Review: Hour of Need by Melinda Leigh

Posted June 28, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Hour of Need
Series: Scarlet Falls #1
Author: Melinda Leigh
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Published: December 9, 2014
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

While fighting in Afghanistan, Major Grant Barrett receives devastating news: his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered in Scarlet Falls, the sleepy suburb of Grant’s youth. Emotionally scarred from war, the career soldier returns home on emergency leave to temporarily care for his orphaned nephew and niece. But when someone tries to kidnap the kids and their teenage babysitter, Grant knows it’s not a random act…and neither were the murders.

Already devastated by her neighbors’ violent deaths, Ellie Ross is shattered by the attempted abduction of her teenage daughter so she desperately turns to Grant for help. As they navigate a deadly search for the truth, they struggle with growing feelings for each other and Grant’s impending return to deployment.

But time is running out. The killer is growing bolder by the hour, and Ellie and Grant must find him before the children become his next victims.

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

Review: Sleeping with the Boss by Marissa Clarke

Posted June 28, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Sleeping with the Boss
Series: The Anderson Brothers #1
Author: Marissa Clarke
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 11, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Seducing the enemy has never been so tempting…

For the last five years, bookish Claire Williams has been living for the dying. Now that her stint as caretaker is over, she’s off to see the world. She needs quick cash first, so a temp job at Anderson Auctions seems perfect, especially with the unexpected benefits, including the hottest man she’s ever laid eyes—or hands—on.

Former Marine William Anderson has been burned one time too many. His military training makes him the perfect man to flush out the spy undercutting his family business, but no amount of training can prepare him for the kind of undercover work he’ll have to do when the sexy new temp is implicated. Desire lands them in bed…but duty may cost him his heart.

Read on for my thoughts on Sleeping with the Boss. No true spoilers, promise.

So Many June 30th Releases!

Posted June 27, 2015 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

As of this moment, I have 14 or is it 15 launch day reviews that will go live on June 30th. There are some really, really good novels about to hit the book (or e-book) stands.

In the last few months I’ve really tried to get my reviews out on release blitz day. Oh, they’re all written up, I could release them right now but I hesitate. It’s true, sometimes life gets in the way and I miss a release date, and while that bothers me personally – it’s also life, ya know? Not everything goes exactly as planned, but I’m trying my best to get as many release day reviews out as I can.

Now comes my question – mainly for authors. Do you prefer to see reviews up for your new release the week before launch or on release day? Which would you, not the publishing company, but would you rather see? Does it even make a difference as long as there are tons of reviews to get the word out about your new work?

I’m simply really curious and would plan my review releases in the way an author would prefer, if at all possible. Any feedback would greatly be appreciated. It’s your work after all.

Review: Taming the Beast by Lucy King

Posted June 27, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Taming the Beast
Series: Fairy Tales of New York #3
Author: Lucy King
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 26, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Once upon a time, Mercedes ‘Mercy’ Hernandez had the most enormous crush on her best friend’s older brother, Seb Madison. Now, though, she can’t stand the beast. Forget that he’s as spine-tinglingly gorgeous as ever. He’s a lousy brother and a manipulative bastard, not that she ever thinks about that disastrous one night stand they once had…

Still riddled with guilt over the death of his parents, billionaire loner Seb Madison has spent so long emotionally shut off that when beautiful, fiery Mercy bursts into his life again, he doesn’t know what’s hit him. All he knows is that she confuses him and he doesn’t like it.

Yet their chemistry hasn’t faded and, when hostility turns to attraction, a no-strings affair seems the logical solution. Mercy’s taking a much needed break from her family’s Argentinian vineyard to study for an MBA and Seb doesn’t do relationships. Neither have either the time or inclination for anything other than weekends-only red-hot sex. Or do they.

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

Review: Breaking Clear by M J Summers

Posted June 26, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Breaking Clear
Series: Full Hearts #3
Author: M J Summers
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Harper Young is a talented, feisty art director at Style Magazine. Sitting at her desk one Tuesday morning she answers a call that will forever change the well-worn path of her life. Her father has had an accident and needs Harper to leave Manhattan to go home to Boulder, Colorado to care for him. Given an ultimatum by her heartless boss, she chooses family, leaving her career behind. She drives across the country to find that the only man to make her heart ache with desire will be her new neighbour.

Evan Donovan is a contractor who’s been dealt a rough hand when it comes to love. His wife, Lisa, left him just as the recession forced him to shut down his home building company. Now after three years of rebuilding, he is finally getting back on his feet again. When Harper drops back into his life, he does his level best to keep things on a ‘just friends’ level. Her older brother, Evan’s best friend, won’t take kindly to Evan dating Harper.

Proving that old flames are easily relit, Harper and Evan quickly find themselves in each other’s arms. But will Harper’s career come calling her back to New York when her father has recovered? Will a man whose heart has been snapped in pieces learn to trust again?

