Book Review: Desperation in Death (In Death #55) by J.D. Robb

Description:

New York, 2061: The place called the Pleasure Academy is a living nightmare where abducted girls are trapped, trained for a life of abject service while their souls are slowly but surely destroyed. Dorian, a thirteen-year-old runaway who’d been imprisoned there, might never have made it out if not for her fellow inmate Mina, who’d hatched the escape plan. Mina was the more daring of the two—but they’d been equally desperate.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get away fast enough. Now Dorian is injured, terrified, and wandering the streets of New York, and Mina lies dead near the waterfront while Lt. Eve Dallas looks over the scene.

Mina’s expensive, elegant clothes and beauty products convince Dallas that she was being groomed, literally and figuratively, for sex trafficking—and that whoever is investing in this high-overhead operation expects windfall profits. Her billionaire husband, Roarke, may be able to help, considering his ties to the city’s ultra-rich. But Roarke is also worried about the effect this case is having on Dallas, as it brings a rage to the surface she can barely control. No matter what, she must keep her head clear--because above all, she is desperate for justice and to take down those who prey on and torment the innocent.


My Thoughts:

Fifty-five books and still this series does not get old. Some series get stale after a certain number of books but these I still race through. This series has some of my favorite characters from any books. I love the light moments that are sprinkled in to keep things from getting too dark. This one was a heavy one, especially since I have a thirteen year old daughter. But, as always, this was a satisfying read and I knew I could be confident that Dallas would prevail.

My Rating: *****    
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: library

Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Audible


Where to find the author:

Website | Instagram| Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Paranormal Review: Stifled by Rainy Kaye

Description:
Dimitri would like nothing more than to live a low-key life in Naples, Italy. His girlfriend, Syd, has other plans.

After three months of researching, she is positive she has found a jinn on a killing spree in San Diego, California. Since Syd gave Dimitri the one thing he thought was out of reach, he feels obligated to use his ill-gained talents for her cause.

A few hours back in the US proves that Dimitri and Syd didn't quite make the clean escape they had thought. As they trail the elusive jinn, someone else trails them. What should have been a simple trip to confirm once and for all if the jinn are living among humans, instead reveals a community keeping dark secrets.

Unfortunately for Dim, the only way out is in.


My Thoughts:

You really should read Summoned first. Dimitri was freed from the genie bond by his girlfriend Sydney and they are living in Italy. But now she is pulling him back in when she finds a jinn killing in the U.S. Dimitri reluctantly agrees to help her. I loved the story and the characters. Dimitri's point of view is very entertaining. He is pretty funny. He used to kill and steal for a living but he was never very good at it. He is always getting hurt. I enjoyed both books.

 
My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Language

My Source: Netgalley


Where to get it:

Amazon 


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Google+ | Instagram

Paranormal Romance Review: I Dream of Dragons by Ashlyn Chase

Description:
THE HEAT IS ON
When Rory Arish and his two fiery dragon siblings are run out of their ancestral Irish home, it seems their luck has run out-until they arrive in Boston and find a paranormal-friendly apartment building. Finally, Rory has a place to call home. There's only one problem: Rory's new lair has simultaneously been rented to an infuriating woman who is as stubborn as she is beautiful and will not leave 'her' apartment matter how steamed he may be...

AND SPARKS FLY
Amber McNally is a down-on-her-luck flight attendant. She needs this apartment, and not even a fire-breathing dragon with his Irish charm and scorching good looks is going to scare her away. Holing up in their respective corners, a battle of wills ensues. Who will be the first to blink...or give in to their off-the-charts chemistry and decide to make this unorthodox living arrangement a little more permanent?

My Thoughts:
This is a light, fun, paranormal romance. Rory and his sisters are dragon shifters and are banished from their home in Ireland by leprechauns. Amber is a flight attendant who has recently become a modern muse. They are both trying to get the same apartment. The landlords accidentally rented to both of them at the same time and leave them to work it out.  It is pretty funny. The characters are great and I am guessing that this is part of a series just from some of the secondary characters in the apartment building. This is a highly entertaining story that I enjoyed.

