Category: Contemporary Romance

Review: The Perfect Bargain by Jessa McAdams

Posted July 1, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Perfect Bargain
Series: How To Marry a Highlander #1
Author: Jessa McAdams (Julia London)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

American lass seeks brawny Scot…

As if being newly single isn’t brutal enough, Sloane Chatfield’s friends are getting obnoxious about setting her up. When Sloane insists she’s waiting for a certain sexy fictional Highlander to come along, her friends surprise her with a trip to Scotland to find her a new boyfriend. She’d rather have a root canal. But if she can find a Highland hunk to “break her heart” before her friends arrive…

In a remote Highland village, Galen Buchanan is struggling to keep the family pub afloat. Everything is falling apart, he’s running out of money, and now there’s an opinionated American lass parked at his best table, driving him mad. But then Sloane asks Galen to be her pretend Highland boyfriend…and offers him enough money to save the pub. It’s only for a few days, he figures. What’s the worst that could happen?

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

Review: Don’t Let Go by Sharla Lovelace

Posted July 1, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Don’t Let Go
Series:
Author: Sharla Lovelace
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Noah Ryan and Jules Doucette had spent every moment of their lives together, first as childhood best friends and later as young lovers. The two had their future all planned out—until one unspeakable decision tore them apart.

Twenty-six years later, Jules is living her life by someone else’s plan. She’s running her mother’s store, living in her mother’s house, following her mother’s rules, and keeping the secrets her mother made her bury.

Then Noah comes home, and any sense of order and structure flies out the window. Noah’s return does more than just stir up old memories—it also forces Jules to see her life in a whole new way and uncover secrets even she didn’t know were hidden. But can the power of first love triumph over years of pain and lies?

Read on for my thoughts on Don’t Let Go. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Red Carpet Kiss by Melissa Brown

Posted July 1, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Red Carpet Kiss
Series:
Author: Melissa Brown
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Amazon Publishing, Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After penning a series of bestselling novels, Eleanor Riley vowed to leave her past—and the man who broke her heart—far behind. As the creator of one of television’s most beloved dramas, Elle couldn’t have written a better comeback for herself. But her success doesn’t leave much room in her life for romance…until Luke Kingston enters the scene.

Luke, a stunningly handsome star, is set to play the latest love interest in Elle’s show…but he’s got his eye on Elle, and she can’t deny their sizzling chemistry. Then Elle has a chance encounter with Troy Saladino—the man who had been the love of her life—and suddenly a million old feelings are rushing back.

With two gorgeous men pursuing her, Elle can’t decide who holds the key to her heart: her new love or her old flame. Will her choice bring her happiness—or more heartbreak?

Read on for my thoughts on Red Carpet Kiss. 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: 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: Sleeping with the Boss by Marissa Clarke

Posted June 28, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Sleeping with the Boss
Series: The Anderson Brothers #1
Author: Marissa Clarke
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 11, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Seducing the enemy has never been so tempting…

For the last five years, bookish Claire Williams has been living for the dying. Now that her stint as caretaker is over, she’s off to see the world. She needs quick cash first, so a temp job at Anderson Auctions seems perfect, especially with the unexpected benefits, including the hottest man she’s ever laid eyes—or hands—on.

Former Marine William Anderson has been burned one time too many. His military training makes him the perfect man to flush out the spy undercutting his family business, but no amount of training can prepare him for the kind of undercover work he’ll have to do when the sexy new temp is implicated. Desire lands them in bed…but duty may cost him his heart.

Read on for my thoughts on Sleeping with the Boss. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Taming the Beast by Lucy King

Posted June 27, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Taming the Beast
Series: Fairy Tales of New York #3
Author: Lucy King
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 26, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Once upon a time, Mercedes ‘Mercy’ Hernandez had the most enormous crush on her best friend’s older brother, Seb Madison. Now, though, she can’t stand the beast. Forget that he’s as spine-tinglingly gorgeous as ever. He’s a lousy brother and a manipulative bastard, not that she ever thinks about that disastrous one night stand they once had…

Still riddled with guilt over the death of his parents, billionaire loner Seb Madison has spent so long emotionally shut off that when beautiful, fiery Mercy bursts into his life again, he doesn’t know what’s hit him. All he knows is that she confuses him and he doesn’t like it.

