Review: Secret Blend by Jennifer Bramseth

Posted June 14, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Secret Blend
Series: Bourbon Springs #1
Author: Jennifer Bramseth
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 4, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Sexy secrets have serious consequences in Bourbon Springs, Kentucky—in the heart of the Land of Bourbon and Bluegrass…

When longtime courtroom rivals Rachel Richards and Brady Craft get appointed to the bench in Bourbon Springs, Kentucky, tempers flare as they are forced to share chambers.

Working closely with the obstinate-yet-sexy Brady is not an attractive idea to Rachel—although she has to admit that Brady himself is pretty damned attractive.

Rachel doesn’t have to run for office to keep her judgeship, but Brady does. He draws a formidable opponent, Hannah Davenport, a wealthy co-owner of Old Garnet Distillery, where some of the finest Kentucky bourbon is crafted north of town along Old Crow Creek and near the historic springs which gave the town its unique name.

And Hannah just happens to be Rachel’s best friend.

As the judicial race heats up, so does the relationship between the judges—so they decide to keep it a secret.

But can any secret be kept in little Bourbon Springs, Kentucky?

SECRET BLEND is the first book in the Bourbon Springs Series, an upcoming nine-book series of smooth, sensual, sexy, slow-burn contemporary romances set amidst the lush and rolling Land of Bourbon and Bluegrass of central Kentucky.

Read on for my thoughts on Secret Blend. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Again, Alabama by Susan Sands

Posted June 12, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Again, Alabama
Series:
Author: Susan Sands
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 12, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Cammie Laroux is back in Alabama—again.

Dragged back to her small town to help her mother recover from surgery while rescuing the family event planning business should be a cinch. Even for a disgraced television chef, right? Wrong.

Among the many secrets Cammie’s family’s been hiding is the fact that their historic home is falling down. Oh, and the man hired to restore the house, Grey Harrison, is the same high school and college love of her life who thrashed her heart and dreams ten years ago. Yeah, that guy.

Grey, a widower with a young daughter, has never stopped loving Cammie, and when they are face to face once again, the chemistry is off the charts. Cammie may be in full-blown denial, but letting go is no longer in Grey’s vocabulary, even when winning Cammie’s forgiveness and renovating their love may seem like an impossible build even for a master architect and carpenter.

As Cammie finds herself forgetting all the reasons she can’t trust Grey or love again, he finds himself remembering all the reasons he wants her to stay with him in Alabama… forever.

Read on for my thoughts on Again, Alabama. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling

Posted June 12, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Ugly Stepsister
Series:
Author: Aya Ling
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Retelling
Published: June 12, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When Kat accidentally rips apart an old picture book, she’s magically transported into the world of Cinderella–as Katriona, one of the ugly stepsisters!

Life turns upside down now that she’s a highborn lady and must learn how to survive the social season, including how to get through the door in a huge metal hoop skirt.

To get back, she’ll have to complete the story, right to the end of happily ever after. But the odds are huge: the other stepsister is drop-dead gorgeous, the fairy godmother is nowhere to be found, and the prince, despite being insanely hot, openly dislikes balls. Can she ever return to the modern world?

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

Review: Midsummer Dreams by Alison May

Posted June 12, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 3 Comments

Title: Midsummer Dreams
Series:
Author: Alison May
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Retelling
Published: June 12, 2015
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Four people. Four messy lives. One night that changes everything.

Emily is obsessed with ending her father’s new relationship – but is blind to the fact that her own is far from perfect.

Dominic has spent so long making other people happy that he’s hardly noticed he’s not happy himself.

Helen has loved the same man, unrequitedly, for ten years. Now she may have to face up to the fact that he will never be hers.

Alex has always played the field. But when he finally meets a girl he wants to commit to, she is just out of his reach.

At a midsummer wedding party, the bonds that tie the four friends together begin to unravel and show them that, sometimes, the sensible choice is not always the right one.

A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Read on for my thoughts on Midsummer Dreams. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The Kidnapped Christmas Bride by Jane Porter

Posted June 12, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Kidnapped Christmas Bride
Series: Taming of the Sheenans #3
Author: Jane Porter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 25, 2014
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

All he wants is a Christmas memory…

Trey Sheenan has cultivated his reputation as Marietta’s resident bad boy, until one day he lets things go too far and he loses everything—his freedom, his fiance McKenna Douglas, and his infant son.

McKenna has loved Trey since they were kids, but she’s had enough. When Trey is sent away for five years, McKenna is determined to do what’s right for her and baby TJ, which means putting her mistakes—namely Trey—behind her, and move on.

