Category: Contemporary Romance

Review: Shatter Me by Tori St. Claire

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Shatter Me
Series:
Author: Tori St. Claire
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC Brazen
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Bound by honor, caught by desire…

Former Marine Alex McCray is ripped up inside over the knowledge that his best friend died saving him. Now he’s returned to his hometown to honor a promise he made-to take care of his buddy’s widow. Semper fidelis. “Always loyal.” But Alex’s loyalty is about to be tested, because there’s never been a time when Reagan Sanders didn’t make him burn with desire.

All it takes is one night for Reagan and Alex to give in to the deep, carnal need they’ve denied themselves for so long. But Reagan has secrets of her own?secrets Alex can never know about her marriage, or the kind of man her husband really was. But one night with Alex isn’t enough. Not even close. Now Alex must choose between his sense of honor…and his heart.

Read on for my thoughts on Shatter Me. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: This Wedding is Doomed! by Draven, Lin, Madison, Berry

Posted May 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: This Wedding is Doomed!
Series:
Author: Stephanie Draven, Jeannie Lin, Shawntelle Madison, Amanda Berry
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 19, 2015
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

In these stories of matrimonial madness from four sensational authors, unexpected couples find their happily ever after at a wedding that’s counting down to disaster…

When a perfectionist and a troublemaker have to stick together in Amanda Berry’s The Wedding Planner: Flirting with Disaster , more than sparks fly…

In Shawntelle Madison’s The Maid of Honor: Lovers in Lockdown , two best friends trapped in a wine cellar decide to sample the wine—and each other…

Covering up the groom’s many misdeeds forces the best man to choose between loyalty and the love of a wedding singer in Stephanie Draven’s The Best Man: Sex, Lies and Karmic Catastrophe .

And finally, a runaway bride, a hunky caterer and a stolen cake hit the road in a hijacked van in Jeannie Lin’s The Bride: Love on the Run

Read on for my thoughts on This Wedding is Doomed!. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bride by Mistake by Nicole Helm

Posted May 18, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Bride by Mistake
Series: Montana Born Brides #3
Author: Nicole Helm
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 18, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Wedding fever has hit the little town of Marietta…

And Kaitlin Shuller’s groom of her dreams is marrying someone else… her sister.

Worst day ever. Her heart is broken, and all her carefully laid plans destroyed. Enter Beckett Larson, her older brother’s best friend and a very good bad decision.

Beckett has spent his life trying to outrun his bad reputation, but everyone already thinks the worst of him, so when Kaitlin offers herself to him — virginity and all— he just can’t say no.

But one night together has permanent consequences, and this time Beckett knows he can’t outrun his bad boy reputation. He’s determined to make Kaitlin his bride…even if he has to seduce her down the aisle.

Read on for my thoughts on Bride by Mistake. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Macyn’s Letter by S. L. Stacker

Posted May 18, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Macyn’s Letter
Series: Macyn McIntyre series #1
Author: S. L. Stacker
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery
Published: May 18, 2015 (original October 2013)
Publisher: Booktrope Editions
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

A near-death experience at the hands of her husband would cause any woman to cling to her crippling trust issues and dating phobia, and Macyn McIntyre is no exception. Falling into the lap of a sexy stranger may persuade her to change her mind, but before Macyn realizes what’s happening, a second potential love interest is vying for her affections.

When a threatening letter turns up in her mailbox, Macyn realizes choosing between two guys is the least of her worries. Abduction, violence, and rescue by an elite squad change the course of her life forever. When she seeks revenge on those who hurt her, she has to decide if she can trust the ones who vow they love her.

Will Macyn be able to overcome her past and use their aid in her vendetta, or will she take matters into her own hands?

Read on for my thoughts on Macyn’s Letter. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bet The House by Erika Marks

Posted May 14, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Bet The House
Series: Magnolia Bay #1 (A Lowcountry Love Story)
Author: Erika Marks
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 10, 2014
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Owned, Personal Collection
Synopsis:

Willamena Dunn is having a lousy week. Not only is her baby sister about to marry into the family of Dunn-Right Preservation’s biggest professional rival, but the historic bungalow of her dreams has just been bought by the most infuriating (not to mention exceedingly handsome and notoriously wicked) man to ever hammer a nail in Magnolia Bay, Knox Loveless.  

But when Knox offers her a wager she can’t refuse, a bet with the coveted bungalow as its prize, Willa is sure her bad luck might finally be turning around—until Knox surprises her with a passionate kiss, and suddenly all bets are off.

Could this be just another one of Knox Loveless’ games, or will two rivals finally surrender to a long-simmering attraction and declare a truce once and for all?

