Do You Believe In Santa? by Sierra Donovan

Posted October 3, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Do You Believe In Santa?
Series: Evergreen Lane #1
Author: Sierra Donovan
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: September 29, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Books, Zebra
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Miracles don’t just happen on 34th Street. They can happen right in your living room—if you’re willing to believe…

What grown woman claims to have seen Santa Claus? Mandy Reese, for one—on a very special Christmas Eve when she was eight years old. These days, Mandy works at a year-round Christmas store in Tall Pine, California, where customers love to hear about her childhood encounter with Saint Nick. But when Jake Wyndham arrives in town—charming, gorgeous, extremely practical—Mandy faces a dilemma. Deny what she saw, or let Jake think she’s sugar plum crazy?

Jake scouts hotel locations all over the country, but he’s never met anyone quite like Mandy before. Her warmth and sparkle are irresistible, but…meeting Santa? Really? Jake’s no Scrooge but he’s definitely skeptical. Then again, there are all kinds of things Jake never experienced until he came to Tall Pine. Like autumn snow. Mind blowing kisses. And the magic of falling head-over-heels, madly in love.

Read on for my thoughts on Do You Believe In Santa? No true spoilers, promise.

Love’s A Witch by Hope Welsh

Posted October 3, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Love’s A Witch
Series: Karma’s Witches #2
Author: Hope Welsh
Genre: Halloween Romance, Paranormal Romance
Published: December 20, 2013
Publisher: HSW Books
My Rating: 4 spooky stars
Source: Borrowed, Kindle Unlimited
Cover Description:

Amethyst has been single, content and working as a nurse. All that changes on the night of the eclipse when she comes home only to find a book–a Book of Shadows–and a letter explaining that she’s not only got two sisters that she doesn’t know–but that she’s also a hereditary witch!

Things start happening that her logical mind just can’t process. Can she accept her new life?

When she meets the handsome Shawn at a street fair, the last thing she expected was to see him less than twenty-four hours later as a patient in her ER. Sometimes, Love’s just a Witch.

Read on for my thoughts on Love’s A Witch. No true spoilers, promise.

Better Date Than Never by Susan Hatler ~ Box Set 7-10

Posted October 2, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Better Date Than Never Boxed Set 7-10
Series: Better Date Than Never
Author: Susan Hatler
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 13, 2015
Publisher: Hatco Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Purchased
Cover Description:

This book bundle includes four contemporary romance books (one novel and three novellas) from the bestselling series, Better Date than Never. Dating is so much easier when you have good friends to lean on. . . .

(Driven to Date, Book 7)
When Jill Parnell’s promotion is nabbed by nepotism, she is offered another position on the partner-track, by pretending to date Ryan—the man who got her job.

(Up to Date, Book 8)
Ginger Nielsen donates her decorating services to a charity auction and now must work for the one man with the power to break her heart.

(Déjà Date, Book 9)
Melinda Morgan must complete her dad’s challenging Carpe Diem list in time to buy her beloved neighborhood bakery, but her plan gets complicated when the owner’s son, who broke her heart, comes back to town.

(Date and Dash, Book 10)
Mary Ann Nielsen, an impulsive blonde beauty, accidentally bids on the wrong auction item and must use her winning bid to go on a reality TV dating show and pretend to be in love with sexy but irritating risk management analyst Trevor Brooks in order to win enough money to buy back her beloved grandmother’s bracelet.

Read on for my thoughts on the Better Date Than Never Boxed Set of books 7-10. No true spoilers, promise.

Jaxson by Alisa Woods

Posted October 2, 2015 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: Jaxson
Series: River Pack Wolves #1
Author: Alisa Woods
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: September5, 2015
Publisher: Sworn Secrets Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Borrowed, Kindle Unlimited
Cover Description:

Three brothers. Three Secrets. One hope to save the shifters of Seattle.

Former SEAL Jaxson River would give his life for his brothers and his pack, but if he doesn’t claim a mate soon, he’ll be forced to step down as their alpha. There’s only one problem: Jaxson’s dark secret would kill any mate he claimed. With someone kidnapping shifters off the street—and only Jaxson and his brothers, Jace and Jared, to stop them—now is not the time for his secret to come out.

Curvy Olivia Lilyfield is a half-witch orphan with a dark secret of her own. She wants to atone for it by doing good in the world, so when she finds a wolf being tortured in an alley, she doesn’t hesitate to help… even though wolves and witches mix like matches and TNT.

Olivia’s dangerous magic means she can’t let anyone get too close—but Jaxson can’t keep his hands off her, and his kisses are more than she can resist. As they race to save the disappearing shifters of Seattle, the true danger lies in loving each other. They’re playing with magical fire… and their secrets could end up destroying them both.

Jaxson is a complete novel with HEA, the first in the River Pack Wolves trilogy (Jace and Jared coming soon).

Contains scorching shifter sex, alpha military heroes, and sexy witches. Only readers over 18 should dive into the deliciously hot world of the River brothers.

