House Trained by Jackie Bouchard

Posted October 20, 2015 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: House Trained
Series:
Author: Jackie Bouchard
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Published: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Alex Halstad, a childless-by-choice interior designer and dog mom, is a true perfectionist. But her orderly life turns chaotic when the teenage daughter her husband, Barry, never knew he had shows up on their doorstep…with a baby girl of her own in tow. While Alex’s dog enthusiastically welcomes the new arrivals, Alex struggles with the loss of her steady routine. She desperately needs peace and quiet to get her business back on track before Barry finds out she’s spent most of their savings.

Meanwhile, the arrival of the girls stirs up old insecurities, and Alex can’t help but worry that Barry’s ex will make an entrance too. With her tidy life a distant memory, will Alex be able to learn from her dog the true meaning of love and acceptance?

Read on for my thoughts on House Trained. No true spoilers, promise.

Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan

Posted October 20, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Jingle Bell Harbor
Series: Bell Harbor #3.5
Author: Tracy Brogan
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

As assistant buyer for the world’s second-largest Christmas store, Kelsey Parker feels like a holiday harlot. She’s contractually obligated to promote the yuletide season. All. Year. Long. And it’s taking a toll on her spirit. But when her clueless, self-absorbed boyfriend goes on their long-anticipated romantic vacation—without her!—Kelsey is beyond disappointed to find herself tromping through the Bell Harbor snow instead of lounging on a tropical beach.

Drew Hampton is considered quite a catch among the Bell Harbor bachelorettes, but when his high school dream girl, Kelsey Parker, shows up at his grandfather’s Christmas tree lot complaining about her love life, he decides it’s long past time to get her under the mistletoe himself.

As things heat up between the two, a surprise visitor arrives, making Kelsey an offer she can’t quite believe. Now she must decide what matters most, and she just may discover the key to her happiness.

Read on for my thoughts on Jingle Bell Harbor. No true spoilers, promise.

Christmas in Vermont by Bryan Mooney

Posted October 20, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Christmas in Vermont
Series:
Author: Bryan Mooney
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

In the small town of Woodstock, Vermont, Christmas means white snow and warm traditions. For ex-Marine Jack Reynolds, it’s a chance to visit home and sort out his life. He’s engaged but unhappy, his brother is missing in action, and he often thinks about Hope, the beautiful teacher who helped him survive an attack in Iraq before disappearing. Unbeknownst to Jack, Hope is in Woodstock, having sworn to visit the hometown of the man who saved her life.

A chance encounter brings Jack and Hope together once more, and they instantly feel the same deep connection that sustained them in Iraq. When a long-lost bag of Christmas cards is discovered at the local post office, the pair sets out to deliver them. As the letters bring joy around Woodstock, Jack and Hope grow closer—but misunderstandings and uncertainty come between them. Can the cozy town’s Christmas spirit help them find the courage to follow their hearts?

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas in Vermont, A Very White Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

Lost in Tennessee by Anita DeVito

Posted October 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Lost in Tennessee
Series: Lost #1
Author: Anita DeVito
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 19, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Select Suspense
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sometimes a man finds trouble…and sometimes it comes looking for him…

Heartache makes for good country music. It’s what country superstar Butch McCormick keeps telling himself. He’s done with women and can’t handle one more disappointment. He’s taking a few months off to work on the old house on his parents’ land to fix shutters, scrape paint, and figure out what he wants in life…

Then she appears out of nowhere, with red hair and a peaches-and-cream complexion…and just so damned lost.

Architect Kate Riley doesn’t have the luxury of getting lost, having a damaged car, or being smitten by a sexy-talkin’ cowboy with an irresistible smile. But the longer Kate stays at Elderberry Farm, the stranger things get. For one, there’s the crazy chemistry between her and Butch. For another, dead bodies are starting to turn up…and Kate might be the murderer’s next victim.

Read on for my thoughts on Lost in Tennessee. No true spoilers, promise.

Ghosts of St. Barts by Emme Cross

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Ghosts of St. Barts
Series: St. Barts #5
Author: Emme Cross
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 30, 2015
Publisher: Joffe Books
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sunny and Sven should be blissfully happy. His acting career is booming; they have a beautiful baby daughter and are planning to spend time in Oslo to be near Sven’s family.

But the death of a dear friend brings back traumatic memories for Sunny. Can their relationship survive the ghosts from the past?

Grief, trauma . . . and reconciliation, how do you escape your history?

