Contemporary Romance Review: Breaking Up With Barrett by Katy Regnery

Description:
Breaking Up with Barrett is the first of six books about the Philadelphia-based, wildly-handsome English brothers who are all on the look-out for love.

(Except Alex. He's a womanizing manwhore. And maybe Stratton, because he's wicked hot, but super awkward around girls.)

Barrett English, aka "the Shark," is the fair-haired, first-born of the English brothers, and the CEO of the oldest, most prestigious investment banking firm in Philadelphia. He rules the boardroom with an iron fist, refusing to take no for an answer and always getting his way.

Emily Edwards, a first-year doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania, grew up in the gatehouse on the outskirts of Barrett's childhood estate. The daughter of his family's gardener and housekeeper, she was always looking through the window of privilege, but forced to remember her place at the very periphery of the kingdom.

When business partners suggest that a fiancee might soften Barrett's image over business dinners, he approaches Emily for the "job" of fiancee. And while love wasn't necessarily on Barrett's radar, he begins to realize that Emily always has been. But will his take-no-prisoners boardroom tactics work on the heart of the woman he loves.


My Thoughts:
I loved this. Emily agreed to be Barrett's fake fiancée when he needs one for business dinners. She needs the money so she does it until her feelings for him are too strong for her peace of mind and she decides to break it off. But Barrett isn't as indifferent as he seemed to be. A great balance of sweet and steamy with just a touch of angst. I loved every minute and can't wait to check out the brothers' books.

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !!!!
*Notes: Mild language.

My Source: BEA



Where to get it:

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Where to find the author:

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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:

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Review: Headed for Trouble by Shiloh Walker

Description:

SHE'S A SMALL-TOWN GIRL WITH BIG DREAMS.

Nine years ago, Neve McKay fled her small Southern town and disapproving family to seek a career in the big city. Now she's finally coming home - and hoping for a fresh start. But the relationship that shattered her world still haunts her. And even among her nearest and dearest, she doesn't feel safe.


CAN THIS BAD BOY BE THE ANSWER TO HER PRAYERS?

Ian Campbell is a pure Scottish muscle - as hard and handsome as they come. But when Neve walks into his bar, his heart melts . . . and he vows to have this gorgeous and somewhat vulnerable woman in his life - for better or for worse. What is Neve's tragic secret? And how can Neve expect Ian to protect her, when doing so could put his own life at risk? The only thing Ian knows for sure is that he will do whatever it takes to keep her out of harm's way - and in his loving arms.

My Thoughts:

Neve is home after being gone for 10 years. She's missed a lot in the past 10 years. She fled from her family but they all made mistakes. It's time to start over. She's been running and home is a good place to be when it finally catches up to her. She doesn't count on meeting Ian, her brother's friend. This one kept me flipping pages. I loved the story and the characters. Now I want to read Brannon and Moira's stories.


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

My Source: Purchased



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | BookDepository | IndieBound | iTunes


Where to find the author:

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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:

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Review: My American Duchess by Eloisa James

Description: 
The arrogant Duke of Trent intends to marry a well-bred Englishwoman. The last woman he would ever consider marrying is the adventuresome Merry Pelford— an American heiress who has infamously jilted two fiancés.

But after one provocative encounter with the captivating Merry, Trent desires her more than any woman he has ever met. He is determined to have her as his wife, no matter what it takes. And Trent is a man who always gets what he wants.

The problem is, Merry is already betrothed, and the former runaway bride has vowed to make it all the way to the altar. As honor clashes with irresistible passion, Trent realizes the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined. In his battle to save Merry and win her heart, one thing becomes clear:

All is fair in love and war.


My Thoughts:
Merry gets herself into a pickle when she meets the most intriguing man, directly after accepting a marriage proposal. This is her third betrothal. She really can't afford to jilt another fiance and is determined to see this one through, even though she has her doubts. She only has to change everything about herself to make her fiance happy. Trent, on the other hand, likes her exactly as she is. He wasn't looking for a wife until he met her and decided he needed to marry her. Before, of course, he knew she was betrothed. Who her fiance is makes things even more complicated. The solution is delightfully unexpected. I adored this book to the the very last page. Definitely one of my favorites. 


