Category Archives: Review
Review: Murder Ink by Lorraine Bartlett
Murder Ink
Lorraine Bartlett with Gayle Leeson
Victoria Square Mystery Series, Book 6
Published December 31, 2019
Berkley Books, 304 pages
The charm of Victoria Square may prove to be only skin deep when murder follows the arrival of a tattoo parlor in town in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.
A tattoo parlor on Victoria Square? Some of the merchants get hot under the collar at the proposal, but could they be driven to kill to stop it? That’s what the sheriff’s office and Katie Bonner want to know when the building’s owner is electrocuted with his own saw.
Meanwhile, tensions rise when a hot chef takes over the square’s tea shop. Will Katie have three men vying for her affections, or will her rival take the tea cake?
3.5 Stars
When a tattoo shop plans to open on Victoria Square it shakes up more than the merchants view of what business should be on the square. When the owner of said tattoo shop dies one of their own is the prime suspect.
Katie is the owner of Artisans Alley and Tealicious as well as president of the Victoria Square Merchants Association. She is a strong woman, not intimidated and an amazing entrepreneur. Katie finds herself in the middle of murder, trying to help a friend, playing detective and trying not to second guess everything she sees. There were moments when I thought Katie was overreacting and other when I thought, girl you got this together.
Murder Ink is my first read in the Victoria Square and an enjoyable one. It did take me to be to catch up with who was who and how they all worked together but I got it. I enjoyed the mystery that kept me guessing. I’m a romance reader first and foremost so Katie and Andy’s romance and squabbles were a bonus to this read. The writing style of Lorraine Bartlett is fun and keeps the pages turning. I was able to feel like I was right at home with these characters even though this was my first read of the series.
Review: From Flame and Ash by Carrie Ann Ryan
From Flame and Ash
Carrie Ann Ryan
Elements of Five Series, Book 2
NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues Lyric’s epic journey in this spellbinding sequel to From Breath and Ruin.
Lyric lost her past, her friends, and even her connections to both worlds when she found out about the Maison realm and her calling. But now she must put that aside and travel back to the Maison realm to continue her training as the Spirit Priestess. Only her journey isn’t to Rhodes and those she fought alongside before. This time, Easton and the other Obscurité warriors will stand by her side as she tries to unlock her final three elements.
However, just as she starts to learn more about what she’s been prophesied to do, a Seer’s wish and the calling of the Lumière kingdom calls her forth, thrusting Lyric into another journey where she must trust those on both sides of the age-old war to survive…and keep those she loves safe.
4 Stars
Carrie Ann Ryan gives readers a compelling and suspenseful read with the second installment of the Elements of Five Series, From Flame and Ash.
Lyric has lost all she’s known while coming into the new person she’s become. This journey takes her Obscurite Kingdom and into an age old battle of light and dark. Lyric makes stunning leaps coming into her power and learning to find her place. Lyric truly opens her mind to the reader allowing them to see all the struggles she deals with. Lyric’s quest to unlock her elements is captivating and magical. Lyric proves her strength time and time again as her world gets tipped upside down on more than one occasion.
Carrie Ann Ryan has something truly special going on with From Flame and Ash. Lyric is an amazing character. She goes with the flow, even as the flow has her life in and out of danger. The amount of growth we’ve seen from her in just two books is part of what kept me flying through the pages. The world building Ms. Ryan has put into the Elements of Five Series is outstanding. From Flame and Ash get very high praise in my book. I should note that YA/NA is not my normal cup of tea when it comes to reading but Ms. Ryan caught me with Lyric’s adventurous saga.
Review: Twist of Fate by Jill Shavlis
Twist of Fate
Jill Shalvis
Heartbreaker Bay Series, Book 8.5
1001 Dark Nights
When the one you want …
Daisy doesn’t believe love is ever-lasting, so it’s ironic as hell that she parlayed a business degree into a wedding planning business. More ironic still is her latest job bringing her back into contact with the man who’d taught her that love can’t last.
Is the one you can’t have…
To say Diego has been taught the hard way to bury emotions is an understatement. But when he’s called home to help the brother he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years, that’s one thing. It’s another entirely to also come face to face with the first woman he ever loved. First and only…
Can love conquer all?
