Forbidden Bond - Lee Colgin

Forbidden Bond by Lee Colgin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read quite a few books that just haven't quite hit the mark, it was great to finally come across this one that ticked all the boxes. Forbidden Bond is the first book in the They Bite series, based on this one, I don't think that it will be the last that I read.
In this world, supernaturals have come to an uneasy truce, but they are far from friendly with one another. Sinclair, an as yet still living vampire, wants to attend a werewolf university and learn more of the history of the various species. His family are against it, but as he is in his mid-twenties and an adult there's little that they can do about it. (Although, he does appear to be younger than that somehow.) The alpha wolf who looks after the pack at the university, Mitchel is not happy about his arrival, to begin with, but he soon finds that he not only likes the young vampire but is also very much attracted to him.
I enjoyed the romance between Sinclair and Mitchel and the story around humans learning about the existence of paranormals and how they were all trying to deal with it was great. The book did leave me with a few questions, the relationship between Sinclair and Mitchel was unheard of and as nice as it was to see them cement that connection properly, I think that I would have liked to see a little bit more after that. I'm guessing that as more books from this series come, we'll start to learn more about the situation with both wolves and vampires. Perhaps the reason for there being less information here is simply because it's something that will be dealt with in later stories.
Overall this was a great read and as I mentioned before, I'm keen to read more from this world.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Taking the Lead - Tara Eldana

Taking the Lead by Tara Eldana
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 stars read.
I loved the idea behind this book, identical twins, with one woman being attracted to both despite them being quite different in a number of ways. Between them, they decide to go for a bit of an unconventional approach to the relationship and of course this leads to the worries, jealousies and concerns that you would expect.
There was a lot to deal with here, juggling the emotions of all three and how that might lead to something that they could all live with. For the most part, it was an entertaining and interesting read. There were a couple of things that for me at least, stopped this from being a full four stars. The characters, particularly the twins weren't different enough to make it obvious who you were reading about, which was a bit annoying. I also found that there seemed to be quite a few sudden leaps in ideas. (Everyone suddenly decides that Jessa is a switch, with absolutely nothing to suggest that she's anything to be honest before they're all proclaiming it.) The ending was a bit odd too, I sort of see why things unfolded as they did, although I wasn't totally on board with it, there was no need for four or five chapters that were two months later, six months later, a year later etc.
Overall this wasn't a bad read and had quite a bit I did enjoy, but the execution of the plot wasn't quite there and it just stopped it from being a really good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Hard Justice - Pamela Clare

Hard Justice by Pamela Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one get's 3 1/2 rounded up to 4 stars.
I haven't read the previous books in the series, but I think that this one worked well as a stand-alone. This is a romantic suspense with a bit of a murder mystery to get to the bottom of along the way. There's plenty of action and plenty of heat in the romance department.
Set in Scotland with a Glaswegian lead, lots of the book is written with a 'Scottish' dialect which for the most part was fairly well done. The author had clearly done quite a bit research and other than the odd little slip-up, but these were mostly little random things that just slip in there (things like going to a paediatrician's office which is unlikely in the UK). I do struggle a bit with things written in dialect, often it's overdone a bit, as the person writing is less used to the accent. For the most part, this was well done and worked.
I enjoyed the suspense element of the book and although I thought I knew where it was going, it didn't make for a boring read. As for the romance, I think that this might be slightly where things fell a little flat for me. I just didn't fully buy into the chemistry between Quinn and Elizabeth. I also found him calling her Lilibet really cringy. I don't know if it's because the only time I've heard that name ever used before is because it's what the Queen is known as to some people and came about because she couldn't say her own name. It's such a babyish name and not something you could imagine lovers using. It's a shame because I think that it was the romance element that made this less than a four-star read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Not home for the Holidays - Isabelle Drake

Not Home for the Holidays by Isabelle Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You know how sometimes you're just in the mood for a nice, feel-good romance? Well Not Home for the Holidays ticks all the boxes in that regard. This isn't a long or intense read with heaps of issues for the various characters, instead, we have quite a sweet little read that leaves you with a smile on your face and a satisfied feeling inside.
Emma hasn't had a great deal of success with romance, but she has been doing rather well with her online chicken business. When she becomes a finalist for a social media competition with an advertising agency, she gets the chance to head to the big city and possibly a life of a bit more excitement.
This is quite a quick read, which is perfect for this kind of story. The romance wasn't drawn out with lots of misunderstanding and confusion. There were some things for the couple to work through and get to their happily ever after, but it didn't feel as though this was being added for the sake of it, or rather the sake of adding some conflict. This was just the kind of book I as in the mood for on a lazy Sunday morning.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Case for the Temptation - Robyn Grady

The Case for Temptation by Robyn Grady
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Case for Temptation is a little different to some of your other romance novels. It begins with our hero and heroine getting together for the night. As the book progresses they try to decide if they can fit into each other's lives, particularly when it comes to dealing with the baggage from each other's past.
There is a lot going on in this novel, with both Jacob and Teagan questioning if they want a relationship with one another and if they can make it as a couple. There are a few occasions where we suddenly get a summary of things that have happened, but that we don't actually see. I'm sure that this is to help keep the story moving and at the right pace. The only downside with this is that it doesn't make for the most gripping reading. It didn't really matter, but it was one of the elements that stopped this from being a four-star read.
I liked the relationship between Jacob and Teagan. I did think that towards the end he was a little cruel, there were reasons for it, but I don't usually like my 'hero's' to be like that.
This was a good romantic read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


