Review: The Tycoon’s Revenge by Melody Anne

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

Title: The Tycoon’s Revenge
Series: Baby for the Billionaire #1
Author: Melody Anne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 18, 2013
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Jasmine Freeman’s world is about to tumble down around her and the one responsible for it is none other than her first love, Derek Titan. She hasn’t seen him in ten years, and they are both going to learn the truth of what happened back then.

Jasmine grew up wealthy and oblivious to the destruction her father caused all around him. Derek was from the wrong side of the tracks. In ten years their lives will be reversed. He is now a multi-billionaire tycoon and she works hard, but barely gets by due to her father’s unethical business practices.

Derek comes seeking revenge and instead finds out he has a half grown son and the woman he’s been angry with for so many years is not who he thought she was. They both fight against the passion they still feel for each other, but in the end it is irresistible.

Come take the journey with Derek and Jasmine as they rediscover a passion that never died and the lies that kept them apart.

Read on for my thoughts on The tycoon’s Revenge. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Wild Hearts by Evie Ryan

Posted June 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

owned Wild Hearts Title: Wild Hearts
Series: By Moonlight, part three
Author: Evie Ryan
Genre: Paranormal, Erotica, Romance
Published: May 14, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

A twist of fate…

Against all odds, Gwen and Brandon cheat death when she infuses him with her immortal blood. Now they are free to venture into the wild unknown of their forbidden love.As they flee the Cascade Mountains to start over in Seattle, Gwen’s attraction to Brandon becomes sparked by fresh desire. And his devotion to her blossoms as well.The bond between them just might be unbreakable. It seems this new beginning will be their last.

For a mountain man ruled by the wolf within, living in Seattle isn’t without its challenges, especially when Gwen pushes Brandon to adapt, impress her family, and otherwise help her reclaim the life she once knew. He’s determined to please his woman and makes every effort to set his bad boy ways aside. After all, she refused Christoph’s twisted seduction in order to be with him. He can do this for her. How hard can a little city living be?

But when Brandon begins to undergo radical changes as a result of her vampire blood, they discover precisely why vampires and werewolves shouldn’t mix.An evil storm is brewing in Brandon’s soul, and if it emerges it will tear them apart.

There’s only one way to conquer it and Christoph holds the key. He can help them, but first there’s something they must do…

Deep in the Cascade wilderness, the shifters are preparing for battle. The vampires plan to attack, but need the lovers to fight by their side. A war is on the horizon, which will put their love to the ultimate test. If they want to finally live in peace, they’ll do this. But agreeing isn’t as easy as it seems. Gwen’s true nature is surfacing and it threatens to destroy the one man she’s given her heart to.

Will they stand united or divide and fall?

Destiny is drawing near.

Read on for my thoughts on Wild Hearts. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Primal Darkness by Evie Ryan

Posted June 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Primal Darkness
Series: By Moonlight, part two
Author: Evie Ryan
Genre: Erotica, Paranormal Romance
Published: May 15, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Darkness becomes her…

Rugged, commanding, and undeniably sexy, Brandon Scott is the reason Gwen’s alive, but she isn’t sure about this mountain man who’s mischievous yet careful with her. He drives her nuts, but keeps her smiling. Every kiss sends her reeling with desire, but every mishap makes her smack him, annoyed. Despite his brazen attitude and rough ways Brandon charms her every time he flashes that bad boy smile. He’s not the type of man Gwen usually goes for, but then again she’s never fallen for a werewolf. This werewolf has her hooked. And neither Gwen nor Brandon seems very concerned that she’s a vampire. Vampires and werewolves don’t mix.

Caught up in their sudden romance, Gwen moves into Brandon’s cabin where falling in love and making love are their only priorities. But when Gwen discovers she isn’t the only hiker who was saved from death, she begins to unravel a dark secret that threatens to divide them, and an ancient power called primal darkness is at its core.

