Category: This one’s a Keeper

Review: The Billionaire’s Final Stand by Melody Anne

Posted August 19, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

The Billionaire's Final StandTitle:  The Billionaire’s Final Stand
Series:  Billionaire Bachelors #7
Author:  Melody Anne
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 4, 2012
Publisher:
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  Borrowed, Kindle Unlimited
Cover Description:

When the head of the Anderson family, Joseph, gets into a life-changing automobile accident, his family struggles to find a way to survive if he doesn’t come out of the coma the accident has placed him in.

Austin Anderson is used to being single, but slowly he’s watched his siblings and cousins find true love, leaving him the final Anderson without a spouse. That’s all about to change when he meets Kinsey, who has him chasing her all across town. This couple has passion, love, and excitement, and both are determined to make it on their own, though, they are so much better together.

Listen to the heartfelt reminiscing of Katherine as she tells the story of her romance with Joseph as she sits by his bedside, never losing faith that he’ll come back to her.

Laugh along with the large family as they turn the tables and start plotting
against George as he tries to hide his growing feelings for Esther.

This final chapter in the Anderson family will leave you laughing, crying, and on a roller coaster of emotion as you once again step back into the world of the Anderson’s.

Read on for my thoughts on The Billionaire’s Final Stand.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Undone By His Kiss by Anabelle Bryant – Blog Tour

Posted August 19, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

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There are times when a novel comes along that invites you to sit back, relax and allow yourself to be transported to another time, another place.  Undone By His Kiss by Anabelle Bryant is such a novel.

Undone By His Kiss Story Description

Undone by His KissA most delicious challenge…

Experience has taught Emily Shaw that men are best avoided, so she’s determined to take her place in society alone and unrestrained by marriage. Renting a room in the heart of London, she establishes a Women’s League to promote equality between the sexes and teach women to be independent.

Jasper St David isn’t looking for distractions, but he’s fascinated by beautiful, fiercely opinionated Emily when she moves into the office above his. And when he learns of her determination never to succumb to male charms, he can’t help but see it as a challenge! After all, Jasper’s always found nothing more tantalising than the thrill of the chase…

Buy links:

Amazon UK    Amazon US    Nook   Goodreads 

 

A Mini-Review

Emily and Jasper may each seek independence in their own ways, but it certainly has set off sparks and disagreements between them.  Sharing spaces in the same building will bring them into each other’s paths often, and with interesting results.  Jasper has never been a man to back down from a challenge.  Emily has never desired a man enough to change her mind about the confusing creatures.  Put these two stubborn, intelligent, independence seeking people together and you will have fireworks of the most splendid explosions.

I enjoyed Undone By His Kiss tremendously.  And I have to admit that I enjoyed the secondary characters almost as much as the main couple.  There is a mystery here, as well as eccentric relatives, strong friendships and a love that will work hard to get beyond issues and events of the past in order to bring Jasper and Emily together.  And our couple have enough sparks going on between them to set a pile of fireworks ablaze.  Emily will discover that not every action of a man is a bid to strip away her own thoughts or her independence.  Jasper will find that what once was a challenge became a need that will not end until the stubborn woman he loves is at his side for a lifetime.

This is the second novel in Ms Bryant’s series, Regency Charms.  I adored the first, Defying the Earl, and I have no doubts at all that I will love the next novel in this series.  It is always an enjoyable touch to encounter characters from previous novels in a series.  For me, it ups the believability of the entire series, as no couple exists in a vacuum.  And a hint of who the next couple will be is also a winning point for me.  A series is a continuation of an overall arch that needs to include all of the characters, in some small way, to make it a true connecting series – to me.  That is just one of the reasons that I follow Ms Bryant’s series.  I get exactly what I’m looking for.. a believable story, endearing characters, a touch of mystery and a very, very good story. What more can a reader ask for?

My full review for Undone By His Kiss can be bound here:  My Review

A Bit About Anabelle Bryant

8131174Anabelle began reading at age three and never stopped. Her passion for reading soon turned into a passion for writing and an author was born. Happy to grab a suitcase if it ensures a new adventure, Anabelle finds endless inspiration in travel, especially imaginary jaunts into Regency England, a far cry from her home in New Jersey. Instead, her clever characters live out her daydreams because really, who wouldn’t want to dance with a handsome duke or kiss a wicked earl?

