ARC Review - MIdnight Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice

Midnight Secrets
by Lisa Marie Rice

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Former Navy SEAL Joe Harris nearly died—twice—on a medevac helo after being blown up by an IED. He’s not moving too great these days, but if there was ever a woman designed to jump start a man’s hormones, it would be his new neighbor.
Meeting Isabel—loving Isabel—brought Joe back to life.
Isabel Delvaux came from one of America’s foremost political dynasties, until the greatest terrorist attack since 9/11 killed her entire family. She barely survived the Washington Massacre, only to become prey for rabid reporters. Fleeing to Portland and changing her name was a way out, a way to start over. The only way.
She knows she’s safe with Joe Harris. Not just because he's big and strong, not just because he's part of a security team that obliterates threats on the regular, but because he’s been to the abyss and back.

But as they help each other heal--through talk, through touch, through spectacular sex—the past comes back to play. When Isabel’s memory starts to return and a mysterious stranger sends Joe emails indicating she’s in imminent danger, he'll do anything to help her uncover the truth. Even if that truth is the most terrifying thing of all…

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley; this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.

I am just like an excited puppy when it comes to Lisa Marie Rice's Midnight series, and the excitement has not died down as I stare at book 6. Just picture the excited little puppy having a full body shake and wriggle over a milk bone. Yeah, that is me when it comes to this series. There is a repeatable format that just works for me. Damaged (in some way or another) hero who is totally sweet and protectively alpha. Damaged (in some way or another) heroine with a heart of gold. Some mystery or Machiavellian scheme that needs solving and/or thwarting where they save each other or at least each save the day, and then happily ever after. Honestly, with as much serious trauma and drama as these former Special Forces security consultants have in their personal lives, it is just amazing they can be so successful financially.

It seems repetitive, and I suppose if you read them back to back, it would be. However, the characters and the plots are all just different enough to make it fun, and it is just so energetically done, that you cannot help liking them. Plus, you have this really tight knit group of men who are like family, and they fold the women into their group seamlessly. Everybody just loves everybody, and it is happy and idyllic. Is it realistic? Absolutely not. But this is my happy time, so I suck it right up.

And oh, Isabel and Joe kept me all happy wriggly in the very best ways. Yeah Isabel is mentally/emotionally damaged, but despite the quickness it happens, you do see her healing arc. And Joe is physically damaged, but already getting better. So you see them as human, but it isn't all about the angst. It is often about longing, fun, and sexy times. And food, all the delicious food. There is also the aforementioned Machiavellian plot, but honestly, that was so ridiculously over the top I couldn't really take it seriously. It was just part and parcel of the whole over the top world we have here. Suspense without the angst or nerves, if you see what I mean. And even Isobel gets to kick butt. The only real niggle I have is the whole fetishization of going condom-less. It is idiotic and irks the hell out of me, and I would completely love more condom positivity from Ms. Rice.

Overall, 4 stars because it embraces what it is, and I enjoy the ride.

ARC Review Spiraled by Kendra Elliot

Spiraled
by Kendra Elliot

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I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is third in the Mason Callahan series, and thus far, I've really enjoyed reading about the lives of adults, and I really like her monsters (of the human variety).

This book though, I am really struggling on how to rate it. I enjoyed it, I really couldn't put it down, but it did frustrate the beejesus out of me.

The story starts out with a bang, literally. Agent Ava McLane is on vacation and with a friend at the mall when a mass shooting breaks out. The reader is dragged head first into the drama and suspense. And poor Mason is stuck outside waiting to find out if Ava is safe. It was an exciting start to say the least.

But then it slowed back down to the more contemplative pace that I have come to expect from Kendra Elliot, which threw me out of the story. It took me a minute to dial back down to it, but once I had, I was back into enjoyment mode. There is quite a bit of headspace time for both Ava and Mason, and the suspense was more cerebral than action oriented. And despite Ava's vacationer status, she was very much on scene for most of the procedural parts. Following the cops and the FBI as they tracked through the clues was interesting, and I didn't initially guess the villain, though I knew something was going on. It was pretty tricky, in a good way. And then it all blew to hell in a way I am not entirely sure I was expecting. Family is the damnedest thing isn't it?

And then the denouement went right back to being action packed and explosive. It was a hell of an ending for the monster. But we were left with a remarkably broken Ava.

I think that may be what bothered me the most about this book. While Bridged felt like a complete book, this one feels very much like we need another book to have any sort of resolution for Ava and Mason, despite the relatively high note.

3.5 stars and somewhat reluctantly recommending it until the next book comes out.