My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Language

My Source: Netgalley


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Contemporary Romance Review: First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Description:
A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.

Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.

Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is...I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just...mildly unhinged.”

Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants to fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.

And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.

From the bustling streets of Chicago to a windswept lighthouse on Lake Superior to the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, two people who can’t stand to lose will test themselves and each other to discover what matters most.


My Thoughts:
Yay! A new Chicago Stars book! This is filled with quirky characters and witty banter. Piper and Cooper are both flawed yet likable. They seem so wrong for each other yet so right at the same time. He's a former quarterback with a successful nightclub. She is a detective. He hires her to clean up his staff. There is a  mystery for Piper to solve. This book is entertaining from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down. If you haven't read a single Chicago Stars book, you won't have a problem with this one. If you're already a Chicago Stars fan, you'll recognize some characters. I highly recommend this one. A fun read!


My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: some language

My Source: BEA


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram| Goodreads

Review: Just Say Maybe by Tracy March

Description:

Award-winning author Tracy March follows up Should’ve Said No (“Wonderfully quirky . . . a pleasure to read!”—Laura Drewry) with this enchanting novel set in Thistle Bend, Colorado, a magical place where old wrongs are righted, and adventure leads to true love.

Real estate lawyer Holly Birdsong’s hike in the Rockies takes an unexpected turn when a smokin’-hot stranger tumbles off his bike and into her path. Turns out he’s purchasing the abandoned Lodge at Wild Rose Ridge, and Holly agrees to take him on as a client—despite her family’s traumatic history with the previous owner, who shamelessly abused the town’s goodwill at every turn. But when their professional relationship turns personal, Holly must reconcile the past with her hopes for the future.

Adding the rustic lodge to his portfolio of adventure properties isn’t just a business decision for Bryce Bennett. The rugged mountains also offer a killer setting for his extreme-sports camps for at-risk teens. What’s not in the blueprints is finding a kindred spirit in his irresistible lawyer, even if she seems apprehensive about getting involved in the deal. Bryce’s plan to ease her mind just might work, as long as no one discovers his secret. Yet he can’t stand hiding the truth from the woman who makes him want to build something permanent: a happily ever after.


My Thoughts:
I loved the first Thistle Bend book, Should've Said No. I enjoyed this one just as much. Holly is a real estate lawyer in Thistle Bend. Bryce is in town because he is planning to buy and restore the lodge. They meet while hiking and sparks fly but she has a rule not to get involved with tourists because she loves it there and won't leave. I love Holly and Bryce, as well as the quirky characters in town. There is a mystery here that Bryce and Holly need to solve. The romance is great and the story really moves along. I loved it from beginning to end.


My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: Netgalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | i Tunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads

Review: The Obsession by Nora Roberts

Description:
Naomi Bowes lost her innocence the night she followed her father into the woods. In freeing the girl trapped in the root cellar, Naomi revealed the horrible extent of her father’s crimes and made him infamous.

Now a successful photographer living under the name Naomi Carson, she has found a place that calls to her, thousands of miles away from everything she’s ever known. Naomi wants to embrace the solitude, but the residents of Sunrise Cove keep forcing her to open up—especially the determined Xander Keaton.

Naomi can feel her defenses failing, and knows that the connection her new life offers is something she’s always secretly craved. But as she’s learned time and again, her past is never more than a nightmare away.


My Thoughts:
I always enjoy a Nora Roberts book and this one was no different. A little slow to build, but worth it. We see Naomi grow up after a traumatic childhood experience. Having to live with what her father did hanging over her. She finally decides to settle in one place, though she's not that comfortable with the idea. Staying in one place means people find out who she is and that makes her leave. But she makes friends and meets Xander and finds a dog. Things are getting comfortable, then bodies start showing up. I thought the characters were great. The killer, in my opinion, was a little predictable. But the story was enjoyable and suspenseful and I loved it.


My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Rape and torture is a major part of the book.