Though teaching keeps her grounded, photography, running and writing, counterbalance her wanderlust. Often found with her nose in a book, Anabelle earned her Master’s Degree and is completing her Doctorate Degree in education. Thrilled to be an author for Harlequin’s Carina line, Anabelle’s historical romances are character driven. She strives to provide a heartfelt connection between her hero, heroine, and the reader, believing the emotional journey on the path to true love is the most important bond. Clever secondary characters and lively conversation keep the pages turning.

Links for Ms Bryant:   Facebook    Twitter   Website

Final Thoughts

If you love Historical or Regency Romances this is a novel written for you.  Are series your passion?  Then hop on to this one because the stories are lively, the characters believable and the love flows from the pages.

My thanks to Anabelle Bryant and Jenny of  Neverland Blog Tours  for inviting me to be a part of this amazing blog tour.  Hope you found a great story to read and amazing new blogs to follow.
 

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Teaser Tuesday #13

Posted August 18, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 10 Comments

teaser tuesdayOne of the fun parts of taking part in blog hops (aside from getting to visit new to me blogs) is finding great ways to interact with other book lovers.  This is one:

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

Put Up Your Duke“We have invested a lot of time and capital with the promise that Isabella would one day be the Duchess of Gage.”  The countess spoke with a confident, arrogant tone that made Nicholas’s skin crawl even as he admired it.  She would not be distracted or deterred by anything he might do.

“You can see my predicament,” Nicholas replied, spreading his hands out.  “I have just found out that not only am I the duke, but that there is an impending duchess.  That’s a lot to digest within a mere twenty-four hours.”

“Of course,” the countess said, “but the truth of the matter is that this agreement was done in good faith and we expect the terms to be fulfilled, even if the representative has changed.”  He hoped to God that the countess’s daughter wasn’t nearly as terrifying.

 

 

I enjoy Historical or Regency Romance, and have a friend who supplies me with bags of them.  Last night I picked this novel off the top of the pile and was immediately charmed.  It’s good to have friends who love to read as much as you do.  🙂

Here is the story description should you find this taste interesting.

He was once happily bedding and boxing, but in the newest Duke’s Behaving Badly novel, Nicholas Smithfield has inherited a title and a bride . . .

To keep his estate afloat, the new Duke of Gage must honor an agreement to marry Lady Isabella Sawford. Stunningly beautiful, utterly tempting, she’s also a bag of wedding night nerves, so Nicholas decides to wait to do his duty—even if it means heading to the boxing saloon every day to punch away his frustration.

Groomed her whole life to become the perfect duchess, Isabella longs for independence, a dream that is gone forever. As her husband, Nicholas can do whatever he likes—but, to Isabella’s surprise, the notorious rake instead begins a gentle seduction that is melting every inch of her reserve, night by night . . .

To his utter shock, Nicholas discovers that no previous exploits were half as pleasurable as wooing his own wife. But has the realm’s most disreputable duke found the one woman who can bring him to his knees— and leave him there?

Mmmm… I love a reformed Rake, guess I just have a soft spot for bad boys no matter the era.

So, what are you reading?

 

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Undone By His Kiss by Anabelle Bryant

Posted August 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

Undone by His KissTitle:  Undone By His Kiss
Series:  Regency Charms
Author:  Anabelle Bryant
Genre:  Historical Romance
Published:  August 6, 2015
Publisher:  Carina UK
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Experience has taught Emily Shaw that men are best avoided, so she’s determined to take her place in society alone and unrestrained by marriage. Renting a room in the heart of London, she establishes a Women’s League to promote equality between the sexes and teach women to be independent.

Jasper St David isn’t looking for distractions, but he’s fascinated by beautiful, fiercely opinionated Emily when she moves into the office above his. And when he learns of her determination never to succumb to male charms, he can’t help but see it as a challenge! After all, Jasper’s always found nothing more tantalising than the thrill of the chase..