When Trey is released early, he returns to Marietta determined to beg McKenna’s forgiveness and become the father TJ needs him to be, only to discover that he’s too late. McKenna’s marrying local insurance agent Lawrence Joplin in a candlelight Christmas wedding.

Or is she?

Once again, Trey risks everything, but this time it’s for love….and the memory of one perfect Christmas together as a family.

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

Review: Breaking Love by M J Summers

Posted June 11, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Breaking Love
Series: Full Hearts #2
Author: M J Summers
Genre: Erotica, Contemporary Romance
Published: October 28, 2014 – May 27, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Luc Chevalier is a satisfied man – or so he thinks. His businesses are thriving, he has all the excitement, money and beautiful women any man could want. He dines at the best restaurants and stays at the most luxurious hotels as he makes his way around the globe. So why does he suddenly find himself so restless?

Megan Sullivan is a single mom with a rather ordinary life. She is comfortable with things just the way they are. She has a six-year-old son, Elliott, a cozy house in Boulder, Colorado, and a photography business to put food on the table. Her ex lives hours away in Florida, providing enough space for him to feed his drug addiction without exposing Elliott to his father’s illness. Megan is on her own and she intends to keep it that way.

Megan is convinced by her best friend to take a trip to Paris for a few days. Little does she know she is about to be thrust into the arms of Luc Chevalier, the sexiest man to ever set foot on the Eiffel Tower. They agree to one night together and no more. In those few short hours he manages to draw out the passionate woman that Megan has carefully hidden way for years. Once she has a taste of what she’s been missing, she finds it almost impossible to go back to her life as it was.

Will two people who don’t believe in happily-ever-after manage to put aside their doubts and find their forever?

Join Luc as he discovers that everything he never wanted is the only thing he will ever need.

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

Review: The Tycoon’s Kiss by Jane Porter

Posted June 11, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

The Tycoon's Kiss Title: The Tycoon’s Kiss
Series: Taming of the Sheenans #2
Author: Jane Porter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 9, 2014
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Taylor Harris–Marietta, Montana’s new librarian–is the quiet type who likes her glamour between the book covers. When she’s pushed into attending the formal Valentine Ball with Marietta’s Most Eligible Bachelor, Troy Sheenan, Taylor can’t imagine a worse pairing. What in the world would she have in common with a wealthy playboy like Troy?

Technology tycoon Troy is forced by business concerns to return to his hometown and take the town librarian to the Valentine Ball… what he doesn’t expect is that Taylor is even less excited about the prospect than he is! Intrigued by the only woman in town who wouldn’t be thrilled to take his arm at the big event, he’s determined that she will not just agree to be his date… bur she’s going to like it. Can Taylor turn a cold shoulder to Troy’s heart-melting charms, or is this about to be Marietta’s hottest Valentine’s Ball yet?

Read on for my thoughts on The Tycoon’s Kiss. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The Warning Sign by Mia Marlowe

Posted June 10, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: The Warning Sign
Series:
Author: Mia Marlowe
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Published: August 14, 2014
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Sara’s been hurt. Badly. Her cheating ex has her doubting everything about herself. But after graduating from Boston College, she’s trying to start fresh with a new job. A new guy in her life seems more complicated than she needs right now.

But Ryan’s too hot, too insistent and too tempting to pass up. Too bad he has some pretty dark secrets as well. Which is something Sara totally doesn’t need–especially after she figures out an accidental drowning wasn’t so accidental and ends up on a mob hitman’s “to do” list.

And the only cop who’ll believe her is her cheating ex.

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

Review: Last Shot by Eve Gaddy

Posted June 10, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Last Shot
Series:
Author: Eve Gaddy
Genre: Mystery, Romance
Published: April 30, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Love is a dangerous choice.

Murder is the last thing homicide Detective Nick Sheridan wants to deal with when he retreats to the small, coastal town of Freedom, Texas. His last case–possibly his last ever–was the most horrific he’d ever seen. No, he wants to drink, forget, and find a warm, willing woman.

The Last Shot Bar & Grill seems like the perfect place to do that.

Della Rose, single mother and waitress at the Last Shot, is anything but warm and willing. Della has baggage; she pegs Nick as a cop the moment she sees him, and no matter how hot he is, she’s not interested. When her boss, Charlie Banks, is murdered and the local police chief writes it down as a robbery gone bad, Della is forced to turn to Nick for help.

Soon, Nick is unwillingly drawn in to the mystery of why Charlie was murdered and what the gunmen wanted. As Nick and Della enter a red-hot affair, Nick falls hard for Della, but Della has no intention of a serious relationship.

Della and her family are in danger. Nick’s instincts are to protect and serve, but Della’s are to push away anyone who might hurt her. Even him.