A vampire amongst werewolves, Gwen investigates alone. The closer she gets to discovering the truth, the greater the rift between her and the man she loves. Brandon’s keeping something from her, but the vampire who turned her isn’t. Refined, inviting, and highly seductive, Christoph Barone would do anything for her and Gwen can’t deny the temptation. His hands are strong, yet smooth as silk. Every touch melts her. And when he looks at her with those piercing green eyes she feels a connection so deep it takes her breath away. But isn’t Brandon the one?

As primal darkness rises, the two men vie for her heart. Gwen is torn between her werewolf lover and the love of a man who’s like her, a vampire. She must choose before the dark power makes the choice for her. If it does, it could mean her life.

Read on for my thoughts on Primal Darkness. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Vamp Rising by Evie Ryan

Posted June 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Vamp Rising
Series: By Moonlight, Part 1
Author: Evie Ryan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: May 14, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

Death is only the beginning…

When Gwen Keller arrives in the Cascade Mountains, ready for the long weekend ahead, she knows she’s out of her element. The steep terrain, crisp mountain air, and rugged wilderness are nothing like Seattle’s state-of-the-art amenities she’s accustomed to, but that’s the point. She wants an escape from her grueling career as a high-powered executive and the hectic lifestyle that comes with it. She needs time alone, just her and nature,so that she can come to terms with the diagnosis that’s looming over her head: Gwen will not live long.

Brandon Scott notices the city slicker the second she sets foot in his neck of the woods and he isn’t pleased. The way she wrestles her tent poles with a clatter, stomps noisily through the brush, and sings aloud through trails she has no business hiking sets his teeth on edge. But the longer he studies her from afar, the harder it is to deny she’s piqued his interest. Her curves, the short mop of blond hair she tosses with a smile, and the perky pep in her step has him curious about her, if not intrigued. Does she have what it takes to survive in his territory? Would his inner wolf scare her off? Maybe she’s the one…

But the opportunity slips through his fingers when he finds the lone hiker dead at the bottom of the ravine.

There’s only one way to restore her to life and it isn’t to make her like him. An ancient favor is called in, and the mysterious woman is saved. But what she’s become is destined to destroy him: a vampire.

Brandon must tame her darkness if he wants to win her heart, but Gwen is torn between the vampire life and that of werewolves. She must choose before time runs out…

The search party is closing in.

Read on for my thoughts on Vamp Rising. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Aftermath by Sandy Goldsworthy

Posted June 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Aftermath
Series: The Afterworld Saga #1
Author: Sandy Goldsworthy
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: December 2, 2014
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

After losing her father, Emma Bennett moves to her aunt’s small town of Westport to finish out her senior year of high school. Emma wants to forget the pain and loss of the past few weeks, finding relief in the company of Ben Parker—a local boy who she has an instant attraction and uncanny connection with. When Ben seems a little too preoccupied with other responsibilities and has no time for her, Emma turns to the town’s hottest flirt—Lucas Crandon—for affection. Unfortunately, she realizes a little too late that, sometimes, bad boys really can be bad for you.

Life as an undercover agent for the Afterworld’s Bureau of Investigation isn’t an easy job. When Ben Parker finds his soul mate, Emma, in a small town, he finds himself forced to choose between doing his job or rekindling a relationship with the love of his existence. After Ben is notified that a notorious immortal is loose somewhere near Westport, he realizes that his love life will just have to wait. There is a criminal to apprehend before he can have his girl.

When lives are at stake and immortals are on the loose, can two soul mates find their happy ever after?

Read on for my thoughts on Aftermath. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Aftershock by Sandy Goldsworthy

Posted June 17, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Aftershock
Series: The Afterworld Saga
Author: Sandy Goldsworthy
Genre: Paranormal
Published: April 11, 2014
Publisher:
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: Owned, Kindle edition
Cover Description:

An agent for the Afterworld’s Bureau of Investigation, Ben Parker spent decades undercover on earth, searching for the wife he left behind when he died.