Daisy’s learned to depend only on herself, and Diego is and always has been an island of one. And yet when they’re together, even when they’re bickering, still wary and haunted by memories of what was … it’s magic. The question is, how to find their way back to each other…? (less)
4 Stars
Diego Stone is a little less than happy about returning to San Francisco for his brother’s wedding. Issues from years passed, in family and love, have kept Diego away for more than a decade. Even with the rocky relationship with his brother, Diego agrees to be part of the wedding.
Daisy Evans is an amazing event planner. She struggled for many years to be able to live her dream and be what she wanted to be. After years of hard work she returns to San Francisco and begins to make a name for herself. Agreeing to help a friend with his wedding puts Daisy in a position where she will be face-to-face with her first love. A love she has yet to get over.
Twist of Fate is a sweet and romantic second chance at life. Daisy and Diego have chemistry to spare and their attraction has not wavered one bit through the years. Yet they both harbor feelings of hurt and loss with each other. When their love started they were both young and life was just beginning, yet life also happens. Years have not taken away from the love they shared, they just had to find away to be able to open themselves to each other. Through a series of wedding planning events Degio and Daisy rediscover what they had and more. They open the old wounds, gash it out and begin their healing and life together.
Twist of Fate is a wonderful introduction to Ms. Shalvis’s Heartbreaker Bay Series for those who have yet to read and nice treat for those who have. I very much enjoyed this visit to Heartbreaker Bay with Degio and Daisy.
Review: Rough Ride by Jayne Rylon
Rough Ride
Jayne Rylon
Powertools: Hot Rides Series, Book 5
Sevan has been keeping secrets. She’s not the errand boy everyone at the Wildfire outlaw motorcycle gang thinks she is. No, she’s been playing a dangerous game, hunting their president from inside their ranks in the name of revenge. And if anyone finds out, they won’t hesitate to kill her.
Levi Jansen has always been drawn to Sevan, even when he thought she was a scrawny male mechanic named Rivet. He can’t blame her for that since he’s been hiding plenty too. As an undercover agent, he’s relied on his tenuous partnership with ex-con, Ransom, to infiltrate Wildfire and build an ironclad case against them.
As the three of them swirl deeper into darkness, they’ll need to rely on each other to find their way out, and back home to Hot Rides. Otherwise they’re doomed to become exactly what they’ve been fighting so hard to defeat.
Allowing themselves to be distracted by desire would be the stupidest thing they could do. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to ignore the sizzling attraction between them, complicating everything.
This is a standalone book in the Hot Rides series and includes an HEA with no cheating. The series is part of the greater universe where both the Powertools and Hot Rods books are also set, so you can visit with many of your previous favorite characters and see what they’re up to now!
4 Stars
An undercover cop, an ex con and a woman disguising herself as a man have found themselves tangled in danger and on a dark mission with revenge in their sights. Each carrying a secret and damage to their souls. Rivet, Ransom and Levi return the MC, to take it down.
I can’t decide if Rivet is bravest, smartest woman or crazy with a death wish. The things one does for revenge. The woman is deep, intense and fears nothing. Ransom and Levi are equally as intense yet so very alpha. While Sharing similar characteristics these two men could not be more different from each other. Each of their scars cut deep but make them the man they are.
Rough Ride is an intense, white knuckled, oh so hot ride. Dark and dangerous with the intent on nothing but revenge. Yet three people somehow find their way to each other in a completely messed up situation. The wrong move could be it for all three. Rivet, Ransom and Levi found something beyond beautiful in a mess of darkness. They learn to lean on and trust one another. Ms. Rylon pulls out all the stops and kept me flying through the pages. Rough Ride’s dark edge and intensity, fast pace and good plot line, and passion beyond passion makes this installment of the Powertools Hot Ride my favorite.
Review: More Than Pleasure You by Shayla Black
More Than Pleasure You
Shayla Black
More Than Words Series, Book 5.5
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shayla Black comes a new story in her More Than Words series…
Can I convince her our hot but temporary engagement should last forever?
I’m Stephen Lund, confirmed bachelor…and son of a successful billionaire whose sins I can’t forget—or forgive. After he delivered an ultimatum to either get over his transgressions or get out of the family business, I put space between us with a temporary getaway to Maui. My rental’s sexy caretaker, Skye Ingram, is a beautiful distraction. Yeah, it’s a terrible time to start a fling, but I can’t help wanting to give her every bit of pleasure she’s willing to take.