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Fell Murder - E.C.R Lorac

Fell Murder by E.C.R. Lorac
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been looking forward to reading Fell Murder since I requested it on Net Galley. I've read one or two of her novels before and really enjoyed them, but more importantly, I have a huge soft spot for the part of the country that this book is set in. It may have been fifty years after the time of this book that I lived in Lancaster and knew the lune valley, but I could still recognise the landscape that appears in the pages.
The murder mystery comes about after the return of a son who has long been away from the area. Although he doesn't visit his family, it soon becomes clear that a number of people in the area know of his arrival. It's not clear at first how his arrival causes the murder to take place, but the fact that he's suddenly there is the spark for the events that follow.
I enjoyed this murder mystery, I did guess the murderer right before the end of the book, but it was a guess and I wasn't completely sure that I was right.
I really enjoyed the book, both because of the mystery element but also because of the obvious great love for the area that the author had. If I wasn't on the other side of the world, I have no doubt it would be enough to send me on a visit back to Lancaster and the surrounding area as soon as possible.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Provoke You - Diana A Hicks

Provoke You
Diana A. Hicks
(Cole Brothers #2)
Publication date: December 16th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Hotel heiress Ela LeBlanc is ready to take control of her life. Waking up handcuffed to a former marine and the news of her step-dad’s plans to sell the hotel is just the wake-up call she needs.
With only thirty days to prove he has no claim on the property, Ela has to enlist the help of her sexy as sin bodyguard.When things take a dangerous turn, and Matt becomes the only person she can trust, she can’t help but wonder… can she trust him with her heart?
Former Marine Matt Cole came to New Orleans for a fresh start, a chance to make amends. After accepting a job as the chief of security for a wealthy hotelier, he quickly realizes that life in the Big Easy is anything but.
Matt’s greatest challenge is keeping his distance from the tempting Ela LeBlanc, his boss’s gorgeous and very off limits step-daughter.  Surviving Ela is just the beginning. As things unfold it becomes clear that it’s not just his heart on the line, but their lives.
PROVOKE YOU is book two in the Cole Brothers series. A new family saga binge reading experience: 5 brothers, 5 full-length novels in 5 months.
Continue reading on December 16th, January 13th, February 10th, and March 9th. Don’t miss out on this suspenseful and seductive series.
Note: This is a steamy romance with explicit sensual scenes, happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:
Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance with a touch of suspense. Book two in her Desert Monsoon series, LOVE OVER LOGIC, won the 2019 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner in the Romance – Suspense genre
When Diana is not writing, she enjoys kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

My Review

Although this is the second in the Cole Brothers' series, you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this one, it works well as a standalone. That said, I have read the first book and very briefly met the Cole Brothers before. This book deals with adopted brother Matt and his relationship with Ela.

Ela is the heiress to a fortune, but her stepfather doesn't think that she is ready to take over. All that she really wants is her Father's love and attention, but since the death of her Grandmother everything seems to have changed and in a failed attempted to get his notice, she has spiralled into a self-destructive path. In recent years, Ela has finally sorted herself out, but it seems that it's not really what her father wants. When he sells the hotel that she loves out from under her feet, then she knows that she needs to do something.

There's quite a lot going on in this story with action and suspense abound. It also has it's lighter moments, Ela first knowingly meets Matt when she wakes up from a bender handcuffed to him. I thought this balance of action and fun worked well together as did Matt and Ela as a couple. There are hints of the other stories to come in the series, but nothing that means that you have to read any of the others or that they even have to be read in order.

Provoke You is a fun and exciting romance which delivers on lots of levels. I'm looking forward to finding out what else the Cole Brothers' series has in store for us.

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The Way of the Brave - Susan May Warren

The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm giving this one three and a half out of five, rounded up to four. I struggled a bit to know what to give it, but I think that's a fair rating. What I didn't realise when I started reading it, was that it was a religious romance. I cottoned on fairly quickly when various characters started referring to God as though he were an off-screen character that they all knew well. Perhaps that's how they and the author feel? I don't know, it just wasn't what I had been expecting.
The book itself deals with a mountain climb and rescue. I have to admit that I've not done much climbing and certainly no mountaineering. I can't tell you how accurate it was, but it certainly seemed to contain plenty of detail and made for a fascinating and exciting read. It even had me looking up Denali online and looking at some photos. In many ways, the romance and the connection to the characters came as secondary to this adventure storyline.
The characters themselves all seem to have had terrible things happen to them in the last few years. It's really hardly surprising that any of them seem to need to use religion as an emotional crutch, I think anyone would struggle to cope with that kind of things thrown at them. If I had a criticism about the adventure element of the book, it would be that that side of it was relentless, with a number of things happening one after another that they needed to face and deal with.
The romance worked well, it was in many ways a second chance romance, although Orion and Jenny hadn't actually been lovers before. It did seem to be very much secondary to the other events in the book, but that didn't really matter.
There were a couple of things that I didn't like, which is why it doesn't receive a larger rating. Firstly the constant religious discussions were just a bit much. If I had known that this was a religious book, I'd have probably given it a miss for that reason. The other thing that bothered me a bit was the way some of the characters acted. A doctor with a suspected broken ankle and other injuries won't let someone examine her, she's halfway up a mountain and she's worried it wouldn't be right to let him see her stomach and lower chest. Really? Then there's a scene where one character overreacts (completely) because another woman has invited a man back to her room when she's always said before that she would 'wait'. It's a really really odd scene and just doesn't ring true for characters that are supposed to be adults.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, more as an adventure read than anything else.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


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Out of a Dark Reflection - Lexie Conyngham

Out of a Dark Reflection by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I meant to spend a few days reading Out of a Dark Reflection, but as soon as I started reading I couldn't resist keeping going. Fortunately, I've been quite busy with work lately and could do with a bit of time doing very little, so it didn't matter too much that I spent the whole day reading.
I love the Murray books, particularly those, like this one, that also feature his good, but rather eccentric friend Blair.
Murray is spending the season at home in Letho, with his (horrid) wife due to give birth soon. He's not the only one who seems to have given the season a miss. When an old woman is killed in her home, the whole village soon starts to tear itself apart looking for witches and it doesn't seem that anyone is unaffected in one way or another by the hysteria.
I have to admit that I didn't manage to get to the bottom of this one. I had a few ideas that seemed to be in the right direction, but I certainly didn't unravel everything. That isn't really why I read these books. I do enjoy the mystery element and that's what I came for initially. What I really love is Murray himself, the other characters that make up his world (both servants, friends and passing acquaintances) and the historical setting. I don't know if Murray's house is based on a particular real-life house, or rather an amalgamation of them, but I can certainly think of houses that I know that are similar.
There is a short novella that follows this book, I've already downloaded it and will be reading it soon. I'm sure that it won't be long until I return to Murray and the next in the series.

