Tuesday, January 30, 2018

BOOK REVIEW- A DEVIL IN SCOTLAND by Suzanne Enoch

A Devil in Scotland: A No Ordinary Hero Novel by [Enoch, Suzanne]
The dawning of desire
1806, Scotland. Wild, reckless Callum MacCreath is in no hurry to become someone’s husband. But when his responsible, steady older brother Ian announces his engagement to their childhood friend Rebecca, Callum makes a startling discovery: he wants the lovely young lass for himself. But it’s too late, and when Ian banishes him for his duplicity, Callum is only too happy to leave Scotland forever.
…is delicious and dangerous 
1816: Marrying Ian was the practical, logical thing for Becca to do. But once Callum sailed away to America, she missed his rakish charm and lust for life. Now Becca is a widow when a much-changed Callum returns to his Scottish homeland. Will he remember their spirited, fiery connection or does he blame her for his brother’s unexpected death? This time neither of them can deny their scorching attraction. But will their hearts be burned in the blazing heat of scandal?  AMAZON 4 STARS

Callum left with a chip on his shoulder and he came BACK with an even larger chip on his shoulder.    Not only that but he was stronger in body and mind. He was no longer the drunken sot who was wild with women.   He is now a force to be reckoned with.  And he is going to wipe off the face of the earth ANYONE who harmed his brother.

Becca is not the same woman that Callum had to leave behind.  Yes, in some ways she is naive but in other ways she had to grow up.  She was content with Ian but she still feels drawn to the wildness in Callum even though she fights it.  That goes on for quite some time but so does the regrets that they re-hash. Especially Callum; in fact it slowed the story down quite a bit more than once.  That would probably be the only negative thing I would say about this book.  
It was different for the villains of the piece to be right there in everyone's face. Although Callum had to prove it to Becca at first.  And that took some doing.   But the people who had been in her life for ten years as "friends" helping her were smooth in their evil ways.   
You just never knew how and when they were going to make their final strike.  One of the errors they made was that they thought Callum was still that drunken, foolish boy that he was.  They didn't even recognize that isn't who he became.  They underestimated him Big Time.

Good ending with the additional perk of a Epilogue. 

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it. 

BOOK REVIEW- FINAL SIEGE by Scarlett Cole

Final Siege (Love Over Duty Book 2) by [Cole, Scarlett]
IN THE LINE OF FIRE.
Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.
straight to the heart. . .
An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…AMAZON 4 STARS


What a great way to start the book.  We are just going along getting to know the people in the book (the Team Members) and bam!   In a heartbeat it gets dramatic.  Now, that really got my attention.  

From there though, the story's action does slow down quite a bit.  Part of it had to do with the "history" between Mac and Delaney.  And they have quite a bit of it that goes years back.  At one time, they thought they had a future forever together. Some of the pages also cover what Mac's life has been like since the 14 years that they have been apart.  In fact some of that angst felt like it went on for a bit too long. But she HATED him for 14 years. But as much as I enjoyed some of that background, the story slowed down so much that I was relieved when at about 41% it started to pick back up again.  Pick up?  What am I saying?  It was another violent action against Delaney.
The tension does begin to build from there between the two main characters and the so far unrecognized villains.  What do I mean by unrecognized villains?  I mean that there will be a lot of planning, searching and researching to come up with the who, what and why Delaney was put in the line of fire.  
And then...the physical action really ramps up.  It's a good thing that Mac and his team are working together to help keep Delaney safe and get to the bottom of things.  It all comes to an explosive end.
So, all in all I liked it with just a few reservations.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

BOOK REVIEW- THE WITNESS by Nora Roberts

The Witness by [Roberts, Nora]
Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth Fitch finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive.

Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance security systems designer, her own protection is supplemented by a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. Unfortunately, that seems to be the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town.

The mystery of Abigail Lowery and her sharp mind, secretive nature and unromantic viewpoint intrigues local police chief Brooks Gleason, on both a personal and professional level. And while he suspects that Abigail needs protection from something, Gleason is accustomed to two-bit troublemakers, not the powerful and dangerous men who are about to have him in their sights.

And Abigail Lowery, who has built a life based on security and self-control, is at risk of losing both. AMAZON 5 STARS

I loved this book. It had a great start. Even at the beginning it was an unusual, unique story. And it continued on in that way. In a very intense way. The main characters were awesome, beginning with Elizabeth. She was such a great character and I enjoyed her overcoming all the stuff thrown at her. A great heroine. The more that time went on I liked Brooks better and better. As a police chief, he wasn't anything like I was expecting and that was great! His mother Sunny was a kick and her name fit. The quirky town was the best of a small town, noisy, friendly, warm and for the most part welcoming. That put a major cog in Abigail's pan to be invisible. No matter how hard she tried to stand off, and not get involved, it just didn't work. Brooks confused her, annoyed her and finally wore her down with his curiosity, patience and kindness. Even her guns, coolness towards him, and even her fiercely protective dog really didn't keep him out. And darn it, she began to like him. She didn't want to but she was beginning to. There conversations were often so funny. She didn't do normal real well, having no example of it. It didn't take long for him to understand her and give her space when she needed it. Great romance, so sweet at times. Great give and take between them, of course it happened more and more over time.
That same town was not without its own dramas, and it was well written as well. 
The whole book kept me interested and on the edge of my seat

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Dan + Shay - When I Pray For You (Official Music Video)

3 Prayer Secrets from Gloria Copeland - Kenneth Copeland Ministries Blog

3 Prayer Secrets from Gloria Copeland - Kenneth Copeland Ministries Blog: Do you want to feel confident and certain in your prayer life? Here are three prayer secrets from Gloria Copeland that will revolutionize your prayer life.