OpenLibrary Review - Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts

Carolina Moon
By Nora Roberts


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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts—an utterly spellbinding tale about a woman who, though battered in both body and spirit, can never lose Hope…Tory Bodeen grew up in South Carolina, in a small run-down house, where her father ruled with an iron fist and a leather belt—and where her dreams and talents had no room to flourish. But she had Hope, who lived in the big house just a short skip away and whose friendship allowed Tory to be something she wasn’t allowed to be at home: a child. 
After young Hope’s brutal murder, unsolved to this day, Tory’s life began to fall apart. And now, as she returns to her hometown, with plans to settle in and open a stylish home-design shop, she is determined to find a measure of peace and free herself from the haunting visions of the past. As she forges a new bond with Cade Lavelle—Hope’s older brother and the heir to the family fortune—she isn’t sure whether the tragic loss they share will unite them or drive them apart. But she is willing to open her heart, just a little, and try. 
Living so close to those unhappy memories will be more difficult and frightening than Tory could ever have expected, however. Because Hope’s murderer is nearby as well… 

I love OpenLibrary, and as far as I am concerned it is one of the best and most novel approaches to book lending we've seen. Small disclaimer though, always checkout the PDF version (unless you are fortunate enough to have access to one of the partner libraries in which case I don't know exactly what is available), because OCR text recognition isn't great with scanned older books. But they do have a wealth of books available.

Today's feature is Carolina Moon. I'd consider this one to be one of Roberts' quasi paranormals, i.e. the whole world is contemporary as are all the characters except the heroine who has a bit of a twist.

Victoria Bodeen is one of those heroines where you just can't quite understand why or how she keeps geting up from the hits life has dealt her. Cade Lavelle is one of those poor little rich boy heroes. He's overbearing, and arrogant, and proprietary when he doesn't really have that right. So I'm not sure quite why I like him, I can just tell you that I do. And I found their romance and their relationship very satisfying. There's also a secondary romance that I found very enjoyable as well. You put those romances together with friendships and familial bonds woven into a very tricky mystery, and you have yourself a highly satisfying read. And considering the bargain price of free, it is more than worth the read.

As has often been said about Nora Roberts' books, they tend to be a bit formulaic. This one however is a bit more involved and trickier than usual. 4 stars

Review - Let it Ride by Vivian Arend

Let it Ride
by Vivian Arend

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I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

He’s her rock in the midst of the storm
When Maggie Ward’s world is torn apart by sudden tragedy, the only thing that makes her days bearable is Clay Thompson’s unwavering presence. He’s protective, caring, and everything she could ask for in a friend. But when she finds herself longing for more than friendship, it will take a little seduction to convince the stubborn mechanic she’s ready to start living again.
She’s his heart, whether he knows it or not
Clay Thompson’s got the taking-care-of-others business down pat, only he’s never faced this particular challenge before—the one woman he’s always wanted is unexpectedly his to care for. Suddenly it’s not just responsibility driving him, but a wild desire to make Maggie truly his. But following his heart might mean sacrificing the family he’s held together for years.

This is book 3 of the Thompson & Sons series, which is actually a spin-off from the Six Pack Ranch Series. You can read the Thompson & Sons series without having read the 6 Six Pack Ranch series, but I highly recommend both series because it paints a picture of the community life and the familial bonds when you put it all together.

Let it Ride has elements of second chance romance and friends to lovers. It is a good story, there just really wasn't enough of it. Maggie and Clay were friends in high school and possibly headed toward more, but when his life imploded with the death of his mother, and he stepped up to keep his family together, they drifted apart. Years later Maggie is back in town when tragedy strikes, and Clay being the big brother and stand up guy, he is there for her.

There are just some really lovely parts to their story, and some undeniable conflicts. The one in particular with his father was heart wrenching. It was believable that a man who hasn't stopped mourning his wife might feel some negative emotions toward someone who is willing to live and love again after tragedy. That part was believable. Some people might find the speed of Maggie and Clay's relationship problematic, but honestly I didn't. Where it broke down for me was in the speed of the resolution. It was a small let down though in what was otherwise an enjoyable book with characters I rooted for. 3.5 stars

ARC Review - Hot Alphas by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker, Kate Douglas

Hot Alphas
by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker, Kate Douglas

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In Erin’s Kiss by Lora Leigh, ex-Marine Turk has become Erin’s sworn protector. The consistent target of her CIA-operative brother’s deadly foes, Turk is the only port Erin has to cling to in a storm. He promised her brother long ago never to touch her—but how can he resist a woman who aches to be with him as much as he burns for her?
In misTaken by Laurelin McGee, Jaylene Kim is a strong independent woman whose feminist values run deep. Even though attractive men are her weakness the last thing she wants is one telling her what to do. Until she meets her mysterious new neighbor. He makes her realize that you can still be strong and relinquish control . . . in the bedroom. But as their passion consumes them both Jaylene isn't so sure he is who he says he is.
In Burn for Me by Shiloh Walker, Tate longs to spend his nights with Ali, a woman he’s loved for years. But while Ali’s heart pines to be with Tate, her head has reservations. Ali knows that Tate has never forgiven his father for the fight he had with his mother right before she left the house—and was never heard from again. Tate's unresolved anger is a force to be reckoned with . . . but the heat that blazes between them is undeniable. Now both Tate and Ali are left to wonder: Can love really conquer all?
In Tangled by Kate Douglas, Nate shows up to work at Tangled Vineyards ready to do all the things he loves best—work with his hands, grow the grapes, and craft award-winning, full-bodied wines. But when something better comes along in the form of Cassie, the winemaker and former owner of the vineyard, Nate becomes completely love-drunk. Getting involved with Tangled’s number-one mixologist is a bad way to start off a new job, but with Cassie as a constant temptation, Nate doesn’t stand a chance…

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.