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

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Ruby’s Letters by Maggie Van Well

Posted August 15, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Ruby's LettersTitle:  Ruby’s Letters
Series:
Author:  Maggie Van Well
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Published:  October 10, 2014
Publisher:  Booktrope Publishing
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  Owned, Kindle Edition
Cover Description:

You never know what you’ll find behind the wall of a closed up fireplace.

Emma Hopkins is a recently divorced chimney sweep trying to make it in a man’s world. When she wins a huge job in Brooklyn Heights , she finds more than she bargains for; a sexy general contractor who makes her blood boil and an evil spirit who wants her dead.

Ryan Atkinson struggles to keep his once-successful general contracting business alive, but horrors in his past have made him a shell of the man he once was. Now he has to face those fears to save Emma from a murderous ghost hell-bent on revenge.

Together, Ryan and Emma become ghost hunting partners, hoping to solve the mystery behind Ruby’s letters. What they uncover is a one-hundred year old murder and a budding love that can’t be denied.

Read on for  my thoughts on Ruby’s Letters.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Review: Ghostly Liaison by Stacy McKitrick

Posted August 13, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

Ghostly LiaisonTitle:  Ghostly Liaison
Series:   Ghostly Encounters #1
Author:  Stacy McKitrick
Genre:  Paranormal
Published:  January 19, 2015
Publisher:  Lyrical Press
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  Owned, Kindle Edition
Cover Description:

When Rob’s sister passed away, she left him her dog and her house. He can handle the dog part, but he doesn’t need another home. Especially a fixer-upper the neighbor swears is haunted.

Then he meets Bridget, who’s working on getting her life back together after a car accident left her scarred in more ways than one. She can’t pass up Rob’s offer of free lodging, regardless of the shape it’s in. Or the roommate that’s part of the package. She’s never believed in ghosts, but now she’s living with one who wants Bridget’s help in catching a killer. There’s only one problem: the killer has unfinished business.

Read on for my thoughts on Ghostly Liaison.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Review: RavenStorm Witches – A Coven of Bitches by Misha McKenzie

Posted August 12, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

RavenStorm WitchesTitle:  RavenStorm Witches – A Coven of Bitches
Series:
Author:  Misha McKenzie
Genre:  Paranormal
Published:  May 15, 2015
Publisher:  Icasm Press
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

The RavenStorm Witches have taken the art of revenge to an all new level.

Hilarity ensues when Maeve and the rest of her Coven of Bitches take on the liars, manipulators, and bullies who’ve hurt or betrayed their loved ones.

And for those needing a little something extra… there’s always the stock from the better-off-dead potions cabinet.

Read on for my thoughts on RavenStorm Witches – A Coven of Bitches.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Review: Smoke on the Water by Lori Handeland

Posted August 5, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Smoke on the WaterTitle:  Smoke on the Water
Series:  Sisters of the Craft #3
Author:  Lori Handeland
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Published:  August 4, 2015
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Abandoned beneath a black willow tree on the banks of a northern Wisconsin creek, Willow Black spent her entire childhood in foster care. Her entire life she’s had terrifying visions, and it is these visions that eventually land her in a psychiatric facility. And so Willow takes her meds and believes she is getting better. Until she meets a fellow patient who doesn’t think she is crazy at all. She thinks Willow is a witch.

Willow’s psychiatrist, Dr. Sebastian Crane, works hard to resist his feeling that he and Willow are destined to be together while also working to convince her that strange occurrences aren’t the result of witchcraft… until he is thrown into the middle of a storm of supernatural events that can’t be explained any other way.

Reunited after four hundred years, three sisters join together to vanquish the power that tore them apart…and embrace the sorcery that is their birthright.