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

Review: Welcome to Temptation by Charlotte Hughes

Posted May 13, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Welcome To Temptation
Series:
Author: Charlotte Hughes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 14, 2015
Publisher: Authorfriendly
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Reckless, bad boy Cajun . . .

With a hurricane closing in on Temptation, Louisiana, Michelle Thurston fails to convince her stubborn grandmother to leave her home on the bayou. Sheriff Gator Landry arrives by boat, hell-bent on forcing the elderly recluse to evacuate. He is stunned to find Michelle, who was just 16 years old when he courted her one steamy summer.

Now, at 32, Michelle comes face-to-face with the man whose kisses tempted her to lose control, only this time there is no place to run. Although Gator is not about to leave the two women defenseless, Michelle can’t help but wonder if he is more dangerous to her than anything the storm can do.

Read on for my thoughts on Welcome to Temptation. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Where There’s A Will by Katherine Garbera & Eve Gaddy

Posted May 13, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Where There’s A Will
Series: Whiskey River #1
Author: Katherine Garbera & Eve Gaddy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 13, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Where There’s A Will…
Sexy attorney Ryder Ford always knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. But Addison Wells, his gorgeous secretary, is one woman he wants but can’t have. Or can he? One scorching, unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe is all that either have allowed. Addison is focused on her studies and becoming a lawyer herself and she plans to leave the dust of Whiskey River behind. Unless…

There’s A Way…
Addison has mastered ignoring her hotter than sin boss until one stormy day when a threatening tornado forces them to find shelter from the storm. Despite the fact that Addison is weeks from moving to another city, she finds herself breaking her own “no office romance” rule. She’s not meant to settle down—but how can she resist someone as persuasive and tempting as Ryder? She’s determined that he should be her going away present but will Ryder let her go that easily?

Read on for my thoughts on Where There’s A Will. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: His Blushing Bride by Dani Collins

Posted May 11, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: His Blushing Bride
Series: Montana Born Brides #2
Author: Dani Collins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 11, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Wedding fever has hit the little town of Marietta…

Piper Tierney is busy wrapping up the school year and planning the music for Marietta’s Wedding Of The Century. She does not need one of her parents’ backpacking hippies under foot. Except the guy they let stay in their house is so much more than the California couch-surfer he resembles. Before she knows it, she’s making time to make time, even though he’s only in town for a couple of weeks.

Taking a break from working on his doctorate in political science, Sebastian Bloom wants to reassure himself his sister isn’t making another mistake with her upcoming wedding to a Marietta rancher. He’s definitely not looking for a bride for himself. Marriage and family are a trap. But Piper is cute, funny, and wants to move on from her ex.

They agree to a no strings affair, but will they wind up tying the knot?

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

Review: When The Chips Are Down by Beth Rinyu

Posted May 10, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: When The Chips Are Down
Series: Three of a Kind #1
Author: Beth Rinyu
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 30, 2015
Publisher: Book Enthusiast Promotions
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Melanie Hanson’s life didn’t go quite the way she had planned. Her cheating ex-husband traded her in for a newer model and she’s in over her head dealing with the drama that comes along with raising her twin teenage daughters.

The last thing she is looking for or needs in her life is a man – or is it?

Ben Wilder is the boy that Melanie loved to hate throughout high school, the boy that all the girls loved and the boy that didn’t give Melanie the time of day, unless it was to tease her. When she runs into him once again she realizes…he’s not a boy anymore. Older and wiser, she’s determined not to fall for her secret crush from all those years ago. But sometimes our heart has different plans than our head. Will she finally get her happily ever after with the man she least expected to have it with?

Take a humorous journey with Melanie and her daughters as their lives begin to parallel and they discover that although they may be separated by a generation their struggles are still the same.

Read on for my thoughts on When The Chips Are Down. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Cinderella Had It Easy by Jennifer Conner

Posted May 9, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Cinderella Had It Easy
Series: The Cinderella Body Club #1
Author: Jennifer Conner
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Retelling
Published: March 23, 2015
Publisher: Books To Go Now
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Story one from the a new romance series of the timeless Cinderella story re imagined where four girlfriends make a wish on a locket. They all wish they were beautiful, and look like the girls they’ve always wanted to be. The belle of the ball.

Cami works in the basement of a television station which airs history documentaries. With scars on her face that she acquired in a car accident as a child, Cami finds it easier to be by herself. She gets into a heated debate with the handsome new host of the show she’ll be working on. Is Lance the knight in shining armor who can drag Cami out of her safe zone? With no carriage and no helpful mice, she has to rely on the magic from her grandmother’s locket.

Cami only has 24 hours in her Cinderella body, what will she do with it? Will she keep hiding or can she learn how to live life?

Read on for my thoughts on Cinderella Had It Easy. No true spoilers, promise.