Erin’s Kiss-Once upon a time I had a love affair with Lora Leigh, I devoured everything she ever wrote, then devoured it all over again. I even remember the other Wounded Warriors stories, and I remember really enjoying them. Especially Cooper’s Fall. So after reading Erin’s Kiss, I went back and reread that one. And I still really enjoyed it, it’s sexy and over the top, and it kind of owns it. Even Sheila’s Passion was pretty good. Erin’s Kiss just fell flat for me, it was kind of bland. Even the overriding story arc in this series was bland. You could probably read this as a standalone because the connection to the series seems fairly superficial, but you’re definitely going to know it is part, of a series.

misTaken, is an awkward blend of feminist diatribe and feminist apologetic. Noah was cute and socially awkward and not at all an alpha. I rather enjoyed this character, but he didn’t seem to fit the Hot Alpha theme. Perhaps Jaylene was meant to be the hot alpha? Then we get the diatribe by her about how worthless romance novels are, fairy tales for “Basic B----es” and the total dismissal and disgust of anyone of anything that doesn’t fit her notion of feminism, yeah, that’s going to endear me. I get that it is likely meant to be tongue in cheek and aggressively to one side of the position to show a dramatic change, but it is highly irritating, and foreshadowing much? Yeah, I saw that plot twist coming from a mile away. The whole thing was like a social parody or essay even, and it took me completely out of the story and the characters. Presumably Jay’s two friends will also be getting their own stories, but nothing about this one made me want to keep an eye out for them.

Burn for Me-While I don’t exactly understand a woman that lets a relationship she isn’t happy with just coast for three years, I really got into this story, I dig couples who communicate. The couple was sweet, the mystery was interesting, and the cozy feel of the town and characters all made me want to read more. With this short format, maybe I don’t entirely buy the sea change in the hero’s emotional outlook, but I enjoyed it all anyway. I’ll be checking out the other books in the series.


Tangled-This story has sort of a sad start, then Cassie and Nate sit talking like old friends and hop right into bed. I wasn’t expecting to like this, with that sort of start and the co-workers angle, but Kate Douglas has a way about her. So instead of a strict workplace romance conundrum, we ended up with quite a mystery for such a short story. The relationship was obviously almost ridiculously rushed, but I enjoyed it anyway.


This is not the strongest anthology I’ve read in a while, but on the relative strengths of Burn for Me and Tangled, I’m giving it 3 stars.

                                                                                                                                              

Review - Don't Walk Away by Vivian Arend and Elle Kennedy

Don't Walk Away
by Vivian Arend and Elle Kenedy

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.

Don't Walk Away is the third book in the DreamMaker's Trilogy. Previous books have been comical and sexy, and I enjoyed them quite a bit. The premise is really the fun part, these former military Special Forces guys get out, and rather than opening up the ubiquitous security agency, they open DreamMaker's, which is an upscale event planning service for clueless guys who want to impress their ladies.

The last book ended on a small cliffhanger regarding Dean, the unabashed manwhore of the group. There is a mysterious lady, because of course there is. Rather than having another heroine in jeopardy situation, this book takes a different route. Once upon a time Dean and Emma were inseparable, until they weren't and Dean broke her heart. And it definitely was true love, as you'll see why when you read it. When Emma happens to move to San Francisco, she inadvertently makes friends with Dean's best female friend Suz, which of course throw the star crossed lovers into each other's path. Because of their history together, this book really ramps up the feels when compared to the previous two books. It is a bit angsty, at least to start, because of all the emotional baggage. But their relationship settles in to sweet and caring with a nice side of sexy. And Emma's secret was a bit...odd, but nothing insurmountable. And, as one of the things I enjoy about this series is the tapestry of relationships it forms, we also got peeks into Suz and Gillian's future HEA's, so whatever is happening next in this series looks promising. I am not sure if this series is going to extend past the previously promised trilogy, or if it is going to go into spin-off mode, but either way, color me stoked that there will be more.

This isn't high literature, it is fluffy and happy and sexy, and they are fairly short books, but it's a solid and enjoyable series.

4 stars

Review - The Liar by Nora Roberts

The Liar
by Nora Roberts

Shelby Foxworth lost her husband. Then she lost her illusions …
The man who took her from Tennessee to an exclusive Philadelphia suburb left her in crippling debt. He was an adulterer and a liar, and when Shelby tracks down his safe-deposit box, she finds multiple IDs. The man she loved wasn’t just dead. He never really existed.
Shelby takes her three-year-old daughter and heads south to seek comfort in her hometown, where she meets someone new: Griff Lott, a successful contractor. But her husband had secrets she has yet to discover. Even in this small town, surrounded by loved ones, danger is closer than she knows—and threatens Griff, as well. And an attempted murder is only the beginning …

Nora Roberts doesn't quite have the same magic for me that she did once upon a time, but she's never really let me down on romantic suspense either, and so I read her epic romantic suspense each year.

