Category Archives: Review
ARC Review: Adoring Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan
Adoring Ink
Carrie Ann Ryan
1001 Dark Nights
The Montgomery Ink series continues with the most unlikely of romances between the one that got away and the man who can show her the world.
Holly Rose fell in love with a Montgomery, but left him when he couldn’t love her back. She might have been the one to break the ties and ensure her ex’s happy ending, but now Holly’s afraid she’s missed out on more than a chance at forever. Though she’s always been the dependable good girl, she’s ready to take a leap of faith and embark on the journey of a lifetime.
Brody Deacon loves ink, women, fast cars, and living life like there’s no tomorrow. The thing is, he doesn’t know if he has a tomorrow at all. When he sees Holly, he’s not only intrigued, he also hears the warnings of danger in his head. She’s too sweet, too innocent, and way too special for him. But when Holly asks him to help her grab the bull by the horns, he can’t help but go all in.
As they explore Holly’s bucket list and their own desires, Brody will have to make sure he doesn’t fall too hard and too fast. Sometimes, people think happily ever afters don’t happen for everyone, and Brody will have to face his demons and tell Holly the truth of what it means to truly live life to the fullest…even when they’re both running out of time.
4 Stars
Holly is a good girl. She has a simple life, a great job as a teacher, good friends and is for the most part happy. She even enjoys wearing her pearls and cardigans. Holly is ready to add a little adventure in her life. In walks Brody Deacon to jazz her world in the best ways.
Brody is fun, friendly and flirty. Big, tattooed and all alpha. This hottie is not one to settle down however is always good to the woman he’s with. He’s a good man, caring with a sweet side. Brody is friend with a lot of people but not really close with anyone. Spending time with a girl he believes to be too good for him, has Brody wanting more than he has before.
Adoring Ink is sweet, a bit adventurous and sexy. Brody and Holly are total opposites that complement each other well. Carrie Ann Ryan gives readers a strong heroine and a hero that makes your mouth water. Both Holly and Brody carry baggage that keep a part of themselves sheltered from the world. Their adventures of checking off things Holly’s list, starts breaking the walls and making change a reality. Brody and Holly make a perfect addition to the couples in the world of Montgomery Ink.
ARC Review: Shelter for Adeline by Susan Stoker
Shelter for Adeline
Susan Stoker
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series, Book 7
Saddled with a job she hates and a detestable boss she likes even less, Adeline Reynolds could use a break. It doesn’t look like she’ll get one today. Her service dog, Coco, is alerting her she’s about to have an epileptic seizure—and her frustrated blind date has left her to deal on her own. Enter firefighter Dean Christopherson, who escorts her to the nearby fire station, where she can suffer through her ordeal safe from injury and prying eyes.
Dean—known as “Crash” to his friends—didn’t expect to find The One in a diner during his lunch break, but he’s blindsided by the beautiful, brave Adeline. She brings out his every protective instinct—along with the carnal ones. As they get to know each other, Dean’s feelings for Adeline grow fast, as does his irritation with her boss, whose behavior is suspicious at best.
As much as he wants to protect Adeline from the world, Crash has to tread carefully. His overprotectiveness could push her away…and leave her vulnerable to a man whose obsession has reached the boiling point.
Review: A Harvest of Bones by Yasmine Galenorn
A Harvest of Bones
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz n’ China Series, Book 4
It’s harvest time in Chiqetaw, Washington; Emerald O’Brien’s favorite season. But this year, nature yields a most supernatural bounty. When Em and her sweetie, Joe, stumble over a bramble-covered foundation that has remained hidden for fifty years in the lot next door, strange events begin to occur. The cat vanishes. Will o’ the Wisps threaten to harm Emerald and her loved ones. And the ghost of a woman named Brigit and her beloved calico make themselves at home in the backyard. Now it’s up to Em and her friends to delve into the past, reveal the secrets of the dead and lay them to rest as they ring in the autumn with a harvest of bones.
3.5 Stars
A thoughtful gesture has caused a lot of ghostly havoc for Emerald and crew in the fourth book of the Chintz ‘n China Series, A Harvest of Bones.
As Emerald and Joe clear a vacant lot for the expansion of an herb garden, they uncover a foundation of a forgotten building and unknowingly unearthed something quite dangerous. The Magic and mystery fly as Emerald races against time to solve a decades old murder, help a ghost and find her missing cat.