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Everglades Wildfire - Isabelle Drake

Everglades Wildfire by Isabelle Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After spending a summer working together and having a passionate love affair, neither Rick nor Amber thought that they would ever see one another again. They have not been able to forget about each other and when Amber returns to get Rick's agreement to use their research for her graduate degree, they soon find that they can't resist one another. Amber agrees to act as Rick's pretend fiance and before long they are swept along with his family's hopes.
This was a bit of an unusual story. The characters had a past, but a fairly recent one. It's clear right from the start that the chemistry between them is explosive and that they are not going to be able to resist one another. The story itself is quite short to be honest, which doesn't matter too much as being as these two have already got a past, there isn't a need for that initial get to know you phase. Both Amber and Rick have a past that has made them both wary of getting involved in a relationship, yet yearning for a place to belong and the chance to be properly part of a family.
I liked both Rick and Amber and I think that their relationship worked well. The idea of a couple deciding to pretend to be married is perhaps a little far fetched, but in the context of the story, that really didn't matter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Between Friends - Elsa Miles

Between Friends by Elsa Miles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know that you should never judge a book by its cover, but when I saw this one and it immediately reminded me a of a certain series set in a high school with twins in it that I used to read as a young teenager, then I couldn't resist. Between friends sets itself as an Old School Romance, the romance is the story, rather than some other plot that carries much of the story with a romance burning alongside.
I actually really enjoyed this read. Tessa and Jordan have been best friends for years, but never lovers. Of course, everyone else thinks that they are going to end up together and although they are against that, to begin with, it soon becomes clear that they have always really been in love.
I liked the way that the romance unfolded, with both Tess and Jordan trying (and failing) to resist the pull between them. I did think that Jordan could have been slightly nicer at points. I sometimes get a bit tired of the virgin and the player making a perfect match. I don't mind the male character has been around a bit if the heroine also has. It's just small niggle though and it didn't really stop me enjoying this fun friends to lovers romance. Sometimes all you need is a bit of Old School Romance and I'd be more than happy to check out others in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Sweet Revenge - Jennifer Hanks

Sweet Revenge by Jennifer Hanks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maggie could be forgiven for never wanting to have anything to do with a Motorbike Club again, after the abuse that she suffers at the hands of Snake. When she escapes from his clutches and is taken in by the Sinners she soon starts to trust them and even finds the chance of love with the sweet Gunner.
Like many MC romances that I have read the book doesn't shy away from the darker side of MC, but it does push the idea that the Sinners are different and have been doing what they can to sort themselves out and clean up. I suppose that's to be expected, as who wants bad boys that have no redeeming features? Where this one is possibly a little different is that there are no punches pulled when it comes to the darker side of other clubs. The rival club, the widows seems to be full of truly evil people.
I enjoyed reading Maggie and Gunner's story and I liked the way that it developed. I did find Maggie a little difficult to connect with to begin with. But she improved as the book progressed, I'm not sure what the difficulty was, but it may have just been me. It does mean that I'd be inclined to give this one a 3 1/2 rounded up to 4 stars. Overall it was a good start to the series and I'd be keen to read about more of the MC members.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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What I did for love - Mickey J. Corrigan

What I Did for Love
Mickey J Corrigan
Published by: Bloodhound Books
Publication date: October 28th 2019
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

What happens when a teacher falls for her student?
After her seventeen-year-old student fails to live up to his potential in class, Cathriona O’Hale conducts a parent teacher meeting with the boy’s widowed father. He is attractive, intelligent, and exceedingly wealthy, everything an unmarried middle-aged woman would normally find appealing.
But Cath is not your average forty-something. She’s a wild card who has a crush on the man’s teenage son.
Cath finds herself juggling father and son while battling the true source of her lust and forbidden love. So when the father of the object of her obsession proposes, she has a choice to make:
Love or crime?
And when her decision is made, the consequences might just be deadly…

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Book Trailer

Author Bio:
Originally from Boston, Mickey J. Corrigan writes pulp fiction, literary crime, and psychological thrillers. Her stories have been called “gritty realism,” “oh so compulsive” reads, and “bizarre but believable.” Her novellas and novels have been released by publishers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Salt Publishing in the UK released her satirical crime novel about a school shooting in 2017. Visit at www.mickeyjcorrigan.com

Website / Goodreads

My Review

When I started reading this book, my first thought was Lolita. Except, in this case, we have a middle-aged female teacher who lusts after her students. The book tells the story of her love for one of her 17-year-old students and the relationship that she develops with his father. Unsurprisingly, the author notes that Lolita is one of her favourite books. That's not to say that What I Did For Love is a retelling, instead it takes its storyline in its own direction.

Cathriona tries to make us sympathetic to her situation. Of course, if you stop and think about it for all of a second, you know that there is nothing to be sympathetic for here. There is nothing in her plan that is 'right' from the seduction of the older man to get close to the son, the playing with the son's emotions and then her ultimate plan so that she can be with the son. Of course, the joy of it is that you do find yourself being swept along with it until you consider what it is she is doing. 

I think that I was left with as many questions as answers by the end of the book, but I suspect that was intentional. She tells us what the Dad's plans are, but really we have only her interpretation to go on. She's an unreliable narrator at best, but as someone who tells us frequently that she longs to be an author and has drafted versions of the story with parts changed or added to, who knows what the truth really is. There are a couple of points towards the end of the book that made me wonder if that was really what the other characters intended or felt or just what she wanted to believe or see. I won't give specifics to avoid spoilers.