Read on for my thoughts on Ghosts of St. Barts. No true spoilers, promise.

Promises To Keep by Patricia Sands

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: Promises To Keep
Series: Love In Provence #2
Author: Patricia Sands
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Published: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Falling in love with the south of France was no surprise to Katherine. Choosing to walk away from her past and start over was completely unexpected. A new country, a new lover, and the promise of a bright future beginning in mid-life … who knew?

Now there were the exciting dreams of restoring the property on the Cap, of beginning a new career, of experiencing the traditions of Christmas in Provence, of falling even more deeply in love with the man who inspired these hopes.

It was all so perfect, until it wasn’t.

She had embraced new possibilities in life and given her heart only to discover something was being kept from her. Something terrible from her lover’s past. Something that could destroy everything.

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, had become her mantra. Would it be enough?

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

The Duke and Miss Christmas by Amelia Grey

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: The Duke and Miss Christmas
Series: The Heirs’ Club of Scoundrels #2.5
Author: Amelia Grey
Genre: Regency Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 13, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn’t handle–until he’s hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who mistakes his intentions. When he gets into a tussle with her–and she can hold her own–Crispin knows he has finally met his match.

Miss Gwen Prim is mortified that she attacked a duke, but even more concerning is the way her resolve melts when she’s near him. She’s never felt this way about a London gentleman in her life. And with the magic of Christmas in the air, she may end up with a proposal she didn’t expect.

Read on for my thoughts on The Duke and Miss Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

Lethal Game by Julie Rowe

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Lethal Game
Series: Biological Response Team #2
Author: Julie Rowe
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Thriller
Published: October 12, 2015
Publisher: Carina Press
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

As the nation’s youngest virologist and hematologist, Captain Sophia Perry has always been one step ahead of her peers. But there’s one thing she can’t beat—cancer. She wants to make a difference in the time she has left, so when she’s sent to investigate a breakout at a Syrian refugee camp, she goes, saying nothing of her diagnosis. But saving the masses isn’t easy when the man tasked to protect her is so irresistible.

Communications Sergeant Connor Button is back on active duty after a deadly explosion, but he doesn’t feel whole again until he meets Sophia. Assigned to keep her safe, he’s prepared to die for her, but for the first time in months he truly wants to live—if only she wasn’t so determined to put them both in danger.

With a secret to keep and nothing to lose, Sophia is determined to find the source of the breakout at any cost. Violent attacks on the camp convince her that someone wants her to pay dearly. But as Sophia’s health deteriorates, Connor must find a way to help her defeat her enemies before her body defeats her.

Read on for my thoughts on Lethal Game. No true spoilers, promise.

Seducing Seven by MK Meredith

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments

Title: Seducing Seven
Series: What Happens In Vegas #9
Author: MK Meredith
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 12, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Loveswept
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

He bet on logic. She bet on love.

Romance author Seven Michaels believes in love to her very core. She has to–not only for herself, but for her readers. So when luxury salesman Blake Turner insults not only her books but the people who read them, Seven’s ready to throw down. How dare a playboy like Blake insinuate romance lovers are full of crap?

He wants proof? Fine. She bets Blake she can make him fall for her by using the rules in her latest novel before the end of the convention, or she’ll denounce love in front of all her fellow authors and fans at the Romance Lovers Convention ball. A dangerous game to be sure, but humiliating Blake is worth the risk.

But when Seven realizes she’s the one who’s being seduced, she’s no longer sure who is playing whom…or whether she’ll have a career when the bet is over.

Read on for my thoughts on Seducing Seven. No true spoilers, promise.

Christmas With The Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Christmas With The Billionaire Rancher
Series: Billionaire’s Club
Author: Mandy Baxter
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 13, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

There’s nothing Nate Christensen hates more than a golddigger. Nate wants to stay away from all the women who want his money. That is, until he meets the sexy, beautiful Chloe Benson, who lights a fire in his blood that only the most passionate nights can ease…

Chloe cannot get enough of Nate-she’s never felt more wild with desire in her life. The only problem is, she needs Nate’s money. True, it’s for a very worthy charity…but is their passion enough to still Nate’s fears that she’s only wants him for how big his bank account is?

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas With The Billionaire Rancher. No true spoilers, promise.

Hot Toy by Jennifer Crusie

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Hot Toy
Series:
Author: Jennifer Crusie
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 13, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Mayhem ensues under the mistletoe as a determined shopper grabs the very last hot toy action figure off the shelf, only to find herself plunged into the middle of a real-life spy game and in the arms of a sexy secret agent.