A Harvest of Bones has a historical fiction feel mixed within the paranormal. The folklore and the journal entries enhance the storyline and depth to the book. Each of book of the series has a completely different feeling surrounding it. A Harvest of Bones has a somber and darker feel mixed within the mystery. I feel it allowed the reader to become closer with the characters. Emerald continued to grow along with the story. She was forced to face fears on the drop of a dime, She took them head on. I very much enjoyed A Harvest of Bones! Romance, paranormal and mystery weaved together for a wonderful tale.
Release Day Review: Trick by Laramie Briscoe
But then he moved in with his new flavor of the month and told our daughter his new woman wasn’t into children. That pissed me off.
Now Riley feels abandoned, and I can’t make it better; no matter how hard I try. I’m desperate to help her adjust to the loss of a male figure in her life. The companion program that matches adults up with children who have loneliness and abandonment issues is my last hope.
The counselors tell me he’s doing community service hours, and I ask to sit in on his meetings with Riley. The minute I see him astride the matte black Harley, I know neither my nor Riley’s life will ever be the same again.
Trick
Community Service. Two words I should be thankful for, but I’m not. I resent the hours it’s away from building my business. The two previous kids I’d been paired up with didn’t work out because their mothers were more interested in getting in my bed. This next match with a little girl is my last hope. Unless this kid works out, I’m destined to serve time.
When they push her into the room wearing pink converse with a black dress, her crazy curls barely held back by the barrette in her hair, and studious glasses on her face, I can tell she’s scared – of new people, of change, of being pushed aside. Something inside of me breaks, and I want this girl to feel wanted again.
What I’m unprepared for is meeting her mom. The second our hands touch, there are fireworks, bright lights, and a picture of the future I could one day have. The future I’ve never allowed myself to wish for.
Community service becomes more than a chore, more than time I resent for being taken away from me. In the months that follow, I realize they’re just like me: they’ve been abandoned, left behind by the world, forgotten by those who should love them.
Thanks to the one last hope in both our lives – we found the light in the darkness we’d been searching for.
Hadley is a single mom doing it all. Work a full time and part time job to give her daughter what she need. Hadley’s life changed on the drop of a dime when her cheating husband decided that was not the life for him. She picks up the pieces and makes a new life for the two of them. Hadley takes a leap of faith and enrolls Riley in a program that will pair her up and give her a positive male influence in her life. Little do they know it will be life changing for them both. Knowing what it like to be a single mom doing it all, Hadley is hands down awesome.
Patrick “Trick” Tennyson has made some mistakes in life. He’s a man that takes full responsibility for his actions and is paying his debts society. He’s a man that takes full responsibility for his actions and is paying his debts society. Little did he know the companion program his community service requires him to take part in, would change his life in more ways than one. The hard as steel, tatted up, panty melting man has a heart of gold and the . patience of a saint. Trick’s exterior appearance is just an added bonus to the amazing qualities of this truly wonderful man .
Sweet, slow burning and deep!
A second chance at life, trust, leaps of faith, listening to your heart and unconditional love make up the amazingly emotional story that is Trick! I have been very fortunate seeing Ms. Briscoe’s writing develop and grow from almost the beginning. In the last year I seen her talent take some amazing steps forward. Trick, in my mind, is a different type of book for her, one which I absolutely adored. It also shows the growth in her talent for weaving work together not just writing, but creating a story. Ms. Briscoe characters are seem so real and reader are able to relate with them on many levels. Every emotion is beautifuly protraded perfectly. Allowing the reader to not just read the story but feel it as well.
Deep emotions line every page creating a story that the reader not only gets lost in, but gets attached to. Likable and lovable characters draw you in, make you laugh and feel. Slow building passion that add fuel to the fire of passion for Trick and Hadley. Sexy, hot and passionate with a ton of heart. If you are looking for a book that is low on angst and drama but will hit your heart hard, Trick by Laramie Briscoe is the read for you.
Author Bio
Laramie Briscoe is the best-selling author of the Heaven Hill Series & the Rockin’ Country Series.Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie Briscoe has published over 10 books. She’s appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. She’s been called “a very young Maya Banks” (Amazon reviewer) and her books have been accused of being “sexy, family-oriented, romances with heart”.
When she’s not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on her DVR. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband (the Travel Coordinator) and a sometimes crazy cat named Beau.
Review: Murder Under A Mystic Moon by Yasmine Galenorn
Murder Under a Mystic Moon
Yasmine Galenorn
Chintz ‘n China Series, Book 3
With her teenaged daughter’s birthday on the horizon and the town’s autumn festival in full swing, Emerald has her hands full with party preparations and teashop specials. But a request from her friend Jimbo has her using her abilities to look into the disappearance of his friend. In the woods surrounding the Klickavail Valley enclave, Emerald senses a strange energy manifesting itself-before literally stumbling across the body of Jimbo’s friend. While the police are willing to blame the death on a cougar attack, Emerald knows there’s something else wandering the forest-something that resembles the Klakatat monster of legend, but may actually be a monster of a more human kind.