This book won't be for everyone, mostly down to the subject matter. But if you can get past that and really I suggest that you try, then this is a really good read. Thought-provoking, interesting and gripping you will find it hard to put down, I did. 

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Tough Guy - Rachel Reid

Tough Guy by Rachel Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this might possibly be the sweetest hockey romance that I have ever read. Not that I've read many, but I've come across a few. Ryan is a gentle giant, despite his reputation on the ice. He loves men who are the complete opposite of him; confident, delicate and beautiful. He fell for Fabrian as a teenager although he never acted on it. Fabian doesn't have a particular type, but e also fell for Ryan when they were teenagers. It's only when they meet again now that their feelings for one another are revealed.
In many ways, Ryan and Fabian seem like an odd couple. But it soon becomes clear that they work really well together. I don't know a great deal (anything) about ice hockey, having seen a grand total of two games in my life. Ryan's job on the team is as an enforcer. He fights in order to protect other members of his team. Unfortunately, it's not a position that is easy to deal with and Ryan struggles in this story. I did a quick google and found an article about three young enforcers who had all died due to their struggles with mental health and the toll that the game took on them. I thought that this aspect was dealt with quite well in the story. Fabian struggles to reconcile the sweet and caring man that he has fallen for, with the aggressive side he shows on the ice.
Of course, this is a romance story and we know that we all read those for the happily ever after, the ability of the characters to work through their differences and be together. Tough Guy delivers on that front and I'm sure that you'll be left with a happy smile by the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Liar's Daughter - Claire Allan

The Liar’s Daughter by Claire Allan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The latest book from Claire Allan is another edge of your seat, can't put it down read. Told from the point of view of various different characters as the story unfolds, this book deals with child abuse and paedophilia. As the story progresses, we're left trying to guess what really happened in the past and who is to blame for the events of the present.
I have to admit that I did guess where this one was going. It didn't really matter though, although there are twists and turns in the plot and there is a mystery to be revealed, that isn't really the main driving theme of the book. Instead, this book is all about the way that abuse can shape who someone is and the far-reaching effects of it years later.
The Liar's Daughter is a gripping read. I managed to get through it in one day, not because it was short, but just because once I started I couldn't put it down. I'm becoming a big fan of Claire Allan's books and this one certainly measures up to the previous ones that I've read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Colombiano - Rusty Young

Colombiano by Rusty Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Colombiano, a gripping and confronting read.

Colombiano is a big book, I mean that in more than one way. First of all, it is physically massive (I actually read it on my kindle, but the dots to show the length of the book and how far you've got through it spread across the whole screen). But it also deals with some very large events. The story itself is based on the stories that Rusty Young was told when interviewing ex-child soldiers. I don't know how much of it is 'real' and how much is fiction, it all felt very real.
The book itself, despite its length, is easy to read. I mean that in the sense that the chapters are very short. The story is so engaging that it's a good thing. Short chapters meant that you can keep reading just one more, while longer chapters would have been more likely to make me wait until I actually had time to read. Told from the point of view of Pedro, who witnesses his father's murder and sets out to gain what he claims is justice, but is actually revenge, we follow him as he progresses through the ranks of the Autodefensas. The things that Pedro witnesses and overtime is more of a part of, are brutal. This is a dirty gorilla war, brutality is expected. The confronting part of this book is that as we are following Pedro on his journey, we can't help but sympathise with his situation and why he does something. More than once I found myself rooting for him only to wonder how I could even for a second buy into what was happening.
I came into this knowing next to nothing about Columbia beyond the thoughts of cocaine, coffee and South America. I don't know that I 'know' much more now, but it's certainly a country that I would like to know more about. I hope that over time its wounds can be healed and its people find peace. Especially the likes of Pedro and his friends and enemies who lost their childhood to horror and bloodshed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Unravel You - Diana A Hicks

Unravel You
Diana A. Hicks
(Cole Brothers, #1)
Publication date: November 18th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

UNRAVEL YOU is the enthralling sequel to LOVE OVER LATTES and can be read as a standalone. It is also book one in the Cole Brothers series, a new family saga, binge reading experience: 5 brothers, 5 full-length novels in 5 months.
College graduate Valentina never expected to fall for the hot as hell and intimidating Derek Cole when she accepted his offer to rent his property.
From cottage to mansion, Valentina is certain she doesn’t deserve the fairytale unfolding. But Derek gets what he wants… and he wants her.
He’s “the one” for her, but before she says I do, she has to survive a month long trip to his family’s estate in Atlanta. Gaining approval from four brothers and an over-protective mother might just be her hardest test yet.
For billionaire Derek Cole, this homecoming is a chance to mend the damage he caused when he walked away from the family business.
Just when they think they have a handle on their happily ever after… their past and future collide.
Note: This is a steamy romance with explicit sensual scenes, happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. Can be read as a standalone.
Praise for LOVE OVER LATTES:
“Hicks’ first installment of her Desert Monsoon series is confident and assured with strong storytelling, nuanced characters, and a dynamic blend of romance and suspense…A sexy and irresistible tale for fans of contemporary romance.” – Kirkus Reviews
Don’t miss out on this suspenseful and seductive series.
Unravel You, Book 1 (Derek and Valentina) – 11/18/2019
Provoke You, Book 2 (Matt and Ela) – 12/16/2019
Escape You, Book 3 (Tyler and Mia) – 1/13/2020
Unleash You, Book 4 (Wesley and Anabelle) – 2/10/2020
Defy You, Book 5 (Zack and Rebecca) – 3/9/2020

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:
Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance with a touch of suspense. Book two in her Desert Monsoon series, LOVE OVER LOGIC, won the 2019 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner in the Romance – Suspense genre
When Diana is not writing, she enjoys kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

My Review

I didn't realise when I started reading this one that it was actually a follow on story from a previous book. I don't know how much difference it would have made to read the first in the series, but I don't think that it reduced my enjoyment too much. Unlike most romance books, this isn't the story of a couple getting together, but a couple working out what they are to one another once they've already got together but are looking to get married. 