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


My Source: purchased


Enjoy an Excerpt



Where to get it:

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Review: The Redhead Revealed by Alice Clayton

Description: The sexy follow-up to Unidentified Redhead, this eBook from USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton is a magical mix of humor and heat—so cuddle up under the sheets; Grace and Jack are at it again!

As their careers catch fire, Grace and Jack—everyone’s favorite couple—find themselves on opposite coasts. Grace has landed in New York City, where she loves being onstage again, playing a fabulous character in a musical written by her old college flame, Michael. Their rekindled friendship makes exploring the city that much more fun. And it is just friendship, right? 

Meanwhile, in L.A., Jack can scarcely keep up with the throngs of women who track him everywhere he goes, the endless press appearances, and the ridiculous rules his manager, Holly, keeps laying down for him—all part of the buildup to the release of Time, his steamy new film. Thank goodness for phone sex. But even when their schedules allow them to connect, Grace and Jack must keep their relationship off the radar and away from paparazzi cameras. Sure, the sex is sensational—but can they survive the swirling rumors, the demands of their chosen professions, and Grace’s internal battles?


My Thoughts:
I adored the first book and could not wait to get my hands on this one. I was not disappointed. This one had more angst and less slapstick humor, but I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first. I still love Jack and Grace. Grace is still battling her insecurities and Jack is trying to hang on to her. Some tears in this one. Could not stop reading. As long as there are books about Jack and Grace, I will keep reading them.


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

My Source: library



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Itunes | BAM! | Audible



Where to find the author:

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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


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Review: Unlucky 13 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Description:
The Women's Murder Club is stalked by a killer with nothing to lose. 
San Francisco Detective Lindsay Boxer is loving her life as a new mother. With an attentive husband, a job she loves, plus best friends who can talk about anything from sex to murder, things couldn't be better. 
Then the FBI sends Lindsay a photo of a killer from her past, and her happy world is shattered. The picture captures a beautiful woman at a stoplight. But all Lindsay sees is the psychopath behind those seductive eyes: Mackie Morales, the most deranged and dangerous mind the Women's Murder Club has ever encountered. 
In this pulse-racing, emotionally charged novel by James Patterson, the Women's Murder Club must find a killer--before she finds them first.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I've read in this series but I would definitely read more. I enjoyed the characters of Detective Lindsay Boxer and her friends in the Women's Murder Club.The book kept moving from one event to the next. The pace was great and there was plenty going on. The surprises kept popping up to keep me guessing. This was a great mystery/ suspense read. 

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !
*Notes: Some graphic gore.

My Source: borrowed from my dad :)


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


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Review: A Charming Cure by Tonya Kappes

Description:
Bubble...Bubble...

Psychic June Heal's homeopathic cure shop, A Charming Cure, is the most popular shop in the unusual little town of Whispering Falls, Kentucky.

Cures and trouble...

June is about to learn she has more than psychic abilities when she attends Hidden Hall, A Spiritualist University, leaving her shop in the hands of handsome sheriff Oscar Park.
Hidden Hall has an internal war between the Good-Siders and the Dark-Siders, putting June in the middle.

Magic stirs...

Hidden Hall is riddled with every type of spiritualist. Magic is lurking around every corner, even black-magic.
Unfortunately, the Ultimate Spell gets into the wrong hands. But it is only discovered after a few spiritualists go missing or end up poisoned to death.

And troubles double...

Madam Torres, June's crystal ball, reveals that A Charming Cure is in shambles along with the rest of Whispering Falls.
Will June figure out who has the Ultimate Spell and stop them before they destroy the entire spiritualist community?


My Thoughts:

This is a cute series. I love the magic and how June is learning more about it, including how to use her powers. June is fun, although she has an unhealthy obsession with ding dongs. Does she ever eat anything else? The mystery in this one was a little more predictable than the first. The story a bit more jumbled than the first. Rushed maybe. The June/Oscar thing was a little hard for me to believe because they're hardly together in this book. You definitely need to have read the first book for it to make sense. I do want to read the next book. These are very enjoyable and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.  

My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !


