The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen

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

Title: The Reluctant Duchess
Series:
Author: Sharon Cullen
Genre: Regency Romance
Published: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Loveswept
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Lady Sara Emerson was jolted out of her dull provincial life by her cousin’s murder. Now that the killer seems to be targeting her, Sara seeks help from the man who was once her cousin’s fiancé, Gabriel Ferguson, Duke of Rossmoyne. With his towering frame and fiery personality, Ross cuts an intimidating figure. Living under his protection, however, has its own hazards—like the sudden urge Sara feels to take their relationship in new, exquisitely inappropriate directions.

Dazzled by the social graces of his betrothed, Ross never noticed her shy, blushing cousin. Looking at Sara now, though, he’s drawn to her lovely eyes and calm disposition. Funny how a year away from the hustle and bustle of the ton changes a man. But Ross has no intention of allowing a woman to interfere with his plan to return overseas. He will simply capture the murderer and set sail once again. The problem is, with her beguiling lips and heavenly touch, Sara makes him never want to leave home—or his bed—again.

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

Last Chance Christmas by Joanne Rock

Posted November 15, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Last Chance Christmas
Series:
Author: Joanne Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 11, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Fashion buyer Shea Walker had a fast track lifestyle until a car accident sidelines her to a painful recovery. Seeking quiet for the holidays, Shea returns to the snowy mountains where she grew up to make peace with her past and spend time with her estranged family. She never expected J.C. Royce–now a hockey star–would return to their hometown, too. Determined to avoid that particular sexy mistake, she’s caught off guard when her first night in town brings them face to face.

Seeing Shea practically fall at his feet is gratifying, until J.C. realizes his proud former friend, who he once thought would become a whole lot more, is truly hurt–and in more ways than she lets on. Lucky for Shea, he’s got a big house just sitting empty and a tree ready to decorate, as she is in no shape to stay by herself. With his bad boy arrogance down to an art form after eight years in the NHL, J.C. is more than a match for feisty Shea. Especially when it comes to her outrageous claim that there was never any chemistry between them…

But when it comes to convincing her to stick around town until the New Year, he just might need a Christmas miracle.

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

Nirvana by J. R. Stewart

Posted November 15, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Nirvana
Series: Nirvana #1
Author: JR Stewart
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi, YA
Published: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Blue Moon
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?

Animal activist and punk rock star Larissa Kenders lives in a dystopian world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the disappearance of her soulmate, Andrew, Kenders finds solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world controlled by Hexagon. In Nirvana, anyone’s deepest desires may be realized – even visits with Andrew.

Although Kenders knows that this version of Andrew is virtual, when he asks for her assistance revealing Hexagon’s dark secret, she cannot help but comply. Soon after, Kenders and her closest allies find themselves in a battle with Hexagon, the very institution they have been taught to trust. After uncovering much more than she expected, Kenders’ biggest challenge is determining what is real – and what is virtual.

Nirvana is a fast-paced, page-turning young adult novel combining elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance. Part of a trilogy, this book introduces readers to a young woman who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so..

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

Jared by Alisa Woods

Posted November 14, 2015 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: Jared
Series: River Pack Wolves #3
Author: Alisa Woods
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: November 3, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Borrowed, Kindle Unlimited
Cover Description:

He was broken by the war. She has a secret that will destroy her family.

Ex-Marine sniper Jared River left the war, but the war never really left him. He’s a broken wolf who’s only good for one thing now—killing men. And he’s peering down his scope at Senator Krepky, the anti-shifter politician about to ruin the lives of all the shifters Jared loves.

Grace Krepky is the daughter of the Senator, a good girl with a passion for her father’s politics and who’s earned her way into being his campaign manager. Only problem? She’s secretly a shifter… and the clock is ticking until her own father inadvertently forces that secret into the open, ruining both their lives.

Jared’s all set to pull the trigger when he sees something shocking through the Senator’s glass walls—his daughter is a wolf. Jared puts his gun aside to go after the fleeing girl, but he already knows this can only end in one of two ways—either he’ll convince her to reveal herself to the Senator and stop his anti-shifter legislation, or Jared will have to assassinate her father.

If only she wasn’t making him come alive again…

Only readers over 18 should dive into the deliciously hot world of the River brothers.

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

A Bad Boy For Christmas by Kelly Hunter

Posted November 14, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: A Bad Boy For Christmas
Series: International Bad Boys
Author: Kelly Hunter
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 13, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

How can he protect his family when he no longer knows what family is?