Review - Flirting With Disaster

Flirting With Disaster
By Victoria Dahl

Book 2 in the Jackson: Girls Night Out series. This series has GROWN UPS. I'm not even kidding, they're not even people who claim grown up ages but act like teen-20's, these are actually grownups. And I'll just devour romances with adults. The first in the series was a novella and really sucked me into the series. Who doesn't adore a fireman and a librarian? The second wasn't quite as good for me on the romance front, BUT it's got another form of addiction for me: females who are actually friends. Can you sense my giddiness?

Isabelle is a mess. A 36 year old, highly distractable artist. But she's grown into herself as a person and far away from the sheltered 22 year old she was forced to leave behind. Unfortunately, even when you leave your past behind, the secrets go with you. Tom's a Federal Marshall on a local case when he butts heads with Isabelle. There's teasing, and banter between the two of them, and equally as important, between Isabelle and her friends. Lauren from Fanning the Flames and Sophie from Looking for Trouble are both reprised. And we've added Veronica (whose story is up next) and Jill, who might be my favorite character yet. I am going to be slightly devastated if we don't get Jill's story. They're not just sequel bait, they're people I'd be thrilled to go on a girls night out with. There's also some of the most realistic and sexiest scenes I've read in a long time. Tom and Isabelle just work, in a carnal sense, and Dahl's writing of their intimate scenes was masterful.

Frankly, the relationships and the sex were enough to make me forgive some pacing issues, the fact that normally I hate stories where the main conflict is that people just aren't communicating (in this case it mostly did make sense), and a few plot holes. It's kind of like Nora Roberts' Witnesses, just lighter, and with more relationships, fun, and raunch.

Plus, we've got Fanning the Flames at the end of it. So if you've not picked this series up yet, just know, you don't have to pick up the first novella, it's right here.

4 stars

Review - Trust No One

Trust No One
by Jayne Ann Krentz

Trust No One goes back to Krentz's straight contemporary romantic suspense roots and has all the charm of her earlier heroines and heroes, without all the dated claptrap of her earlier works. Granted, it is formulaic, so you can definitely kind of pick out the mish mash from earlier works, but as I have said before, this formula works for me. It is a little bit of: Dawn in Eclipse Bay, All Night Long, Sweet Fortune, and Deep Water, in my opinion. There are probably novels that would equally apply, but those are the ones that I immediately thought of (and that this book made me immediately want to go back and re-read). Others would probably have other books pop up into their heads. Personally, I think that is part of the charm though, because it makes the reader's connections to the main characters and setting instantaneous, so that it is just so comfortable slipping right into this world.

More specifically about this story, Grace Ellend is an eternal optimist, with a spunky way about her. She's a real sweetheart but she is definitely a woman who can handle herself. When she finds her boss murdered, this sets up a chain of events that leads her home. And of course, when you head home, people want to match make. Here she is trying to deal with current events, trying to find a new job, deal with some horrors in her past, and the mystery surrounding right now...so of course her oldest friends are setting her up on a blind date. I laugh, because it is true, no matter what is going on in your life, when you go home to a small town people are almost desperate to marry you off. Which brings us to Julius Arkwright, who might be the most awkward blind date ever, but at least he isn't boring or useless. He's got his own past shadows, a successful career, and more money than he needs, what he doesn't have is the slightest clue about what he actually wants or needs. He's bored.

I really liked them as a couple. They had their own personal angst and issues, but they weren't really angsty about each other. They were just kind of cute and the chemistry was there, but it wasn't as if they needed to save each other, they just bring the balance the other one needs. The suspense part was plenty twisty enough for my tastes with plausible red herrings and a conclusion that made sense. Altogether and fun an enjoyable read, but time will tell whether this one makes it to my re-read stack.

4 Stars

ARC Review - Wild Nights

Wild Nights
by Tina Wainscott

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

This is book 3 in the Justiss Alliance, and you can see my previous reviews here.

Wild Nights picks up after Wild Ways with everyone (except Roth) settling into the Justiss Alliance, and the new relationships for the previous heroes/heroines.

Saxonby "Sooch" Cole's new assignment is infiltrating a nude resort, as a mild mannered geek, in order to uncover a date rape scheme. It's the perfect job for the confirmed bachelor of the group. Jennessy Shaw scheduled this trip to spark things up with her long-term boyfriend, but when she catches him cheating on her, she decides to explore her wild side on her own. They are both instantly attracted, but between the miscommunications as well as Sax's feeling about fidelity, (he has some really crappy men in his family), they needless to say get off to a rocky start. But, when Jennessy (who has depths not seen at first glance) winds up in Sax's arms as a victim, all bets are off.

The Justiss Alliance is like the A-Team, only with sex and romance, and in this case a nude resort. It's is a little campy, a little ridiculous and over the top, but plenty of fun. This latest installment, the writing seems to be somewhat smoother and overall the pacing issues I saw in the first books seem to be resolved.

It looks like we are set up for Knox's book next, but I honestly find myself most curious about Roth. 

Altogether, I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed this series so far; however, there is one event with another woman on the resort. It seems like the author used this as a note that this isn't some unrealistic, not like real life plot line, but honestly, it came off as gratuitous and unnecessary. 3.5 stars and thus far, completely willing to go the distance with this series. There's nothing groundbreaking about it, but it is reasonably good entertainment.