My Source: Netgalley


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Good Dukes Wear Black by Manda Collins

Description:
A writer for the Ladies Gazette, Miss Ophelia Dauntry’s passion is her pen. So when she sees a fellow writer kidnapped before her eyes—and the trail of evidence leads to the Lords of Anarchy—Ophelia vows to find her friend and take down the notorious London driving club in her column. But before she can argue her case, she needs the inside scoop from its newest leader: Piers Hamilton, the Duke of Trent.

Headstrong, handsome Trent joined the Lords of Anarchy after a decade in the British Army. He’s made it his business to tame the misbehavior within the driving club—and the infuriatingly attractive Ophelia is only getting in his way. The deeper she digs into the case, the more she puts her own life at risk. Can Trent convince Ophelia to trust him to seek justice…and find protection, and passion, in his arms?


My Thoughts:
Trent and Ophelia are both likable characters. He is a Duke and the new leader of the Lords of Anarchy, she is a writer. Their friends are married so they are friends of sorts. She goes to him when her friend is abducted and she needs help. It's a sweet story of friends who realize there is more than friendship between them as they attempt to solve a mystery. An enjoyable read.



My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: Netgalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | IndieBound | Powells | BAM!


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Into the Aether: A Collection of Steampunk Short Stories by Pj Schnyder

Description: 
Journey Into the Aether with award-winning author PJ Schnyder in a collection of daring and sometimes explosive adventures:

In Evie's Gift , Evie travels to England with her brother to find a sponsor for her first season in London. She’s finding much more than intended, including an enemy submarine bent on destroying the airship carrying them across the ocean and a conspirator responsible for sabotaging her host’s mechanicals.

In A Swan in Siam , Agent John M. Alvey of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences searches for the source of a swan feather of peculiar properties in the court of the King of Siam and encounters both an assassin and a living legend.

Plus in the new, never before published Keeping Cadence , fiery Cadence is assigned as both gun expert and bodyguard when the senior crew of the Airship Vulpes is hired to transport precious cargo. Things never go as planned, but the two things Cadence can rely on like clockwork are her captain's explosive temper and the opportunity for a good fight.


My Thoughts:
This was a nice collection of short stories. Steampunk airships, mechanicals, and biometrics. Even a touch paranormal in the first two. The third was a little racier. More romance.  Each story was different with very different characters. Each enjoyable. Made me want more. A fun read


My Rating:****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Some language in the last story.

My Source: purchased



Where to get it:

Amazon


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Google+ | Goodreads

Review: Risking It All by Christi Barth

Description:
Who doesn’t love Naked Men? In Christi Barth’s irresistible series, a group of close-knit friends talk out their problems with naked honesty on a popular blog. Bonded by a high-school tragedy, they’re moving on from the past—and fighting for the future with strong and sassy women.

Griffin Montgomery helps people. As a teenager, he kept his best friends alive after their soccer team’s bus crashed in the Alps. Now, as a Coast Guard search and rescue pilot, he saves lives with reckless abandon—until he goes too far and earns a lengthy suspension. Working on the Naked Men projects keeps his mind busy, but Griff’s itching to get back in the action. That’s when he finds his latest rescue mission: a pretty wallflower who’s stuck in her comfort zone.

Chloe Widmore doesn’t take risks. As a professional letter writer, she gets enough excitement out of expressing other people’s emotions. So when the hottest man she’s ever seen invades her coffee shop, Chloe surprises herself with how much she wants to be with him. Routines make her feel safe. Griff makes her deliciously unsafe, in so many ways. But falling for him is one risk she might just have to take . . . whether she’s ready or not.


My Thoughts:

This is the first in a series about a group of friends who went through a tragedy together in high school. They started a blog to help them cope. They now all have different jobs but still live together and work on the blog. 

Griffin is a rescue pilot in the coast guard. He meets Chloe in the coffee shop where she writes most days. It was cute. Everyone was treating Griffin like a hero but Chloe starts questioning him. They both took turns irritating me, but it was a fun read overall. Funny. Witty. I'm interested to see what kind of ladies the friends find. I definitely want to read the next book. 