Despite this being a follow on, it is actually the start of the Cole Brothers series. We do briefly meet the other four brothers in this book and I think at least two of their love interests. The main story focused on Dereck and Valentina. They have both had an interesting and volatile romantic past, but are happy with one another. Although their respective ex-partners are the ones causing them trouble now.

On the whole, I liked Dereck and Valentina as a couple. My only slight reservation was that Dereck was a little too controlling and overbearing for my taste. He really oversteps the mark at one point, by not only keeping Valentina in the dark about the danger and she and her son are on, but also by moving her son somewhere safe, but not telling her or letting her know that he can't be contacted. For me, that would have been a deal-breaker, no matter how much chemistry I had with someone. 

Overall this was a good start to the series and I'd be interested to see how the rest of it pans out.

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Hero's Haven - Rebecca Zanetti

Hero's Haven by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There's always a danger that when you get to the eleventh book in a series, that it might become hard for new readers to follow what's going on. Although I have read some of the others in this series (the last two) I don't think that's the case here. You could come into the world at any of the books and not be lost in what's going on. That's not to say that there aren't links with the previous books. The characters appear across the series and play various roles.
There is an overarching storyline here and each book does seem to lead a step closer to what I assume will be the final conclusion. But you aren't left feeling that the book isn't a complete story itself and as a standalone, these all work fine.
Hero's Haven deals with Quade and Haven. Haven has grown up thinking that she's mad. The family that adopted her have abused her in an attempt to change who she is. What she didn't know is that she is a fae demon hybrid. She has been visiting Quade for years in her dreams, not realising that he has existed in another dimension and not simply been part of her imagination. Now that they finally meet for real, she struggles to trust him and to believe that there can be anything between them.
I loved Quade, in some ways he seems like an overgrown kid. He's been exiled for centuries away from the earth, so much is foreign to him. He even keeps eating toothpaste because he likes the sweet minty flavour. He's full-on and overbearing, but this type of hero often is. I'm not sure I'd want to cope with someone like that in real life, but he's fun to read about in a book.
I'm not sure where to next for this series, but I'm looking forward to reading more and finding out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Enforcer - Abigail Owen

The Enforcer by Abigail Owen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the Fire's Edge and Inferno Rising series from Abigail Owen. This is the third book in the Fire's Edge series and it builds into what we have already seen and there is a cross over with the first Inferno Rising series (which seems to take place at roughly the same time as this one and there are some cross over events). This book does work as a stand-alone, but really you should read the other books first, just because they are so good.
The Enforcer is Drake, he's never found his mate and now he's slowly dying, even though the degeneration shouldn't have started to take place for another couple of hundred years. Not wanting to endanger his 'family' the Huracán team of dragon enforcers, he leaves them, becoming a rogue dragon. There he meets Camilla, a woman that he had saved previously, not realising that she was a dragon mate.
I loved the romance between Cami and Drake. She not only gives as good as she gets but quite often has the upper hand where Drake is concerned. He's a grumpy old sod and really needs someone who is able to push him out of his comfort zone and challenge him. Of course, being his mate there is a happily ever after here, but they both need to work for it and really find out that they are 'the one' for each other.
I can't wait for more in this series and in Inferno Rising. I think I know who were are going to read about next in both series. I just hope that I haven't got too long to wait until I can.
received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Her Hot Ride - Heather Van Fleet

Her Hot Ride: A gripping and sexy biker mc romantic suspense novel by Heather Van Fleet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Red Dragon's MC series. It doesn't matter if you haven't read the first two books. Characters from those books are mentioned and to be honest, the whole series is good, so why wouldn't you? This time troubled Emily, best friend to Summer and sister to Hawk, who appeared in the first book is the main female character. She is desperate to find her mother and save her from her Dad, who was at one time the club president but who is now, to put it mildly, a bad lot.
No one int he club seems to trust her and she is determined to leave them. Archer has been given the task to keep an eye on her, they've got on each others nerves since they very first met, but the more time that they spend together, the clearer it becomes that there's something else between them.
When Emily runs away, Archer gives chase and goes with her on her cross country treck to find her father and mother. The more time that they spend together, the more that the feelings and chemistry between them begin to grow.
I'm really enjoying this series and I hope that there's more to come. Emily and Archer made a great couple. They both have problems, but it soon becomes clear that they are quite alike in many ways and together they make sense. There was great chemistry between them and I really enjoyed reading about them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Awaken the Dragon - A.C. Arthur

Awaken the Dragon by A.C. Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I'm quite partial to a dragon shifter novel. Awaken the Dragon is the first in a series, I assume that the other books in the series will involve the other dragons shifters that we met in this one. Theo is the leader of a group of dragons who have left their realm and are living on earth. He has been here for two hundred years and in that time he has repressed the dragon side of his nature, choosing instead to live as a man and run his security business. When he meets Shola he finally finds someone who might be worth risking everything for and allow him to finally become himself once again.
There is a lot going on here and being the first in the series there's a lot to explain. A lot of time isn't spent on world-building, but we still manage to get most of the gist of the world in which they live as the story unfolds. I think that future books in the series might be able to build on this and so will be in a stronger position, as we become more accustomed to the setting.
The romance between Theo and Shola moves quite quickly once they fully acknowledge their blossoming feelings. For me, it didn't quite work as well as it might. The chemistry between them just wasn't quite sparking properly and so things felt a little rushed. I also felt that Shola's character was kept in shadow a little too much, particularly at the beginning of the book, which didn't really help with the growing romance. I still enjoyed the book, but if I'd just brought into the chemistry a little more or there had been a little bit more of a build-up between them it would have been even better. I'd be certainly keen to read more in the series, especially as I suspect that this might be one of those that improve with each book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Measure of Malice - Martin Edwards