When Skye needs a date to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding, I’m game to play her pretend fiancé. The jerk should see what he passed up…and that I’m holding her now. But our pretend engagement begins to feel real. Our passion certainly is. So are the consequences. When I’m confronted with the reality that our lives are now irrevocably entwined, I have to choose between leaving Skye to return to the life—and wealth—I’ve always known or abandoning everything familiar to start over with the woman who awakened my heart.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
4 Stars
When an overheard phone call pushes two people together, is it fate working her hand. Stephen is on a working vacation with a little bit of soul searching. Skye needs a miracle of a date to wedding so the ex’s mother will leave her alone for good. Hello fate!!!! Stephen and Skye have the attraction and chemistry, not to mention the heat they throw back and forth with each other. Throwing caution to the wind Stephen and Skye give in the passion and desires, the raw feeling and emotions that they have created. When the foundation starts to crumble under the two, in steps the Reeds to lead their helping hand.
I love the depth of emotion and rawiness of the More Than Words Series. Each story of the series has hit my heart in one way or another. More Than Pleasure You, I can happily say hits all the right buttons and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. I love that Ms. Black gets deep into the minds and emotions of both Stephen and Skye. Yet they are fun together and the banter they share is remarkable. It was highly enjoyable to see Stephen and Skye figure it out.
Review: Fever by Donna Grant
Fever
Donna Grant
Dragon Kings Series, Book 16
His kiss was fire and passion. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure…
For centuries, the Dragon Kings have lived among mortals, forsaking their true selves. But for Kelton, hiding in the realm of shadows—and existing only in the world of dreams—is no longer an option. A human woman claims to know that he, like other dark warriors of his kind, is real. That the legends about these powerful, seductive men with hearts ablaze are true. And that, with just one embrace, Kelton could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.
Bernadette Davies is an anthropologist who knows better than to fall into the arms of a Dragon King. But how can she resist Kelton when he’s so willing to share his secrets and bear his soul? He hasn’t met a beautiful, trustworthy woman like Bernadette in…forever. But once they give into their mutual desire, their worlds will never be the same. Soon Bernadette must face her dilemma: Should she expose the truth about Kelton in the name of science? Or join him in his battle with the dark forces—in the name of love?
4 Stars
Donna Grant has readers hearts racing with the latest action packed, tear jerking installment of the Dragon Kings series, Fever.
When someone hits a little too close to home with the for the Dragon Kings, actions must be taken. Anthropologist Bernadette Davies makes it a mission to let the whole world in on the fact that dragons are real. Although she doesn’t understand where this obsession comes from. Kelton, a centuries old Dragon King, has sworn to protect the humans that he really has no love for. When sent to investigate the person planning to expose his kind, Kelton gets a double punch in the gut upon seeing this beautiful woman and no an old hag.
Fever is the 16th Book is the Dragon Kings Series and first I must give Ms. Grant props for giving enough background information that a new reader could catch on or an existing reader could have a refresher. Bernadette and Kelton’s coincides and possibly sets the start button with bigger things happening in the Dragon kings world. Donna Grant weaves an epic tale within her epic tale. Fever is a non stop, emotional, jaw dropping and pivotal story within the series. Fever has all the heat you could want and a few moments of good plot twisting shock to keep your blood racing.
ARC Review: Spun Out by Lorelei James
Spun Out
Lorelei James
Blacktop Cowboys Series, Book 10
New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James returns for another wild ride in Wyoming with a new Blacktop Cowboys(R) novel.
Years in the Army equipped Bailey Masterson for many things: target shooting, rappelling off cliffs, dodging grenades. She’s lived through horrors that still give her nightmares. But nothing in Bailey’s life-or-death training prepared her for caring for the tiny terror that is five-year-old Olivia Hale. Or how to control her raging attraction to Olivia’s father, Streeter, the rugged, green-eyed cattle rancher who undermines her every move even when he stars in her dreams.
Streeter Hale has room for only two things in his life: his daughter and his job. He doesn’t date. He doesn’t get attached. Not anymore. So not only is Streeter stunned by Olivia’s improved behavior after just a few days with Bailey, he’s downright floored by his immediate attraction to the woman. But with secrets in her eyes and a body that doesn’t quit, Streeter begins to worry that Bailey Masterson might just be the one woman to heal his fractured family and broken heart.
One thing’s for sure–these two wrecked souls are spinning out of control as they desperately try not to fall in love…
5 Stars
Sexy, heartfelt and deep with that touch of humor that only Ms. James can deliver.