3.5 Stars
Excellent paranormal mystery.
Someone has it in for bikers and Emerald has found herself tangled in another tale of mystery and murder. Murder Under a Mystic Moon, the third book of the Chintz ‘n China Series is filled with suspense and magic. Ms. Galenorn gives readers her twists on legend and lore, creating a unique story. A lot of character development with Emerald, which I love. I feel like I really got to know her in this book. Life throws her a lot of curveballs, and I enjoy seeing her work her way through them.
Murder Under a Mystic Moon is rich in imagination and has a nice twist with the suspense. A fine paranormal mystery.
A copy of this title was provided for review.
Review: Blood Music by Yasmine Galenorn
Blood Music
Yasmine Galenorn
Bewitching Bedlam Series
When fun-loving witch Maddy Gallowglass moves to Bedlam to restore an old mansion and turn it into a magical bed-and-breakfast, the last thing she expects is to meet her match in the gorgeous vampire Aegis, a former servant of Apollo. The prequel story to the Bewitching Bedlam Series
4.5 Stars
A fabulous introduction to Yasmine Galenorn’s new Series, Bewitching Bedlam.
Maudlin (Maddy) is a sassy and spunky witch who is on the recovering side of a divorce. She has lost part of herself within a relationship gone sour and rules that make her apress part of who she is. A few margaritas, her best friend and a crazy idea is the just the thing Maddy needs!
Purchasing a mansion that has seen better days but has a charm that Maddy can’t resist, it’s just the restart she needs. Bewitching Bedlam B&B is born. However the first guest arrives well before check in time. The biggest danger and something completely irresistible all wrapped up in one.
Ms. Galenorn has me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what is going to happen with Maddy and Aegis. Blood Music perfectly sets up what I am sure to be a very interesting, exciting and sexy series. In the short prequel you get a wonderful feeling for the world building and a great dose of personality from Maddy, Sandy and Aegis. Intense chemistry, a lot of humor and a very sensual underlying feeling to the book have me very excited and very much anticipating the first full length book of the Bewitching Bedlam series.
I received a copy of this book for review.
ARC Review: Dylan by Melissa Forster
Dylan
Melissa Forster
Bad Boy After Dark Series, Book 2
The Bad Billionaires After Dark are a series of stand-alone romances that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger Love in Bloom series.
Indulge your inner vixen with these sexy billionaires!
Meet the Bad Boys… Four fiercely loyal, sinfully sexy, uber alpha brothers, about to fall head over heels for their leading ladies.
Everything’s naughtier after dark…
Sinfully sexy bar owner Dylan Bad has a thing for needy women. He’s a savior, a knight in shining armor, and his mighty talented sword has no trouble bringing damsels in distress to their knees. Enter Tiffany Winters, a gorgeous cutthroat sports agent who looks like sex on legs, f**ks like she’s passion personified, and wouldn’t let a man help her if she were dangling from a ledge and he was her only hope. One night and too much tequila might change their lives forever. The question is, will either one survive?
***
The Bad Boys After Dark books are long enough to burn up the sheets and short enough to leave you craving more.
Read the whole Billionaires After Dark series:
BAD BOYS AFTER DARK
Mick
Dylan
Carson (coming soon)
Brett (coming soon)
More Billionaires After Dark books:
WILD BOYS AFTER DARK (Available Now!)
Logan
Heath
Jackson
Cooper
The BILLIONAIRES AFTER DARK series is part of the LOVE IN BLOOM big family romance collection. Each book may be read as a stand-alone novel, or as part of the series.
4 Stars
Being consumed by your job is an understatement for Tiffany Winters . Her goal is to become the top sport agent in New York. Her determination has given her the reputation of being cutthroat and eating men for breakfast. She’s confident, strong and ready to take on the world. Tiffany took me getting to know her to like her. She’s a bit rough around the edges, but in no way can you deny the passion she possesses.
A damsel in distress type woman is the number one choice for Dylan Bad. An alpha male in all the good ways. More than able to make a needy woman willing fall to her knees. A chance meeting has Mr. Bad being very persistent for a woman with the capability of chewing him up and spitting him out. Dylan has a very sweet and caring side. Of all the brothers he puts himself out the most. I would allow Dylan to be my knight in shining armor anytime.