The Measure of Malice: Scientific Detection Stories by Martin Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The great thing about these short story collections from the British Library Crime classics ist that they all introduce you to a range of new writers and if there is one that you don't enjoy as much, it isn't long before you are onto the next one. Fortunately, I don't think that there was one story that I didn't enjoy in this little collection. Even better, as well as the authors that were new to me, there were one or two old favourites. Particularly as there was a Lord Peter short story from Dorothy L. Sayers which I hadn't come across before.
I do find short stories a little harder to read, they tend to be a little longer than most chapters, so you can't squeeze one if you don't have long to sit and read and I don't tend to like going from story to story if I'm sitting reading for longer. With this collection, I've been reading one in between each longer length novel or novella. It's taken me a little while to get through because of that, but my enjoyment hasn't diminished as a result.
This is a great collection to dip into with a range of great stories from authors that you may not have come across before.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Body in the Dumb River - George Bellairs

The Body in the Dumb River: A Yorkshire Mystery by George Bellairs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that what first drew me towards these British Library Crime Classic books was the covers, what keeps me coming back are the great stories and new authors that I have discovered. I have to admit that I had no idea that there were so many crime authors in what is often called the golden age of crime writing. I foolishly thought that it was just Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and other well-loved authors that I have read over time. With each one of these books that I read, I discover someone new and they all seem to have something different to offer.
The Body in the Dumb River opens more or less with the discovery of the body. In many similar books, we are introduced to a cast of characters and it soon becomes clear that many people might have cause to be the killer once the murder occurs. Not so here, instead, with the exception of one or two people, everyone seems to love the dead man Jim and no one can quite seem to understand who could have done away with him. Of course, as the story unfolds it becomes clear who it was who might have wanted to kill him, even if it's not so obvious how it was done.
Chief inspector Littlejohn is a likeable character and works well as the primary detective in the case. I enjoyed reading his story and as this is number 35 in the series, it's clear that he has plenty of experience. I don't know how easy it would be to find more of the Littlejohn books, but I'd certainly be keen to read more if I came across them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Accidental Secrets - Dana Mason

Accidental Secrets: A totally gripping, steamy, sexy contemporary romance by Dana Mason
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was exactly what I was in the mood for. A great second chance romance, lots of chemistry between the hero and heroine and a real reason for them being kept apart for so long.
I'm always a little wary of books where there's a child involved, but in this case, it was handled really well. Although I struggle with the idea of keeping a father away from their child and not telling them that there was even a baby on the scene. In this case, Rachel and Mike's daughter is 13 by the time that he finds out about her. There are lots of reason why he was kept in the dark and of course, there are lots of questions to answer once they do finally meet.
I really enjoyed this read, there was a lot for the characters to deal with and I have to admit that I was gripped from the start. I read this in more or less one sitting, but it wasn't a quick read, I just couldn't put it down.
This being a romance, there is, of course, a happily ever after. It took them a while to get there, but the journey (for the reader) was totally worth it. This is book three in the series but worked fine as a stand-alone (I'm not even sure if the books are linked as such). I'd been keen to go back and read the others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Lion, The Leopard, and the Wolf - Eliza March

The Lion, the Leopard, and the Wolf by Eliza March
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is really quite a short novella that goes quickly through the action. Our heroine, Mac, is looking to get over her ex-boyfriend and the weekend break that her aunt books her on seems to be the ideal way to do it. There's wall to wall sexy men and they seem to be very attentive. It soon becomes clear that best friends and owners of the lodge are both interested in her.
Overall I liked the idea of the story and for the most part, it worked. Where it fell down for me was that being so short it seemed very rushed. I was actually left with far more questions at the end of the book than I had to begin with. There was very little world-building too, which left me a bit confused. Especially as they were not only shifters, but apparent were shifters. Really the book needed some background worked into the story to explain all of that. The ending felt rushed to me with the sudden and rather random appearance of another shifter character leaving me wondering what I'd just read.
It wasn't that this was a bad story, just that it could have been much better with a little bit more adding to it. It's a bit of a shame really.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Magic of Christmas - Alyssa J.Montgomery

The Magic of Christmas by Alyssa J. Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm giving this one 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4.
I have to admit that I've read another book by this author that I couldn't really get on with if I'd realised that before I started, it may have stopped me reading The Magic of Christmas. Fortunately, I didn't know, as I would have missed out on a good read if I had passed this one by.
The book tells the story of Jack and Grace. Both have experienced terrible things in their childhood, but both have been able to move beyond that, at least to an extent. For Jack, this has taken the form of being very successful, while not perhaps being as successful at moving with things emotionally. Grace is much more grounded from an emotional point of view but hasn't been as successful.
Although this is one of your Billionaire thinks he can't love but falls in love with someone less well off than he is (in this case, his cleaner). There is more going on here. Grace has battled with learning difficulties and struggled to read at school. She is an amazing musician and it is this that Jack encourages her to develop. There is action, excitement and of course, a healthy dose of romance in this Christmas story. There's even a little appearance from a character that may or may not be one of Santa's little helpers. It's a good festive read that will start to get you in the mood for the coming Christmas season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


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No Rest for the Wicked - Lauren Smith

No Rest for the Wicked: Pirates of Britannia Connected World

A wicked pirate, a lady-turned cabin boy and a love reaching the distant horizon.

Your next Pirate Adventure awaits You!

A lady’s guide to surviving aboard a pirate ship:
1) Dress as a cabin boy.
2) Avoid drinking too much rum when the handsome captain is around.
3) Do not let the captain kiss you…again.

