Vacations are a wonderful invention, but like all good things they eventually come to a close.
Now it’s back to the books – the reviewing of novels – for me.
I had my fun, an amazing trip, a visit to the Las Vegas edition of the Titanic Exhibit – which was simply stunning and moving beyond words… but I did spend some time on the Kindle, so it’s back to the non-vacation fun stuff for me.
…and I have to admit, it’s going to be a really good feeling to sleep in my own bed tonight *grin*
Sometimes you just gotta cut loose – so I’m heading to Vegas, baby. Gamble? Nah, I’m guaranteed to lose but there is more in Sin City than gambling. Plus the surrounding area is stunningly beautiful so some day trips are happening as well.
I hope you all have a safe and fun week – and I’ll be back in touch next Wednesday.
Viva Las Vegas! (in my poorly done imitation of Elvis. *grin*)
Title: Fully Ignited
Series: Boston Fire #3
Author: Shannon Stacey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Carina Press
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
When Jamie Rutherford takes a temporary assignment as lieutenant of Boston Fire’s Engine 59, she doesn’t anticipate any problems. She’s been in the fire service for a long time and, even though she’s fairly new to Boston, she knows how to make any firehouse her home. What she’s not prepared for is her reaction to firefighter Scott Kincaid.
Scott is looking for a wife. It’s been a fun ride as a single guy, but he’s tired of being the third wheel, and nearly losing his brother-in-law finally made him realize just how much he wants a family of his own. When the new guy at the firehouse turns out to be a capable, confident and very attractive woman, his plan is completely derailed.
Hooking up with a fellow firefighter has never been part of Jamie’s plan, but she’s tempted by Scott—even though getting involved with him could tarnish the reputation she’s worked so hard for. And Scott can’t stop thinking about Jamie, despite the fact that she’s his superior and not sticking around. Chemistry can crush the best-laid plans, though, and while Jamie and Scott might not be each other’s future…there’s no resisting the right now.
Boston Fire Series titles: Heat Exchange, Controlled Burn, Fully Ignited
Read on for my thoughts on Fully Ignited. No true spoilers, promise.
Title: You’re The One That I Want
Series: Nashville Connections #4
Author: Angela Britnell
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 13, 2016
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
What if you didn’t want to fake it any more?
When Sarah, a teacher from Cornwall, and Matt, a businessman from Nashville, meet on a European coach tour, they soon find themselves in a relationship …
Except it’s a fake relationship. Because Matt is too busy for romance, and Sarah is only trying to make her cheating ex-husband jealous … isn’t she?
As Matt and Sarah complete their tour of Europe, they do all the things real couples are supposed to do – from visiting fairy-tale castles in Germany to recreating the scene from Romeo and Juliet in Verona. And, of course, for every picturesque destination there’s a loved-up selfie and Facebook post to match.
But as their holiday comes to an end, Sarah and Matt realize that they’re not happy with their pretend relationship. Perhaps, they want the real thing.
Series titles: What Happens In Nashville, The Wedding Reject Table, Love Me For A Reason, You’re The One That I Want.
Read on for my thoughts on You’re The One That I Want. No true spoilers, promise.
Title: Her Rogue Alpha
Series: X-Ops #5
Author: Paige Tyler
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Suspense
Published: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
Former Special Forces Lieutenant Jayson Harmon can’t believe that his war scars don’t matter to beautiful feline shifter Layla Halliwell. Why would she saddle herself with a broken man?
But Layla knows that Jayson is a hero to the core, and that only she can heal his wounded soul. So when Jayson is deployed on another deadly mission, no way is Layla staying behind…
Read on for my thoughts on Her Rogue Alpha. No true spoilers, promise.
