Author: Marsha

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.

Seattle Wolf Pack Box Set by Kristin Miller

Posted April 26, 2016 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: Seattle Wolf Pack Box Set
Series: Seattle Wolf Pack #1-3
Author: Kristin Miller
Genre: Paranormal Romance – Shifter
Published: April 25, 2016 (as a bundle)
Publisher: Entangled Covert
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Delicious alpha heroes protecting their mates at all cost? Yes, please. Take a bite out of these three, steamy full-length novels from New York Times bestseller Kristin Miller in this exclusive boxed set for a limited time only. Exquisite paranormal love stories with super hot alphas and the tenacious heroines who make these werewolves howl.
Devour them all in just one click.

Gone With the Wolf
When CEO and alpha werewolf Drake Wilder discovers that his one true love is a secretary in his company, his primal instincts kick into overdrive. Free-spirited bartender Emelia Hudson wants nothing more than to make her Seattle-based bar succeed. Upon learning that her bar has become property of Wilder Financial, Emelia is determined to get some answers. When Drake’s twin brother senses that Drake has found his match—and now inherits their father’s billion dollar estate—he plans to take Emelia out. Drake vows to protect her at all costs, but he might have to pay with his own life.

Four Weddings and a Werewolf
Logan Black, former Marine and bodyguard for the Seattle Wolf Pack, hates weddings and has no plans to enter into matrimonial misery. But when he’s hired to protect a hot-to-trot wedding planner with a werewolf stalker, he’s forced to put his feelings aside. Not such an easy task when the damsel can turn him on with a single smoldering glance. The chemistry between them seems fated, but with his playboy attitude, her hatred for werewolves, and a stalker lurking in the shadows, will passion be enough to keep them together?

So I Married a Werewolf
Carter Griffin, enforcing officer for the Seattle Wolf Pack, has been offered the promotion of his dreams…if he can find a wife to prove he’s over his playboy ways. But Carter’s already been there, done that. Faith Hamilton needs money to put her younger brother through college. Okay, and she totally wants Carter, her sexy next-door neighbor, to look at her as more than a friend. It’s too bad size 12 and plain isn’t his type. At all. When the two friends strike a deal to help one another out, will it spark a love neither anticipated?

Read on for my thoughts on the Seattle Wolf Pack Boxed Set. No true spoilers, promise.

Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle

Posted April 25, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Hold Your Breath
Series: Search and Rescue #1
Author: Katie Ruggle
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder…

As the captain of Field County’s ice rescue dive team, Callum Cook is driven to perfection. But when he meets new diver Louise “Lou” Sparks, all that hard-won order is obliterated in an instant. Lou is a hurricane. A walking disaster. And with her, he’s never felt more alive…even if keeping her safe may just kill him.

Lou’s new to the Rockies, intent on escaping her controlling ex, and she’s determined to make it on her own terms…no matter how tempting Callum may be. But when a routine training exercise unearths a body, Lou and Callum find themselves thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer who will stop at nothing to silence Lou-and prove that not even her new Search and Rescue family can keep her safe forever.

Read on for my thoughts on Hold your Breath. No true spoilers, promise.

On His Watch by Katie Ruggle

Posted April 25, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Title: On His Watch
Series: Search and Rescue 0.5 prequel
Author: Katie Ruggle
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder…

Ice rescue diver Derek Warner never meant to be a hero. But when two little girls go missing, he’s the first in line to bring them home-even if that means scouring the wilderness with the woman he once loved and lost, Artemis Rey.

Artemis has never stopped wanting Derek. Now, racing to find the girls before it’s too late, minutes turn to hours. Night falls. Old flames rekindle. And a danger grows in the darkest wilderness that may be more than even the Search and Rescue brotherhood can hope to face…

Read on for my thoughts on On His Watch. No true spoilers, promise.

Once Upon A Wedding by Kelly Rae

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

Title: Once Upon A Wedding
Series: One Day At A Wedding #1
Author: Kelly Rae
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Forever Red Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Cassie Anderson, bridesmaid extraordinaire, is tired of attending her friend’s weddings either solo, or with her best friend, Thad. Finding a real date is simply too much work. Especially when she sees an old acquaintance from high school, Dan, at her friend Shelley’s wedding. After the spark shared between them, Dan has become the object of her affection. Too bad he has a nasty habit of having a date on his arm at every turn. Stealing another woman’s date is against the rules, but if she could just catch him at an event alone…well, that would be fair game! Unfortunately, timing is everything, and she and Dan seem to have the worst. Always the bridesmaid, walking away with nothing more than a dreadful dress,

Cassie is committed to changing her luck and getting her man.

Dan daydreamed about Cassie Anderson through most of his high school classes. She barely knew he was alive – but that didn’t stop him from wanting her for all those years. Unfortunately, her return to his life comes at the worst time possible. As he tries to put his life back together, he keeps an eye on her, hoping to find her single at the right time. A time when it all hurts a bit less. A time when he can offer her all of the love she deserves. After three weddings of happenstance meetings, Dan finds himself to be a little more ready for everything that is Cassie. Putting himself out there, he can only hope she is everything he thinks she might be — his forever girl.

Read on for my thoughts on Once Upon A Wedding. No true spoilers, promise.

Emergency Engagement by Samanthe Beck

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

Title: Emergency Engagement
Series: Love Emergency #1
Author: Samanthe Beck
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 15, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

He needs the kind of rescue only she can provide…

Glass artist Savannah Smith expected a marriage proposal for Thanksgiving—just not from her strong, silent, super-hot neighbor. But when misplaced mail and a wayward can of paint lands them in a compromising position right as her family arrives for dinner, they assume he’s “The One” she’s been talking about.

Then his family shows up.

Fate dealt a crippling blow to paramedic Beau Montgomery’s heart, and he isn’t about to put it at risk again. Except, with his mother crying tears of joy over his surprise engagement to the sexy little blonde next door, he can’t bring himself to ruin her “Christmas miracle.”

Somewhere between the paint can to the head and the chaotic family trip to the ER, Beau manages to talk Savannah into being his fake fiancée long enough to survive the holidays.

If, of course, they don’t fall in love first…

Read on for my thoughts on Emergency Engagement. No true spoilers, promise.

His Forbidden Debutante by Anabelle Bryant

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

Title: His Forbidden Debutante
Series: Regency Charms #4
Author: Anabelle Bryant
Genre: Regency Romance
Published: March 31, 2016
Publisher: Carina UK
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The dance she never dared to dream…

One year after a carriage accident killed her parents and left her seriously injured, Lavinia Montgomery has finally learnt to walk again – just in time to make her societal debut. Yet while the beautiful debutante’s body may have healed, she hides a broken heart.

Before her injury, Lavinia had exchanged letters with a man she knew to be the love of her life – despite never having set eyes on him. But when she feared she’d be crippled for life, she made the heart-rending decision to let him go…

Randolph James Caulfield, Earl of Penwick, is betrothed, but cannot forget the words he once received from a woman whose name he knew, but who he never had the chance to meet. So when, at a ball, his dance partner is introduced, he can’t believe his luck. One thing is certain: if this really is his debutante, he won’t lose her a second time.

Read on for my thoughts on His Forbidden Debutante. No true spoilers, promise.