Review - Mine to Have

Mine to Have
by Cynthia Eden

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 5 in Eden's Mine Series. While I suppose most of these could be read as stand-alones, really, this is sort of a saga of the most villain-beleaguered group of friends and family I think I have ever read. These are insta-hots and insta-obsession type books and are rather predictable, but they are so filled with drama that they are really kind of fun to read too. So here is a general breakdown of how they connect (minus any spoilers).

Trace (hero of book 1 & 2) is friends with Noah (hero of book 3) and Drake Archer (hero of book 4). Archer falls in love with Jasmine, who brings to the group her brothers Saxon (hero of book 5) and Victor (hero of book 6?).

Mine to Have is no exception to the rule of danger, bullets, blood, and betrayal. Saxon has been undercover for so long he doesn't know precisely who he is anymore, but he has a definitive plan for who he wants to be and an exit plan that he is on the cusp of obtaining. Elizabeth is the ubiquitous woman in danger, but she is pretty feisty so I liked her quite a bit. Book 4 seemed to be the conclusion of the original set of villains and book 5 seems to set up this next arc of villains, and while I enjoyed the book, Victor kind of stole the show to me (as he did in the previous book as well). And while this does seem to set up the next book, he wasn't just sequel bait. I think the biggest difference in this book, from the rest of the series, is how isolated the main couple felt from the rest of the group. I can't tell if that was just the on the run aspect, or the fact that we have branched away from the original group, but it should be interesting to see how the rest of the series shakes out.

Overall, Cynthia Eden is an auto-buy for me because of the non-stop action and over the top instant devotion. I am not here for intricate world building or deep characterization; these are kind of the romance novel equivalent of Bruce Willis action films.

3.5 stars

Review- Dylan's Redemption

Dylan's Redemption
by Jennifer Ryan

This is the third book in the series. I've previously read and reviewed the first two. There may be spoilers about those books in this review, so reader beware.

Return of Brody McBride

Falling for Owen

This is soap opera in novel form, so if that isn't what you are in the mood for, you probably won't enjoy this story. There's over the top plot lines, calamity after calamity, characters monaloguing at each other rather than actual dialogue, and an oblivious hero who can't see that two plus two equals four. That's not to say I didn't like it, I did, but having read the previous two I knew what I was in for.

Dylan McBride (cousin to the previous two McBride boys) thinks that Jessie Thompson, the woman he loved in high school, is dead and that her father killed her and got away with it. When Mr. Thompson drops dead, Dylan and the whole town finally learned that Jessie is actually alive, has been living in the next town over, and actually DOES BUSINESS in her hometown. See, as I said, total soap opera. Much like in Return of Body McBride, we have a heroine who has practically been in stasis since he left, and a hero who wasn't quite so pure. This isn't thrown in our faces quite as much with Dylan, and frankly, Dylan wasn't quite so bad (but then he also didn't have that sort of history that would make me forgive him as much so it evens out), and Jessie kind of had more reason than most to shut herself away from men. What I really liked about this story was how much each of them, but particularly Jessie, had accomplished on their own. They had lives, and careers, and friends and families of sort of their own. Yes, they have secrets and mis-communications and Dylan has to have an anvil dropped on his head because delicate hints that are like two by fours across the head just were not helping him discover her secrets, this is soap opera land after all. Still, I enjoyed reading about them and how they got together and dealt with their pasts. And this book, being the closing of the trilogy also clears up a lot of why the McBride brothers' pasts were the way they were. And while this particular book doesn't have the same kind of dangerous villain the previous two did, the villains were satisfyingly over the top bad and the resolution was equally satisfying and I was pleased with the happily ever after, as even with all the soap opera-esque elements, that part felt real to me.

3.5 stars and I'd recommend this series to anyone with a yen for soap opera on paper.

OpenLibrary Review- Seventh Heaven

Seventh Heaven
Catherine Anderson

Seventh Heaven is available to borrow on Openlibrary. That's right, free to anyone with an internet connection through Read in Browser, or to anyone with an internet connection and Adobe Digital if they want to have it on their shelves for a while.

This particular book caught my eye because I remember it being an incredibly sweet and romantic second chance love story, but edgy too because it was either the first, or one of the first books I ever read about a rape survivor. I remembered thinking that it was remarkably well done, and I was curious to see if this book held up to my memories of it.

What we have here is two best friends from childhood who became high school sweethearts, then are ripped apart by tragedy in college, and are meeting again 10 years later after a whole lot of rough life for both of them. Joe Lakota is a dominant former pro-football player with a small child named Zachary. Zachary is a plot moppet, but he's fairly integral to the story, and reasonably cute. Marilee is a neurotic mess, but all things considered, she has every right to be. Some of what she did and did not do doesn't make sense till more than a third of the way into the book so in reviews I saw quite a few DNF's based ont that, but, her reasoning eventually does make sense if you get through it.

So how does it stack up against my memories? Not quite as well as I had hoped. Joe did some pretty bone headed things and while he usually caught on, at least in his head, he never truly expressed that to Marilee. It is still mostly sweet and romantic, but there are ways and places that Joe pushed, that I was just not entirely comfortable with. But he never really pushed the sex angle either, so it was at least acceptable. Altogether, for a book published in 2000, I am still fairly happy with how the treatment of a rape survivor with PTSD was handled. No magic smexing magically made her all better, and Marilee's panic felt very real to me.