Sweet, funny and sexy.
Melissa Forster entices the reader with a good plot, sound writing and engaging characters. She keeps us turning pages with witty banter, depth and blazing hot passion. Ms. Forster balances humor and romance beautifully, leaving the reader with a funny and emotional story to get lost it.
Review copy provided.
Review: Trouble In Texas by Melissa Schroeder
Trouble In Texas
Melissa Schroeder
Two Texas sized romantic suspense books for one low price.
HER MOTHER’S KILLER
A woman who can’t escape her past.
Althea Johnson would like to leave the past behind. The memories of her mother’s murder lurk in her dreams and someone wants her to remember. Deciding to return to the small Texas town where it took place to deal with the demons from that night.
A man who will do anything to protect her.
Duncan can’t believe his best friend’s little sister has grown into such a wonderful bundle of curves. He is at first stunned by his reaction to her, but never one to be slow he starts putting the moves on her. It isn’t until he is completely seduced by her that he realizes that she is putting herself in danger to solve the old crime.
A killer who will do anything to possess her.
As both of them fall in love with each other, the stalking and danger escalates. Women close to Althea’s description are being found raped and murdered. The new lovers work overtime to figure out just what went wrong 20 years earlier, not realizing the mysteries they will reveal could jeopardize everything they are fighting for.
GRACE UNDER PRESSURE
Excitement, danger, and falling for the man of her dreams all have Grace under pressure.
Small town college professor Grace Michaels’ normally boring life has become more than a sane woman can handle. First, her ex-finance shows up in town, then her parents park their RV in front of her house. It makes it kind of difficult to seduce her sexy new neighbor, Sheriff Ren Morello. Of course, having her office and home burglarized isn’t great either, but it does put her up close and personal with Ren.
Ren wants nothing to do with Grace. So what if he can’t seem to stop thinking about her? She is a woman who would demand commitment and after his nasty divorce from his cheating ex-wife, Ren wants nothing to do with marriage. All he wants is hard fast sex. The problem is, the only woman he can picture it with is Grace.
When the threats to Grace turn almost deadly, Ren finds himself in her company more often than not, and keeping his hands off her becomes impossible. But as the danger grows closer, the attraction grows deeper, and Grace must choose between protecting her heart or her life.
Both books have been released as single titles.
4 Stars
Her Mother’s Killer
Straight up Wow!
Intensely emotional and intriguing. Melissa Schroeder blows me away.
Althea returns home hoping to find answers to a tragedy that has plagued her for too many years. Complex and deep, Thea is amazing, sassy and when she puts to her mind to something, she goes all in. She need a new start but when the problems she walked away from follow her home the story just continues to turn from there.
Duncan can’t believe the woman the his bestfriends sister has become. Being Sheriff makes his a protector by nature. When Thea is threatened, protecting her becomes the mission of his life. He will pull out all the stop to make her realize he’s the man for her.
Melissa Schroeder rocks at romantic suspense. Well written and a plot that kept me guessing. As always with Mel’s books, you feel like you know the characters personally. They have qualities that make you want to read and learn more about them. As the suspense of the book builds so does the passion. Balancing the romance and suspense is a fine line, which Ms. Schroeder does very well.
Grace Under Pressure
Funny, suspenseful and sexy.
Grace is a walking calamity with a wonderful heart. I so fell in love with her for the get go. She a geeky girl but she also has a bit of a spitfire in her as well. Having been burned by her ex, Grace has forgone men and is focusing on her career. Until a simple task lights a fire Grace can’t control.
Ren is the super sexy new sheriff in town. Recently divorced, Ren is in no way shape or form looking to tie himself down. He’s a bit bitter and very leery of starting anything with the woman. However an instant attraction has flames burning for a clumsy woman. Ren was a true knight, even if he need a smack or two upside the head. He’s funny, protective and loved his wittiness.
It’s all about the build up. Ren and Grace have the attraction and chemistry. Both being burned by members of the opposite sex, the build up was really about it for them. Sexual tension with suspense and humor weaved in. All the making of a good romance. Not only the primary, but the secondary characters are really what make the book. Personality and charisma of each individual character are unique, enjoyable and very entertaining. The suspense factor keeps you turning pages and the building of sexual tension keeps you hanging on.
A plot that will have you guessing until the end and steamy passion. Well done Mel, well done.
ARC Review: Fury’s Magic by Yasmine Galenorn
Fury’s Magic
Yasmine Galenorn
Fury Unbound Series, Book 2
“My name is Kaeleen Donovan. I’m a Theosian-a minor goddess. They call me Fury.”