My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Some language


My Source: Netgalley




Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Google Play | Kobo


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest  | Goodreads

Review: Recipe for Kisses by Michelle Major

Description: 
Chloe Daniels doesn’t need a man—after escaping a marriage gone bad, she guards her heart as closely as the details of her past. So when hot-tempered celebrity chef Ben “the Beast” Haddox storms into her struggling toy store, Chloe is determined not to be drawn in by his broad shoulders…or baby-blue eyes.

In his hometown, Ben’s culinary career is almost as famous as his bad-boy rep. He’s out to prove to naysayers he’s a success by opening a new restaurant—and the only thing standing in his way is Chloe’s store. But before he has a chance to convert her space into his signature eatery, she cooks up a plan to show him that her shop is worth saving.

As things start to sizzle between them, Chloe must figure out how to avoid getting burned. Can she trust herself to love again, or has she jumped out of the frying pan and into desire?

My Thoughts:
Chloe has closed herself off since getting divorced from an abusive husband. She has her toy store and the women she helps. Ben is loud and has a temper. He's famous for it. He is taking care of his niece and nephew now. Something about Chloe makes him want to be different. This was sweet.with likable characters. Surprisingly less about food than I expected. I enjoyed this one.


My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Language

My Source: Netgalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | BAM! | IndieBound


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Wedding Night With The Earl by Amelia Grey

Description: 
A stubborn nobleman and a willful young woman are at the heart of bestselling author Amelia Grey's newest love story.

Can An Improper Proposal

Adam Greyhawke is through with marriage. After losing his wife at a young age, he's more interested in carousing and gambling at the Heirs' Club than taking another trip to the altar. When his obligations as the Earl of Greyhawke thrust him into the heart of Society, he dreads the boredom that only a ballroom can inspire in a roguish scoundrel. That is, until he meets a bewitching young woman who captures his curiosity—and reminds him just how delicious desire can be.

Lead To True And Lasting Passion?

Miss Katharine Wright is accustomed to men interested only in her generous dowry. Adam's attraction is far more powerful—he tests her wits and her courage at every turn, until she finds herself longing to fulfill an everlasting passion she never imagined was possible. But the breathtakingly handsome nobleman is as stubborn as he is scandalous, and Katharine must be the one to convince him that real love is worth any risk… 

My Thoughts:
This was sweet. The name is a bit misleading. I expected a wedding much sooner. I liked the characters. Adam irritated me a bit with his attitude toward marriage considering his feelings toward Katharine. I liked how he treated her, though, considering how everyone else treated her. They were an adorable couple. Most of their issues were in their heads and based on lack of communication. An enjoyable historical romance read.


My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: Netgalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | BAM! | IndieBound | !ndigo | Kobo |


Where to find the author:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Always For You by Tawdra Kandle

Description: 
Maureen Evans has had a crush on Smith Harrington since they were in college together. She always knew he didn’t see her as anything more than his best friend—just one of the guys—but that didn’t stop her from weaving sexy fantasies about him. 

Now, after years of maintaining a long-distance friendship, Smith’s moving to Burton, Georgia, Maureen’s hometown, to become her partner at the veterinary clinic. After all this time, she should be able to handle working with him without getting hot and bothered. 

Or maybe not. 

The more determined Maureen is to maintain their just-friends bond, the more Smith seems intent on testing those boundaries. And when flirting crosses the line into something more, it ends in a night neither of them can forget. 

When friendship is no longer enough, there’s always love. 


My Thoughts:

Maureen and Smith were good friends in college. They were both afraid to ruin it so they never got together, though they stayed friends long-distance. Now they're working together. They finally have another chance but she's insecure and he thinks she's not interested. It's funny how everyone around them can see that they belong together. I loved this one. 