I am not quite sure whether or not to recommend this book. I still liked it, but I can see where some people are going to be put off with various aspects of it. basically though, if the events described in the book aren't triggering to you (and they are fairly graphic), and you like or want a bit more realism in your contemporary, then this might still be a good choice.

Review- Iris Johansen's Kendra Michaels Series

Much like Karen Robards' Last series, I have been holding off on reading this. Somehow I doubt the series is concluded, but it has been taunting me from my TBR stack for a while and today I got alerted to the new book being released. So I am going to go for it and hope for the best. I am not going to recap these books because that has been done to death by now. So following the blurbs I am just going to be writing my impressions.

Close Your Eyes

Goodreads Blurb:

In Close Your Eyes, The New York Times bestselling duo Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen are back with a suspenseful novel about a once-blind woman with a talent for tracking serial killers

The FBI doesn’t usually consult with music therapists to solve their cases. But Kendra Michael’s astonishing powers of observation and analysis have made her a favorite of law enforcement agencies all across the country. Blind for the first twenty years of her life, she cares little for investigative work but can’t deny her unique skill, or the results she’s been able to facilitate. Kendra learned at an early age to become hyper-aware of her surroundings, perfecting the art of picking up the most subtle audio, olfactory, and tactile cues in the world around her. Like a secret weapon, she is in high demand.

Former FBI agent Adam Lynch, known as The Puppetmaster, has weapons of his own. He’s a notorious master manipulator, skillfully handling criminals and colleagues alike to get the results he wants. Now he needs Kendra’s special brand of help, but she’s not interested until Lynch reveals that Agent Jeff Stedler—Kendra’s ex—is missing and may have run directly into the path of a serial killer. What began as a heinous murder investigation escalates into something even larger and more frightening: a multi-million dollar conspiracy to hide a secret that’s worth killing for, again and again and again.

The set up really intrigued me, I am a fan of suspense and FBI procedurals, and an extrasensory formerly blind person sounded like it would make this a paranormal without the paranormal, if that makes sense. I really enjoyed Kendra, she's like a slightly warmer Bones (of the TV series not the book), she's dedicated to her job, she has a best friend, and she has an interesting relationship with her mother. And, she just so happens to be super perceptive and logical. Paranormal without the paranormal indeed! Lynch was a bit harder for me to peg, but I think I may end up liking him just fine. I enjoyed the mystery part of the story while reading it, but a few days later I am mostly blank. This story is all about setting up the characters.

3.5 stars

With Open Eyes

This is an extremely short novella, and frankly, it doesn't add much, I enjoyed it, but it wasn't worth much.

Sight Unseen

Goodreads Blurb:

A deadly multi-vehicle pile-up on San Diego’s historic Cabrillo bridge is thought of as a horrific accident–until Kendra Michaels arrives on the scene and perceives it as something much more sinister. Blind for decades and now sighted, Kendra's unusual skill for observation is highly sought after by both the FBI and CIA. Now her amazing conclusions open up a multi-jurisdictional investigation that once again teams her with the FBI and federal agent Adam Kyle as they investigate a conspiracy so explosive that someone will kill again and again to protect it. As the killer casts a deadly web of lies, Kendra’s life hangs in the balance, as do the lives of those she holds most dear.

Now that we have the characters set up in the previous story, I found the premise and execution of this mystery much more entertaining. Lynch seems to be unfolding and he's a rather intriguing man. But, Kendra feels a little flat and static to me. I don't know if this was just Lynch's development book and we will see Kendra develop more as this series progresses, or if this is JUST who Kendra is. This story ended on a doozy of a cliffhanger, both as far as the potential relationship and the villain, so I am thinking we now have a rough outline of this series' direction, and my earlier comparison to Bones is probably even more spot on than I thought. I liked this book, but I didn't love it.

3.5 Stars


Overall, there is enough happening in this series that I will keep my eye out for the next in the series, but it isn't necessarily something I am going to jump on either. I hate to say lackluster, but that is almost what it is. The third book is likely going to be make or break for me in this series.

ARC Review- Love is a Battlefield

Love is a Battlefield
Vivian Arend & Elle Kennedy

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Dream Makers trilogy which features three ex-military men who rather than starting the ubiquitous security company decide to carve out a new niche as date and event planners for clueless men. The premise is over the top, the stories are light, frothy and very sexy/kinky. All Fired Up, book one, has an average Goodreads rating of 3.89, and the negative reviews tend to have one thing in common, so consider this your spoiler/trigger warning.......there are threesomes.

Book Two Starts with Pepper, the little sister of Parker the hero from the previous book, hiding out in the office because she has been injured from a fight/fall and doesn't want her brother to see her. Her and Jack (Parker's best friend and business partner) have had the hots for each other for years but nothing has ever come of it due to family dynamics and personal hang ups. When Jack offers to let Pepper crash at his place until she heals, it throws them into proximity with each other and of course, sparks go off. There is a little bit of the whole older brother not wanting younger sister to date his best friend thing (which never does make sense to me, because big brother obviously knows what a great guy he is) but that doesn't over shadow too much of the plot. Most of the book focuses on Pepper and her mysteries and her relationship with her brother.

