Author: Marsha

Outlaw Cowboy by Nicole Helm

Posted May 24, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Outlaw Cowboy
Series: Big Sky Cowboys #2
Author: Nicole Helm
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 3, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Ever since his father’s accident, Caleb Shaw vowed he’d mend his wild ways, and he means to keep his word. He’s a changed man. A better man. And he knows he should want absolutely nothing to do with his crazy old life…or the maddening temptation that is Delia Rogers.

Because Delia? Is nothing but trouble.

Delia’s been stealing her sisters away from their violent father ever since she was old enough to fight back. But now with the police on her trail and all her bridges burned, there’s nowhere left to run but back into the arms of the one cowboy she knows she shouldn’t need. Caleb has always been too good for her, no matter how bad he claimed to be. Yet when close quarters turn into something more, Delia and Caleb are forced to decide what really matters: mending their reputations or healing their wary hearts.

Read on for my thoughts on Outlaw Cowboy. No true spoilers, promise.

Descended From Dragons by Tricia Owens

Posted May 24, 2016 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: Descended From Dragons
Series: Moonlight Dragon #1
Author: Tricia Owens
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Published: May 14, 2016
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Beneath the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas lies another city. A secret city in plain sight, full of warlocks and demons, shapeshifters and golems. A city that feeds off the chance magick that is generated by gamblers and which is ruled by mysterious beings called the Oddsmakers.

It is in this strange underbelly of the occult that Anne Moody runs a cursed pawn shop for the desperate, the curious, and the magickally inclined. Though the job is boring, it keeps her under the radar. None of her customers have any inkling that she is a dragon sorceress with a power that’s been feared throughout history. One day, a visitor to her shop pawns a stone statue that is more than it appears. The statue is a gargoyle named Vale, who is shrouded in mystery and secrets. When she learns that Vale is possessed, and that the person responsible for cursing him plans to take over Las Vegas with a horde of demons from Hell, Anne realizes it is up to her to defy the Oddsmakers and save the city, and possibly the world.

Read on for my thoughts on Descended From Dragons. No true spoilers, promise.

Cop On Her Doorstep by Karen Docter

Posted May 22, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Cop On Her Doorstep
Series:
Author: Karen Docter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 25, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

In the six years since her husband was killed by S.W.A.T., Carrie Padilla has spent long hours at work, rebuilding a life for herself and her son. The little time she has at home is spent keeping her eight-year-old son out of trouble, but he is all too eager to try to be the man in the house. When a handsome cop shows up on her doorstep, her errant son in tow, Carrie’s heart stutters. The sexy Italian cop sets off all kinds of bells in her system, and she knows there’s only one thing she can do to save what is left of her family, her husband’s memory, and her heart…avoid her new neighbor at all costs.

S.W.A.T. officer Jake Stafani already lost one little boy to gang violence, the dead boy’s older brother is missing, and Jake’s not about to let the same thing happen to a neighbor’s son. He drags the youngster home only to discover much more than a passing interest in the boy’s beautiful, but wary, mother. Forced to take a leave of absence after a bust goes awry, Jake can think of nothing better to occupy his time than to keep Carrie and her son safe, and locate the missing teen who holds the key to taking the gang off the streets, once and for all.

But Jake doesn’t count on his stubborn, intriguing neighbor distracting him from his job, or the passion that flares between them. He doesn’t expect her amazing son to steal a piece of his heart. Jake is ready to risk everything for Carrie, body and soul. But it’s not all up to him. If their new love is to survive, Carrie will need to be strong enough to see the man’s beating heart behind the badge, to look beyond the pain of her past, and decide that loving again is worth the risk.

Read on for my thoughts on Cop On Her Doorstep. No true spoilers, promise.

Lone Wolf by Tessa Clarke

Posted May 21, 2016 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: Lone Wolf
Series: The Wolf Shifters of Raven Ridge #1
Author: Tessa Clarke
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance
Published: December 8, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When curvy veterinarian Delany Nichols meets sexy rancher Leif Pierce, sparks fly, but Leif is a wolf shifter with a past, and his brothers have expectations that he’ll share his future mate. Leif’s oldest brother, Wyatt, wants Leif back as part of the pack, for Leif’s own good, but Leif is determined to be a lone wolf and keep Delany all to himself.