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: Netgalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Google+

Review: Nothing Like Love by Abigail Strom

Description: 
Simone Oliver prides herself on being a realist and a cynic. A brilliant set designer for a Manhattan theater company, she thrives in the background and is perfectly comfortable in jeans, Chuck Taylors, and a paint-smeared T-shirt. That is, until Zach Hammond, the award-winning (and sexy-as-hell) British director, turns the spotlight on her. He’s clearly captivated by her and won’t take no for an answer—but Simone is determined to maintain her position that love’s not worth the risk.

A hopeless romantic who can quote Shakespeare on a whim, Zach has spent his life center stage, surrounded by world-famous actors and royalty. But nothing he’s seen can compare to what Simone can create. Before long, he finds himself as mesmerized by her brash beauty as he is by her work, and he’s determined to seduce her stubborn heart.

But while the two may have been successful at relegating romance to the wings in New York, when their production moves to a centuries-old Irish castle in County Clare, there may be just enough magic to give true love the curtain call it deserves.


My Thoughts:

I liked Simone and Zach. She's the set designer and he's the director. She lives in new York and he lives in London. They don't have much in common but are attracted to one another anyway. They have very different views on love but get to know each other. Fate seems to be getting in their way. It's sweet. They push each other out of their comfort zones. Even though they are very different, they just work. I enjoyed this. 

My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: Netgalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Indiebound


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: The Dirt On Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones

Description:
In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.


My Thoughts:

I was a little skeptical about the change in this book. I wasn't sure it would work for me but it did. Charley's personality is still there. And her friends, even if she doesn't know it. It is funny how she can be so clueless. It is completely in character for her, though. I love how she is discovering all of these things about herself from a new perspective. I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes a series can get old after so many books but I am still loving this! As always, can't wait to get my hands on the next one. 

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Language.

My Source: purchased



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: A Gentleman's Game by Theresa Romain

Description:
Suave Nathaniel Chandler can just as easily talk himself into a willing lady's embrace as he can broker a business deal. But no amount of charm is sufficient to cloak a chilling, recent discovery: every one of his award-winning racehorses has suddenly and mysteriously fallen ill. 

Determined to discover the source of the problem, Nathaniel searches for all possible explanations. His suspicions fall on the alluring Rosalind Agate, his father's new secretary. But for the sake of both their livelihoods - and his recent attraction - Nathaniel sets aside his suspicions. Instead, he decides to use Rosalind's wit and her wiles as key components of his investigative team.

As the upcoming race draws near, Nathaniel and Rosalind must use every trick up their sleeves to not only catch the culprit, but also satisfy the desire that burns between them… 

My Thoughts:
I loved this one. Nathaniel and Rosalind are both likable characters and I liked now the book showed you about them instead of just telling. I really enjoyed the sense of humor. There was sweetness and also situations to overcome. The time period felt authentic. There was a lot about horse racing, which I wasn't all that familiar with before. I look forward to more from this series.  

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: Netgalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N 


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Description:
The dead of winter.

An isolated island off the coast of Maine.

A man.

A woman.

A sinister house looming over the sea ...

He's a reclusive writer whose macabre imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill with laughs.

But she's not laughing now. When she was a teenager, he terrified her. Now they're trapped together on a snowy island off the coast of Maine. Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes.

It's going to be a long, hot winter.


My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this one. How great is this first line: "Annie didn't usually talk to her suitcase, but she wasn't exactly herself these days." I love it. Sort of sets a tone. Annie is not looking forward to living on the island, but she doesn't have any other choice right now. And she definitely doesn't want to be around Theo Harp, although she is not the frightened teenager she once was. I loved the quirky characters and the mystery. There is some humor as well. A combination that kept me reading until the very end.


My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!


My Source: purchased


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Review: Should've Said No by Tracy March

Description:
Welcome to Thistle Bend! Perfect for fans of Susan Mallery, this charming series debut introduces a small town where old secrets are revealed—and wounded hearts are opened to new love.

