Impossible Odds - Jill Ramsower

Impossible Odds by Jill Ramsower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Impossible Odds is the fourth book in the Five Families, this time it focuses on one of the cousins of the three sisters from the first three books. Giada is a feisty, strong woman and a lot of fun to read about. She needs someone who can match her strength without trying to stifle her. Primo is her ideal match and the chemistry between them makes for a fiery match.
Primo and Giada first meet when she steals a lighter off him and this sets the pace for their relationship from there on in. I like strong female leads and Giada is that with some to spare. Due to Primo's position in the cartel and Giada's family, there is plenty for each of them to overcome so that they can be together.
This is another great addition to the five families series. I think that all of the characters have been quite different so far and I'm enjoying seeing each of their stories amuse. In some ways, I did feel that this story wasn't quite done when we reached the end. That's not to say that we're left on any kind of cliffhanger or that Giada and Primo's story doesn't reach a happy conclusion, because there's no cliffhanger and in terms of their relationship all ends as it should. There is clearly more to go with the cartel and Giada's family, but I suppose I'm just going to have to wait and see if that's the case and how it might play out. Either way, I can't wait to read the final two books in this series next year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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A Dangerous Goodbye - Fliss Chester

Your lost love never came home after the war. Would you risk everything to find out what happened

to him?

1944. While war rages in Europe, Fenella Churche is doing her bit in the green fields of England. But when she finds a letter addressed to her on the scrubbed farmhouse table, she knows the news won’t be good. She hasn’t heard from her fiancé Arthur since he was posted to France on a dangerous undercover mission, and from his very first words she knows he may not be coming back.

I fear this may be my last letter to you, my darling, Arthur writes. Fen won’t give up hope and calls the war office, wanting to know if Arthur is still alive; they refuse to tell her anything. Searching for answers, she returns to his letter, but parts of it just don’t make sense. Through her tears Fen realises that her darling Arthur is giving her all the clues she needs to find out what happened to him.

1945. With the war behind them and nothing left for her in England, Fen travels to the deceptively pretty French village where she thinks Arthur might be, but there’s no sign of him. She’s close to giving up when she finds his silver cigarette case and another letter full of clues. But when the local priest is killed, it’s clear someone wants to keep wartime secrets buried. If Arthur, a brilliant spy, was outwitted and betrayed, can Fen stay alive long enough to find out what happened to the man she loves?

A gripping story of war, mystery, espionage and murder. Fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Charles Todd and Rhys Bowen will absolutely adore this unputdownable World War Two murder mystery.

My Review

What a fantastic read this was. If you enjoy historical murder mysteries, then you won't go far wrong with this one. Set just after the close of the second world war, it focuses on Fennela Churche, who travels to France to see if she can find out what has happened to her Fiance. As she starts to look around the chateau and winery that he was based at, it becomes clear that whatever happened to him is tied up with events that are unfolding at the chateau now.

The book had a great sense of time, atmosphere and place. It wasn't hard to picture the small village in 1940's France and the life that they are trying to put back together after the German forces have left. The characters in this book are fantastic, both those who lead the story and those that are on the edges. It adds a great richness to the story.

As for the mystery itself, it worked well. I had solved it and the reasons behind it before the reveal, but that didn't really matter. I was still caught up in the book and wanted to know if my deductions were correct. The whole thing was well signposted with clues and the odd red herring. I don't think it was too obvious though.

I really liked Fen as a character. She's a great combination of brave and daring, without being unbelievable. She certainly feels of her time and not out of place in the historic setting. I quite liked the way that she has a little bit of a weakness when it comes to her appearance, it's these little things that humanise a character.

I really enjoyed A Dangerous Goodbye and will certainly be reading the next book in the series. I'm looking forward to what Fen might get up to next. 

Withstanding the Enemy - T.L. Mahrt

Withstanding the Enemy
T.L. Mahrt
Publication date: January 31st 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Emma Andrews was orphaned at a young age with no family to turn to. Tired of the broken foster-care system, and believing it was her only option, she runs to a multi-millionaire with a reputation of hiring young women. It is only then that she learns what real monsters look like…

Emma uses her overactive imagination to help her get through the toughest of days. By daydreaming a life full of love and freewill, she manages her colorless prison, but even in her wildest dreams, she would have never imagined it could become a reality. That is, until she meets Chance, a man willing to lay his life down to save hers.

But what Emma doesn’t expect is to fight her own personal demons—her heart.

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Author Bio:

T. L. Mahrt is a former business owner, where she utilized her education in cosmetology, barbering and massage therapy for several years. She was raised on and is currently living on a farm in Nebraska, where you can find her running barefoot in the country side with her loving husband and inspiring children and massive dogs.

After having her son, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, she made the life altering decision to stay home to care for her two children and pursue her love for writing. She has a love for romance and poetry where, her overactive imagination, along with her adventures and up beat lifestyle drives her inspiration for her writing.