Yet their chemistry hasn’t faded and, when hostility turns to attraction, a no-strings affair seems the logical solution. Mercy’s taking a much needed break from her family’s Argentinian vineyard to study for an MBA and Seb doesn’t do relationships. Neither have either the time or inclination for anything other than weekends-only red-hot sex. Or do they.

Read on for my thoughts on Taming the Beast. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Breaking Clear by M J Summers

Posted June 26, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Breaking Clear
Series: Full Hearts #3
Author: M J Summers
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Harper Young is a talented, feisty art director at Style Magazine. Sitting at her desk one Tuesday morning she answers a call that will forever change the well-worn path of her life. Her father has had an accident and needs Harper to leave Manhattan to go home to Boulder, Colorado to care for him. Given an ultimatum by her heartless boss, she chooses family, leaving her career behind. She drives across the country to find that the only man to make her heart ache with desire will be her new neighbour.

Evan Donovan is a contractor who’s been dealt a rough hand when it comes to love. His wife, Lisa, left him just as the recession forced him to shut down his home building company. Now after three years of rebuilding, he is finally getting back on his feet again. When Harper drops back into his life, he does his level best to keep things on a ‘just friends’ level. Her older brother, Evan’s best friend, won’t take kindly to Evan dating Harper.

Proving that old flames are easily relit, Harper and Evan quickly find themselves in each other’s arms. But will Harper’s career come calling her back to New York when her father has recovered? Will a man whose heart has been snapped in pieces learn to trust again?

Lose yourself in Harper and Evan’s romantic journey as they fight for their forever.

Read on for my thoughts on Breaking Clear. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bound to the Sheikh by Carol Marinelli

Posted June 26, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Bound to the Sheikh
Series: International Bad Boys
Author: Carol Marinelli
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 22, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sheikh Ashim Al Raquar, Crown Prince of Alzaquan, knows he must return to his country and leave his playboy reputation far behind him. It will be a wild journey home, though—he intends to party on his yacht right to the edge of the desert. And then he meets Emily, a corporate flight attendant who’s in the south of France hoping to find herself after years of taking care of her husband.

A sensual, charismatic lover with a reputed dark edge to his bedroom skills is the very last thing Emily needs.

Read on for my thoughts on Bound to the Sheikh. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: One Night with the Tycoon by Katherine Garbera

Posted June 26, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: One Night with the Tycoon
Series: Whiskey River #3
Author: Katherine Garbera
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 21, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Meet the Kellys of Whiskey River, Texas, men who have always gone through life, and women, with their father’s legendary charm.

Wyatt Kelly, CEO of Kelly Boots, is rumored to do everything with his cowboy boots on, including seducing women into memorable one-night stands. Growing up the second eldest son of a philandering charmer, Wyatt’s seen first hand how messy relationships can get when the heart’s involved, and he’s determined to leave no scars. No woman’s tempted Wyatt to break his vow until he meets Juliette Rossi.

Juliette is all about business. She’s focused on turning the lavender farm she and her cousin inherited into a successful, world-wide company. Her meticulous plans are on the right track until she accepts a dare to spend the night with Wyatt after the annual Boots & Bangles Gala. Juliette’s fantasized about Wyatt for years… One night will get him out of her system for good, right?

Wrong.

Can she convince Wyatt that he’s more than his Kelly heritage? Will Wyatt agree that one night just isn’t enough?

Read on for my thoughts on One Night with the Tycoon. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabella Andover

Posted June 25, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Cocktails at Le Carmen
Series:
Author: Isabelle Andover
Genre: Chick-Lit, Contemporary Romance
Published: June 19, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Fig
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pas and inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.

Read on for my thoughts on Cocktails at Le Carmen. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Walker Pride by Bernadette Marie

Posted June 25, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Walker Pride
Series: The Walker Family #1
Author: Bernadette Marie
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 25, 2015
Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing
My Rating: 5 star
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Susan Hayes moved to Georgia to start the life she wanted to live and build her catering career. On the brink of having everything she ever wanted, Eric Walker and his family happened into her life.

Eric Walker’s life had been quiet, structured, and boring until his uncle gambled away the family’s property and jeopardized Eric’s livelihood. Now midst family secrets learned, someone ruining his business and trying to drive him off his land, he fell in love.

Things will never be the same for them—especially if someone succeeds in destroying the Walker family and killing Eric.

Read on for my thoughts on Walker Pride. No true spoilers, promise.