Category: Contemporary Romance

Review: The Rest Of My Life by Sheryl Browne

Posted July 10, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: The Rest Of My Life
Series:
Author: Sheryl Browne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 10, 2015
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

You can’t run away from commitment forever …

Adam Hamilton-Shaw has more reason than most to avoid commitment. Living on a houseboat in the Severn Valley, his dream is to sail into the sunset – preferably with a woman waiting in every port. But lately, his life looks more like a road to destruction than an idyllic boat ride…

Would-be screenplay writer Sienna Meadows realises that everything about Adam spells trouble – but she can’t ignore the feeling that there is more to him than just his bad reputation. Nor can she ignore the intense physical attraction that exists between them.

And it just so happens that Adam sees Sienna as the kind of woman he could commit to. But can he change his damaging behaviour – or is the road to destruction a one-way street?

Read on for my thoughts on The Rest Of My Life. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 8, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Ride Steady
Series: Chaos #3
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating: 5+ stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The ride of her life . . .
Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy—until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa’s pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.

Climb on and hold tight . . .
In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed far beyond his reach. Today, he’s the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa’s acting, it’s clear she’s falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damned hard. Now, as Joker’s secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decide whether to ride steady with Carissa—or ride away forever.

Read on for my thoughts on Ride Steady. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: His Kiss by Jolyse Barnett

Posted July 7, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: His Kiss
Series: Summer in New York #2
Author: Jolyse Barnett
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After a motorcycle accident and subsequent alcohol abuse, Jeremy Engel has managed to claw his way back from the dark depths of personal hell. He’s now a successful comic book author and working on his second book, and when the woman he met while on a rare getaway—the one he hasn’t been able to forget—opens a shop in his neck of the woods, he thinks he’s even learned to trust and hope again.

Elizabeth Desmond may have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she’s determined to make a success of her shop in the Adirondack tourist town of Lake Placid. And just when she thinks it can’t get any better, the mysterious stranger she kissed on a moonlit resort beach walks back into her life.

But when Jeremy’s old demons return, it’s up to Elizabeth to show him they’re not so different after all.

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

Review: Evie Undercover by Liz harris

Posted July 7, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Evie Undercover
Series:
Author: Liz Harris
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 7, 2015 (Original Pub Date Sept. 2012)
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When libel lawyer, Tom Hadleigh acquires a perfect holiday home – a 14th century house that needs restoring, there’s a slight problem. The house is located in the beautiful Umbria countryside and Tom can’t speak a word of Italian.

Enter Evie Shaw, masquerading as an agency temp but in reality the newest reporter for gossip magazine Pure Dirt. Unbeknown to Tom, Italian speaking Evie has been sent by her manipulative editor to write an exposé on him. And the stakes are high – Evie’s job rests on her success.

But the path for the investigative journalist is seldom smooth, and it certainly never is when the subject in hand is drop-dead gorgeous.

Read on for my thoughts on Evie Undercover. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Twice in a Lifetime by Dorothy Garlock

Posted July 7, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Twice in a Lifetime
Series:
Author: Dorothy Garlock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sunset, Missouri, 1954. As hope flourishes in postwar America, a young widow dares to dream of a second chance at a forever love…

Clara Sinclair has learned to live one lonely day at a time. It was the only way she managed to survive her husband’s death in World War II and raise their young son alone. But now she’s at a loss as to how to handle the defiant teenager he has become, even as she struggles to keep her family financially afloat. She’s fresh out of ways to turn her luck around-until a daring stranger’s unexpected kindness sparks hope she hasn’t felt in a long time . . .

Drake McCoy lives for risk, speed, and putting his incredible drag racing skills to the test. One night in this quiet rural town is all he needs to win a big score and be on his way . . . until he meets Clara. Drawn in by her quiet strength and her beauty, Drake is tempted to become someone he never imagined-a family man.

But a vicious and unseen enemy is closing in fast, throwing Drake and Clara’s fragile future into a dangerous tailspin. Can their love survive?

Read on for my thoughts on Twice in a Lifetime. No true spoilers, promise.

Romancing the Alpha An Action Adventure Romance Box Set by Various Authors

Posted July 7, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Romancing the Alpha box set
Series:
Author: Various Authors
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Beaverstone Press
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

HOT NEW adventure romance super bundle. Spice up your summer with 10 never-before-published action-adventure romance stories by bestselling authors. Kick butt and fall in love with sexy Navy SEALs, treasure hunters, mercenaries, and more. Let the adrenaline flow!

Zoe York — FALL BACK
When Navy SEAL Cade Duncan partners up with Mel Vincent for an endurance race, he doesn’t expect to tumble into a romantic fling in paradise—or to be so pissed with the beautiful woman when he finds out she’s been keeping secrets.