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

One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot

Posted October 2, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: One Wish in Manhattan
Series:
Author: Mandy Baggot
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 2, 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to fall in love

The temperature is dropping, snow is on its way and Hayley Walker is heading for New York with one wish on her mind…to start over.

With her nine year-old daughter Angel, Hayley is ready for an adventure. From hot chocolates and horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park, to ice-skating at the Rockefeller Centre, and Christmas shopping on 5th Avenue – they soon fall in love with the city that never sleeps.

But there’s more to New York than the bright twinkly lights and breathtaking skyscrapers. Angel has a Christmas wish of her own – to find her real dad.

While Hayley tries to fulfil her daughter’s wish, she crosses paths with Billionaire Oliver Drummond. Restless and bored with fast living, there’s something intriguing about him that has Hayley hooked.

Determined to make her daughter’s dream come true, can Hayley dare to think her own dreams might turn into reality – could A New York Christmas turn into a New York Forever?

Travel to the Big Apple this Christmas and join Hayley and Oliver as they both realise that life isn’t just about filling the minutes…it’s about making every moment count.

Read on for my thoughts on One Wish in Manhattan. No true spoilers, promise.

Life’s a Witch by Elizabeth A. Reeves

Posted October 2, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Life’s A Witch
Series: Karma’s Witches #1
Author: Elizabeth A. Reeves
Genre: Halloween Romance
Published: November 7, 2013
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 spooky stars
Source: Borrowed, Kindle Unlimited
Cover Description:

When life gives you lemons, some would say make lemonade.

Amber knows all about making lemonade. More than she wants to. But what do you do when you discover–out of the clear blue–that you’ve got a destiny you could have only imagined.

As a writer, Amber’s got quite an imagination–but even she didn’t imagine what was to come!

What do you do when a sexy cop seems to be flirting with you? When strange things begin to happen? Strange objects show up?

What do you do when you discover you’re not the only child you’d always believed you were?

Things are about to change drastically for Amber. Sometimes, Life’s a Witch!

Karma’s Witches Are Here!

Read on for my thoughts on Life’s A Witch. No true spoilers, promise.

Think About A Blogging Plan For 2016 Now

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

notebook morguefile We’re coming up on the busiest months of the year, for most families. Fall activities with the kids, maybe going on a weekender to see the beauty of the colorful fall leaves. Halloween parties and decorating. Thanksgiving with the entire family… and the mad dash for the Friday Shopping after the meal (or sooner). Then comes Christmas with all the wonderful parts of the holiday season. Yeah, I’m already tired just thinking about it.

Come January 2016 this blog will have been active almost every single day, for a year.. I missed a couple here and there. I had absolutely no plan. Totally by the seat of my jeans. And it’s been fun and a little successful. But I could do more, maybe differently, perhaps more efficiently.

So I believe now, months in advance is a good time to start thinking about what I want to accomplish in the coming year. Not floating around in my head but down on paper, decisions made and plans in place to get off to a roaring start in January. Now might be a good time for you too – before the holiday madness sets in, and time is one of the least things we have available for a clear thought.

Simply a thought. One that I’m starting on and I thought maybe you might want to at least think about it for your 2016 blogging plan.

Josette by Kathleen Bittner Roth

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Josette
Series: When Hearts Dare #3
Author: Kathleen Bittner Roth
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: September 29, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Books, Zebra
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

“Monsieur Andrews, welcome to my home.”

At the smoky, velvet sound, Cameron swung around. Every function in his body—heart, breath, blood ceased to function.

She was lovely. More than lovely.

Tendrils of raven hair framed a face so exquisite, it disarmed him. Her mouth, a soft, dewy pink, parted. And those eyes, as dark as Creole coffee, intelligent and assessing, roamed over him and then back to take hold of his. He needed to step closer, to stroke her skin. To possess her. But would his wealth and worldly experience be a match for the free-spirited Cajun-born widow?

Across the oceans, between worlds old and new—two lost souls find themselves at a crossroads.

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

Fated by Sarah Fine

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: Fated
Series: Servants of Fate #3
Author: Sarah Fine
Genre: Paranormal
Published: September 29, 2015
Publisher: 47North
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Aislin Ferry and Jason Moros have only days until they will be called to account before the Keepers of the Afterlife. Yet as they race to restore order and make their case, their worlds fall into total disarray.

Mutiny within the fractured Ferry family threatens Aislin’s hold on power and role as Charon. Meanwhile, the fearsome Lord of the Kere has family trouble of his own. Someone is unraveling the fabric of fate, and Moros suspects one of his supernatural siblings is behind the terrible bid to unleash Chaos.

Now unlikely allies, Aislin and Moros each need the other to escape the wrath of the Keepers. As the stakes rise, it becomes clear that protecting their respective empires is not the endgame. With the fate of all humanity dangling by a thread, Aislin and Moros must surrender completely to one another if they are to fight their common enemy. And as time runs out, someone must make the ultimate sacrifice.

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

Covington Cove – Kelly Moran

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

The amazing author, Kelly Moran just shared this beautiful video on Twitter. And I’m going to share it here – ‘cos it’s lovely and the books are great. Enjoy.

Snowflake Bay by Donna Kauffman

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

Title: Snowflake Bay
Series: The Brides of Blueberry Cove #2
Author: Donna Kauffman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 29, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Books, Zebra
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

There’s no place like seaside Blueberry Cove, Maine, at Christmas—and there’s nothing like a wedding, the warmth of the holidays, and an old crush, to create the perfect new start…

Interior designer Fiona McCrae has left fast-paced Manhattan to move back home to peaceful Blueberry Cove. But she’s barely arrived before she’s hooked into planning her big sister Hannah’s Christmas wedding—in less than seven weeks. The last thing she needs is for her first love, Ben Campbell, to return to neighboring Snowflake Bay…

As kids, Fiona was the bratty little sister Ben mercilessly teased—while pining after Hannah. But Fi never once thought of Ben like a brother. And that hasn’t changed. Except Fi is all grown up. Will Ben notice her now? More importantly, with her life in a jumble, should he? Or might the romance of the occasion, the spirit of the season, and the gifts of time ignite a long-held flame for many Christmases to come…

Something old might just become something new…

Read on for my thoughts on Snowflake Bay. No true spoilers, promise.

Spiral of Need by Suzanne Wright

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Spiral of Need
Series: The Mercury Pack #1
Author: Suzanne Wright
Genre: Paranormal Shifter Romance
Published: September 29, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Ally Marshall isn’t just a wolf shifter — she’s a Seer.

But a girl doesn’t exactly need special powers to know that Derren Hudson despises her entire kind. Disdain practically rolls off the Beta of the Mercury Pack . . . disdain mixed with a healthy dose of desire. And no matter how much the ruggedly handsome male appeals to her, this is one call of the wild she’s determined to ignore.

After one betrayal too many, Derren doesn’t have much use for Seers — except for Ally.

Forced into acting as her protector, he finds himself intensely and passionately drawn to the woman who incites his primal instinct to claim.

And when enemies target the pack, Ally’s gift may be just what the Mercury Pack needs.

Can he put his distrust aside, or will he force himself to turn his back on the one woman who makes his inner beast howl?

Read on for my thoughts on Spiral of Need. No true spoilers, promise.

Witch Weigh by Caroline Mickelson

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Witch Weigh
Series:
Author: Caroline Mickelson
Genre: Halloween Romance, Paranormal
Published: October 23, 2012
Publisher: Bon Accord Press
My Rating: 4 spooky stars
Source: Borrowed, Kindle Unlimited
Cover Description:

Tessa Von Hellengaard is a real witch. Magical spells aside, she’s snarky and selfish, and the other witches in her silent spell coven are fed up with her. Their plan to reform Tessa involves taking away her magic, saddling her with one hundred extra pounds and sending her to a weight loss spa. For good measure they call in Liam Kennedy, a charming and sexy fairy godfather, to teach her some manners.

Desperate to regain her magic and determined to shed the weight, Tessa soon realizes that protecting her heart from Liam will prove to be her greatest challenge.

Read on for my thoughts on Witch Weigh. No true spoilers, promise.

Halloween Romance Month

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

cat n pumpkins It’s almost time for witches and goblins and things that go bump in the night to show up at our front doors with pillowcases, fancy bags and containers held high for Halloween goodies.

I don’t “celebrate” Halloween – but I certainly do enjoy the fun, silly and spooky parts of this whole month leading up to Trick or Treat night.

This year I’m giving myself – and hopefully, you – a month long Halloween reading treat. Since I love Paranormal Romance novels it’s not unusual to find those types of book reviews here. So, I went looking for fun, quirky, silly at times but alway entertaining Halloween stories. I found a lot that I will be using my Kindle Unlimited plan on (the author still gets paid for my completing the story to the 100% mark) – as well as some that are on my own keeper bookshelves from years gone by.

So look for a daily dose of Halloween Romance from today until Halloween. If you have any favorites that you always enjoy this time of the year, please let me know in the comments so I can check them out. I always love finding new things to read.

For now, Happy Fall and here’s to a Spooky, Safe Halloween… and reading tons of fun stories.

October’s Blog Ahead Starts – Now

Posted October 1, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

It’s time again for the Blog Ahead Challenge from herding cats & burning soup and Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Yep, and it starts today. I have a particular plan for this October Blog Ahead event. I am a huge Christmas story junkie. Yes, I will read the side of a Christmas Card box, so I think I qualify as officially addicted. 🙂

Because I have so many favorites that I re-read during the days from Thanksgiving onward I decided to use the Blog Ahead challenge to get some of those posts and reviews ready now. That leaves more time to find new to me stories or new releases. Wicked mind here, folks. 😉

I also do a Halloween Romance category during October with a Halloween-ish story review daily. Since I love paranormal and read it all year long, for this one I try to simply find some fun and quirky Halloween styled stories to give myself and hopefully you a chuckle. So, I’m hoping to get at least a week of those done to give me some space without feeling rushed.

So, with my October Blog Ahead 2015 plan in place — I wish you fun and success. And if you have no clue what I’m talking about then visit the linked sites in the first line of this post to join in.

Okay, off to get some work done. Have Fun with it.