Cutter Jackson’s perfect world is crumbling. A new-found half-brother, a father short on answers, and a woman who challenges his every word will do that to a man. He’s losing his authority, his morality and his restraint with every breath. And there’s still Christmas and New Year to navigate.

Street-savvy Mia Blake isn’t looking for a place in the family Cutter loves so much. As for the lust that sparks between them, Mia’s more than happy to fan those flames and drive them both a little nuts. She can handle it. She can handle him right up until the moment Cutter decides he wants more than a holiday fling.

Read on for my thoughts on A Bad Boy For Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

The Art of Christmas by Jane Lovering

Posted November 14, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Art of Christmas
Series:
Author: Jane Lovering
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 13, 2015
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

What if the memories of Christmas past were getting in the way of Christmas future?

It’s been nearly two years since Harriet lost Jonno, but she’s finally decided that it’s time to celebrate Christmas again.

Then she finds a stash of graphic novels belonging to her comic book-loving husband in the attic, and suddenly her world is turned upside down once more.

With the help of eccentric comic book dealer Kell Foxton, she discovers that the comics collected by Jonno are not only extremely valuable, but also hold the key to his secret life – a life that throws Harriet’s entire marriage and every memory she has of her husband into question.

As Harriet grows closer to Kell, she begins to feel like she could learn to love Christmas again – but first, she needs to know the truth.

Read on for my thoughts on The Art of Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

Friday’s Quote

Posted November 13, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” ~ George Eliot

The Twelve Days of Seduction by Eva Devon

Posted November 13, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Twelve Days of Seduction
Series:
Author: Eva Devon/Marie Claremont
Genre: Regency Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: December 30, 2013
Publisher: Entangled
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Alexander Hunt, Eighth Duke of Berresford, is aware his ward’s governess misrepresented herself to gain employment, and he’s quite displeased, even if she is one of the most intelligent women he’s ever met. His ward deserves a reputable governess, so he threatens to give Adriana the sack mere days before Christmas.

Desperate to convince the sexy duke not to tear her from the little girl she’s grown to adore, Adriana challenges him to prove she’s not the reputable governess he believed he hired. If he can seduce her before the Twelve Days of Christmas have come to an end, she will leave without protest.

But when they find the challenge more difficult than either imagined, can they face the consequences of their decisions?

Read on for my thoughts on The Twelve Days of Seduction. No true spoilers, promise.

Falling For Christmas by Kate Hewitt

Posted November 12, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Falling For Christmas
Series: prequel Falling For The Freemans
Author: Kate Hewitt
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 9, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Welcome to Creighton Falls, New York… a town time forgot where miracles happen…

Glamorous city girl Hannah Ford wasn’t thinking when she walked out of a Christmas party and drove three hundred miles into a snowstorm; she just needed to escape. Thankfully local carpenter Sam Taylor comes to her rescue, and the unlikely pair are forced to spend a snowed-in Christmas together.

All Sam planned for Christmas was to get drunk alone. The holiday has always been something to be endured, until Hannah tumbles into his life, making it magical. Now Hannah and Sam have a chance to have a Christmas together… and make it the best one either of them have ever had.

But can one night out of reality turn into something that’s lasting and real?

Read on for my thoughts on Falling For Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

The Christmas Secret by Jeannie Watt

Posted November 11, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: The Christmas Secret
Series: Secrets of Cherry Lake, Cherry Lake Christmas
Author: Jeannie Watt
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 5, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Trapped in a cabin in a raging blizzard with the one man on earth who could turn her world upside down…this Christmas holiday was not playing out at all the way Lil Reynolds had planned. Not even close.

When Lil’s former fiancé chose to marry on Christmas Eve—the day he and Lil had planned to marry one year ago—she knew she had to get out of town for the holidays. Heading to the isolated family cabin seemed like the perfect solution, until the blizzard came…and a man showed up at her door in the heart of the storm. Casey Lanigan. Her ex-fiancé’s brother. A man with whom she shared a secret summer romance many years ago. A man who’d betrayed her trust. A man who, despite everything, still made her heart beat a little harder…

So much for a Lanigan-free holiday.

Read on for my thoughts on The Christmas Secret. No true spoiler, promise.

Finding Christmas by Jeannie Moon

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

Title: Finding Christmas
Series:
Author: Jeannie Moon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 5, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Small town Holly Point wasn’t big enough to hold the dreams of golden girl Maggie Benson. So when she left at eighteen, she flew right through college and into the adrenaline-pumping life of a navy fighter pilot. But without warning, a devastating crash destroys the career she loves and sends her back to her overly protective family to heal. Maggie can’t imagine how she can reconnect with the woman she was until the hot local high school basketball coach steps up to show her the way.