When Leif’s secrets catch up with him and threaten to tear he and Delany apart, Leif must confront his demons and his brothers, and convince Delany he can be trusted with her heart.

While the majority of Shifter Romances are very sensuous, sexy and downright hot – it does need to be said that this one is considered Erotica as well and has an adult 18+ readers warning. You’ve been warned. 🙂

Read on for my thoughts on Lone Wolf. No true spoilers, promise.

A Most Delicate Pursuit by Pamela Labud

Posted May 17, 2016 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: A Most Delicate Pursuit
Series: The Hunt Club #2
Author: Pamela Labud
Genre: Regency, Historical Romance
Published: May 17, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Though he’s fiercely loyal to his friends, Michael Carver has managed to avoid romantic entanglements by cultivating a reputation as a rake and a gambler. Believing himself incapable of intimacy, the Earl of Blandon avoids anything more than lighthearted flirtations or trysts with married women—which leaves more than enough time to slip out into the wilderness for a little fishing. All is well until Michael agrees, as a favor, to keep his best friend’s stubborn yet alluring sister-in-law company.

After one failed engagement, Beatrice Hawkins would rather become a spinster than risk her heart again. Her family, however, is relentless when it comes to finding her a suitable match. So when the roguish earl suggests they join forces to feign courtship and throw everyone off their scent, Beatrice only hopes the ton will take the bait. But at the hunting lodge where Michael takes her to escape prying eyes, Beatrice finds herself lured in by the unexpected charms of a man who has so much love to give—even if he doesn’t know it yet.

Read on for my thoughts on A Most Delicate Pursuit. No true spoilers, promise.

Strip You Bare by Maisey Yates

Posted May 16, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Strip You Bare
Series: Deacons of Bourbon Street #4
Author: Maisey Yates
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MC Romance
Published: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Micah Carpenter hates New Orleans. Hell, after ten years he no longer has much affection for the Deacons of Bourbon Street motorcycle club, either. But when the brotherhood calls, Micah answers. Joining the hunt for their mentor’s killer, he crosses paths with a Southern belle who exudes class—and sex appeal. Micah knows better than to mess with ice princesses: No matter how hot things get, they never melt. And yet he can’t stop himself from offering her a taste of the wrong side of the tracks.

Sarah Delacroix understands that reputation is everything. The daughter of a prominent family rocked by scandal, she’s desperate to restore their good name. Micah’s exactly the kind of man she should be avoiding. Behind his sleek and sophisticated exterior beats the heart of a predator—and she knows it. But, like the tattoos beneath his tailored suit, his rough edges are irresistible. And all too soon Sarah finds him getting under her skin . . . and living out every one of her hottest fantasies.

Read on for my thoughts on Strip You Bare. No true spoilers, promise.

Project Virgin by Megan Crane

Posted May 16, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Project Virgin
Series:
Author: Megan Crane
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 21, 2016
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Maybe the worst idea she’s ever had is actually the best thing she could ever do…

Newbie lawyer Scottie Grey spent entirely too many years listening to her ex-fiancé’s lies. Now that she’s finally kicked that cheater out of her life, she wants to waste no time getting rid of the albatross around her neck: her virginity.

Damon Patrick is the worst possible candidate for the project. He’s too good-looking, too experienced. He’s too well known around San Francisco—mostly for his many sexual exploits.

He’s also kinda, sorta Scottie’s boss.

Damon is the worst man for the job imaginable… which might just make him the only one Scottie can imagine giving her virginity to after all.

Read on for my thoughts on Project Virgin. No true spoilers, promise.

Blog Ahead Event Wrap-Up For 2016

Posted May 15, 2016 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

Blog Ahead May 1-15 It all began with this little challenge:

“Wouldn’t you like a little wiggle room in your posting schedule for your blog? Then the Blog Ahead event hosted by Anna of Herding Cats & Burning Soup is perfect for you.”

My answer was a resounding “Hells Yeah!” With a year that has seen (so far) more time offline than online doing what I love, the idea of getting a bit ahead was a life line. True, I did not do as well as last year’s event, but then I cannot sit at the computer desk as much or as long as I’d like right now. But life moves on and we do the best we can.

