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Review: Irresistible Love by Samantha Chase
Irresistible Love
Samantha Chase
Wylder Love Series, Book 1
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 30, 2024
Chasing Romance, Inc.
A Sexy, Close Proximity, Secret, Office standalone Romance by New York Times bestselling author, Samantha Chase.
She’s the darling ballerina of the renowned Montgomery’s.
He’s the sexy numbers nerd who works for her family.
Three years ago at a New Year’s Eve party they had a moment and kissed at the stroke of midnight.
Now she’s back and everything is…irresistibly complicated.
Lily Montgomery has danced her way through life, getting opportunities that few get, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t earned every single one. But with a career-ending injury, she returns home to nurse her wounds and figure out what comes next. What she didn’t expect was seeing the ruggedly handsome man she impulsively kissed three years ago and the simmering attraction that still burns between them.
Noah Wylder is committed to his five-year-plan – climbing the corporate ladder at Montgomerys. Three years ago, that plan almost got derailed thanks to an unexpected kiss with Lily. He’s since put in the work to redeem himself and stay under the radar. When she suddenly reappears, he can’t seem to escape her or the memory of their kiss. He knows in order to keep his job, he has to make sure he stays away from the alluring woman that’s never left his mind.
When Lily comes to him needing his help in figuring out what is happening within the Montgomery family, sneaking around leads to heated glances and harmless kisses. Will they realize that the connection they share is real, lasting, and irresistible for either of them to resist?
4 Stars
Lily Montgomery has had the amazing fortune of being able to live her dream of being a dancer. Getting opportunities that few people do Lily loves her life. She suffers what could be a career ending injury and decides to return home to heal with her family. When she returns home, she has come to find that all of her family is away. Her plan is to hang out with her grandfather until the rest of the family returns. As Lily begins to decide the next steps, she should take a blast from the past returns, throwing her for a loop, and some strange actions from her grandfather have her on her toes.
Noah is a man with a plan. He’s committed to climbing the corporate ladder at Montgomery’s. To make sure he secures his financial safety is a number one priority. Three years ago he was almost thrown from his track with an unexpected kiss, and now the giver of that kiss is back in his life. Noah has made it his mission to stay under the radar while moving up the ladder and gaining trust within the Montgomery company. Noah has held onto that memory for three years. In the moment he sees her those memories are resurrected right before his eyes. Now he feels like he must choose between everything he’s worked for and having the girl.
Irresistible Love starts off the new Wylder Love Series. Noah and Lily have a little bit of history that neither one of them has shaken from their minds. As Lily is trying to figure out her life, she can’t help but to keep running into Noah. Whether it be at her grandfather’s house or at the office, somehow they just keep ending up in the same space together. I love that they are both completely smitten with each other, but yet have things that hold them each back. When Lily sees something that throws her for a loop she quickly enlists Noah’s help to get to the bottom. As the days go by, they seem to be spending more and more time together. Soon that chemistry can no longer contain itself and just explodes. Noah and Lily have a very unique dynamic with one another that complements them beautifully. Noah and Lily are both very much connected with their families but yet their families have been through very different situations, but yet has made them both feel they are. I very much enjoyed watching him, explore the relationship and find their way to being a couple. Although this is the first book in a new series, we do get to see some of our favorite Montgomery‘s for Mrs. Chase’ pass books. I am very much looking forward to see what else comes from the Wylder Series.
Review: Good Time Boyfriend by Carrie Ann Ryan
Good Time Boyfriend
Carrie Ann Ryan
First Time Series, Book 1
Expected publication January 22, 2024
A new town. A new bar. A new life.
At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.
I moved to Denver to try to piece my family back together, but I have no idea how to do that.
Then the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen walks into my bar, and I think things are looking up.
She needs a fake boyfriend for the night and I’m all too eager to play along.
But when the sun rises, reality settles in and I know I want more. Only I don’t think she’s ready for what I have to give.
I want to be more than a good time, but I know what I’m good for. I need control. And she’s far too innocent.
Only when something happens that changes the rules, we’ll have to make a choice quickly, or we could lose everything before it even starts.
3.5 Stars
Heath Cassity, along with his siblings, moved to Denver to try to put back his family after their not so great upbringing. He has begun to make routes in this new place. Hico owns a bar with a good friend and has wonderful support around him. One day a beautiful woman who takes his breath away, walks in and out of his life, as quick as it is to take a breath. Until another day she comes storming into his life while having us stare down with a table full of strangers.
