Author: Marsha

Review: A Duke But No Gentleman by Alexandra Hawkins

Posted July 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: A Duke But No Gentleman
Series: Masters of Seduction #1
Author: Alexandra Hawkins
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess Norgrave have always had the wildest of friendships. Best friends growing up, they bask in the pleasures the rich, opulent world that London has to offer, consuming drink and women at their leisure.

But Norgrave has always been a step behind. Blackbern can best him at anything—playing cards, riding horses, and bedding women. So when the stunningly beautiful but innocent Lady Imogen Sunter strays across their path, both men agree a friendly competition for the lady’s affections cannot hurt.

But when Blackbern’s feelings turn into something deeper and Lady Imogen’s desire become clear, Norgrave will do anything to win the wager. Only one man can lay claim to Lady Imogen’s heart… and one shocking act will change them all irrevocably.

Read on for my thoughts on A Duke But No Gentleman.

Review: The Vampire Jonah by Ann B. Morris

Posted July 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: The Vampire Jonah
Series: The Whitcombe Legacy #3
Author: Ann B. Morris
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: ImaJinn Books
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The Whitcombe Legacy: Triplet brothers were initiated into the vampiric life one hundred and twenty-five years go. Now they will either fulfill their family legacy and save the world from evil . . . or forfeit their chance to ever become human again.

Jonah Whitcombe enjoys a satisfying life in a remote Washington state community. An accomplished musician, Jonah’s lifelong dream is to play the piano at Carnegie Hall. But fate has another thing in store for him . . .

When the earthquake in San Francisco interrupts Jonah’s blood-substitute delivery, his supply is delivered by Angela Martin, the woman destined to be his lifelong mate. But before the two can plan a future together, all hell breaks loose.

Mt. St. Helens is about to erupt, Angela is abducted, the vampire leader Zurik has been spotted in the area, and the ritual—that will grant the brothers power to rid the world of the evil vampires forever—must soon be held in New Orleans. On top of it all, Jonah learns his audition at Carnegie Hall is just days away.

Will Jonah be able to fulfill his family legacy, save the woman he loves and fulfill his lifelong dream?

Read on for my thoughts on The Vampire Jonah. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Heat of the Moment by Lori Handeland

Posted June 30, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Heat of the Moment
Series: Sisters of the Craft #2
Author: Lori Handeland
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
My Rating: 5 star
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

A spell that tore three sisters apart is broken four hundred years later, when the magic in their blood reunites them. Now, one of them will discover her gift—and reignite a love long thought lost…

Flame-haired Becca Carstairs was born to be a veterinarian. Since childhood, her affinity for animals has been special, and her healing touch nothing short of magic. But only Becca knows the truth—that she alone can hear the creatures’ voices. She’s always trusted her sixth sense… until a string of missing pets, an attempted murder, and a face from her past converge into one explosive mystery, with her at its center.

Is haunted Owen McAllister, the boy who broke her heart ten years ago, related to the sinister crimes that have peaceful Three Harbors, Wisconsin, on its guard? Or is his reappearance part of the answer to questions that have troubled her all her life? As Becca delves into her strange heritage, she’ll have to fight for her life… and the man she will always love.

Read on for my thoughts on Heat of the Moment. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Neighbors with Benefits by Marissa Clarke

Posted June 30, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Neighbors With Benefits
Series: The Anderson Brothers #2
Author: Marissa Clarke
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Love thy sexy jerk of a neighbor…

CEO Michael Anderson might be something of a “control freak.” Still, he’s not quite sure why his therapist thinks dogsitting will fix anything—especially since he and the canine share a kind of mutual loathing. And to make matters worse, a house sitter moves in next door disrupting his peace—and his dates—with the worst possible music at the worst possible time… every time.

Free-spirited artist Mia Argaropolis has settled into the perfect gig—house sitting in NYC’s Upper West Side while working as an art therapist. Too bad she’s stuck living next door to a bossy control freak with a penchant for calling building security when she blasts music to drown out the noises coming through his bedroom wall.

Post-apocalyptic dinner rolls that nearly take her kitchen with them, a douchebag ex, and a Shih Tzu with the personality of Godzilla attack Mia in one day, and her unlikely neighbor comes to the rescue. Like it was her fault. And now, somehow, they find themselves engaged? Both agree, this neighborly feud just got taken to a whole new level.

Read on for my thoughts on Neighbors With Benefits. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bridesmaid Blues by Boone Brux

Posted June 30, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Bridesmaid Blues
Series: Wedding Favors
Author: Boone Brux
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
My Rating: 5 star
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Maid-of-Honor Dani Brown can handle anything that comes her way when it comes to her best friend’s wedding. That is, until the bride asks for a huge favor—Dani needs to distract the best man, who happens to be Dani’s ex. The ex she has fantasized dismembering for a year now. The ex she’ll have to suck it up and play nice with if this wedding is to go off without a hitch.

Businessman Jamie Kingsland is back in Seattle for a wedding. There’s just one problem – the maid of honor wants him dead. Except she doesn’t. Even though he knows he broke her heart last year when things got too serious and he panicked and left, she’s being way too nice about it now. And it scares him.

Something is up with his favorite bridesmaid, and he’s determined to find out what.