Just when he decides to give up hope, and move on with his existence, he learns his soul mate was found. Now, reviewing her case file, he understands what she endured those years without him.

More importantly, he knows what the future has in store for her… but there’s nothing he can do to change it.

Read on for my thoughts on Aftershock. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Secondhand Bride by Nancy Warren

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

Title: Secondhand Bride
Series: The Almost Wives Club #2
Author: Nancy Warren
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 15, 2015
Publisher: Ambleside Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Five brides and one (possibly cursed) wedding gown. Will any of them get to wear the designer wedding dress down the aisle?

As the poor relation in the rich and powerful Carnarvon family, Ashley Carnarvon is used to hand-me-downs. But getting handed down a wedding dress that’s cursed? Okay, the curse is bad enough, but even worse, the dress doesn’t suit her. The fabulous gown was designed for a taller, slimmer bride who ran away before the wedding and never wore the dress – which gets back to the curse…

At twenty-five, Ashley’s not sure what she wants to do with her life. She’s still living on the Carnarvon compound in Malibu, sharing a cottage on the property with her mother. She goes to school part time, works part time and parties more than she should. Mostly, she parties with Eric Van Hoffendam, who’s the slacker in his rich, powerful family. A lot of their friends are starting to get married and when Eric asks her to marry him, she likes the idea. Eric doesn’t look down on her or demand anything of her. Life with him would be easy, and Ashley likes things to be easy.

Bennett Saegar has a bad habit of making his life harder than it needs to be. Trying to make it as a Hollywood screenwriter is hard enough, but when a movie star stages a very public suicide attempt over unrequited love for him, the media frenzy is so bad he needs a place to hide out. Luckily, the pool house is free on the property of his family friends, the Carnarvons. He’ll be out of sight and able to concentrate on his next screenplay. Best of all, he’ll be far away from women.

When he moves into the pool house, the first person he sees is Ashley Carnarvon. Ashley who had a world class crush on him ten years earlier. Now, she’s all grown up and something about her pulls at him.

Good thing she’s engaged, or she could be a serious distraction. Then, Ben meets her fiancé and realizes this guy is all wrong for Ashley. She’s got so much more potential than she realizes. He wishes he knew how to show her how special she is without anyone getting the wrong idea about his intentions. Especially him.

Secondhand Bride is the second in a series of five romantic comedies about the designer wedding gown that plays havoc with weddings!

Read on for my thoughts on Secondhand Bride. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bride on the Run by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock

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

Title: Bride on the Run
Series: Runaway Brides #4
Author: Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 16, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing, Southern Born
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Valerie Dimitri is on the run from her former fiancé who’d only wanted to marry her for her family’s questionable criminal ties. She also has the perfect cover with an assumed name and a thriving call-in advice show, “Sex Talk with Serena”, until one messy call blows up in her face. When she counselled “Anna J” to break up her with her boyfriend, she had no idea that she was telling a local celebrity to dump the hometown hero ballplayer, Boone Sullivan.

Boone has discovered Valerie’s real identity and he’s determined to expose her secrets… and maybe more. What he didn’t expect was to be blindsided by a crazy attraction to the buttoned-up lady with the sultry voice and a hidden past. He had carefully plotted his revenge, but soon all he can think about is how much he’d like to take Valerie as very own his stand-in bride.

Read on for my thoughts on Bride on the Run. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Magical Weddings: 15 Enchanting Romances

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

Title: Magical Weddings 15 Enchanting Romances
Series:
Author: Various
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Regency, Paranormal Romance
Published: June 16, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Magical Weddings includes 14 NEW RELEASES, written expressly for this set.

Whether real or only in the hearts of the bride and groom, the magic of weddings is undeniable. And irresistible! As these 15 enchanting happily-ever-afters by bestselling and award-winning authors prove.

From sweet to spicy, the romances bundled into this set cross time and unite hearts, cast spells of laughter, battle wedding jitters and fight back tears, while weaving love’s hopeful magic throughout 1400 pages.