I enjoyed this book for the sexy ride it is, it's humorous with a bit of action and mystery, and it is well written, but deep reading it is not. On the more plus side though, the main characters do not exist in a vacuum, they have friends, guys and gals, and family connections, that make these characters and books feel real, despite the semi comically ridiculous jobs and zany antics. So don't expect the next literary award winner here, expect a fun and enjoyable hour or so that makes you look forward to the next book in the series. It is good vacation reading and I can't wait to learn about Dean.

Advance Review- Fast Track

Fast Track
by Julie Garwood

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.


Fast Track is book 12 in the Buchanan-Reynard series. I fell in love with this series from the start, and I have been waiting for this particular couple since 2004 when I read Murder List, and when I read Fire & Ice (which I didn't exactly love) it only whet my appetite further. Man that makes me feel old. Anyway, after about book 6, the series (in my not so humble opinion) got a little spotty in terms of quality and enjoyment, but I had been hanging on and holding out for this one.

So, while this book should work well enough as a stand-alone (there's no encompassing story arc through this series), I definitely don't think you should read it without reading at least 1-7, because they encompass either the best of the bunch and/or characters that will be involved in this particular story.

So, Cordelia has been in love with Aiden (he's the brother of one of her two best friends) since she was a very little girl, but he of course has refused to admit he sees her as anything more than his little sister's friend. When Cordie's father dies from a heart attack and life-changing secrets are revealed, it forces her to accept that she just cannot keep living her life waiting for something that may never happen. Naturally, because this is romancelandia, that's when trouble starts and sparks fly.

I am going to have to admit, I am giving this book some serious nostalgia points and points for simply not completely disappointing me after a decade long wait, that being said, it didn't blow me completely out of the water. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this one, quite a bit more than Fire & Ice as a matter of fact. Julie Garwood has a way of writing that makes you see the characters, and for the most part even like them, and that is certainly the case here. There's no TSL moments and they aren't Mary Sue's either. I also like how the plot is kind of twisty. Both main characters have a lot going on in their lives, and both plot lines are plausible for the strange occurrences (discounting the fact that both characters are of course fabulously wealthy). But, when it comes down to the end, I feel like the resolutions are given short shrift after all the character growth and action. Some of that is because one particular point offended my sense of justice and vengeance, but I think even if it didn't I would still feel like things were wrapped up too neatly and quickly. In the end, I am giving this 4 stars (with the aforementioned bonus points) and would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has loved the series, including the ones who have given up on it since way back after Shadow Dance. I don't particularly recommend it for new readers though; unless you have an interest in the beginning of the series-in which case, I say start at the beginning because if you are a fan of romantic suspense, I doubt you will be disappointed.

Advance Review- Taken

Taken
by Lora Leigh

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This book comes out 07/22/2014. It appears to be a collection of previously released short stories and novellas. I don't think it's any secret to say that when you are talking about Lora Leigh, you're talking about alpha heroes, kinky potentially BDSM sex, and likely some element of non-con.

Reno's Chance (Tempting SEALs #1)

Reno and Raven have been in love with and dancing around each other for years, she's been avoiding him because of his kink and his career as a SEAL and he's just finally pursuing her because in his alpha-ness he's finally decided she's "grown-up" enough.

For Maggie's Sake (Tempting SEALs #3)

Maggie and Joe were once a couple and he basically dumped her by showing up with another woman on his arm. Later she ends up a widow with a price on her head and the authorities breathing down her neck due to get dead husband's misdeeds, and Joe ends up guarding her and trying to get information from her. Joe's a little more emotionally open than the average alpha hero.

Atlanta Heat (Tempting SEALs #6)

Macey is a real dog but he's been avoiding Emerson for two years because she's the one woman he wants most. Emerson is his admiral's goddaughter and despite the fact that the admiral knows how Macey feels toward her, when she's kidnapped he sends Macey to get her back and hide her.

Night Hawk (Elite Ops #1.5)

Lillian Belle AKA Night Hawk and Black Jack have both signed their lives away for 12 years to Elite Ops for a second chance to live. This is an incredibly short story that's merely a teaser for the series. It really had nothing of plot and very little of characterization. It teases about what might be a very interesting worlds and concept, but I find myself irritated because this is already available for free.

Cooper's Fall (Wounded Warriors #1)

Ex-Army Ranger Ethan Cooper is the town bad boy and bar owner. Timid Sarah Fox is as naughty on the inside as she is prim on the outside, and man does she have some secrets. It's a very sweet, sexy, naughty romance.

Sheila's Passion (Wounded Warriors #2)

Sheila and Casey have a major problem with communication. It doesn't help that both their jobs and their lives have exacerbated the issue. So it takes some extreme danger to force these two hard headed individuals to the sticking point.