Former NBA star Will Fitzgerald knows how an injury can derail more than a career. Still, he’s happy with his life as a teacher and coach at Holly Point High School, until his quiet life is upended by the beautiful, brilliant, and hurting Maggie. Blindsided by the intense attraction, Will wonders if pursuing the woman of his dreams will answer the question of what’s been missing in his life.

Can Maggie trust enough again to let Will past her wounds, inside and out, so that they can both find the Christmas magic they’ve been searching for?

Read on for my thoughts on Finding Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

The Earl’s Christmas Colt by Rebecca Thomas

Posted November 11, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Earl’s Christmas Colt
Series:
Author: Rebecca Thomas
Genre: Regency Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: December 30, 2013
Publisher: Entangled
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Lady Arabella Sutton is stunned to learn her brother has betrothed her to a stranger despite his promises for a season in London. Although she is the first to admit no man would suit, since she’s more interested in horses than marriage, the last thing she wants is to become a brood mare to a stuffy old earl. Facing a future she cannot abide, she takes an impetuous ride to clear her head and ends up tending her injured mare instead. 

Oliver Westwyck, the Earl of Marsdale, can’t believe his luck when he stops at an inn the night before he’s to meet his fiancée. In the stable, while tending the colt he intends to give to his future wife, he happens upon her—rain-drenched but beautiful. She assumes he’s a stable hand, a fine joke he means to end…until Lady Arabella declares all noblemen are egotistical, conceited, and arrogant. How can he reveal his true identity before he’s managed to change her mind and win her heart?

Read on for my thoughts on The Earl’s Christmas Colt. No true spoilers, promise.

Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince by Ella Quinn

Posted November 10, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince
Series: The Marriage Game #8
Author: Ella Quinn
Genre: Regency Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Lyrical Press
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

In the two seasons since her triumphant debut, Meg Featherton’s heart has been tested to its limits. Her first suitor: a criminal. The second, a cad. For her third act, Meg vows to leave love completely out of the marriage equation. She has set her sights on a newly made viscount whom she could take or leave. However, now she must avoid his handsome, roguish, irresistible best friend like the plague. It’s no easy feat, as they are all attending the same house party…

Damon, Marquis of Hawksworth, cannot imagine why Miss Featherton seems so damn disinterested—or why he cares so terribly much. Certainly Meg is a fine wifely prospect for a man in his position, but more than that, he finds he longs for her as he has never done for another woman. She may be determined to protect her heart, but Damon is equally set on winning her over, one delicious kiss at a time.

Read on for my thoughts on Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince. No true spoilers, promise.

Winter’s Fairytale by Maxine Morrey

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

Title: Winter’s Fairytale
Series:
Author: Maxine Morrey
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Carina
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Step into a winter wonderland and fall in love in the snow this Christmas…
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…

A few weeks before Christmas and a sudden blanketing of snow has closed the roads and brought public transport grinding to a halt, stranding Izzy miles from home and in desperate need of rescuing.

That doesn’t mean she’s looking to bump into Rob and spend a cosy weekend holed up in his swanky flat watching London become a winter wonderland! Because Izzy and Rob have history…

Six months ago, they were standing in the vestry of a beautiful country church, while best man Rob delivered the news that every bride dreads on their big day.

But at the time of year when anything is possible, can Rob and Izzy let go of the past and let Christmas work its magic? Or will this be one holiday wish that Izzy lets walk right out of her life.

Read on for my thoughts on Winter’s Fairytale. No true spoilers, promise.

His Witch To Keep by Zoe Forward

Posted November 10, 2015 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: His Witch To Keep
Series: Keepers of the Veil #2
Author: Zoe Forward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: November 9, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Covet
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Wanting her was one thing. Keeping her was another…

Serenity Danssaert was already in way over her head. Not even her MI6 training or her powers as one of the seven Pleiades witches is going to save her sister. Then Alexi Jovec shows up. A secret operative working for unknown forces, he’s impossibly sexy and dangerous…and the guy who bailed on Serenity after a red-hot, racy night.

So bonding to him as her destined—the One—is so very wrong.

While Alexi’s need to own Serenity—body, soul, and beyond—is nearly unbearable, it’s also forbidden. He’s the last man who could ever be her destined. Besides, Hades’s right-hand man cannot bond with a chosen Pleiades witch. He may be the one man who can protect her, but she can never be his to keep.

Read on for my thoughts on His Witch To Keep. No true spoilers, promise.