Her Wedding Wager by Leigh Michaels, National bestselling and Award-winning author of over 100 novels. Celia’s doomed to an arranged marriage–unless she can win the most important bet of her life!

The Last Wedding at Drayhome (Breens Mist Witches) by Aileen Harkwood. Never underestimate the power of a witch and warlock in love who have nothing left to lose.

The Dress by Eve Devon. Two couples, 400 years apart. From a masquerade ball in Venice 1615 to a wedding in England 2015, can a dress laced with magic weave its spell through the fabric of time?

Second Chance Bride by Raine English, USA Today bestselling and Award-winning author. She thinks she’s marrying the man of her dreams, until a telepathic rescue dog leads her to someone else… Will this bride-to-be say “I do” to the wrong man?

Two Hearts Surrendered by Tamara Ferguson, Bestselling and Award-winning author. Will two warring hearts be strong enough to survive the ultimate battle?

Something Borrowed, Something Blue by Lynda Haviland. She has a wedding to crash–until love gets in the way!

Heart of the Secret (Witches of Lane County) by Jody A. Kessler, Bestselling and Award-winning author. A 500 year-old curse, a witch who will do anything to marry her one true love, and the heart of a secret that will either divide them or bring them together…forever.

The Jealous Love of a Scoundrel by Jane Lark, National bestselling author. How do you fight a calling that comes from your soul?

A Wedding Across the Winds of Time by Bess McBride, National bestselling author. Darius and Molly found each other Across the Winds of Time. Now, it’s time for their wedding!

Kiss This by L.L. Muir, National bestselling and Award-winning author. You never expect the florist to catch the bouquet…

Caution is a Virtue by Jennifer Gilby Roberts. How much is too much to risk for love?

Loving Lindy by Jan Romes. In order to become the bank’s new Vice President, Gunther Justin has to be “settled.” With Lindy McPherson posing as his fiancé everything is set to go off without a hitch–until real feelings get in the way.

With this Kiss by Heather Thurmeier. Does a simple kiss have enough magic to reunite lovers?

Real Magic by Elsa Winckler. She’s the bridesmaid, he’s a best man. Will the magical evening stay just that or will it turn out to be real after all?

The Wedding Guests (A Tassamara Short Story) by Sarah Wynde. When unexpected guests attend Akira and Zane’s wedding, lives will change forever. But for better or for worse?

Read on for my thoughts on Magical Weddings. No true spoilers, promise.

Crave: The 2015 Atria Indie Author Sampler

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

Crave Atria sampler Title: Crave
Series:
Author: Various
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Atria
My Rating: 3
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Turn up the heat with this free e-sampler featuring seven irresistibly sexy and utterly enticing selections by some of the biggest names in contemporary romance and new adult fiction. Lose yourself in these stories and spread the love by sharing with your friends.

Here’s a taste of:

After the Rain by Renée Carlino
When You’re Back by Abbi Glines
Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle
Confess by Colleen Hoover
Amber to Ashes by Gail McHugh
Black Iris Leah Raeder
Chasing River by K.A. Tucker

Read on for my thoughts on Crave. No spoilers, promise.

Review: Girls Can’t Be Knights by Lee French

Posted June 15, 2015 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Title: Girls Can’t Be Knights
Series:
Author: Lee French
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Published: June 12, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Portland has a ghost problem.

Sixteen-year-old Claire wants her father back. His death left her only memories and an empty locket. After six difficult years in foster care, her vocabulary no longer includes “hope” and “trust.”

Everything changes when Justin rides his magical horse into her path and takes her under his wing. Like the rest of the elite men who serve as Spirit Knights, he hunts restless ghosts that devour the living.

When an evil spirit threatens Claire’s life, she’ll need Justin’s help to survive. And how could she bear the Knights’ mark on her soul? Everybody knows Girls Can’t Be Knights.

Read on for my thoughts on Girls Can’t Be Knights. No true spoilers, promise.