A year after being laid off from the Smithsonian, Lindsey Simms says yes to a job offer as curator of a heritage museum in Thistle Bend, Colorado (population 1,519). It could be worse—and it is. Because the new museum has escalated a dispute between the Karlssons, Lindsey’s relatives, and the Crenshaws, a blood feud which goes way back to a land deal that changed the fortunes of both families. Trying to stay objective, Lindsey can’t tell anyone about her conflict of interest—especially not the ruggedly handsome handyman fixing up her cabin, who seems to be keeping secrets of his own.

Although he’s the executive director of the family trust and one of Colorado’s most eligible bachelors, Carden Crenshaw prefers getting his hands dirty in town and on his sprawling ranch. Staying busy has given him an excuse not to risk heartbreak, but getting to know the beautiful “museum lady” makes him reconsider. Little does he know, the heat between them will only add fuel to the fire—unless this unlikely couple can prove they’re lovers, not fighters.

My Thoughts:

Lindsey is new in the small town of Thistle Bend. She has come for a new job, but there is more to it than she expected. Meets Carden right away and there is an instant attraction that they both try to fight. Both are reminded of past mistakes and don't want to make them again. I loved this. The characters are great and the story is sweet and romantic. I loved reading about their dates. There is also a bit of mystery as Lindsey tries to do her job. I recommend this one for lovers of sweet romance.

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes:

My Source: NetGalley


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N |


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Inferno by Frederick Lee Brooke

Description:
When 19-year-old Matt Carney saved his girlfriend, Raine, from the crossfire between the government’s increasingly ruthless Homeland Security and March22—a terrorist group taking steps to strike a new, legitimate path—he thought his work was done. 

Was he ever wrong.

Kidnapped by the brutal Dark Fiber militia, Matt is shocked to discover he’s been betrayed by those he trusted most. Stranded in an isolated location in the middle of Michigan, far away from the girl he fought so hard to regain, Matt is made March22’s point man in a plot to get control over a cache of thousands of stolen ground-to-air missiles. As time runs out, he’s their last—and best—hope of sparing the country of a heinous attack on commercial aviation that could quickly turn the United States into a permanent war zone. 

In this action-packed, explosive follow-up to "Saving Raine," the first book in Frederick Lee Brooke’s "The Drone Wars," Matt Carney finds himself at the center of a firestorm of stolen missiles, stolen drones, and stolen dirty nukes, tormented by stinging betrayals, clinging to a last hope for love. Sure, he was able to save Raine—but as the inferno rages around him, can he find a way to save the country from further violent chaos…and a way to save himself?


My Thoughts:
This is book 2 of the Drone Wars. You need to read Saving Raine first. I liked the first book, but I thought this one was a little better. Matt is now a part of March22 and is on a mission for them. This is fast-paced with plenty of politics, action, and betrayal.


My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !!
*Notes: Language, rape.

My Source: author's representative


Where to get it:

Amazon 


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Fire In the Hole by Debra Anastasia

Description:
Here’s what you, the brave reader, need to know. Fire Down Below has a sequel. I know; everyone’s super surprised that Amazon allowed me to keep the poop-your-pants book up all this time. 

In Fire in the Hole, Dove’s sausage-loving neighbor has realized he’s wildly in love with her lurchingly awkward butt. Johnson is the pharmacist of her dreams until he tells her over Twitter—goddamnit—that he has plans with an ex-girlfriend. 

Duke scrapes Dove off her apartment floor and takes her to his cousin’s wedding. As Pissboy and Cross-eyed Knockers tie the knot, Duke could just kick himself in the balls when he sees Johnson and Beth at the same venue driving Dove insane with jealousy.

Will Dove give up everything, even her self-esteem, to get Johnson’s johnson between her legs? Or will the scent of spiced meat inspire Dove to rip off Duke’s sausage-and-egg underwear forever?

Yup. I can publish this. No law against it… yet.


My Thoughts:
Debra Anastasia does not follow the rules. I adore that about her. How can I get through not just one book filled with disgusting bodily functions humor and awkwardness, but two? I admit it's not normally my thing, but this book had me laughing until I had tears in my eyes. That's not enough to keep me reading, though. Under the potty jokes the story is about people, some of whom are disgusting and awkward. But they're people trying to figure out themselves and relationships, both friendly and romantic. It's about being real, or learning to be real, and figuring out what is important. I got all that from a book filled with fart and penis jokes? You bet.