The last thing Roberta Harcourt needs is to be trapped on a ship with pirates. After she is separated from her father when their ship is attacked, Roberta finds herself the unwilling guest of sinfully handsome Captain Dominic Grey. He gives her two choices: to share his bed and maintain her life as a lady, or she can sleep on the floor of his cabin and live the life of a cabin boy until he decides to set her free. Refusing to be seduced by a pirate, she dresses in breeches and assumes duties on board his ship among the men, but each night, sharing a cabin with the brooding, seductively intense captain, she begins to wonder if letting him kiss her again might be a rule worth breaking…

Dominic lost his innocence long ago when he was kidnapped and sold into indentured servitude in the West Indies. Determined to leave the painful memories of his past behind, he looks only to the future and the next prize he and his crew can capture on the high seas…until he discovers and captures the feisty daughter of a naval admiral. Protecting her from other pirates and preventing her marriage to an English officer is all in a day’s work for a pirate. But Dominic is determined to play the gentleman he once was born to be. He tries to resist the siren’s call of her sweet lips, especially when she’s arguing with him.

But damned if the woman wasn’t meant to be a pirate because she’s stealing his heart…

My Review

I haven't read many pirate books, it's not something that I usually go for, but I'm always up for a new Lauren Smith book, so I had to give this one a go. We learn from the prologue that although Dominic dreamed of going to sea, it was actually being kidnapped and then abused that set him on the path to being a pirate captain. He has many scars both inside and out which have led to him leading a band of pirates and chasing treasure.

Of course, he isn't all bad and once his men sink a royal navy vessel and take it's most precious cargo, the daughter of an admiral, he soon finds that the man he once was, someone he thought long dead, is really there below the surface.

Roberta is far from being a weak and feeble young woman. She has spent much of her life at sea and she is the perfect match for this damaged pirate captain. I loved reading about this woman who could hold her own in this dangerous world. The romance between Dominic and Roberta is both sweet and passionate. 

This was a great read, exciting, entertaining and with a great dose of romance. Exactly what I felt like on a lazy Saturday afternoon. 

Chosen Mate - Katie Reus

Chosen Mate by Katie Reus
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I don't think that it really mattered. I certainly didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not having met the characters before.
It tells the story of Leslie and Malcolm, who are wolf shifters. He is the alpha of their pack and knew from the moment that he met her, that Leslie would be his mate. She has been mated before, but that relationship was abusive and as a result, Malcolm is taking things very slowly. As they begin to reveal their feelings for one another, threat comes in the form of a feral wolf on their territory. Malcolm has to deal with this and protect Leslie.
I enjoyed reading about the developing relationship between Leslie and Malcolm. He was very sweet towards her and although he's an alpha, didn't try to completely dominate or control her. The only thing that I wasn't totally convinced about was the age gap. These are creatures that have very long lives, but even so, 200 years between them seemed a little bit OTT. I think that there's sometimes this feeling that the woman MUST be younger and less experienced than the man, but I'm not convinced that it's necessary and as I say, that much of a gap seems odd, especially when he appears and acts as though he was a similar age.
This is quite a short little story and I read it in a very short space of time. It was a nice quick read although that did mean that there wasn't a lot of room for huge character development, you don't always need that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death at Sandy Bay - Betty Rowlands

Death at Sandy Bay by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The last Sukey Reynolds book, what am I going to do now?! I've enjoyed this whole series, following Sukey from her early days as a scene of crime officer, until now when she's a detective constable looking to possibly be promoted to a sergeant.
This latest book has a number of suspicious deaths, with only one of them being definitely a murder, the others might possibly be. There are lots of twists and turns, most of which work quite well. I will admit though, that I wasn't completely convinced by the ending, it was almost left up in the air a bit. I don't' want to go into too many details and give things away. It didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book and I'd still recommend it, particularly to Sukey fans. In fact, I think that it was probably intentional that it was a little ambiguous.
I'll be sorry to see Sukey go, I've enjoyed reading about her. I've said before that I wasn't completely convinced by the sudden change in her life, midway through the series. I've still enjoyed them all though. It was good to see that Sukey settled into new career well and was enjoying life with her journalist friend. There was only a passing reference to her son, who randomly seems to have changed the degree that he's doing for some reason.
Overall, this has been a fantastic series and one that I've really enjoyed. You don't need to have read the other books, but I would encourage you to if you get the chance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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The Wrong Kind of Love - Lexi Ryan

The Wrong Kind of Love by Lexi Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Boys of Jackson Harbor series, but the second that I've read. I actually started with the last in the series, but that really didn't matter. I really enjoyed both this first book and the one I've already read and reading them out of order, doesn't really matter.
This story is about Nic and Ethan. Ethan lost his wife three years earlier and no longer wants to have any kind of relationship with a woman. When he meets Nic, he finds himself drawn to her and they can't resist one another. When they find out that Nic is to be his daughter's nanny, things get a little awkward.
The storyline deals not only with a growing romance but also the question of depression and mental health. In many ways, Nic and Ethan are perhaps not ideally suited, but the way that the story unfolds and their relationship grows, it becomes clear that they are in fact, perfect for one another.
I really liked Ethan and Nic as a couple. The sexual tension between them was really well done and then when they finally worked things out, it worked really well. I'm always a little bit worried about how a child is dealt with in this kind of book, but how the couple interacted with Lilly worked really well.
Having read two books from the Boys of Jackson Harbor series, I'm really keen now to go and read the rest.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death Has Deep Roots - Michael Gilbert

Death Has Deep Roots: A Second World War Mystery by Michael Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've loved reading these British Library Crime classics over the last year or so. I think that Death Has Deep Roots would have to be one of my favourites so far. Not only does it feature a murder mystery to get to the bottom of, but the action is split between characters who try to get to the bottom of the mystery and the courtroom where the person that has been accused of the crime is being tried.
I really enjoyed the way the action flicked between both parts of the story and it made for a really enjoyable read.
I have to admit that I didn't get to the bottom of the mystery fully until the big reveal, but that really didn't matter. The story is set in postwar Europe, with the murder taking place in London and the events that led to it having happened during the war in France. The storyline dealing with the French resistance in occupied France adds a depth to the storyline that really captures your interest. Possibly even more so now, as we are looking back at something that is now a long time ago, but when this was written the setting would have been a lot more recognisable to readers.
This was a great read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Passion Punch - Tricia Leedom