Devney Womack is the absolute middle child of a large blended family. She has five older step siblings, and five younger, half siblings, but yet to her they are all equally her siblings. She knows they love and care for her; however their meddling has become a bit too much. With the older group of her siblings, finding happiness and a new chapter in their lives. They want nothing but the same for her. Tired of the constant nagging and meddling, she creates herself a fake boyfriend, but yet he’s based on a real person. It all becomes too much when her family conference, a man that she never even had a relationship with. But yet that man surprises her in ways she never imagined.
Heath and Devney start their relationship in a very unique way, and I love how it unfolds. For something that should have been fake, turned into something extremely real. It’s a sweet and endearing story of finding love in the most unexpected ways. Carrie Ann Ryan starts off this new series beautifully.
Audio Review: A Merry Montgomery Christmas by Samatha Chase
A Merry Montgomery Christmas
Samatha Chase
Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
The Montgomery Brothers Series, Book 10
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2023
When the entire Montgomery family comes together, it makes for a holiday to remember.
But it’s more than just the tree, decorations, and gifts that have everyone talking. With so many people crammed under one roof, there’s bound to be some drama. Between last-minute business crises, talks of retirement, a new relationship, a sprinkle of marital problems, lots of snow, and a surprise baby, this has all the makings of a blue Christmas. They’ll need more than one Christmas miracle to get everything back on track, and hopefully Santa–or William Montgomery–will come to the rescue.
One thing’s for sure, it’s a Christmas they’ll be talking about for years to come.
4.5 Stars
William Montgomery has waived his matchmaking ways through his entire family. And this holiday season he wants nothing more than his entire family all together. That being a big feet with a Montgomery’s now numbering over 50 but somehow they managed to get them all under one roof.
Oh, I absolutely loved this audiobook. I will admit I have not read all of the Montgomery brothers books. I was able to follow along pretty quickly after realizing who was who. I loved the snippets of each couples individual stories as they were on their way to meet the family for vacation. For those that have read the stories previously it’s a nice little snippet of life to catch up. There is no doubt that the Macgomery family is very close, loyal, and willing to do anything for their family. So many different families within one giant family. It’s actually a very unique read. William is very proud of how big his family is. He is definitely all about family and making sure everyone is on their way to happiness. He even gets to play that match making hand at this Christmas get together.
Review: Christmas in Cape May by Jennifer Probst
Christmas in Cape May
Jennifer Probst
Sunshine Sisters Series Book 3.5
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 7, 2023
1001 Dark Nights
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst comes a new story in her Sunshine Sisters series…
Devon Pratt loves many things in life. The beauty of flowers. The yin and yang of energy. The power of positivity in people. And everything to do with the Christmas season.
As a floral shop owner in the beach town of Cape May, she looks forward to decorating both the town and running the annual holiday party to benefit the local animal shelter. Too bad the new owner of her favorite venue is more like the Grinch than Santa. Working with him will be a challenge, but she’s too full of seasonal cheer to let him annoy her, right?
Jameson Franklin hates many things in life. Crowds. Fake cheer. Ostentatious décor. And especially Christmas. The season is full of things he’d rather avoid, but since taking over the popular restaurant Vintage temporarily for his cousin as a favor, he’s trying to play nice with the locals. Too bad the florist is insisting on overrunning his sacred space with blooms, dogs, and an endless positive persistence that pushes all of his buttons. But when too many heated confrontations lead to heated encounters, he begins to wonder what it would be like to love not only Christmas, but Devon Pratt.
Let the festivities begin.
4 Stars
Devon Pratt loves life. She sees the good in many things and gets joy from simple things like flowers and animals. Christmas time is truly her favorite time of year and it brings her a tremendous amount of joy. She enjoys decorating the town and loves running the annual holiday party to benefit the local animal shelter. Just weeks before the event someone steps in at the restaurant where the event is to be held and tries to change all of her plans last minute. She shows just what holiday cheer can bring out in a person.
