fans and her Riley family characters, not much in terms of drama takes place.  It’s more of a relaxed, laid back type of story, and having the chance to catch up with our favourite characters from past books.  It’s wonderful celebration of family and friends.  Don’t get me wrong, Ms. Burton makes sure she has enough sizzle in the book between Gavin and Liz as they try to get pregnant, and Liz is not shy about this with Gavin.  She will steal any chance she can to get Gavin alone and into baby making mode.  We really get to see just how much they’ve grown as a couple and that their life together is still sizzling.   The love they have for each other runs deep and it’s shown time and time again in every scene they have together.  Not only are Liz and Gavin blissfully happy, but so too are all the other couples.  Even though the major plot line centers around Liz and Gavin and her quest to have his child, we are also treated to a Christmas wedding between Ty and Jenna(Taking a Shot).  There is no shortage of love and happiness  this holiday season within the Riley family.

Being a fan of this series I enjoyed Holiday Games. I liked the overall setup of the story, being able to revisit with and catch up with past couples. It’s nice to see the family camaraderie during sporting events, and even nicer to see just how close this family is, and what they all mean to each other.  The Bachelorette and Bachelor party scenes for Jenna and Tyler are fun filled, and add the perfect balance to the emotional turmoil Liz is going through as she tries to have Gavin’s baby. The scenes between Liz and Gavin are touching and heartfelt and the emotion between the two pours off the pages.  Jaci Burton has written a wonderful short story that takes place over the holidays, well showcasing all of her amazing characters who make up the Riley family in her Play-by-Play series.  For anyone who is a fan of her Play-by-Play series this one is a lovely bonus to the series.

Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas

Happy Reading, until next time! 

Reviewed by Marcie

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