Review: Minutes to Kill by Melinda Leigh

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in Mystery / 0 Comments

Title: Minutes to Kill
Series: Scarlet Falls #2
Author: Melinda Leigh
Genre: Murder, Thriller, Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries—and fails—to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can’t shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn’t save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it’s frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.

Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.

Read on for my thoughts on Minutes to Kill. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Seduced by the Baron by Amy Andrews

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Seduced by the Baron
Series: Fairy Tales of New York #4
Author: Amy Andrews
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 29, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Once upon a time, Faith Sullivan dreamed of being a famous painter who lived in an apartment overlooking Central Park. Unfortunately, life had other ideas and at 26, she’s still running, working and living at Sully’s, her family’s traditional Irish pub in Brooklyn with her stubborn, ailing father. And she was perfectly fine with her lot until suddenly her three best friends each found their prince, and her own happily ever after seemed like another dream lost. Until one day a long, tall Australian walks into her bar and her loved-up besties decided to play Fairy Godmothers.

Ex pro-surfer turned beer baron, Rafael Quartermaine is in New York for a month on business. He’s looking for a pub to launch Baron lager on the American market and Sully’s is perfect. All he has to do is convince Faith, the traditionalist, to say yes. And once he’s done that, maybe he can convince her that all work and no play makes Faith a dull girl.

Faith’s connection to her family and Sully’s is absolute, and Raf’s business drive and itchy feet aren’t conducive to long term, so it should be an easy break when duty calls Faith back into the fold on the evening of the ball. But running out on the baron is harder than she ever imagined… Will their fling sizzle out, or become something more?

Read on for my thoughts on Seduced by the Baron. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon by Linda Ballou

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon
Series:
Author: Linda Ballou
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Wind Dancer Press
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Gemcie and her Irish Hunter, Marshal, are about to capture the World Cup when a nasty fall dashes their chances. While she is mending, her arch rival seizes this opportunity to catch a ride on Marshal, and to seduce her young husband.

Confused and dazed by her new circumstances, Gemcie heads for the high Sierras hoping the majestic spires that captured the heart of the father she never met will provide the answers she seeks. She finds strength and solace riding solo on the John Muir Trail, but a bear attack ends her time of introspection and places her in the care of a solitary cowboy manning a fire lookout.

Brady, who seems to love animals more than people, shows her love and gives her the courage to get back in the saddle. Haunted by images of Marshal being abused by his owners, Gemcie returns to rescue him and fly high with him once more.

Read on for my thoughts on The Cowgirl Jumped Over The Moon. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Wolf with Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

Posted June 29, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Wolf With Benefits
Series: The Pride #8
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: Original March 26, 2013, Mass Market June 30, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Books
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

There’s nothing like a good-ol’-boy wolf. And ace security expert Ricky Lee Reed serves, protects and seduces with all the right moves…

Sure, Toni Jean-Louis Parker has to be the responsible oldest sister to a crazy-brilliant clan of jackal siblings. But now she’s cutting loose for some hot, sweaty, no-commitments fun—and the sexy, slow-talking, swift-moving predator assigned to keep her family safe is just the right thing to shapeshift her love life into overdrive. Trouble is, he’s starting to get all obsessive wolf on her every time he looks in her direction…

Getting serious about anyone isn’t in Ricky Lee Reed’s plans. Hell, even now he doesn’t really have a plan—outside of catching whoever is threatening this dangerously brilliant family. But the more he sees of Toni, the more he’s howling for her. And whatever it takes to convince her that what they have is everything, well, this wily wolf is down for the sizzling chase.

Read on for my thoughts on Wolf With Benefits. No true spoilers, promise.

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.