Lose yourself in Harper and Evan’s romantic journey as they fight for their forever.

Read on for my thoughts on Breaking Clear. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bound to the Sheikh by Carol Marinelli

Posted June 26, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Bound to the Sheikh
Series: International Bad Boys
Author: Carol Marinelli
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 22, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sheikh Ashim Al Raquar, Crown Prince of Alzaquan, knows he must return to his country and leave his playboy reputation far behind him. It will be a wild journey home, though—he intends to party on his yacht right to the edge of the desert. And then he meets Emily, a corporate flight attendant who’s in the south of France hoping to find herself after years of taking care of her husband.

A sensual, charismatic lover with a reputed dark edge to his bedroom skills is the very last thing Emily needs.

Read on for my thoughts on Bound to the Sheikh. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: One Night with the Tycoon by Katherine Garbera

Posted June 26, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: One Night with the Tycoon
Series: Whiskey River #3
Author: Katherine Garbera
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 21, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Meet the Kellys of Whiskey River, Texas, men who have always gone through life, and women, with their father’s legendary charm.

Wyatt Kelly, CEO of Kelly Boots, is rumored to do everything with his cowboy boots on, including seducing women into memorable one-night stands. Growing up the second eldest son of a philandering charmer, Wyatt’s seen first hand how messy relationships can get when the heart’s involved, and he’s determined to leave no scars. No woman’s tempted Wyatt to break his vow until he meets Juliette Rossi.

Juliette is all about business. She’s focused on turning the lavender farm she and her cousin inherited into a successful, world-wide company. Her meticulous plans are on the right track until she accepts a dare to spend the night with Wyatt after the annual Boots & Bangles Gala. Juliette’s fantasized about Wyatt for years… One night will get him out of her system for good, right?

Wrong.

Can she convince Wyatt that he’s more than his Kelly heritage? Will Wyatt agree that one night just isn’t enough?

Read on for my thoughts on One Night with the Tycoon. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabella Andover

Posted June 25, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Cocktails at Le Carmen
Series:
Author: Isabelle Andover
Genre: Chick-Lit, Contemporary Romance
Published: June 19, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Fig
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pas and inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.

Read on for my thoughts on Cocktails at Le Carmen. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Walker Pride by Bernadette Marie

Posted June 25, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Walker Pride
Series: The Walker Family #1
Author: Bernadette Marie
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 25, 2015
Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing
My Rating: 5 star
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Susan Hayes moved to Georgia to start the life she wanted to live and build her catering career. On the brink of having everything she ever wanted, Eric Walker and his family happened into her life.

Eric Walker’s life had been quiet, structured, and boring until his uncle gambled away the family’s property and jeopardized Eric’s livelihood. Now midst family secrets learned, someone ruining his business and trying to drive him off his land, he fell in love.

Things will never be the same for them—especially if someone succeeds in destroying the Walker family and killing Eric.

Read on for my thoughts on Walker Pride. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bachelorette For Sale by Gail Chianese

Posted June 25, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Bachelorette For Sale
Series: West Side Romance #1
Author: Gail Chianese
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 23, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Books
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

As far as Cherry Ryan is concerned, the bright lights of Hollywood are nothing but glare after her heart is broken on a reality show for millions to see. Instead she’s throwing herself into fundraising for the local community center that was a priceless lifeline to her as a kid. But when a volunteer for the singles auction bails at the last minute, Cherry finds herself on the block—and sold to Jason Valentine, a handsome contractor with a gorgeous body—and a really bad attitude about her days in the limelight…

Cherry soon finds that Jason’s more than eye candy, and not entirely sweet—especially his quest to win the bid for the center’s renovation. Mixing business with pleasure doesn’t seem like such a good idea—until Jason has a chance to reveal the big heart beneath his surly exterior. Cherry’s falling for him hard, but trust isn’t easy when you’ve been burned. To conquer her fears will take a giant leap of faith—straight into the spotlight again.

Read on for my thoughts on Bachelorette For Sale. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Dying to Date by Victoria Davies

Posted June 23, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Dying to Date
Series: Fated Mates #2
Author: Victoria Davies
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: June 23, 2015
Publisher: Entangled
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Vampire socialite Melissa Redgrave has the worst luck with men. Frustrated, she decides what she needs is a little help…from New York’s biggest supernatural dating agency. Except that sometimes, a vampire doesn’t always find her match.

Until she does. And he’s delicious enough to bite.

Tarian Drake keeps his necromancy background quiet. After all, the ability to control the dead isn’t exactly welcomed in the supernatural community. When he runs into the beautiful Melissa, she tempts him in a way that has never happened before. She’s his perfect match in every way.

But just as they are about to take their relationship to the next level, his family decides to make a stand—by kidnapping his new girlfriend. Now, if he ever hopes to date again, he’s going to have to get control of his family and free the girl. Oh, and stop a war.

Read on for my thoughts on Dying to Date. No true spoilers, promise.