The Consequence of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken

Posted May 9, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Consequence of Loving Colton
Series:
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 21, 2015
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

It’s all fun and games…until someone’s heart is broken.

They’re not kids anymore, but Milo Caro is certain that Colton Mathews will only see her as his best friend’s little sister for the rest of their lives. After all, he made that clear the night before she left for college. But four years later, her brother is getting married and Colt’s the best man—and guess who is the best man’s last-minute date?

Milo vows to use the wedding to either claim the smoldering firefighter’s heart or douse this torch for good. When Max—her best friend from college, who may be carrying a torch of his own—crashes the party, they devise a plan to make Colt see what he’s missing. But after Colt catches on, he decides to cook up his own revenge.

Now it’s personal. Colt and Milo are at war, and between Max’s questionable acting methods, an unfortunate trip to jail, and a maniacal fiancée, what could possibly go right?

Read on for my thoughts on The Consequence of Loving Colton. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: How I Wonder What You Are by Jane Lovering

Posted May 9, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: How I Wonder What You Are
Series:
Author: Jane Lovering
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 2014
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 4stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

It’s been over eighteen months since Molly Gilchrist has had a man (as her best friend, Caro, is so fond of reminding her) so when she as good as stumbles upon one on the moors one bitterly cold morning, it seems like the Universe is having a laugh at her expense.

But Phinn Baxter (that’s Doctor Phinneas Baxter) is no common drunkard, as Molly is soon to discover; with a PhD in astrophysics and a tortured past that is a match for Molly’s own disastrous love life.

Finding mysterious men on the moors isn’t the weirdest thing Molly has to contend with, however. There’s also those strange lights she keeps seeing in the sky. The ones she’s only started seeing since meeting Phinn.

Read on for my thoughts on How I Wonder What You Are. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: A Twist of Date by Susan Hatler

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

Title: A Twist of Date
Series: Better Date Than Never
Author: Susan Hatler
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 2014
Publisher: Hatco
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Melanie Porter has been dumped—again. When others accuse her of “being in love with being in love,” she agrees to let her best friend, Patti, step in and direct her dating life.

The Boyfriend Bylaws

Rule #1: No giving out your phone number until approved to do so.
Rule #2: Must obtain permission to accept any date invitation.
Rule #3: No bringing up marriage, kids or the future.
Rule #4: No going to first base without authorization.
Amended Rule #4: No going to first base, or any other base, without authorization.
Rule #5: No scribbling your first name with some guy’s last name. Ever.
Rule #6: New rules may be added as Patti Hartley deems necessary.
Memorize it, live by it, and happy dating!

Read on for my thoughts on A Twist of Date. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: A Wedding To Die For by Adrianne Lee

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

Title: A Wedding to Die For
Series: Weddingville #1
Author: Adrianne Lee
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

A hundred years ago, a tiny town on the Puget Sound attracted a passel of bachelors desperate to marry. Thanks to the miracle of mail order, they did, and Weddingville was born. Hollywood costumer Daryl Anne Blessing knows that story all too well, and she hasn’t missed it, or much else about her hometown—except for hunky photographer Seth Quinlan. Now Daryl Anne returns to Weddingville to see her best friend say I do… and witnesses a whole lot of something hitting the fan—and it’s not rice.

As the maid of honor, Daryl Anne must keep the bride calm, no matter what. But last time she checked, “what” didn’t include the bride’s estranged mother turning up, scandalizing the locals—and getting herself murdered. Nor did it include digging for clues with Seth, while trying to remember exactly why she left him behind. It’s quite a juggling act, even for a seasoned multi-tasker like Daryl Anne. She soon attracts lusty glances from Seth—and the attention of a killer who’s determined to take this town out of business.

Read on for my thoughts on A Wedding to Die For. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: There Goes The Bride by Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock

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

Title: There Goes The Bride
Series: Runaway Brides #3
Author: Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:

Hair stylist Lindsey Ballard hates answering questions about her family’s country music roots in Nashville. She’s been avoiding music producer, Myles Emery, at all costs, who’s trying to write a book on her famous relative. But he can’t get to her today. It’s her wedding day. Or so she thought…

When Lindsey suddenly needs to call off the ceremony to Atlanta’s popular mayoral candidate, she makes her getaway with the persuasive producer, all the while trying to ignore the chemistry between them that had never existed with her ex.

Myles Emery has his own reasons for needing the truth about a country music legend–secrets the Ballard family keeps closely guarded. But when he happens to catch Lindsey running out on her wedding, he knows his luck is about to change. Too bad Myles wants Lindsey on first sight and the attraction is making it complicated to stay on task. “Uncovering her secrets” begins to take on a whole new, delectable meaning.

Read on for my thoughts on There Goes the Bride. No true spoilers, promise.