Abandoned as an infant, Willow Black spent her childhood in foster care, the object of whispers and pity…and rumors about being certifiably crazy. Telling your young friends that you can foresee the future-and summon the rain-is a surefire way to end up in the psychiatric ward. But when Dr. Sebastian Frasier arrives at the facility, Willow’s whole life takes a turn. Sebastian is the handsomest man she’s ever actually laid eyes on-even though he has been in Willow’s visions for years. But not even she could have predicted the storm of passion that engulfs them both. With Sebastian by her side, Willow is emboldened to embrace her history, and the sisters she never knew. Soon, the true power in her blood awakes-and the battle she was born to fight begins. While the tempest rages, Willow must depend on the friends and family she’s found-and the man she has loved forever.

Read on for my thoughts on Smoke on the Water.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Review: Midnight Kiss by Nancy Gideon

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

Midnight KissTitle:  Midnight Kiss
Series:  Touched by Midnight #1, Midnight #1
Author:  Nancy Gideon
Genre:  Paranormal
Published:  July 12, 2015 ebook edition (original May 1, 1994 by Pinnacle)
Publisher:  ImaJinn Books
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley (& an original paperback owned)
Cover Description:

Hunt or be hunted . . . A centuries old obsession stalks a noble family fighting to hide their dark secret from an ever-changing world. Sink your teeth into Nancy Gideon’s Touched by Midnight series.

A DARK CURSE

Miss Arabella Howland is content to forgo the London marriage mill to assist her father in his research, especially when it comes to his intriguing patient, Louis Radman. But it’s not long before Bella’s curiosity alerts her to the danger of her father’s work . . . and to the fact that Louis is not who or what he seems.

A BRIGHT PROMISE

After centuries struggling with his vile existence, Louis Radman will soon be free of his affliction, thanks to his very capable physician. Unfortunately, his heart is less secure around the man’s tempting daughter. His yearning to walk in the light once more is complicated by his desire for the delightful Bella, who is as intelligent as she is fearless. But if history has taught him anything, it’s not to tempt fate.

AN UNFORGIVING PAST

Still, happiness has a price and Louis is soon reminded that mortality comes with unfortunate limitations. To protect his new bride, he must face the demons from his past who wish to pull him back into their vampiric fold.

Yet, if he’s forced to return to his midnight world, will he lose his beloved Bella forever?

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

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Review: Unbound by Emily Goodwin

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

Unbound amazonTitle:  Unbound
Series:  The Guardian Legacies #1
Author:  Emily Goodwin
Genre:  Paranormal
Published:  July 27, 2015 (original 2011)
Publisher:
My Rating:  3 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

The world of ghosts and spirits is nothing new to Anora Benson; she’s spent her whole life trying to ignore them, trying to be normal. But when the Pricolici, a group of ancient bounty hunters, are sent after her, Anora realizes she is more than just a medium.

As a witch she has power, power she doesn’t know how to use, power that makes her vulnerable to the demons that desire her gifts. Anora is alone and scared, forced to face the darkness on her own.

Then she meets Ethan, a handsome and mysterious stranger who shows up in her life right along with the magic, and he seems to know quite a bit about her and the Coven she hails from. Will she risk everything by trusting him or risk fighting alone?

Read on for my thoughts on Unbound.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Review: Dragon Fall by Katie MacAlister

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

Dragon FallTitle:  Dragon Fall
Series:  Black Dragons #1
Author:  Katie macAlister
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Published:  July 28, 2015
Publisher:  Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

YOU FLIRT WITH FIRE…

For Aoife Dakar, seeing is believing-and she’s seen some extraordinary things. It’s too bad no one else believes that she witnessed a supernatural murder at an outdoor fair. Returning to the scene for proof, Aoife encounters a wise-cracking demon dog-and a gloriously naked man who can shift into a dragon and kiss like a god. Now thrust into a fantastical world that’s both exhilarating and terrifying, Aoife is about to learn just how hot a dragon’s fire burns.

WHEN YOU DATE A DRAGON

Kostya has no time for a human woman with endless questions, no matter how gorgeous or tempting she is. He must break the curse that has splintered the dragon clans before more of his kind die. But his powerful attraction to Aoife runs much deeper than the physical-and there may be more to her than even his sharp dragon eyes can see. To survive the coming battle for the fate of his race, he needs a mate of true heart and soul.

Read on for my thoughts on Dragon Fall.  No true spoilers, promise.

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