My Source: purchased



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Google Play


Where to find the author:

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Review: The Dark Space by Mary Ann Rivers and Ruthie Knox

Description:
College senior Winnie Frederickson has accomplished nothing in four years but summa cum laude and the power of invisibility.

A professor’s kid, carelessly popular Cal Darling feels like he’s been going to college forever. If there’s anything left to learn, he’s not going to find it in the classroom.

The theater department’s “make-out class” is famously hard to get into, and what goes on between the twelve people who take it every spring is an annual topic of speculation. Winnie needs one more arts class to appear well-rounded for fellowships. Cal is just … bored.

The dark space – a class, a place, a state of mind – is ready for them both.

My Thoughts:

This one is a little different. Winnie is the girl who gets good grades that no one notices. Cal is the popular guy. They end up in the same class. Then things take a turn. Things get a little odd. They're in college. They're exploring and figuring out themselves, each other, and the direction they want to take in life. I like the writing, but you do need an open mind for this one. 

My Rating:  ***
Steam Factor: !!!!!
*Notes: Language and some college-age experimentation.

My Source: purchased


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N


Where to find the authors:

Mary Ann Rivers
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Ruthie Knox
Website | Twitter | Facebook  | Goodreads

Brain Mill Press

Review: 'Til Death by Sharon Sala

Description:
He left in handcuffs. Now it's time to set himself free. Nearly twenty years after he was wrongly convicted of setting the fire that killed his father, Lincoln Fox returns to Rebel Ridge, Kentucky. There, deep in the Appalachians, the truth of that terrible night lies buried-and he's sworn to uncover it.

His plans take an unexpected turn when, in the midst of a blizzard, he rescues Meg Walker from her wrecked car. Suddenly Linc discovers another reason to clear his name. Meg, his high school sweetheart, had always believed in his innocence, and if he wants a future with her, he has to show the world proof that she was right.

As the community chooses sides, those who once let a teenage boy take the fall for their crime are forced to raise the stakes. They kidnap Meg, leaving her to the mercy of the mountain. And a second rescue may be more than even Linc can manage....


My Thoughts:
Second chance romance. It's been 18 years since Lincoln was convicted of murder and hasn't been back to town since. He can't find anyone to compare to his first love. Then he comes back to try to clear his name. Meg hasn't had much luck with love since her high school sweetheart was taken away to prison. They've both changed quite a bit since he's been gone, but there's still something there to explore. Someone is stalking Meg. This book has mystery, danger, and love. Couldn't stop reading. Loved this one.


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

My Source: My bookshelf


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

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Review: The Shadows by J.R. Ward

Description:
Two brothers bound by more than blood fight to change a brutal destiny in the heart-wrenching new novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward.

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice...


My Thoughts:
There are understandably some mixed thoughts on this one. I had a hard time writing this review.  This book is heartbreaking. There are some lighter moments. We get some Rhage POV and see him with his Mary, which is sweet. One of my favorite scenes in the book is the females together having some girl time, Xhex included. It's fun and awkward at the same time.
It was a typical BDB book with fighting and lots of different storylines going on with different characters. I loved that we found out more about the shadows. My favorite line from the book is from iAm's POV: "It appeared, after decades of being without a tribe, that he and his brother had found theirs."
I have loved this series from the beginning and that hasn't changed. This is a series that you need to start from book 1 but you will be hooked. Fans of the series will want to read this one, just grab a box of tissues first.


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

My Source: purchased



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

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Review: Four Nights With the Duke by Eloisa James

Description:

As a young girl, Emilia Gwendolyn Carrington told the annoying future Duke of Pindar that she would marry any man in the world before him—so years later she is horrified to realize that she has nowhere else to turn.

Evander Septimus Brody has his own reasons for agreeing to Mia's audacious proposal, but there's one thing he won't give his inconvenient wife: himself.

Instead, he offers Mia a devil's bargain...he will spend four nights a year with her. Four nights, and nothing more. And those only when she begs for them.

Which Mia will never do.