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!
*Notes: Where do I begin? Do not read this if you lack a sense of humor.

My Source: The Author


Where to get it:

Amazon 


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Tumblr | Google+

Songbird by Sydney Logan - Release Day Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

It’s release day for Songbird by Sydney Logan! We love this contemporary romance, and we're so thrilled to share it with you! Check out the release day festivities!

 

One bridesmaid. One groomsman. One classic wedding hookup.
But for Callie and Devin, their weekend of passion is anything but typical.

Callie Franklin doesn’t do one night stands.

Ever.

She’s far too responsible and focused on her career to ever let herself give in to temptation. But, on the eve of her best friend’s wedding, she meets that temptation . . .

And his name is Devin McAllister.

Devin, on the other hand, has no problem with meaningless hookups. The very last thing he needs—or wants—is a relationship.

Relationships come with strings.

Relationships come with heartbreak.

A late-night encounter in the hotel’s piano bar finds the two unable to resist each other. With her angelic voice and bright blue eyes, Devin’s sure he’s never met anyone as beautiful as his Songbird.

Six weeks later, when two pink lines confirm Callie’s worst fears, she and Devin have to face the consequences of their wild weekend.

And they have to deal with each other—whether they like it or not.

With a love story that’s far from traditional, Callie and Devin begin to wonder if their one-night stand could turn into something neither of them anticipated.

A happily ever after.

WiLoveBooks Review:

This is a pretty standard contemporary romance. One night stand turns into pregnancy. Womanizer becomes sweetie for the right woman.  I loved it, though. Between the characters and the writing, it just pulled me in. There were some laughs and some tears. I enjoyed the alternating POV and how both Callie and Devin changed over the course of the book. This is a good choice if you're looking for a nice romance with minimal angst that will give you the feels.  

My Rating: *****

Steam Factor: !!!

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Goodreads 

Exclusive Excerpt:

Traffic’s insane, but I finally make it to Callie’s apartment just after two. I anxiously knock on the door, ridiculously eager to get my hands on her. Maybe she’ll be wearing some flimsy lingerie. Maybe she’ll be naked. My mind’s busy conjuring all the possibilities when she opens the door . . . wearing a sweatshirt and jeans.

“Hey,” she says softly, stepping aside to let me in.

“Hey. You okay?”

She looks pale as a ghost. Is she sick? She looks sick. Maybe I should call an ambulance. Or my dad.

“I’m okay.” Callie leads me over to the sofa. “Look, Devin, I know you probably have some plans for us for tonight, but that won’t be happening.”

“Oh.” Disappointment floods me, but if the nauseated look on her face is any indication, it’s probably best. Besides, there’s the next night. And the next.

“But we need to talk, so I’m glad you’re here. I have something I need to tell you.” She abruptly jumps to her feet and walks toward her kitchen. “Would you like something to drink?”

I can’t tell if she’s being a good hostess or simply stalling, but I ask for a beer. It looks like I’m gonna need it. I hadn’t pegged her for the kind of woman who needs to talk about her feelings.

When she returns to the living room, Callie hands me a bottle and sits down next to me. I notice she only brought one.

“You’re not drinking?”

She curls her feet beneath her. “Unfortunately, no. I won’t be drinking for a long time.”

I’ve had it with the riddles.

“All right, what’s going on? My brother and his girlfriend threatened to murder me if I make you cry. Something’s obviously up with you because you just want to talk.”

Her forehead creases. “Don’t you ever just talk to a woman?”

“Not if I can help it.”

“Why not? The girls you usually date don’t have enough sense to carry on an intelligent conversation?”

“I don’t date, Callie.”

“I see. You just sleep with them.”

“Sometimes. Is there something wrong with that?”

“And are you careful?”

“Careful?”