Ruby Lionsdrake — THE PIRATE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER
When firefighter and mercenary Marat Azarov rescues a beautiful slave woman from a life of certain torment, he gets more than he bargained for.

Zara Keane — HER TREASURE HUNTER EX
When underwater photographer Katy Ryan embarks on a secret mission to salvage priceless jewels from the wreck of the RMS Lusitania, she’s pissed as hell to be be pitted against Dex Fitzgerald, her super sexy treasure hunter ex.

Anna Hackett — AMONG GALACTIC RUINS
When astro-archeologist Lexa Carter discovers a map to an old Earth treasure, she’s thrilled about a treasure hunt to a dangerous, desert planet—but not about being saddled with head of security, Damon Malik. She thinks he’s arrogant. He thinks she’s a trouble magnet. But when the hunt turns deadly, they’ll have to trust each other just to survive.

Ember Casey — THE DEVIL’S SET: JACKSON
Charlotte knows she’s in trouble the moment Jackson North shows up at her door in the middle of the night. She always suspected her ex had secrets, but she never thought those secrets would lead her on a wild treasure hunt through Croatia’s islands—or throw her back into the arms of the dangerous man who once broke her heart.

Anna Lowe — UNCHARTED
The last thing archaeologist Julie Steffens needs is a gang of armed mercenaries after her for a crime she didn’t commit. And the last rescuer she wants is Seth Cooper, the sizzling vacation fling who disappeared from her bedside two months before. But right now, she needs a way out — and Seth’s sailboat is it.

Sadie Haller — TAINTED PEARL
The last person Biddy expects to greet her at the start of her secret four-week eco-activism island adventure is a red-blooded alpha male, and the irresistible camera operator proves to be a big, bad complication she’s unable to resist.

Lyn Brittan — THE DUKE OF AMBRA
When treasure hunter Kent Avery ends up partnered with Swedish military officer Elena Haaland in search of a stolen Russian artifact, he’s not expecting love. Guns? Sure. Fist fights? No problem. But love? Well that’s the one danger he’s just not prepared for.

Lydia Rowan — ULTIMATE ESCAPE
A bad breakup sent Nola Bailey to Vietnam. Instead of cold cocktails and sandy beaches, she finds the irresistible Duarte Cruz and trouble. Cruz thinks she’s up to no good, but if she convinces him she’s not—and dodges the flying bullets—her ultimate escape could end with love.

Leigh James — COVER ME
Matthew Riley is determined to leave his dangerous mercenary lifestyle behind. But when he takes what’s supposed to be a relaxing vacation to the Yucutan Peninsula with his wife Meredith and their friends, he discovers that he can’t afford to leave his job behind, in more ways than one.

Read on for my thoughts on Romancing the Alpha An Action Adventure Romance Box Set. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 6, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Fire Inside
Series: Chaos #2
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Forever
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Lanie Heron isn’t looking for love-no surprise, considering her last serious relationship nearly got her killed. So when Lanie propositions Hop Kincaid, all she wants is one wild night with the hot-as-hell biker who patrols with the Chaos Motorcycle Club . . .

For Hop, Lanie has always been untouchable. She’s too polished and too classy for his taste. But when she gives Hop the once-over with her bedroom eyes and offers him a night in paradise, he can’t say no. And he doesn’t regret it when he finds that Lanie is the best thing that’s ever happened to him-in or out of bed. Now the trick will be to convince her of that.

Read on for my thoughts on Fire Inside. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Own The Wind by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 5, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Own The Wind
Series: Chaos #1
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos—the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos’ leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby’s thinking about much more than friendship…

Tabby is everything Shy’s ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can’t have. She’s beautiful, smart, and as his friend’s daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more—much more—he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn.

Read on for my thoughts on Own The Wind. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 5, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Motorcycle Man
Series: Dream Man #4
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 12, 2012
Publisher: Forever
My Rating: 5+ stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Get ready to ride . . .

Tyra Masters has had enough drama to last a lifetime. Now, she’s back on track and looking forward to her new, quiet life. Until she meets the man of her dreams. The tattooed, muscled biker plies her with tequila-and the best sex of her life. She knows it isn’t the tequila and hot sex talking. He’s the kind of man she’s always wanted. Unfortunately, he’s also her new boss . . .

Kane “Tack” Allen has a rule. He doesn’t employ someone he’s slept with. So when he learns he spent last night in bed with his new office manager, he quickly fires Tyra. Yet when Tyra stands up to him and fights for her job, Tack is intrigued. He tells her she can keep her job on one condition: no more sex. Ever. But as things heat up between them, Tack finds that he’ll be the one breaking all the rules.

Read on for my thoughts on Motorcycle Man. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Law Man by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 5, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Law Man
Series: Dream Man #3
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Forever
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Sweet, shy Mara Hanover is in love with her neighbor. For four years, she has secretly watched her dream man from afar. Handsome police detective Mitch Lawson is way out of her league. She’s a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, and there’s no way a guy like Mitch would want anything to do with her. But when Mara has a leaky faucet that she can’t fix, it’s Mitch who comes to her rescue.