Now Vander faces the most crucial challenge of his life: he must seduce his own wife in order to win her heart—and no matter what it takes, this is the one battle he can't afford to lose.
My Thoughts:

A new favorite. There is so much to like here. I adored the prologue. Mia and Vander are both 15 and a poem she has written about him is discovered. Later, she is forced to blackmail him into marriage. Vander reluctantly agrees to marry her but will only give her four nights a year, thinking it is some sort of punishment for her. Is he conceited and horse-obsessed? Yes. Redeemable? Absolutely. I love that Mia becomes a romance novelist and the chapters begin with notes from her books. Two famous historical romance novelists are given a nod in this book and the references made me smile. I loved this one, especially the humor and the characters, even the horse. If you like Eloisa James or historical romances with wit, you'll want to read this one.

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

My Source: purchased


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Undertow by Cherry Adair

Description:
SHE TAKES THE PLUNGE.

Teal Williams is content with her career as a ship’s master mechanic—until Zane Cutter, the “Casanova of the Caribbean,” makes her an offer she can’t refuse: to climb on board with him for a real-life treasure hunt. Teal must help him dredge up a shipwrecked vessel containing an abundance of gold, silver, and emeralds—and she’ll claim part of the prize.

HE’S BLOWN OFF COURSE.

Zane needs a mechanic—not a lover—and Teal, who can also dive, is perfect for the job.  So it suits him just fine that Teal is completely immune to his charms…or so he tells himself.  But with a deadly enemy in their midst—one who’s silently edging closer—Zane and Teal sink into troubled waters. Trapped in the middle of a perilous sea, they have no one to turn to but each other as they face down a danger that runs unfathomably deep—and a passion that runs even deeper…

My Thoughts:
I loved this. Teal and Zane are very different people. Zane is very outgoing and loves to be surrounded by people, especially women. Teal would rather be alone with her engines. They're stuck together on a boat, looking for treasure, against Teal's better judgement. Danger finds them out in the middle of the ocean. They're also insanely attracted to one another and can only fight it for so long. This was a fun and exciting read. I'm glad it's the first of a series. I can't wait to read about Zane's brothers.

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

My Source: purchased


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Cherry Adair Book Store


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Deadly Ruse by E. Michael Helms

Description:
Mac’s girlfriend, Kate Bell, thinks she’s seen a ghost. Wes Harrison, Kate’s former boyfriend, supposedly perished twelve years ago in a boating accident. But now she swears a man she spotted in a crowded theater lobby is Wes. Mac has his doubts--it was only a fleeting glimpse. But to calm her shattered nerves, he starts making inquiries.

A clue leads him from his home in St. George, Florida, to a Texas orphanage. There he uncovers startling information that turns both his and Kate’s world upside-down. Diamond smuggling, sex, deceit, and murder are just part of the twisted tale that emerges from Kate’s earlier life. Using wit, grit, and the ingrained military training of a former Marine, Mac starts to fit the pieces of this scrambled puzzle together.

Further clues point to the Palmetto Royale Casino and Resort near St. George. He and Kate discover that the casino is a front for big drug deals. When they barely escape a murder attempt, Mac knows he’s on the right track.

But he better play his cards right–because losing this high-stakes game could cost him his life. 

My Thoughts:
I was drawn into the mystery from the first page. I was intrigued that Kate swore she saw her supposedly dead ex. As the mystery progressed, I found it impossible to put down. Mac is a retired marine still figuring out what to do with his life besides drinking beer and scotch, fishing, and spending time with his girlfriend Kate. I love the fact that he's just a regular guy. He stumbles onto clues, follows leads, and does his best to fit the pieces together, though he sometimes makes mistakes. I look forward to reading more Mac McClellan mysteries in the future. And though this is the second in the series, each book stands alone.


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

My Source: author


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Books-A-Million


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Sixth Grave On the Edge by Darynda Jones

Description:
Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it's time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap—one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn't come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.

Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she's used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge…especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow.


My Thoughts:
These books just keep getting better. This is the sixth book and Charley is as busy as ever, solving cases, learning more about her abilities, and getting into trouble. Reyes is still looking for an answer to his yes/no question. The ending...I just want the next book NOW! Did I mention there is a bonus excerpt from Reyes' point of view? Fans of the series will definitely want to read. And if you haven't started yet, you should definitely check out the first book.