Jameson Franklin is easily annoyed by many things in life. Less than tasteful, decor, and crowds get to him, but what really raises the fur on his haggles is Christmas time. Taking over his cousin’s restaurant during the Christmas season is not his ideal thing, but he will try to play nice with the locals. Jamison make some changes to the restaurant that he thinks will help his cousins bottom line however, he has definitely gotten under one particular florist’s skin.
Christmas in Cape May was a fun and sweet holiday short Reid. Devon and Jamieson seem to be the opposite of each other. However, through some heated conversations in close proximity, they realize they have a bit more in common than they knew. Someone over filled with holiday cheer, and another one who wants nothing to do with it. Their banter is absolutely fantastic. I love that they are constantly fighting their chemistry until they can no longer fight their feeling and it just explodes. Jennifer Probst gives her readers a fun and heartwarming Christmas story to get our holiday season started.
Review: Salems Song by Kristen Proby
Salems Song
Kristen Proby
The Curse of the Blood Moon Series, Book 3
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 3, 2023
Torn apart by tragedy, Lorelei has kept Xander at arm’s length, focusing on her career and gifts, rather than rekindling their love. But now that she’s back in Salem, she can’t avoid him and finds herself slowly softening toward the man she’s loved all of her life. However, the witch hunter they’ve been fighting still hasn’t been vanquished. Between that and breaking the curse of the Blood Moon, now is not the best time for her to give the sexy Xander another try.
Despite Lora pushing him away, Xander has never stopped loving her. But now that the stakes are higher with evil threatening them more than ever, he is done giving her time and space. With the curse that Jonas put into place long ago creating havoc with the innocent residents of Salem, the core six, their coven, and the witches from Hallows End need to work together to overcome true wickedness.
Will Xander and Lora find themselves once again amidst these stormy seas and their recent separation? Or will evil reign, throwing the core six, Salem and Hallows End into unimaginable peril?
5 Stars
Lorelei and Xander have known forever that they are destined to be with one another. Their magic called to each other, was intensified by each other. Something hurt them both greatly, and has faltered the foundation of what they should be. The Curse of the Blood Moon is hanging over their heads, and something evil just keeps coming at them. Threatening everyone, they know, and love. Lorelei and Xander have to work together along with their friends and cousins to see this through and erase this curse. Danger is around every corner pushing Lorelei and Xander into close proximity. It’s like their souls are calling to one another, but they have to heal that hurt to able to move forward.
Salems Song is the perfect read to begin the spooky time of year. The conclusion of The Curse of the Blood Moon Series was magical. We get an amazing story that is filled with family, love and hope. A story that is dangerous, daring and magical. I love that was broken and found a way to heal. Kristin Proby truly created something magical not only with this story, but with this series. These relationships are soul deep, and you are able to feel that while reading. She creates strong characters that know how to build one another up but can count on one another in their times of need.
There is an epilogue at the end of Salem Song that was amazingly beautiful and had me crying rivers of happy tears. Kristin was able to beautifully show what life, love, friendship, family, and tradition should look like.
Review: Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany
Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas
Vicki Delany
A Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series, Book 6
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 19, 2023
It’s beginning to look a lot like murder in the sixth installment of this charming cozy mystery series, perfect for fans of Donna Andrews and Jacqueline Frost.
It’s the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America’s Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and décor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it’s not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production.
Tensions come to a head when a member of the group is found dead shortly after a shopping excursion to Mrs. Claus’s Treasures. Was someone looking to cut out the competition? Everyone in the cast and crew is a potential suspect, including Aline, Merry’s mother, and Merry’s shop assistant Jackie O’Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role.
It could be curtains for Christmas—and for Merry—unless the killer can be ferreted out of the wings.
3.5 Stars
Rudolph, New York is the most Christmasy town there ever was. A town that is truly centered around everything Christmas. Merry Wilkinson is the owner of Mrs. Claus’s treasures, a cute little gift and decor shop in America’s Christmas town. It’s the beginning of December, and the town is gearing up for their annual amateur trauma society play. This year it’s a Christmas Carol, but what should be a cheerful time becomes tense as rivalries begin amongst the cast and crew of the production. Tensions come to the forefront when one of the cast members is found dead While shopping. Just so happens she dies in Merry’s shop. Everyone in the cast and crew is a suspect, and even Merry. She is determined to get to the bottom of this before all the Christmas cheer is sucked out of this town.