Title: Dark Alpha’s Embrace
Series: Reapers #2
Author: Donna Grant
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: February 16, 2016
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
There’s no escaping a Reaper. I’m an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…
I’m a warrior. My unbreakable determination, my backbone of steel define me. As a Reaper who does Death’s bidding, weakness is a word I don’t understand. Until a stunning librarian stirs emotions deep within me I’ve never felt before. Her soft curves blunt the sharp edges of my soul, crushing my defenses – yet make me stronger. But underneath those wide eyes and fierce femininity, she has a weapon, one she won’t hesitate to use. And when the Dark begin their deadly descent, we’ll need each other’s love and protection…or risk fracturing apart.
Read on for my thoughts on Dark Alpha’s Embrace. No true spoilers,, promise.
On this day lives changed forever. And on this day all those years ago I, like many Americans and other people around the world, vowed to never forget the lives that were taken, the men and women who walked into the chaos as others ran away. Life was changed.
So today – I remember and honor those people… and the loved ones that were left behind.
I am so happy to introduce this beauty. She doesn’t have an official name just yet – we’re going to get to know her personality a bit before giving her that forever name. But I’ve been referring to her as Bella or Baby Girl because she is a beautiful baby girl puppy.
She’s a Shetland Sheepdog or otherwise known as a Sheltie… actually she is definitely a mini-collie. in looks 🙂
Sheltie’s are natural herders – and we have a 20 year old cat and a 3 year old cat… so this is going to be interesting.
She is the pup of championship dogs, but since she has a slight under-bite she could never be shown or expected to win. How sad is that? But that’s fine, it simply means that she gets to come to us for a forever loving home.
We get to pick her up tomorrow – and I cannot wait to get my hands on that fluffy bit of cuteness.
Come on – look at that face is she not adorable? *grin*
Title: Wild Hearts
Series: Hamilton Stables #2
Author: Melissa West
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Kensington Books – Lyrical Shine
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
Charming, reckless, and restless, youngest brother Alex Hamilton has a reputation for sweet talking his way into any woman’s arms—and failing at anything to do with the family business. So when he commits to managing their new breeding operation, it’s under one condition: he’ll focus on work and nothing else—no distractions, no fun…no women. But just when Alex has promised to keep his hands to himself, sweet, sexy Kate Littleton gallops away with his heart…
Kate knows Alex isn’t the long-term type—he proved that in a lot of delicious ways when they first met more than a year ago. But seeing him blazing with new dedication to Hamilton Stables, she can’t deny that he’s miles ahead of any other man who interests her. The attraction between them is electric right out of the gate, but it will take an unexpected loss to put them back in the race and headed for a passionate future together…
All the stories in the Hamilton Stables series can be read as stand alone books. The series included: Racing Hearts, Wild Hearts, Silent Hearts (so far)
Title: Every Little Kiss
Series: Kissed by the Bay #1
Author: Susan Hatler
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 3, 2015
Publisher: Hatco Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Purchased, Kindle Edition
Cover Description:
When Wendy Watts left Blue Moon Bay, she vowed never to return to the small coastal town where her parents had abandoned her and her brother. Now she’s a successful Realtor, and a workaholic who stays away from complicated emotions—until her grandmother dies, leaving Wendy the Inn at Blue Moon Bay and mandating that if Wendy sells it, she must put it on the market herself “in person.”
As soon as Wendy arrives in Blue Moon Bay, bad memories, the inn’s poor condition, and her brother’s pleas to keep the inn overwhelm her. Then she meets a sexy laid-back stranger on the beach, and Wendy does something she never does . . . she opens up and confides her problems to him. Since Max Huntington’s only in town for one night, Wendy spontaneously kisses him, hoping to be distracted from her troubles for just one evening.
But when Wendy begins the painstaking process of fixing up the inn in order to sell it, Max tells her he’s staying on longer. He’s enchanted by the charming inn and even more with the kisses they shared on the beach. He wants to help her with the repairs, and she reluctantly accepts his offer.
Although she’s determined to remain detached from the allure of her inn, Blue Moon Bay and Max, every repair, every stroll on the beach, and every moment spent with Max, draws her in and reminds her of the local legend she’d believed as a child: that being kissed by the bay under a blue moon will lead to love that lasts forever.
No true spoilers, promise.