Passion Punch
Tricia Leedom
(Key West Escape, #3)
Published by: Firefly Hill Press
Publication date: October 22nd 2019
Genres: Adult, Adventure, Romance

When April Linus’ best friends find themselves in trouble with the Miami Mafia, the former heiress turns to an even more dangerous criminal for help… her father.
Not an easy decision for the young, single mother who found herself pregnant at nineteen and forced to choose between her trust fund and having a baby. April’s father agrees to loan her the money, if she moves home for a few months so he can get to know his grandchild. Before she can decide what to do, she comes face to face with the last man she ever expected to see again… her father’s former bodyguard who disappeared five years ago after she slept with him.
Black Ops operative Jonas Ostergaard made a nearly fatal mistake the last time he was in Key West. After working his way into Philip Linus’ circle of trust, Jonas let the Arms Dealer’s beautiful, kindhearted daughter distract him from his mission. He was yanked off the job by his superiors, but now he’s back to stop Linus from selling a dangerous new technology on the black market.
Needing to prove himself to save his job, Jonas is determined to keep his distance from April this time. But when he suspects she knows more about her father’s illegal business dealings than she admits, he’s torn between protecting her and uncovering the truth.
Passion ignites when April and Jonas end up on the run dodging arms dealers in the steamy Amazon rainforest, but April wonders what kind of relationship she could have with a man who has more secrets than she does. A man who could disappear at any moment and leave her heart in tatters.
Trapped between loyalty to her father and a new allegiance with the man she’s falling in love with, April realizes none of it will matter if they don’t escape the jungle alive.

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Author Bio:
TRICIA LEEDOM enjoys traveling to exotic destinations and having torrid love affairs with hot, dangerous men… even if it’s only in her own mind. When she’s not writing romantic adventure novels, she reads voraciously, tweets compulsively, and fangirls over a TV show based on her favorite book series. Tricia earned her BA in Creative Writing from The University of Tampa and her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Her favorite authors include Diana Gabaldon, J.R. Ward, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Karen Robards, and Johanna Lindsey. She lives in Southwest Florida with two very spoiled dogs. Follow Tricia on Twitter and Instagram @tricialeedom

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My Review

I have to admit that initially, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one. It opens with 19-year-old April, who is pregnant, being pressured by her father to give up her baby once he is born. She refuses and is helped by two drag queens who are on the street handing out flyers for their venue. Most of the action takes place five years later and despite my initial misgivings, the story unfolded rapidly and got my attention.

The father of April's baby, Jonas, has no idea that he has a son. He was working undercover in April's house, trying to gather evidence on her father who is an arms dealer. After spending one night with April, he was whisked away on another assignment. Now he has to return and finds out all about his son.

This is an adventure book as well as a romance. Not only are Jonas and April irresistibly drawn to each other once again, but they also find themselves facing all kinds of danger at April's father's hands. I enjoyed both aspects of this storyline. Jonas and April work well together as a couple and the action side of the book works well. There's also a bit of light relief and a humorous edge to the story.

This is book three in the series. I haven't read the first two, but I'm fairly confident that we meet the characters from those books in this one. It didn't reduce my enjoyment to be new to it all, the book works well as a standalone. Overall this was an exciting, gripping and fun read. 

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The Allingham Minibus - Margery Allingham

The Allingham Minibus by Margery Allingham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I haven't actually read any of Margery Allingham's book before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I'm not sure why I haven't read any before, I've always been a fan of detective novels from the golden age and I have even come across Campion, the detective she is most known for on TV. Although Campion does appear in a couple of the short stories in this book, the collection isn't all about mysteries. In fact, my favourite stories in the collection were those with a bit of a spooky feel. The one with the parrot or the old lady with the radio really stood out.
The stories in this collection are for the most part quite short, but they still offer a lot despite this. She has the ability to tell an engaging and interesting story in just a few short pages. In fact, the one that I enjoyed the least was the longest in the collection. Even that was still a good read.
This might be the first Margery Allingham that I've read, but I'm sure that it won't be the last and I'll be dipping into her books when I get the chance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Love in the Stacks - Delilah Peters

Love in the Stacks by Delilah Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read a few of these short stories from Carina Press. While they don't offer a long, in-depth story, they are a fun, quick read with lots of dirty bits as the title of the series would suggest. This is a very quick read, but for something fast and instantly satisfying, then you can't go far wrong here.
The story is about Poppy and Ben, who both work in the library in New Bedford. Ben has not been there long and works in the archives downstairs. He's a little different, being shy and reserved one minute, but once Poppy gets to know him, he's anything but and the sparks fly between them.
As this is quite short, there isn't a great deal of character development or plot here, but that doesn't really matter. It was still very enjoyable and I liked the growing relationship between the two.
The story is set at Christmas and even features a snowstorm that traps Poppy and Ben in the library together overnight. If you had a cold winters evening in front of the fire, then this book would be a great read to enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death at Sycamore House - Betty Rowlands

Death at Sycamore House by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think that Death at Sycamore House is one of my favourite Sukey Reynolds books. Perhaps it's because I 'know' more of the supporting cast now, seeing as they've appeared in the last few books. This one also involved less of Sukey jumping to conclusions for no apparent reason.
The mystery revolves around the death of woman who had certainly ruffled some feathers. There is a fairly obvious main suspect, although there are one or two others who certainly seem to have some kind of motive to do away with the victim. This was one of those stories where I guessed who had done it quite a while before Sukey, but the why remained a complete mystery until the big reveal. I think that there's probably enough clues to work it all out though, it was just me that missed the mark trying to get to the bottom of it.
There was even less of Fergus (Sukeys now grown-up son) in this book, I thought he'd been forgotten all about until he was mentioned in the last chapter. I suppose it would be odd for a grown-up son to be around all the time. One of the great things about these books has always been Sukey's regular supporting characters and as I'm sure I've mentioned before, it's taken a while to adjust to the sudden change that occurred halfway through the series.
This is the second to last Sukey book, I'm going to miss her when I've finished.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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