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection and i am rating it 4 stars. I don't think I had read many of them previously, or if I had it was quite some time ago so I didn't really remember them. However, 2-4 were mid series novellas that seemed to feel like you should know a bit more about the characters and backgrounds. Additionally, they were just all so similar in content and tone (they were all alpha male military types with long-standing connections to the heroines that they are just addressing romantically) that without the content background they tended to run together in my mind as I read them all in one sitting. Admittedly, I do tend to prefer novellas where the main characters already have a history together, so that wasn't the problem. Overall, I say either read these novellas one at a time with some space between them (either for individual enjoyment or to get a taste to see if you want to pursue the series), or read them as part of their respective series and in their proper orders. I actually enjoyed the Wounded Warriors ones the best, however, the second one was published in 2012 and I am not finding anything to suggest that new stories are on the horizon so this may be a defunct series. And' I'll admit that while Tempting SEALs and Elite Ops had been on my radar since their inception, this was finally what prompted me to start those series, so I suppose that this collection has done its job on that count.

Review- One Sexy Ride

One Sexy Ride
by Vivian Arend

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 2 of the Thompson & Sons series, which is actually a spin-off from the Six Pack Ranch Series.

Janey has been chasing after quiet Len Thompson for years with no success, but when someone drops drugs into Janey's drink at a bonfire party, Len ends up taking care of her while she's stoned out of her mind. She doesn't quite know what happened that night, but Len finally deigned to be caught. Since this is a friends to lovers story, you don't have all the awkward getting to know you stuff, but it turns out that Len has some pretty big secrets that no one knows. One of them is absolutely adorable, and one of them is just very sad. But when one of Len's secrets affects their relationship, it changes Janey's view of their history, and the course of each of their futures.

I thought that their relationship was sweet, adorable, and somewhat filthy. They both felt like real, fairly comfortable in their skin kinds of people. They had relationships with friends and their families, they are 3 dimensional characters. And despite the awkwardness of changing their relationship (and the specific hurdles involved with this particular couple) they felt comfortable and happy with each other, which let me feel comfortable with them. But while Janey is mostly an open book, Len can be closed off in areas of his life. Which of course leads to Len doing something incredibly stupid and hurtful. There was no big misunderstanding. Len had just made certain choices based on his own history and emotions, and looking at it from a sideways testosterone poisoned perspective, his actions made sense...for him. I didn't agree with it, and it didn't make sense to me, but I could see where his actions were coming from. But when Len finally wises up, it is all lovely, because he has to chase Janey in a pretty major way, so it was a really sweet turn around.

I am really enjoying this series, just like I've been enjoying the Six Pack Ranch series, it is good and comfortable to have the frame of reference of the community and some of the characters so there doesn't have to be a lot of info dumping about that. And it works well because Arend doesn't over use the cameo. While you might see the main characters from other books, most of the time it is only to speak to, and when it is more, it is because they actually are integral to the current plot, not because it felt like she had something to say about the other characters. 4 stars and I am eagerly awaiting the rest of this series, which looks like the next 2 stories will be coming out and finishing the series before the end of the year.

Review- Falling for Owen

Falling for Owen
by Jennifer Ryan

Last month I read and reviewed The Return of Brody McBride, which I found deliciously soap opera-esque. In Falling for Owen, we have Brody's long suffering brother who took care of Rain, Autumn, and Dawn all those years. When one of his client's ex-husband flips his lid and attacks Owen's neighbor, it puts Owen and and Claire together, which makes the villain furious.

So, I am going to get the bad out of the way first, it was sometimes a bit draggy, particularly some of the dialogue, and I found the mystery to not be so very mysterious, but then maybe I have a bit of a cynical mind. And frankly, I didn't quite feel the connection to the characters or between the characters as well as I did with the previous book.

Still, I actually really enjoyed the book. Jennifer Ryan seems to write very soap opera type plots and characters. Her world is one where the good guys and gals are almost painfully good and the villains are irredeemable. They are a bit of a guilty indulgence for me, no real thinking required. For the most part Claire is a strong and feisty heroine and while the characters and situations, when all put together, are over the top ridiculous, individually they are relatively believable. I'll likely continue reading this series with Dylan's Redemption.

Freebie- Turning up the Heat

Turning up the Heat
by Laura Florand

After eleven years of marriage, Léa Laurier knew her husband. Knew how he could take on responsibility for a world-famous restaurant, a wife, and her two teenage siblings at nineteen years old and never falter, never tire. Knew his drive and his ambition, that took him to the stars. Knew how briliant his gray eyes looked when they met hers for just one moment across a host of cameras. She didn't know why she was so tired. She didn't know why she needed to just get away. For a while. Maybe a week or two. A month. She'd be back.

After eleven years of marriage, international superstar chef Daniel Laurier knew his wife. Knew how she could lavish caring on everyone, her siblings, his staff, and most especially him. Knew the way her face lit up when he won yet another television contest, and the way she hugged him for it. Knew how her hair smelled when he sank into bed exhausted at one in the morning. He didn't know what to do when he came home from a consulting trip to find she'd disappeared to remote South Pacific island: I just needed to get away for a little while. A week or two. I'll call you.

As the whole solid world under his feet turned into a sandcastle in the tide, Daniel knew only one thing: whatever was wrong with his marriage or his wife, he wasn't losing her. So as a top chef, he did the one thing he always knew how to do: turn up the heat.

This is a novella about how lack of communication can ruin relationships and how time together is the most important thing in a relationship.

It's currently available for free on Kobo and iTunes.