Previously published in the anthology Santa, Baby, HOT TOY is now available as a standalone e-story for the first time!

Read on for my thoughts on Hot Toy. No true spoilers, promise.

Love Me Tender by Ally Blake

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Love me Tender
Series: The Cinderella Project #2
Author: Ally Blake
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 12, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

It was love at first sight…

When her Papa loses his job, indomitable Serafina Scott insists it’s her turn to take care of him – meaning landing a well-paying job…and fast. Which is how she ends up working for the Cinderella Project, a high-end matchmaking business, even though she’s certainly no expert on affairs of the heart. Until she meets Murdoch, the gruff builder restoring her extravagant new work place. He’s inscrutable, infuriating, and gorgeous…

Convincing them was a whole other matter.

Murdoch finds Sera confounding…and luminous. But beneath her firecracker exterior, she is dangerously soft-hearted, and the last thing she needs is a broken brute like him.

While Sera does her best to convince Murdoch that they are a match made in heaven, Murdoch makes it his mission to prove her wrong. Will it come down to who’s the most convincing…or who’s most willing to be convinced?

Read on for my thoughts on Love me Tender. No true spoilers, promise.

Return of the Jerk by Andrea Simonne

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Return of the Jerk
Series: Sweet Life in Seattle #2
Author: Andrea Simonne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 17, 2015
Publisher: Liebe Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Steamy and fun, an irresistible story of one woman’s obsession and the jerk-like object of her unrequited love…

Wedding cake baker Blair Thomas loves her life. Her business is thriving, her Seattle condo has a great view of the water, and her refurbished ‘65 convertible Mustang “Isadora” is the coolest car ever. She barely even thinks about that jerk she married five years ago. The one who abandoned her after four months of marriage. The one who left a note on her pillow saying, “See you later, babe.”

Seriously, who does that?

So what if she was once obsessively in love with him. He’s her best friend’s older brother and for years he barely even knew she was alive. He never loved her, and he only married her because of a drunken mistake. At least she’s over him.

Definitely over him.

The only problem is Blair never got around to divorcing him so technically they’re still married. And after five years of traveling the world—Nathan “Road” Church—has finally decided to come home. He arrived on Blair’s doorstep this morning, and now he’s in her bathroom taking a shower. The nerve of him! Oh, and did I mention he’s still hot? Blair doesn’t know what to do.

The jerk has returned.

Read on for my thoughts on Return of the Jerk. Notrue spoilers, promise.

The Bargain by Jane Ashford

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Series / 0 Comments

Title: The Bargain
Series: The Duke’s Sons prequel
Author: Jane Ashford
Genre: Historical, Regency Romance
Published: Reissued 2014, Original 1997
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

A scientifically minded nobleman:

Lord Alan Gresham is the sixth son of the Duke of Langford and, as such, has been allowed to remain at Oxford to pursue his scientific studies. When the prince regent asks him to debunk the “ghost” of a dead actress haunting Carlton House, he cannot refuse, and is forced back to the Society he deplores. But upon meeting the daughter of the alleged ghost, his calm, logical investigation is disrupted.

Learns the breathless chemistry of desire:

Ariel Harding doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she’s determined to investigate this haunting. Her mother recently committed suicide, and Ariel is desperate to find the reason. She’ll work with Alan because he has access to Prinny’s resources, but she never dreamed she’d make a perilous bargain with a man who’s as maddeningly arrogant as he is confoundedly attractive..

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

It’s Ho-Ho-Ho Read – a – Thon Time

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance / 0 Comments

hohohorat_2015 You know it’s right around the corner, right? Do you have your list made yet? Come on, you know what I’m talking about – it’s time for Christmas stories… and that means it’s time for the Ho-Ho-Ho Read-a-Thon. Have you signed up yet?

Jennifer at The Book Shelfery and Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer are hosting this fun event. So, go – shoo – get signed up for one of the most fun Holiday events in the Book World… well, in my humble opinion anyway. 🙂

The rules are simple and the fun is huge and contagious. The Sign Up Page is super easy to follow and sign up on… then sit back, plan and let the Christmas Story Fun begin.

Look, I’m the first to admit that the holiday season is hectic and frantic – so why not find a few moments to relax with a good Christmas, winterish story and enjoy the experience.

I hope to read about your favorite Christmas stories real soon. Merry Christmas Reading to all.