This is my first forte into the year round Christmas mystery series. The concept of this is really cute and the mystery is engaging and intriguing. . We have some quite colorful characters in this cozy Little Christmas town. They add flair and charisma to the story, which I truly enjoyed. Vicki Delany is an imaginative and creative author. She continuously comes up with new ways to keep us thinking, and turning the pages.
Review: Cherry Lane by Kristen Proby
Cherry Lane
Kristen Proby
Huckleberry Bay Series, Book 3.5
1001 Dark Nights
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 22, 2023
Sometimes, love is waiting in the most unexpected of places.
Zeke Cross is a big city guy who finds himself living in the smallest town on the face of the earth, running an auto repair shop with his best friend. Not just running, but owning. He’s not used to sleepy little towns. He craves noise, excitement, and people. And yet, he’s grown to love the town of Huckleberry Bay, and the people who have welcomed him into the fold. Almost everyone has been kind and accepting of the outsider.
Everyone except Cherry Dubois.
Cherry is a small town girl, and she misses the sleepy community from her childhood. Now, her home is overrun by move-ins, who seem hell-bent on bringing big city ideals to her little town, and ruining what she’s always had. Her neighbor, Zeke, is the most annoying of all, with his loud music and arrogant attitude. How is she supposed to think when he’s around? Sure, he’s handsome, but that almost makes it worse.
Then Cherry needs Zeke’s help, and she finds out that the big city guy isn’t all that bad, especially when he has his hands on her and makes her forget all the reasons why she doesn’t like him. But at the end of the day, will she be able to trust this man to stay for good, or will her worst fears come true?
** 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
What an amazing short story. I love the town of Huckleberry Bay, and all the wonderful people who called at home. Cherry Lane is a quick read with all the feels.
Zeke has been a big city guy for all of his life. Now living in the small quiet town of Huckleberry, Bay, life is really slow down for him. He misses the noise and action of the city but yet he’s beginning to realize that this is his new home.
Cherry is a small town girl. She loves the cozy community in which she has grown up in. Until a city guy moved in next-door bringing his city ideas. Disrupting her peace with loud music and his fast paced way.
These two have so much chemistry. It is flowing out of them. Jerry and Zeke are amazing together. Their back-and-forth banter is humorous and entertaining. They obviously have an attraction for one another, but both being the stubborn people that they are, don’t see it until they do. Sherry kept herself extremely guarded. Zeke found away through her walls, and with a little bit of work, they found their way to one another. These two will have you laughing and make your heart very warm. A very sweet happily ever after.
Review: You Can Die by Rebecca Zanetti
You Can Die
Rebecca Zanetti
Laurel Snow Series, Book 3
Men are dying in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies found near churches, charities, and counseling centers–each with valentine candy hearts shoved down their throats. They’re good men with families and community ties–or so they seem until Laurel Snow and her team begin to investigate. Then the case takes a shockingly personal turn when the father she’s never met, a former pastor, turns up among the dead.
Now, besides solving her father’s murder, Laurel is on the hunt to discover the truth of his past. Complicating things is Laurel’s troubled half-sister, Abigail, a brilliant sociopath determined to prove that they’ve both inherited their father’s malignant narcissism.
Assisting Laurel is Washington Fish and Wildlife Captain Huck Rivers, a dangerous loner whose reliance on gut instinct puts him at odds with Laurel’s coolly analytic approach. But the choice may be moot when the killer hones in on Huck’s own dark secrets–putting him and Laurel squarely in the crosshairs.
4.5 Stars
Rebecca Zanetti can do it all, from romance to paranormal to psychological thrillers. She knows how to grab your attention and keep you going through the last page. You Can Die is one of those books that you don’t want to put down until you’re finished.
Laurel Snow is truly a unique heroine. She is definitely not one of those people that you judge by hair cover. From her beautiful looks to her brilliant mind, what you perceive about her will truly be different from the way she really is. I love seeing how she’s grown through the course of the three books. If you’ve been following the series, you will see subtle changes in Laurel that were not at the beginning of the series and complement her so well. She is a unique personality with a unique way of thinking and seeing things so it’s so nice to see her grow into something even more than what she is.