Mitch has been eyeing his beautiful neighbor for a long time. He jumps at the chance to help her, and soon their formerly platonic relationship gets very hot and heavy. But when Mara gets a disturbing phone call from her cousin’s kids, she gets pulled back into the life she’s tried so hard to leave behind. Can the hot law man convince Mara to let go of her past-and build a future with him?

Read on for my thoughts on Law Man. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Wild Man by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 4, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Wild Man
Series: Dream Man #2
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Forever
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

While filling the display case in her bakery, the bell over the door sounds and Tessa O’Hara looks up to see the man of her dreams. Within thirty seconds he asks her out for a beer. But after four months of dating, she discovers he’s an undercover DEA agent-and he’s investigating her possible role in her ex-husband’s drug business. For Tess, this means their relationship is over.

Brock disagrees. He’s committed to his anti-drug mission, but he’s fallen in love with the beautiful woman who’s as sweet as her cupcakes-and he’ll do anything to win her back. Standing between Tess and Brock are their own exes, one of them a drug lord who’s determined to get what he wants. Now as danger threatens, can Brock break the rules he’s lived by and let loose his wild side to protect the woman he loves?

Read on for my thoughts on Wild Man. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 4, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Mystery Man
Series: Dream Man #1
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 11, 2012
Publisher: Forever
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Gwendolyn Kidd has met the man of her dreams. He’s hot, he’s sexy, and what started as a no-names-exchanged night of passion has blossomed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Sure, it’s a little strange that he only appears in her bed at night, but Gwen is so sure he’s the one, she just can’t turn him away…

Hawk Delgado knows more about Gwen than she could ever imagine. She’s gorgeous, headstrong, and skittish about relationships. But Hawk is facing his own demons, demons that keep him from connecting with anyone. Yet when Gwen is drawn into Denver’s lethal underground scene, Hawk’s protective nature comes out full force. The problem is, when Gwen gets a dose of Hawk’s Alpha attitude in the daylight, she’s not so sure he’s the one anymore.

Read on for my thoughts on Dream Man. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The CEO by Victoria Purman

Posted July 3, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

The CEO Title: The CEO
Series: The Millionaire Malones #2
Author: Victoria Purman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 2, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

CEO Callum Malone has it all: power, Italian suits, a house on one of Sydney’s stunning beaches and a new life without a woman in it. Just the way he likes it, ever since his nasty divorce.

Landscaper Ava Gibson is in no position to turn down a job, even if it is for her despised ex-brother-in-law. But when resentment gives way to underlying attraction, Ava is finally forced to confront her truth… she’s falling for him.

Will Ava be able to keep her growing desire in check? Because the irresistible Cal doesn’t want her to.

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

Review: Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams by Sue Watson

Posted July 3, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams
Series:
Author: Sue Watson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 3, 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Dance like nobody’s watching. Love like you’ll never get hurt…
Laura Watkin’s heart isn’t broken, she’s just forgotten how to use it.

After years on her own, the highlight of single mum Laura’s week is watching Strictly Come Dancing with a glass of Pinot Grigio and a large helping of imagination.

With her daughter Sophie going travelling, Laura knows the time is right to do something for herself for a change. One disastrous Zumba class later and Laura ends up at the feet (literally) of gorgeous dance instructor Tony Hernandez.

A natural dancer and inspiring teacher, Tony rekindles in Laura a passion she inherited from her ballroom dancer father – and with it comes a dream… to make him proud.

But when Tony enters them to perform at the National Dance Festival, can Laura’s new-found confidence survive the test? And with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn Flamenco in Spain, could Laura truly learn to dance like nobody’s watching… and love like she’ll never get hurt?

A laugh-out-loud, uplifting comedy about finding the courage to be yourself, the importance of dreams, and learning to grab life by the glitter balls.

Read on for my thoughts on Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The Wedding Reject Table by Angela Britnell

Posted July 3, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 4 Comments

Title: The Wedding Reject Table
Series: Nashville Connections #2
Author: Angela Britnell
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 1, 2015
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When Maggie Taylor, a cake decorator, and Chad Robertson, a lawyer from Nashville Tennessee, meet at a wedding in Cornwall it’s not under the best circumstances.

They have both been assigned to ‘the reject table’, alongside a toxic collection of grumpy great aunts, bitter divorcees and stuffy organists.

Maggie has grown used to being the reject, although when Chad helps her out of a wedding cake disaster she begins to wonder whether the future could hold more for her.

But will Chad be strong enough to deal with the other problems in Maggie’s life? Because a ruined cake isn’t the only issue she has – not by a long shot.

Read on for my thoughts on The Wedding Reject Table. No true spoilers, promise.