“Safe,” she says softly. “We didn’t use protection. I just wondered if that’s typical for you.”

Oh. It’d be easy to blame the alcohol, but honestly, using protection was the very last thing on my mind that night.

“No, that’s not typical. I’m sorry about that.”

“So am I.”

Callie seems far more relaxed after my apology. Maybe this night won’t be an epic failure after all. I slide closer to her, but she raises her hand in warning.

“We’re not finished.”

I groan and lean back against the couch.

“Devin, I need you to listen. Something happened that weekend. I’m almost positive you won’t want to sleep with me after you hear what I’m about to say.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

“I don’t.” Callie sits up a little straighter and squares her shoulders. “I want you to know I expect nothing from you. Our weekend together was a mistake, and I’ll deal with the consequences of it. I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do at this point, but I thought you should at least know what’s going on.”

“What’s going on?”

Her eyes flood with tears.

“Devin, I’m pregnant.”

Pregnant.

Pregnant?

I stare at her. She stares at me. I watch her closely, hoping that at any moment she’s going to burst out laughing.

But she’s not laughing. She’s crying.

I hear Lorie’s voice in my suddenly throbbing head.

Don’t make her cry.

“Why . . . why are you telling me?”

She wipes her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“You’re assuming it’s mine?”

“Of course it’s yours!”

I snort. “Really? How can you be so sure? Maybe it was that bartender in the hotel’s piano bar. Or maybe it was the guy who sat with you at the reception. Or maybe—just maybe—it was the photographer you were with tonight. You two seem pretty close.”

Even as the bitter words drip off my tongue, I know better. Her face is just too furious . . . her eyes too heartbroken.

Suddenly, Callie stops crying. Her eyes flash with fury just seconds before she slaps me across the face.

Despite the ringing in my ears, I can hear my brother’s warning.

Don’t be an asshole tonight.

Too late.

 Sydney Logan Bio:

Amazon best-selling author Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education. She is the author of five novels - Lessons Learned, Mountain Charm, Soldier On, Once Upon a December, and Pros & Cons. Sydney has also penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

A native of East Tennessee, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.

  Links: 
  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Enter Sydney’s Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogs Taking Part in the Release Day Launch

Ashley Book Blog

#TheBookNerdLife

Four Chicks Flipping Pages

Smut Book Junkie Reviews

a crazy vermonters book reviews

Books to Breathe

Morning Books and Coffee

Between the Pages

What Is That Book About

deal sharing aunt

Dirty Little Secret's Book Reviews

The Travelogue of a book addict - The Book Drealms

Renee Entress's Blog

The Consummate Reader

Connected by Books

TEXTTEASER

Maari Loves Her Indies

Kitty's Book Spot!

Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous

British Book Binge

Penny For My Thoughts

Aaly and The Books

My YA NA Book Obsession

Fic Talk

Rustys Reading

Between The Lines

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs

Book Freak

2 Greek Girls Reading

Cynthia Bloggs

Southern Vixens Book Obsessions

Booklover4lifeblog

Obsessive Book Nerd

Rambling Reads

Got Nikki?

Have Words Will Scribble

cupcakes and vodka book blog

flirty fiction blog

Southern Yankee Book Reviews

Mikky's World Of Books

Becky on Books

Read My Mind

Cassandra's Reviews

Romance Obsessed Book Blog

Jen's Reading Obsession

Sexy Bibliophiles

Adventures in Writing

A girl and her books

Talking Books Blog

books are love

Waves of Fiction

A Sky Full of Stars Blog

Book Briefs

Nuggets from a Book Nerd

Author Groupies

Jax's Book Magic

grownupfangirl // oh the book feels

Alpha Book Club

An Aussie Girls WILD Book Addiction!

The Whispering Pages Book Blog

Love Affair With Fiction

Wicked Babes Blog Reviews

Pages Abound

Lustful LIterature

Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters

Friends Till The End Book Blog

Wicked Women Book Blog

Reviews from the Heart

Hooked On Books

Summers Book Blog

Reading Bliss

Oh the book feels