T. L. Mahrt has a thirst for knowledge, and is currently working on her Bachelor of Applied Science in Communication Studies degree.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

My Review

There's a lot going on in this story. I have to admit that I didn't realise when I started it that it would be part one and that the story would be left on a cliffhanger. I don't mind when that happens, but I prefer to know upfront. I think as it became clear how many different layers there were to the storyline, it became obvious that things weren't going to be wrapped up neatly by the end of the book.

Most of the story focuses on Emma. She has been the victim of abuse for a long time and from a fairly young age. So much so that she has lost grip on who is good and who isn't. She has started to develop feelings for her abuser and her emotions are all over the place. Into this comes Chance, who is assigned to be her security. Emma finds a sizzling connection with him and she can't help but be drawn towards him.

Overall this was an interesting read, with many quite difficult subjects tackled. I struggled a little bit with the way Chance behaved towards Emma at some points, really he should have been giving her more space and be less jealous. Particularly when he fully understands what she's faced. I couldn't completely feel for Emma. Yes, she's had it tough, but she was a little too innocent for someone who has dealt with the things that she has. I also felt that the confusion around Chance, Rick and Ocean Eyes was a bit much. Throw in the final threat it all seemed a little odd, but perhaps things will become clearer in the next book.

I'd be interested to find out what happens in the next instalment of this story. Particularly if we get a bit more information on Emma's background. 

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Hard Knox - Amber Molloy

Hard Knox
Amber Malloy
(Perfect Stats, #2)
Publication date: June 16th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

FROM POPULAR ROMANCE AUTHOR AMBER MALLOY

Book two in the Perfect Stats series

Everything comes easy to quarterback Gavin Knox—women, football, even money. However, the only thing he truly wants but can’t win is the beauty of his dreams, Remy Bell.

A simple favor to save the girl turns into the quarterback losing his heart.

As beautiful as she is fun, Remy Bell has only one problem—a psychotic killer with political power wants her dead. Always a ‘two steps ahead’ type of gal, she plans to outrun the maniac. Marriage and a sweet life in the football star’s hometown in Canada would give her the cover she needs, but Remy doesn’t stick around long enough to find out. She travels all over the world, photographing the most beautiful and devastating events, but her now-husband’s tabloid activities lead her to the one place she should avoid…back home.

Superstar Gavin Knox wins at everything. However, once he scores the girl of his dreams, he’s suddenly in danger of losing the one thing he has always needed. Before she can slip through his fingers, he offers her a deal she can’t refuse—marry him for Canadian citizenship, which will protect her, and after five years, they can divorce. Knox is positive that she will fall head over heels in love with him, but it doesn’t happen. After six years of marriage, two playoff titles and a third on the way, Knox is forced to contend with a successful wife almost more famous than he is.

Determined to get exactly what he wants, which includes having Remy and a family, he devises a stupid scheme that puts everything he’s worked so hard for in jeopardy.

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Author Bio:

Amber Malloy dreamed of being a double agent but couldn’t pass the psyche evaluation. Crushed by despair that she couldn’t legally shoot things, Amber pursued her second career choice as pastry chef. When she’s not writing or whipping up a mean Snickers Cheesecake, she occasionally spies on her sommelier. Amber is convinced he’s faking his French accent.

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My Review

I wasn't completely sure what I was going going to get with Hard Knox. The blurb suggests that Knox and Remy have a marriage of convenience and that he has feelings for her that he wants to take further. As the story progresses it soon becomes clear that this isn't really the case here. There's is a relationship that was possibly always going to end with them together, but in the early days, things happened that both rushed them to that place and then kept them apart.

As the story unfolds we quickly learn about Knox's feelings. But this isn't a one-way street and while they may have spent years apart, meeting up only at intervals, they understand each other well and know what the other wants and needs, even if they haven't fully admitted to themselves what they want.

I really enjoyed this romance. It wasn't a sporting romance in the usual sense. Or rather it was different enough from others that I have read to be set apart as something different. It was obvious, or at least I thought it was obvious why they loved one another. There were a couple of times where I felt the action jumped a little without it being obvious as to why, but I think that just helped things to move along at a fast pace and it didn't throw me out of the story.

Overall this was a great read and one that I would highly recommend. I haven't read the previous book in this series, but that didn't really matter. That said, I enjoyed this one so much that I'd be more than happy to go back and give it a go. 