Bailey Masterson is one of those characters that I allowed myself to have preconceived ideas about who and what she was through previous books in the series. Holy crap was I wrong. Bailey has more layers than I could have guessed. She an incredibly strong woman yet carry many complexities that she’s really good at keeping on the down low. Returning to Muddy Gap to figure out the next step in her life while, Bailey hinds herself twisted in more ways than one with a bunch of out of control ranch kids and a green eyed cowboy that makes her heart skip a beat.
Four and a half years ago Streeter Hale’s life changed forever. Leaving for work like any other day and returning to find high school sweetheart wife committed suicide and his six month old baby girl screaming her head off. Questions, anger, sadness and grief leave a once stable man on shaky ground. Add in his wonderful brother and father that cut him out their family business. Streeter finds himself at the Split Rock Ranch, in the company of his younger brother and begins to build a new normal for his daughter and himself. In all accounts, Streeter should be broke beyond broken, but for his little girl he keeps on keeping on. When his hand full of a daughter makes a little commotion the Split Rock, Streeters blood starts to boil and not in the mad at sort.
Ms. James brings everything and more with Spun Out. Streeter and Bailey are both dealing with baggage on their shoulders but that does nothing to lessen the attraction and chemistry they are feeling. There’s nothing wrong with a summer fling, right? When the fling turns into something more, that’s where the story gets good. Bailey’s spunkiness and take charge attitude along with Streeter’s dirty mind yet almost innocent way to him, turns a lust filled fling into something more than either one was looking for. Spun Out is emotional, deep, heartfelt and sexy. Ms. James touches upon hard emotional and physical issues with class and elegance. Not leaving out any of the dirty details that make this not only entertaining, but an emotionally satisfying story as well. Giving the reader the smile or tear just where each was needed.
Being the tenth book in the Blacktop Cowboy Series, Spun Out is fresh, refreshing and right on point with what I want in my reading. Streeter and Bailey’s journey is a roller coaster ride of emotions. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, and everything in between. Spun Out totally get 5 stars from me.
Review: Beauty by Lexi Blake writing as Sophie Oak
Beauty
Lexi Blake
Sophie Oak
A Faery Story, Book 3
Re-released in a second edition. Re-edited but no substantial changes.
The princess in the tower
In one horrifying night, Bronwyn Finn lost her family, her kingdom, and the princes who had haunted her dreams for years. Left alone, years pass as she fights for survival and craves revenge against the uncle who took everything from her. But she’s never forgotten her Dark Ones. Now she hides along with her guardian, but the war rages ever closer.
Two dark princes
A tragedy marred Lach and Shim’s lives. The future kings of the Unseelie Fae are obsessed with finding their promised wife—Bronwyn. Lach and Shim have never stopped believing that Bronwyn is their mate. She is the bond that connects the halves of their shared soul.
A destiny that will change a kingdom
With the blessing of the renegade kings, Beck and Cian Finn, Lach and Shim begin a dangerous quest to find their bride before Torin and his hags take her life.
Across two planes, a war will rage. Lives will be lost. Love will be found. And the Seelie Fae will welcome their true kings home.
4.5 Stars
Bronwyn is the girl in the tower. Someone everyone thought was long gone. She may be a princess in name but this woman is all warrior. Her world got turned upside down and inside out is every way that it could. Bronwyn finds strength through her dark ones. A strength that has been growing and bonding for years through dreams.
Shim and Lachlan are Symbiotic twin heirs to the Unseelie throne. They are very much like Beckett and Cian of the Seelie court. The twins share a soul and need their mare to balance them out. Problem is their should be mate has been gone for many years. Or has she….. The connection shared through dreams has Lach and Shim on a mission that won’t stop until they find their mate.
Save the best for last….. Beauty was hands down my favorite of the Faery Trilogy. I can’t even put together words together to begin to describe the amount of enjoyment I had while reading this book. I loved the dreaming aspect of the story and the connection that it brought to the trio. Beauty was a fantastic finish to this wonderfully sexy trio of reads.
Review: Breathless With Her by Carrie Ann Ryan
Breathless With Her
Carrie Ann Ryan
Less Than Series, Book 1
Paperback
Published October 22nd 2019
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan comes a sexy new contemporary series.
Devin Carr likes his life. He likes his job, his family, the outlook for his future. Then he meets her. Erin. As soon as he sees her, drunk and wearing a sequined dress as her world crashes down around her and she fights to put on a brave face, he knows what he’s been missing. Her.