Read on for my thoughts on Bridesmaid Blues. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Last Chance Hero by Hope Ramsay

Posted June 30, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Last Chance Hero
Series: a Last Chance novel
Author: Hope Ramsay
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Ross Gardiner has had his fill of difficult relationships. Returning to Last Chance after a rough divorce, the town’s handsome new fire chief just wants safety and stability-a tall order given his dangerous job and the way he has the attention of all the single women in town. All except Sabina Grey, the girl who stole his heart when they were teenagers.

Sabina knows a lot about playing it safe. Always the good girl, she’s now responsible for her antiques store and caring for her sister. But having Ross in town brings back the memory of one carefree summer night when she threw caution to the wind-and almost destroyed her family. Now that they are both older and wiser, will the spark still be there, even though they’ve both been burned?

Read on for my thoughts on Last Chance Hero. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Minutes to Kill
Series: Scarlet Falls #2
Author: Melinda Leigh
Genre: Murder, Thriller, Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries—and fails—to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can’t shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn’t save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it’s frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.

Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.

Read on for my thoughts on Minutes to Kill. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Seduced by the Baron by Amy Andrews

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Seduced by the Baron
Series: Fairy Tales of New York #4
Author: Amy Andrews
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 29, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Once upon a time, Faith Sullivan dreamed of being a famous painter who lived in an apartment overlooking Central Park. Unfortunately, life had other ideas and at 26, she’s still running, working and living at Sully’s, her family’s traditional Irish pub in Brooklyn with her stubborn, ailing father. And she was perfectly fine with her lot until suddenly her three best friends each found their prince, and her own happily ever after seemed like another dream lost. Until one day a long, tall Australian walks into her bar and her loved-up besties decided to play Fairy Godmothers.

Ex pro-surfer turned beer baron, Rafael Quartermaine is in New York for a month on business. He’s looking for a pub to launch Baron lager on the American market and Sully’s is perfect. All he has to do is convince Faith, the traditionalist, to say yes. And once he’s done that, maybe he can convince her that all work and no play makes Faith a dull girl.

Faith’s connection to her family and Sully’s is absolute, and Raf’s business drive and itchy feet aren’t conducive to long term, so it should be an easy break when duty calls Faith back into the fold on the evening of the ball. But running out on the baron is harder than she ever imagined… Will their fling sizzle out, or become something more?

Read on for my thoughts on Seduced by the Baron. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon by Linda Ballou

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon
Series:
Author: Linda Ballou
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Wind Dancer Press
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Gemcie and her Irish Hunter, Marshal, are about to capture the World Cup when a nasty fall dashes their chances. While she is mending, her arch rival seizes this opportunity to catch a ride on Marshal, and to seduce her young husband.

Confused and dazed by her new circumstances, Gemcie heads for the high Sierras hoping the majestic spires that captured the heart of the father she never met will provide the answers she seeks. She finds strength and solace riding solo on the John Muir Trail, but a bear attack ends her time of introspection and places her in the care of a solitary cowboy manning a fire lookout.

Brady, who seems to love animals more than people, shows her love and gives her the courage to get back in the saddle. Haunted by images of Marshal being abused by his owners, Gemcie returns to rescue him and fly high with him once more.

Read on for my thoughts on The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Wolf with Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Wolf With Benefits
Series: The Pride #8
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: Original March 26, 2013, Mass Market June 30, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Books
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

There’s nothing like a good-ol’-boy wolf. And ace security expert Ricky Lee Reed serves, protects and seduces with all the right moves…

Sure, Toni Jean-Louis Parker has to be the responsible oldest sister to a crazy-brilliant clan of jackal siblings. But now she’s cutting loose for some hot, sweaty, no-commitments fun—and the sexy, slow-talking, swift-moving predator assigned to keep her family safe is just the right thing to shapeshift her love life into overdrive. Trouble is, he’s starting to get all obsessive wolf on her every time he looks in her direction…

Getting serious about anyone isn’t in Ricky Lee Reed’s plans. Hell, even now he doesn’t really have a plan—outside of catching whoever is threatening this dangerously brilliant family. But the more he sees of Toni, the more he’s howling for her. And whatever it takes to convince her that what they have is everything, well, this wily wolf is down for the sizzling chase.

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

Review: Hour of Need by Melinda Leigh

Posted June 28, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Hour of Need
Series: Scarlet Falls #1
Author: Melinda Leigh
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Published: December 9, 2014
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

While fighting in Afghanistan, Major Grant Barrett receives devastating news: his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered in Scarlet Falls, the sleepy suburb of Grant’s youth. Emotionally scarred from war, the career soldier returns home on emergency leave to temporarily care for his orphaned nephew and niece. But when someone tries to kidnap the kids and their teenage babysitter, Grant knows it’s not a random act…and neither were the murders.

Already devastated by her neighbors’ violent deaths, Ellie Ross is shattered by the attempted abduction of her teenage daughter so she desperately turns to Grant for help. As they navigate a deadly search for the truth, they struggle with growing feelings for each other and Grant’s impending return to deployment.

But time is running out. The killer is growing bolder by the hour, and Ellie and Grant must find him before the children become his next victims.

Read on for my thoughts on Hour of Need. No true spoilers, promise.