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Guardian's Grace - Rebecca Zanetti

Guardian's Grace by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read a few books from the Dark Protectors series now, I have been waiting to find out how things would unfold with Grace and Adare. They have popped up time and time again, as they are reluctant mates, not properly connected. I thought that it might be fun when they finally got together and that's what they have in this book.
I've enjoyed seeing their relationship, or lack of it, at a distance in the previous books. Now we finally see them finding out what they might mean to one another. It clear that despite their distance, they really do have feelings for one another. I liked the way that they are together. Adare is a little overbearing, as most of the male characters are in this series, but Grace is able to hold her own. That said, there were a couple of times that I think he went a little too far, although I would like to think that he would learn to trust her and treat her as more of an equal. I prefer storylines where there is more equality.
With all of these books, there is the overarching storyline that involves Hope and her future role in bringing an end to the conflict in their world. We did see some more of this in this book, with whole chapters devoted to Hope and her friends. I'm looking forward to seeing where that will go.
This would probably work as a standalone if you haven't already read any books in this series. I think that you would get far more out of it if you were to read the other books first. It also sets up for the next book, which I assume with involve Benny.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Diamond in the Rough - Skye Warren

Diamond in the Rough
Skye Warren
Publication date: July 7th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance

I’m on my way to meet my birth parents when it happens. A white van. A dark hood. Every woman’s worst nightmare. Now I’m trapped in an abandoned building. The man who took me says I won’t be hurt. The man in the cell next to me says that’s a lie. I’ll fight with every ounce of strength, but there are secrets in these walls. I’ll need every single one of them to survive.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH is a new dark romance from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren. Finding yourself has never been so dangerous…

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Author Bio:

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her new book ESCORT is out now!

“ESCORT is perfection only Skye Warren can deliver—a poetically erotic tale of exquisitely damaged characters, devastating secrets, revenge and redemption.” – Samanthe Beck, USA Today bestselling author

“Hypnotically romantic…this book reads like a sensual dream and I didn’t want to wake up.” – Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author

Don’t miss a release! Sign up for the newsletter to get new book alerts: www.skyewarren.com/newsletter

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My Review

I'm going to start this book with a warning. This isn't the end of the story and it ends on a cliff hanger. You have been warned. Not only that but if you're anything like me you'll be dying to know what's going to happen next for Holly and Elijah and you'll have to wait. This, of course, means that I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to hearing what's next.

Elijah and Holly met in the novella Hidden Gem, which is also included in the front of this book if you haven't already read it. Back then they were teenagers, she was 16 and he a few years old. Elijah was already tied up in all kinds of trouble and their brief time together was just a small interlude in this life. Now thrown together again, they are both in all kinds of danger.

I loved this story. Holly is feisty and brave, despite being a little nieve. Elijah is world-weary and believes himself to be incapable and uninterested in falling in love, in having a connection with a woman. Although the circumstances in which they find themselves are a little unusual and strained to say the least, the chemistry between them is intense and they cannot ignore it.

I do enjoy dark romances and this certainly falls into that category. I'm only sorry that I have to wait to find out what will happen next!

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Falling for the Tycoon - Aurora Russell

Falling for the Tycoon by Aurora Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars rounded up to four. I enjoyed this love story and the connection between Remy and Annalise. After initially meeting at an exclusive resort in Mexico, where they are the only guests, the chemistry between them is off the charts and they can't keep their hands off one another. Six months later, their paths cross again and it's clear that there is unfinished business between the two.
When Annalise and Remy are together, it's clear that they can't resist one another. There is certainly plenty of heat here. What stopped me from giving a higher review was that there was just something a little lacking overall. Alongside the romance aspect of the story, we have a suspense element. Someone is targeting Remy's family and he has become convinced that it is someone connected to Annalise's company. It's never really explained why and how he has come to this conclusion and I think that it is connected with this that just stops the story from reaching the excellent level. With this aspect of the storyline, there are a number of things that we are told, but that are never explained. I understand that this is the start of a series and the author may well not want to give too much away yet, but I think a little more really wouldn't hurt and would just help with this story overall.
I did enjoy the romance and would still recommend this book. I would be keen to read the rest of the series as I feel that this might be one that gets better as things unfold.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Where Loyalties Lie - Jill Ramsower

Where Loyalties Lie by Jill Ramsower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think that one of the things that I'm enjoying the most about these five families stories from Jill Ramsower is the way that the lines between good and evil blur. While this story isn't directly about members of the five families, it deals with Tamir, who we met in the last book Blood Always. He is a Krav Maga instructor and in the previous book, it was in this role that we saw him, working with prickly Maria. Now he gets his own story when he is thrown into the path of Emily, a woman with a price on her head.
Tamir and Emily both have secrets and I think it is possibly partially this that makes them work so well together. Neither of them is all bad and they are certainly both far from all good. I liked the way that they learn who each other really is and how that affects their feelings towards one another. There is obviously a huge amount of chemistry between them right from the beginning and they need to find their way past that to find out how they really feel about one another.
As I mentioned the lines between good and bad are blurred here. I think that it's testament to what an enjoyable and well-written series this is that you can't help but like and find yourself championing characters that in other circumstances you might see as the bad guys.
This is a great story connected to a great series. I'm looking forward to reading what's next from the five families.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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