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

My Source: purchased

Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones

I know I've been slacking on the reviews lately and I apologize. Life, you know. Kids, a new job. I hate when life gets in the way of reading time. I'm hoping things settle soon so I can get back into a routine. 

Description:
Never underestimate the power of a woman on a double espresso with a mocha latte chaser high.
- T-shirt

Charley Davidson isn't your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper. She's more of a paranormal private eye/grim reaper extraordinaire. However, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. To further complicate matters, Reyes is her main suspect in an arson case. Charley has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth...but then dead women start appearing in her apartment, one after another, each lost, confused, and terrified beyond reason. When it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma is the serial killer's next target, Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes's help. Arsonist or not, he's the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return. Charley. All of her, body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay.

My Thoughts:
I  admit that I have an author crush on Darynda Jones. I love these Charley Davidson books so much. They make me laugh out loud and continue to surprise me. Each book is better than the last, though I don't know how such a thing is possible. The characters are great. There is Charley with her ADD, Reyes who can be frustrating but is mostly awesome, Cookie, Uncle Bob, and other assorted characters. 

In this book, Charley has more cases to solve and more dead people showing up in her apartment. Once again, things get pretty dark for Charley, but she manages to come through as sassy as ever. And that might be one of the things I love most about this series. She almost dies, but whatever happens to her she always comes out of it making jokes. 


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


My Source: purchased

Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Description:
With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there.


My Thoughts:
I don't read a lot of memoirs. I only picked this up because I watched the show on Netflix. I didn't realize at first that it was based on a book, but when I did I was curious. I'm glad I watched the show first, or I might have been upset over how much the show deviated from the book. I realize, though that it takes a lot to keep a television series interesting. There is actually quite a bit that was taken straight from the book. Many of the characters and events in the show were at least inspired by something that occurred in the book.
I enjoyed the book. Piper explains what she did to land herself in prison and recounts her experiences there. She makes many observations of how the rules don't seem all that fair, and how race and class seem to play a big factor in how people are treated in the justice system. She also discusses how little is done for the women who eventually are released and she realizes how lucky she is to have so many resources. This book was eye-opening and very easy to read.


My Rating:  *****
Steam Factor: n/a
*Notes: Some language.

My Source: library

Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Description:
Lady Emma Wells-Finch, the oh-so-proper headmistress of England's St. Gertrude's School for Girls, knows only one thing will save her from losing everything she holds dear: complete and utter disgrace! Skirts flying, umbrella pointing, and beautiful mouth issuing orders, she arrives in Texas on a mission ... She has two weeks to lose her reputation.

World famous playboy-athlete Kenny Traveler has been suspended from the sport he loves. Now only one thing can restore his career: complete and utter respectability! Unfortunately, he's been blackmailed into chauffeuring bossy, single-minded Lady Emma, who's hell-bent on visiting honky-tonks and tattoo parlours ... and worse. Lots worse.

When a gorgeous man who can't afford another scandal meets a hardheaded woman who's determined to cause one, anything can happen. But love? Oh dear, that's impossible, outrageous ... inevitable!

My Thoughts:
I loved everything about this book. It is so funny, I was already laughing out loud during the first chapter. The characters are so much fun. Kenny Traveler has fun pretending to be dumb and lazy. He gets suspended from PGA for a scandal when golf is his whole life. He agrees to help Emma because he is trying to get back on the tour. Lady Emma thinks she can escape from a bad situation back in England by ruining her reputation. They meet through a friend and sparks fly, though their personalities are completely opposite.  A cute, fun read. Can't believe I missed this one earlier.


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


My Source: purchased

Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Other


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Ever After by Kim Harrison

Description:
The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse.

While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die.

But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan...

My Thoughts:
I love this series and I can't believe it's almost over. Rachel has been through so much over the course of the series. In this book, she has to save the Ever After, and her own skin. A certain demon with a grudge against her isn't making it easy, though. There is not much Ivy in this one, but we see more of Bis, some Al and even Nick. I have to say, this book was more than a little heartbreaking, though still funny at other times, with lots of magical action. Her relationship with Trent seems to be evolving, though, which I think is a good thing. I really need to read the next book now.


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


My Source: library

Where to get it:

Ever After (Hollows) | B&N | Kobo


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads