The Christmas Curse by Erika Marks

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

Title: The Christmas Curse
Series: Loveless and Dunn #6
Author: Erika marks
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 1, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After three holiday heartbreaks in a row, caterer Emily Landon is determined to break her Christmas Curse–and what better way than to spend Christmas at the remote inn, Angel’s Landing, where her recently cold-footed boyfriend can’t reach her to break things off.

For small-town veterinarian Griffin Boone, the holidays always find him falling in love with the wrong woman–but this year he has a fail-proof plan to keep his heart safe: One last house call to Angel’s Landing and the aging Golden Retriever, Sassy and he’s heading to a cabin in the woods to hide out until the New Year.

But when an ice storm strands Griffin at the inn with Emily, everyone’s careful holiday plans are tossed like last year’s tree.

Will unexpected attraction confirm Griffin and Emily’s worst fears–or could this year’s Christmas Curse be a blessing in disguise?

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

The Alpha’s Temporary Mate by Victoria Davies

Posted November 10, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 2 Comments

Title: The Alpha’s Temporary Mate
Series: Fated Mates #3
Author: Victoria Davies
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: November 9, 2015
Publisher: Entangled
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Fated Match has spent centuries pairing supernatural mates together. Witch and matchmaker, Chloe Donovan, takes pride in helping her clients find their happy endings. But when werewolf alpha and millionaire playboy Kieran Clearwater stalks into her office, she may have finally met the one man she can’t help.

Kieran has no intention of finding his mate. Love is a weakness he can’t afford. But with his pack growing more concerned over his single status he, needs to assure them all is well. What better way to do so than to hire a fake girlfriend he can parade around at the annual pack retreat?

Chloe is coerced into becoming the wolf’s temporary mate, but she’s determined to keep their agreement professional. But her seductive partner in crime has other ideas, and his considerable charm makes it difficult for her to keep her eye on the prize. While these two burn hot when they’re together, behind-the-scenes politics work to rip them apart.

Read on for my thoughts on The Alpha’s Temporary Mate. No true spoilers, promise.

Falling For Her Enemy by Victoria James

Posted November 9, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments

Title: Falling For Her Enemy
Series: Still Harbor #2
Author: Victoria James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 9, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

She’s falling for the one man who could destroy everything…

Alex McAllister always dreamed of a life filled with the laughter and love of a family, but being abandoned at a young age left her wary of letting anyone in. Now that she’s settled in Still Harbor, Alex struggles between keeping her distance and the magnetic pull of the handsome stranger who claims he’s the biological father of her adopted daughter.

Hayden Brooks never wanted to be a father. Long hours spent building his family’s real estate empire suits him just fine. But when he discovers an ex put the baby he unknowingly fathered up for adoption, his world crumbles. He tracks the child to Still Harbor with the intention of bringing her home—and comes face to face with his daughter’s stunning adoptive mother.

The paternity test is in. And Hayden’s about to make the most shocking decision of his life, just in time for Christmas.

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

Heartsong Cottage by Emily March

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

Title: Heartsong Cottage
Series: Eternity Springs #10
Author: Emily March
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 3, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Daniel Garrett is no stranger to heartache or tragedy. Once a successful detective, his world fell apart with his son’s murder and his wife’s suicide. Leaving the police force, Daniel devotes his life to finding missing children, but when a case goes sour on the anniversary of his personal tragedy, he returns to Eternity Springs hoping for some of the town’s fabled healing.

Shannon O’Toole isn’t looking for romance. After her fiancé’s death, she closed off her heart. But she can’t deny the spark between her and a sexy stranger at a friend’s wedding. Shannon has her own secrets and has no place in her life for a private detective, even one who moves her as much as Daniel. But when the pair are thrown together on a case, the magic of Eternity Springs just might give them a second chance.

Read on for my thoughts on Heartsong Cottage. No true spoilers, promise.

The Sheikh’s Purrfect Lover by Elizabeth Oakley

Posted November 8, 2015 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: The Sheikh’s Purrfect Lover
Series: Sheikh Shifters #1
Author: Elizabeth Oakley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: November 1, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Environmentalist Mel Sykes has come all the way to Saudi Arabia to protect a rare group of tigers. With their habitat threatened by a proposed pipeline, she’ll do all she can to ensure their safety. But what she discovers goes even deeper. With tall, handsome Karim Khazi by her side, Mel becomes enmeshed in a feud between two families whose secrets are wilder than she ever imagined.

Karim is caught off guard by the curvaceous beauty who arrives to help the tigers. His instincts are screaming to protect her, but he will do all he can to keep the family secret safe. Little does Mel know that the feud between the Khazi and Shashi families goes well beyond oil. Karim and his family are shifters—half man, half tiger—and the Shashi are determined to put an end to their bloodline.

As they work together, Karim struggles to protect Mel from the danger all around her. But as Mel falls further under Karim’s spell, secrets are revealed that could change everything.

Read on for my thoughts on The Sheikh’s Purrfect Lover. No true spoilers, promise.

Roped By The Bear by Meredith Clarke

Posted November 8, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Roped By The Bear
Series:
Author: Meredith Clarke
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: November 3, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Finn has always been alone. His father, a bear clan leader, abandoned him years before. His boss at the ranch is disgusted by shifters, and Finn is just dirt beneath his heel, but he longs for acceptance and the love that was always denied him.

Allie’s life has sucked ever since her mother died. Inside her father’s ranch, relationships are as cold as the harsh Colorado winters.

A fateful snowstorm throws them together, and when they’re stuck in a cabin together for a weekend, sparks fly between the two damaged and lonely lovers.

But now, they have to hide their relationship from Allie’s father… and the man she was arranged to be married to.

Can the heat of their passion melt the coldness of those closest to them?

Read on for my thoughts on Roped By The Bear. No true spoilers, promise.

One Christmas Wish by Sara Richardson

Posted November 7, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: One Christmas Wish
Series: Hearts of the Rockies
Author: Sara Richardson
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 3, 2015
Publisher: Forever Yours (Grand Central Publishing)
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

There’s nothing like a Christmas wedding to warm a girl’s heart—or to distract everyone else from the fact that one particular bridesmaid intends to quickly skip town. Julia Noble’s accident was years ago, and she’s tired of being overprotected. She needs to be on her own. But before she flees Aspen, Colorado, Julia wants to make sure her brother has the perfect wedding and all her ducks are in a row. Yet duty soon turns to pleasure when three days before the big day Julia runs into the only man she ever dreamed of marrying.

Fresh out of the navy, Isaac Nash just wants to feel normal again. But starting his new life means winning back the girl who captured his heart years ago. Isaac didn’t know the truth behind the tragedy that changed Julia’s life forever, and he can’t stop blaming himself for not being there for her. After all this time, he knows that Julia is what he wants, this and every Christmas. Now Isaac just has to convince her that she’s earned a miracle, too.

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

Bella and the Beast by Olivia Drake

Posted November 7, 2015 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: Bella and the Beast
Series: Cinderella Sisterhood #4
Author: Olivia Drake
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Published: November 3, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
My Rating: 3 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

OF ALL THE FABLED TREASURES
Bella Jones feels like a fish out of water in civilized England. Raised abroad by her explorer father, she’s amused by the very proper manners of the nobility. Nevertheless, to save her younger siblings from ruin, she must infiltrate a ducal household in order to find the map to an ancient treasure trove. Alas, the haughty, handsome duke stands in her way…unless she can tame his beastly temper, that is.

THE MOST PRECIOUS ONE IS LOVE
Miles Grayson, the Duke of Aylwin, prefers antiquities to, well, everything else. Especially prying females with their irksome questions. But Bella’s blue eyes and beguiling smile are improbably charming, and the temptation of her kiss is impossible to resist. As the pair is swept into a mystery that reaches back to their childhoods, Miles realizes that Bella has made the rarest discovery of all-the key to his heart…

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

A Christmas Homecoming by Melissa McClone

Posted November 6, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: A Christmas Homecoming
Series: Bar V5 Ranch, Montana Born Christmas
Author: Melissa McClone
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 29, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

A kiss is just a kiss…

Unless it’s under the mistletoe.

Ellie Smith is determined to make up for Christmases past by spreading holiday cheer throughout the Bar V5 dude ranch, but tech “bah, humbug” billionaire, Josiah Whittaker, refuses to bask in the spirit of the season.

Unwilling to let the geek-to-gorgeous Josiah win, Ellie plans to give him a Christmas he’ll never forget. But after a simple kiss under the mistletoe, Ellie and Josiah both start questioning everything. Can Christmas really bring the gift neither one of them were expecting: true love?

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

Walk Through Fire by Kristen Ashley

Posted November 6, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Walk Through Fire
Series: Chaos #4
Author: Kristen Ashley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 27, 2015
Publisher: Forever
My Rating: 5+ stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Millie Cross knows what it’s like to burn for someone. She was young and wild and he was fierce and even wilder-a Chaos biker who made her heart pound. They fell in love at first sight and life was good, until she learned she couldn’t be the woman he needed and made it so he had no choice but to walk away. Twenty years later, Millie’s chance run-in with her old flame sparks a desire she just can’t ignore. And this time, she won’t let him ride off . . .

Bad boy Logan “High” Judd has seen his share of troubles with the law. Yet it was a beautiful woman who broke him. After ending a loveless marriage, High is shocked when his true love walks back into his life. Millie is still gorgeous, but she’s just a ghost of her former self. High’s intrigued at the change, but her betrayal cut him deep-and he doesn’t want to get burned again. As High sinks into meting out vengeance for Millie’s betrayal, he’ll break all over again when he realizes just how Millie walked through fire for her man.

Read on for my thoughts on Walk Through Fire. No true spoilers, promise.

His Christmas Gift by Sarah Mayberry

Posted November 6, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: His Christmas Gift
Series: Montana Born Christmas
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: November 2, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Since tragedy estranged defense attorney Jenna Macintosh from her family, she’s done her best to pretend Christmas doesn’t exist. Not so easy this year when she needs to work with client Lacey Gallagher, who is living on her brother Sawyer’s Christmas tree farm. All those fragrant pines dripping with twinkling lights are bad enough, but when disaster strikes, Jenna is stuck alone in a wooded cabin with Sawyer, the hottest man she’s ever met.

Experience has taught Sawyer Gallagher that smart city women like Jenna don’t want men like him, but when Jenna falls ill, he must abandon his plan to keep his distance and soon he’s trying to work out ways to make her his—and not just for Christmas.

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

Three Nights Before Christmas by Kat Latham

Posted November 6, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 1 Comment

Title: Three Nights Before Christmas
Series: Montana Born Christmas
Author: Kat Latham
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 25, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After three years in prison, freight train engineer Lacey Gallagher doesn’t expect this Christmas to be very merry and bright. At least chopping down trees for her brother’s Christmas tree farm will help her save money to get her life back on track. All her plans derail, though, when her new job puts her in territory patrolled by the man who haunts her dreams—the forest ranger who sent her to prison.

Austin Wilder isn’t thrilled about Lacey working in his forest—but he soon realizes he needs her help. His family is depending on him to restore an old steam train for a spectacular Christmas event, and train expert Lacey is his only hope of finishing in time.

Working together challenges every assumption Lacey and Austin have about each other, and they discover a desire hot enough to melt even the deepest Montana snow. But will the season of second chances be enough to mend the most hardened broken heart?

Read on for my thoughts on Three Nights Before Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

2016 New To You Reading Challenge

Posted November 6, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

This Reading Challenge is simply for pure fun — and adventuring out beyond my own comfort zone in the genres that I don’t normally read.

I honestly don’t intend to get caught up in Challenge madness this year. The three Challenges that I’ve posted about this morning will probably be the only ones that I do this year. I have a better idea of my time limits going into this second year of book review blogging. I’m not super blogger by any means *grin* I wish.

The New To You Reading Challenge is simply reading an author that you’ve just discovered, or trying out a far different genre than you usually read. It’s simple, uncomplicated and just about anyone could do it.

So head over to the sign up page at The Herd Presents and check out the rules and suggestions. I’m going for Level 4 of 50 books. I believe I can master that, after all I’ve got an entire year. 🙂

2016 Blogger Shame Review Challenge

Posted November 6, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

This Reading Challenge is a bit different – but so needed.

As book reviewers who blog, we sometimes get overwhelmed with books that need to be read and reviewed – like yesterday. And sometimes books fall through the virtual cracks. Anna of The Herd Presents and herding cats & burning soup has come up with a solution. A fun way to challenge ourselves to get caught up, be accountable and do it in good company.

In the 2016 Blogger Shame Review Challenge we are asked to go through our bookshelves and e-readers in search of books we needed to review (for whatever purpose) — the ones that got left behind for some reason. You can click on that link above and go to the signup page with all the rules, suggestions and Mr. Linky.

I don’t have any official review copies that are old enough to qualify for this Challenge. BUT... I do have both paperbacks and ebooks that I purchased for the express purpose of reading and reviewing. It might have been a series I wanted to read or some new releases that got lost in getting the NetGalley deadlines met. It is vastly important to me to get my Kindle and bookshelves cleared out in 2016 to a more reasonable amount of reviews that I’d like to do. And of course there are going to be more books added in 2016 *sigh*.

If this sounds like a Challenge that is calling your name – head on over to the signup page and read all about this one.

UPDATE: Although Anna was gracious in allowing my non-arc idea to continue in this Challenge — I have reconsidered, and it really isn’t fair to ask her to let me do something that is not really, truly representative of her Challenge. I love Anna, she is a rock star blogger and I simply cannot do anything that is not within her guidelines. It was my choice to remove myself. I will tackle my overloaded bought to review books in another fashion..

Best of luck to everyone who has ARCs to catch up with. I just know everyone will be successful at this one.

2016 Pick Your Genre Reading Challenge

Posted November 6, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 1 Comment

I love the idea of Reading Challenges. In January of 2016 I will have been back to dedicated, daily book review blogging here at Keeper Bookshelf for one year. I know – still a babe at this really… but it’s been one solid, fun and exciting year.

I’m celebrating that year by being a bit more realistic about the Reading Challenges I join. It is so easy to get caught up and join left and right (I see you nodding) but for me it simply wasn’t realistic since I was learning so many new things this past year – it got a bit overwhelming and I didn’t do near as well as I had hoped to.

So, this year Anna of herding cats & burning soup has come up with a simply brilliant Reading Challenge. You pick what genre you want to read in this Challenge – it could be one category or it could be several. It’s all totally up to you and the best part… it’s all in one place. Now that is what I need.

From what I understand, Anna has two places where you can sign up for this Challenge. Since she is running all Challenges through her The Herd Presents website that is one link you can use to find out more and sign up. Or there is a signup post on her herding cats & burning soup website as well.

I have decided to enter four genres for this Reading Challenge – Contemporary, Paranormal, Historical & Erotic. But… I have a couple questions for Anna before I commit any further. And I will update this post when I have those answers. Sorry to be mysterious but I do want to know that something I have in mind is okay with Anna first… it is after all her Reading Challenge. 🙂

It’s not too early to think about your blogging plan for 2016 – and if that includes joining some Reading Challenges, this one might just be perfect for what you want to accomplish. So click on any of the links or graphics in this post – go over to Anna’s and read the rules on the signup page and simply plan to have some fun next year.

I’m looking forward to this. Thanks Anna!