By day, I run the Crossroads Cleaning Company, and I also read fortunes and cast hexes at Dream Wardens, a magical consulting shop. But by night, I’m oath-bound to Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads. Hecate charged me from birth with the task of hunting down Abominations who come in off the World Tree and sending them back to Pandoriam.
On a routine cleaning job in Portside—a boat full of ghosts need their joyride cut short—Tam and I run afoul of the Devani. The ruthless soldiers of Elysium capture him and send him out to the Tremble, a place of wild, chaotic madness. Jason and I devise a plan to sneak in and help Tam escape. But Lyon and the Order of the Black Mist reappear, and I’m on their hit list. Lyon opens a door to the Netherworld and the dead are pouring into the city. Now, we must wade through both the Devani and the dead to save Tam. And we must close the portal on the World Tree before Lyon manages to wake the Elder Gods of Chaos.
4 Stars
Dark, dangerous, unique and suspenseful.
Fury’s Magic is the fast paced, action packed second book of the Fury Unbound series. I adore Fury! She’s strong, loyal and a great friend. Also a total kick butt woman. Fury made strides in dealing with some of her darker emotions. I loved seeing that growth in her, along with learning more of where she’s from. As of lover of lore and legends the origins of the Broken and the Theosians were an added treat for me. Meeting new characters and unexpected twist to the plot kept this reader on the edge of her seat.
Fury’s Magic is truly paranormal at its finest. Ms. Galenorn’s personal touch on myths, legends and lore is imaginative, fresh and exciting. Her world building is an art form in itself. It’s almost like the setting is a character in itself. Yasmine Galenorn’s imagination and talent for weaving words, together to create a fascinating world that draws readers in and makes them never want to leave.
A free copy of this book was provided for review. I voluntarily chose to review this title.
ARC Review: Ink Exposed by Carrie Ann Ryan
Ink Exposed
Carrie Ann Ryan
Montgomery Ink Series, Book 6
Expected publication: November 29th 2016
The Montgomery Ink series continues with the brother that deserves a second chance, and the woman who has always loved him.
Alex Montgomery lost his first love and then proceeded to leave himself in the bottle. Only he and his ex-wife truly know why he fell so hard and so fast down a path he never thought he’d take. Now he’s clean, out of rehab, and learning how to be a Montgomery once again—a task that isn’t quite as easy as some of his family assumes.
Tabby Collins is an honorary Montgomery and the organizational mastermind behind Montgomery Inc., the family’s construction company. She loves her planners, friends, and a certain dark-haired man who’s never given her a second glance.
Alex is slowly re-immersing himself back into the world, but the demons he faced before aren’t out of the picture, and he’ll have to learn to rely on others to make it out whole. When Alex discovers that Tabby’s life is in danger, he not only finds a way to help her but also learns the true woman behind the soft smiles he’s always seen. Their romance won’t be an easy one, but nothing this passionate and heart-pounding ever is.
4.5 Stars
Alex Montgomery has hid his addiction to alcohol very well to those he loves. Until the rock hit the bottom, almost losing those he treasured most in his life. A year later and treatment in rehab, finds Alex working hard to maintain his sobriety and figuring out his life. Each day is a battle in will, strength and endurance as he picks up the pieces and tries to move forward.
Tabby Collins is the gear that keeps the office of Montgomery Inc running like a fine tuned machine. A smart woman who has a passion for planners and lists. Tabby is an honorary member of the Montgomery clan. She had a crush on a man she’s seen crack to his core and watches him try to get himself back together.
Hot, hopeful and healing.
Ms. Ryan never fails to deliver an emotional story that readers feel deeply. Ink Exposed is a wound cut open, admission of faults and failing, recovery with soul deep healing story. One that will require tissues for the emotional depth and a fan to cool off from the heat of the passion.
Tabby and Alex, so amazing together.
OMG! Dirty Talker ALERT!!! The heat of Ink Exposed is very high but there is a deep passion weaved into every sensual moment. The communication between Alex and Tabby is a high point of the book.
There was no sugar coating to Alex’s alcoholism. An issue that Ms. Ryan hit on the nail. He’s actions and thoughts allowed readers to feel right along with him. An ugly healing process written beautifully. Tabby and Alex have a bumpy road with demons and secrets. A constant battle plaguing them both in different ways. With trust, compassion, growth and some hope and faith two people found a way to love.
A truly outstanding emotional and sensual read.
Coffee Books Life 