When Erin Taborn finds her high school sweetheart and husband banging the former head cheerleader of their graduating class at their high school reunion, she tells herself she’ll be fine. She just needs to figure out what fine means. There’s only one problem. Devin. She didn’t plan on him. And for someone who thinks they have all their plans in place, that’s a problem.
One she’ll have to find an answer to if this whole friends-with-benefits thing is going to work.
If not, she’ll fail just like with everything else.
4 Stars
Erin thought her life was pretty good. She was married to her high school sweetheart and had the business of her dreams. Until she walks in on her now ex husband with another woman. Talk about the world she knew falling a part in a blink of an eye. Picking up the pieces has left Erin unsettled and insecure but she tries to get on with her new life. When a friend helps Erin through this trying time she realizes that love is so much more than she could have ever known.
Devin is now my new favorite male lead character that Ms. Ryan has written. He’s laid-back and charming. Devon kind of has this go with the flow attitude that keeps him upbeat and light. He’s a dedicated and loyal sibling and friend. He’s the kind of person that sees be on the surface of other people and will go the extra mile for a person he cares for. This sexy postman is one of those good guys that every girl could go crazy for.
Carrie Ann Ryan starts off her new Less Than Series, Breathless With Her, a friends with benefits romance with an emotional bang. Erin and Devin complement each other so well. There may have been sparks of chemistry between the two when she sat down at the bar but the sheer amount of respect that Devin displays is swoon worthy in itself. They developed a friendship that did truly turn to something more. When they finally gave into the chemistry, no promises were given. But then again you can’t make your heart feel something or not for that matter. Erin and Devin both stumble over their own feet before they get it right but that stumbling is the story that melted my heart.
Review: Beast by Lexi Blake writing as Sophie Oak
Beast
Lexie Blake writing as Sophie Oak
A Faery Story, Book 2
Published October 15th 2019 by DLZ Entertainment, LLC
Re-released in a second edition. Re-edited but no substantial changes.
A playboy who needs to grow up
Fresh from his latest tabloid scandal, vampire playboy Dante Dellacourt has been given an ultimatum. Either he takes a consort and settles down, or his family will disown him. Unwilling to lose everything he has, he reluctantly agrees to find a wife. Marriage is just another kind of contract, after all. No one said anything about love being a part of the bargain.
An outcast who has only known hardship
Exiled by her pack, Kaja is a werewolf without a home. Her life was never easy in the frozen tundra she grew up in, but it was familiar. Waking up in a foreign landscape, surrounded by bright lights, loud noises, and far too many people has left her overwhelmed. Frightened and with no one to trust, she savagely fights to get free of this strange new world.
A passion strong enough to change them both
Called to defend the gnomes of the marketplace, Dante is almost blinded by the radiant light coming off the fierce werewolf. Kaja glows like no consort he has ever seen. Gorgeous and wild, she calls to him in ways he had not dreamed possible. For Kaja, she finds in Dante a man unlike any she has ever known. They could not be more different, but she finds him irresistible.
In order to claim his werewolf bride, Dante must first discover how to overcome their differences. Will he tame his ferocious beauty, or will she unleash his inner beast?
4.5 Stars
Dante has given himself the reputation of the ultimate player. Perceived by most to only have interest in fun, women and good times. Dante is one of those people that you can’t judge by what he wants you to see. He’s intelligent, loyal and cunning. As Dante’s layers begin to peel away we find a man filled with emotions, determinations and wants he wasn’t ready to admit.
Kaja is primal yet submissive. Rugged Pack life was all she knew, then to be thrown into a world of which nothing is known the beast within her takes survival to an instinctual level. She was an outcast of the pack and something different to the new place she finds herself in. Dante is her alpha. From the moment she finds herself in his presence she sees him as her first. She feels a connection, something that’s unknown to her. Kaja is unique all around. From her sheer nature to the way she tries to adapt for something he’s not quite sure what it is, but she wants it.
Beast was fantastic. Dante was so much more thanI expected. He has some pretty deep layers of emotions. He did what he thought was expected of him only want to find out, those expectations were nothing but a push for him to find what he truly wanted him his life. Kaja and Dante together is something truly unique. I love the way their connection and bond formed, developed and grew into something more than either one of them expected it could be. Two beasts find their balance to their beast with another beast. I truly love this fairy world that Lexi Blake has created. This is not the first time I have kicked myself not discovering these books earlier. I am very happy they have been released and I get to enjoy them now.
Coffee Books Life 