So, this year I took a little different approach. I am so far behind on my NetGalley reviews. Perhaps it will teach me a life lesson to not request books that are really far out in release dates should the unthinkable happen once again. This year I took books from my June releases on NetGalley and read and reviewed those in advance so they can drop on release day. And actually, it’s a system that makes perfect sense and one that I intend to continue. I would love to get one or two months worth of reviews in the pipeline – that way when life happens, the blog and the reviewed books do not suffer as well.

But for now, I’m content with the pipeline I’ve created with Blog Ahead 2016. The day’s not over yet, and I might get another one or two done, but I’m going with the grand total of… *drum roll, please* … 17 books ready to drop on their release days. It’s not bad, really – and thankfully a few of those were novellas which made my life a lot easier. 🙂

So, thank you Anna for another fun event. And I’m looking forward to seeing the Fall Blog Ahead come along later this year – maybe I can get ahead on some holiday book reviews then. *crossed fingers*

Welcome Home, Cowboy by Annie Rains

Posted May 9, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Welcome Home, Cowboy
Series: Hero’s Welcome #2
Author: Annie Rains
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Military Romance
Published: April 26, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After a bad breakup leaves Julie Chandler completely devastated, she comes to Seaside seeking a fresh start. A talented, compassionate yoga teacher, she has developed a program to help alleviate the effects of PTSD, but getting a bunch of bullheaded Marines into downward facing dog might be impossible. So Julie’s shocked when one of her first students dives in headfirst—and almost tempts her to take down her walls with his easy smile and electrifying touch.

Ever since Texas cowboy turned Marine pilot Lawson Phillips lost a crew member in a helicopter accident, he hasn’t been able to fly. When a psychologist orders him to attend, of all things, a yoga class, Lawson’s outraged—until he finds out Julie is the instructor. She’s beautiful, graceful, and completely guarded when it comes to his advances, but he’s determined to find out what makes her tick. Because underneath Julie’s hard shell is a woman Lawson knows he could fall for—and he’s not ready for the ride to end.

Read on for my thoughts on Welcome Home, Cowboy. No true spoilers, promise.

Lake of Dreams by Linda Howard

Posted May 5, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Lake of Dreams
Series:
Author: Linda Howard
Genre: Contemporary & Paranormal Romance
Published: REPRINT pub. May 2, 2016 (Original anthology May 1, 1995)
Publisher: Pocket Stars
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Dreams and reality collide—with potentially deadly consequences—in this stunning novella from New York Timesbestselling author Linda Howard, available for the first time as a standalone ebook at an unbeatable price!

House painter Thea Marlow hasn’t been sleeping very well. Her nights are plagued by dreams, the setting by the water and the mysterious man who appears in them always the same. But the outcome of the dream changes nightly: sometimes the man loves her…and sometimes he kills her. Desperate for some much needed relaxation, Thea travels to her family’s remote country lake house. Imagine her surprise when a knock at the door reveals the man from her dreams…who happens to have just rented the house next door.

So will he love her—or will he kill her?

Originally published in the anthology Everlasting Love by Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz, Linda Lael Miller, Kasey Michaels and Carla Neggers.

Read on for my thoughts on Lake of Dreams. No true spoilers, promise. Read More

Blood Instinct by Lindsay J. Pryor

Posted May 5, 2016 by Marsha in Series / 5 Comments

Title: Blood Instinct
Series: Blackthorn #6
Author: Lindsay J. Pryor
Genre: Paranormal
Published: May 5, 2016
Publisher: Bookouture
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

‘I think what is inside of you triggers the worst of me’

Sophia McKay has always had a reckless streak, but falling for lycan leader Jask Tao gave her something to live for. Now, cursed with a serryn bloodline, a darkness inside Phia is awakening. A darkness she knows could prove deadly to those she loves most.

Approaching a blue moon, Jask Tao and his pack are living close to the edge due to a delay getting the herbs required to stop their morphing. Worse still, the growing strength of Phia’s serryn powers are dangerously provoking the lycan in Jask.

At a time when Jask and Phia need each other more than ever, their very passion has become a poison that puts both their lives at risk.

With Sirius Throme, leader of the Global Council, on the verge of invading Blackthorn – working together is the only chance of survival. But Jask is holding on to a secret that could just blow everything apart.

And so is Phia.

Will the truth destroy them all?

Read on for my thoughts on Blood Instinct. No true spoilers, promise.