No for the story. This one keeps taking us on a ride. A new killer is on the loose, the case is hitting too close to home for Laurel’s actual liking and her psychopath half sister is always a half a step beside her. This is a twisty story that is well-pasted with a pretty intricate plot. The suspense builds through the story and just when you think you have something figured out, you realize something else crazy happens all over again. We have a truly suspenseful story that keeps giving us twists and turns. We have a beautiful romance blooming and some family drama that sooner or later is going to come to ahead.
You Can Die is a swirling edge of your seat read that I truly could not put down from beginning to end. I look forward to see what the next chapter for Laurel is.
Review: Witch Upon a Star by
Witch Upon a Star
Angela M. Sanders
Witch Way Librarian Mysteries Series, Book 4
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 23, 2023
Big things are happening in small-town Wilfred, Oregon! The retreat center is open for its first workshop, the local caf� is done remodeling, and librarian and witch-in-training Josie Way is hosting her sister–and a few suspicions about the new killer on the loose . . .
Josie is eager to show off Wilfred’s delights to her visiting sister, Jean–even though Josie must conceal her magic from her. In any case, Jean is excited to attend Cookie Masterson’s trademark “Ready-Set-Go!” workshop on becoming a life coach. Then there’s the grand reopening of Darla’s Caf�, where the doors are thrown open to reveal . . . a dead man, stabbed in the back. That was definitely not on the revamped menu…
Even more worrisome, the sheriff receives a report of a fresh corpse at the retreat center. Maybe murder isn’t so uncommon in Wilfred anymore, but two unfamiliar bodies within an hour certainly is! Josie’s willing to let law enforcement take the lead–after all, she’s gotten into some trouble from the hints the library’s spellbound books keep feeding her about the patrons. But when her sister receives the killer’s chilling calling card, she’ll use everything within her otherworldly powers to divine just who in town has homicide as his new slogan . . .
3.5 Stars
Witch Upon a Star is a fun and entertaining read. It was much more than I expected it to be.
Josie is a librarian and a witch in training. I love how much her powers are intertwined with books. To be able to touch a book and know if they can give you the knowledge you need within seconds. That’s a pretty nifty ability to have. The books give her a lot of advise, whether she wants it or not. In Witch Upon a Star Josie has tasked with showing her sister Jean around her, cozy little town while she’s there for a retreat, so to speak. And then to keep her safe from a killer on the loose all while keeping her witchy secrets, a secret.
A self-help promoter is doing one of their seminars and Josie‘s little town and Jean, her little sister is all about this opportunity. Although it does not look to be the best opportunity, and when murder comes hand-in-hand with what’s going on around this seminar, has Josie on full alert. Josie is trying to keep her sister safe while twist interns thrown at her within this mystery, keep her on her toes. During the course of this novel, Josie is able to build bonds with her sister and help solve a murder. I enjoyed Witch Upon a Star. It is a unique subject collaboration for a cozy mystery. I love the fact that her powers are connected through books, and that makes it even more exciting.
I look forward to going back and seeing how the series started. And to see wants to become for this witchy librarian.
Review: Harbored in Silence by Carrie Ann Ryan
Harbored in Silence
Carrie Ann Ryan
Aspen Pack Series, Book 4
Dara is a harvester death witch. She holds the power of both life and death within her hands.She has taken on the task of keeping the ward strong for the pack. Cruz is the heir of the pack. Should something happen, Cruz will step in and become Alpha of the Aspen pack. Dara and Cruz have a complicated but yet an intertwined connection. Dara saved him in a way that is technically forbidden by the Moon Goddess. Yet the Goddess put them together as each other’s potential mate.
Harbored in Silence has the Aspen pact still fighting the vampires. Dara knows her time is Wendling. Along with the help of Wynter and Wren, Dara seeks out, elastic effort to go and talk with a Coven. Only to find the coven has been destroyed. Dara knows the only way to fight vampires is with the help of the coven. The shippers and the riches have to work together to put an end to the evil that they are facing. Dora embarks on a journey to form a new coven with those who were outcasted by the previous leaders. Cruz is tasked to keep Dara safe as she gathers her friends of witches in hopes of them joining her to help take down the evil they are facing. Through this journey, Dara and Cruz both learn many things that make a big impact on who they are. With all the danger and chaos going on around them, they found a way to break down their own barriers and find that they are each other’s mate.
Harbored in Silence I believe is the beginning of a pivotal point within the storyline. We are introduced to an array of new characters, we have discovered who the enemy is and more secrets are still to be revealed.
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