Can they catch a murderer and solve the mystery without Della’s life being torn apart once again? And can they put aside their past long enough to trust their love?

Read on for my thoughts on Last Shot. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Christmas at Copper Mountain by Jane Porter

Posted June 9, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Christmas at Copper Mountain
Series: Taming of the Sheenans #1
Author: Jane Porter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 29, 2013
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Since the loss of her family in a plane crash, Harley Diekerhoff has led a quiet life and keeps to herself. Taking the temporary job at the Copper Mountain Ranch as widower Brock Sheenan’s housekeeper seems perfect for her. But her calm cocoon is invaded with the arrival of Brock’s pre-teen twins, Mack and Molly who’ve never experienced a proper Christmas and before she knows it, Harley’s determined to make their holiday perfect.

Annoyed at first by Harley’s interference, Brock is secretly pleased she’s changed Mack and Molly’s world. It doesn’t hurt that he finds Harley incredibly attractive, fierce, smart and passionate. It’s also an added bonus that she’s not afraid to challenge him and get his blood heated! But when sparks fly and the attractions sizzles between them, Harley’s not so sure she can handle something permanent with this dark, taciturn cowboy who doesn’t know how to let her in. But Brock is determined to hold on to her and praying for a Christmas miracle.

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas at Copper Mountain. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The Cinderella Body Club Boxed Set

Posted June 9, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Cinderella Body Club Boxed Set
Series: The Cinderella Body Club
Author: Jennifer Conner, Angela Ford, Sharon Kleve, Amber Daulton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 27, 2015
Publisher: Books To Go Now
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

The boxed collection of the best-selling series, The Cinderella Body Club a new romance series of the timeless Cinderella story re imagined where four girlfriends make a wish on a locket. They all wish they were beautiful, and look like the girls they’ve always wanted to be. The belle of the ball.

Cinderella Had it Easy – Jennifer Conner
Cami works in the basement of a television station which airs history documentaries. With scars on her face that she acquired in a car accident as a child, Cami finds it easier to be by herself. She gets into a heated debate with the handsome new host of the show she’ll be working on. Is Lance the knight in shining armor who can drag Cami out of her safe zone?

With no carriage and no helpful mice, she has to rely on the magic from her grandmother’s locket. Cami only has 24 hours in her Cinderella body, what will she do with it? Will she keep hiding or can she learn how to live life?

Spellbound Cinderella – Angela Ford
Tess Andrews lacked self-confidence. She believed she was ‘Plain-Jane’. Her last date ended before it began when he asked if she’d set him up with one of her model clients. Tess owned a small employment agency. Some of her clients were models, which only made her insecurities worse.

Internationally-famous model photographer, Parker Walsh, always left Tess speechless and in a rush to run and hide. She attempts to spark up a conversation but with no success. Her business dealings were even dealt with through his assistant.

Her savior—Girls Night; once a week Tess got together with her friends who were all in similar situations with no luck in love. One night they wished on a magical pendant to be that perfect girl they would like to see in the mirror. They wake up in their ‘Cinderella Bodies’ – sexy and better looking but they only have until midnight to make the most of it.. Her ‘Cinderella Body’ boosts her confidence to invite Parker to lunch. He surprises her with an invite to his charity fashion show. Tess has everything for her magical night – her Prince, the dress, the shoes but she worries when the clock strikes twelve if he’ll like the ‘real’ her.

Second Chance Cinderella – Sharon Kleve
Raven St. James is a Phlebotomist in a prominent Portland, Oregon hospital. She is petite, with jet-back hair, green eyes, and extremely shy. She dreams of being like the nurses on the daytime hospital shows—perfect. Tall, blond, blue eyed, with big breasts.

Dr. Quinn Taylor admires Raven’s skill, and the caring she shows with her patients, but can’t get her attention. Until the day she winks at him.
Raven only has 24 hours in her Cinderella body. What will she do with it? Will she become the confident, strong, flirty girl she wants to be? Will she get the guy she’s always wanted? Quinn.

Cinderella’s Enchanted Night – Amber Daulton
Annalise Gallagher wanted Elijah Burleigh. Plain and simple. She’d watched him from afar for months, her friends called her ‘his own personal stalker’, and then she made a wish on a magic pendant for a full-body makeover. Transformed into the gorgeous knockout she’d always wanted to be, she asked Elijah out on a date and wore a haute couture gown straight from Paris to his friend’s wedding.

With just twenty-four hours on the clock, her enchanted night faded into the morning hours and everything crashed down around her. Annalise harbored a shameful secret and Elijah demanded the truth with the veil of magic gone. The truth, however, could destroy her fragile confidence and push him away forever.

Read on for my thoughts on The Cinderella Body Club Boxed Set. No true spoilers, promise.