3 Prayer Secrets from Gloria Copeland

BOOK REVIEW- DANGER SHADOWS BY Dee Henderson

Danger in the Shadows (O'Malley Book 0) by [Henderson, Dee]
Sara is terrified. She's doing the one thing she cannot afford to do: fall in love with former pro-football player Adam Black, a man everyone knows. Sara's been hidden away in the witness protection program, her safety dependent on staying invisible—and loving Adam could get her killed! 

Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit.   AMAZON  5 STARS

I loved it.  It was emotional and intense with great main characters. 
 Sara has been through a beyond horrible experience as a young child. The one that caused it is still around, hiding in the shadows, taunting everyone.  He thinks he is untouchable and its been a lot of years that Sara has had to run.  That was only part of the trauma that she has been dealing with.  You can feel how much she wants this to be over and wondering if it ever will.  She wants a normal life but is afraid to let "normal" people into her life.  She doesn't want to put anyone else in danger.  She feels bad enough that it has also consumed her brother Dave's life as well.  She is glad that he is there to protect her and help her through the nightmares but she worries that he will never have a normal life either.  Dave is in the FBI and she is his only assignment.  
I have read quite a few stories in this series and liked/loved every one of them.  I had already read The Negotiator and had been introduced to Dave there.  But because I read them out of order, I didn't really know much about Dave's past in depth .  I enjoyed his part in this one. 
Adam Black was also a really good character; he was relate-able. He was so much more than a just a former sports jock. He was there for Sara as much as he could be even when she made it hard to be.  He was out of his deepth and he knew it.  But time after time he shows up to try to help.   

Is faith going to be part of this story? Well yes, but what I also like about this writer is that her stories are good.  Sorry to say, that in some books by other authors sometimes the part about God is good but  the story is weak.  I haven't found that to be the case with this author. 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Kenneth Copeland Ministries - How to Take Communion Over Finances

Kenneth Copeland Ministries - How to Take Communion Over Finances


Wondering how to get a breakthrough in your finances? Try these tips on how to take Communion over finances.
If you’re facing a challenging situation in your finances today, you may already be tithing, giving and speaking the Word over your circumstances. But if you haven’t yet achieved victory in this area, you may be wondering what else you can do, aside from standing for a manifestation. One powerful tool that is often overlooked by Christians is the taking of Communion.
The Lord’s Supper is much more than just a religious tradition—it symbolizes everything Jesus did for us at Calvary. When you partake of the cup (representing the blood), you are remembering that Jesus delivered you from sin. When you eat the bread (representing His body), you are acknowledging the physical and spiritual torment Jesus endured to deliver you from worry, care, fear, sickness, disease and every part of the curse. That includes poverty and lack.
God created the Lord’s Supper for a reason. When you receive it, you should plan to partake of everything Jesus’ sacrifice provided—salvation, peace of mind, healing and total prosperity. Otherwise, you’re neglecting to enjoy the gifts He sacrificed to give you.
You don’t have to wait until you go to church to receive Communion. You can receive it anytime and anywhere. In fact, if you haven’t made a practice of taking Communion on a regular basis, it’s time you start! The Communion table is the healing table, the deliverance table and the confession table.  It’s the powerhouse of God.
Every time we take Communion, it drives our roots even deeper into our faith in what the covenant of God means to us, and what the body and blood of Jesus has paid for us. We use our faith to take Communion, and we do so with determined purpose.
If you need a change in your financial situation, here are seven tips for taking Communion over your finances:

  1. Purchase a Communion set for your own personal use. There are even individual, prefilled cup and wafer sets with a long shelf life available for easy use or transport.

  1. You can take Communion alone, or with a family member or friend.

  1. You can take Communion every day. Taking Communion is appropriating the blood of Jesus over your life, thanking Him for ALL He has done. It isn’t a religious ceremony, so you don’t have to wait for a minister to serve it to you.

  1. Examine yourself before you take Communion. Before we partake, the Bible tells us to examine our hearts (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). Ask God for forgiveness in areas where you’ve missed the mark (strife, unforgiveness, jealousy, envy, hatred, covetousness, fear, worry, unbelief, etc.) Also, be sure you are not receiving Communion just as a religious exercise, rather than accepting everything Jesus’ sacrifice provided. Don’t receive it halfway; that will keep you from receiving everything provided by Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:30).

  1. Partake of the bread, which symbolizes the physical and spiritual torment Jesus bore to redeem us from all areas of the curse. With this in mind, say, “Lord, it’s not right that I suffer from poverty or lack. I judge it now as being from Satan, and I reject it. I refuse to receive it any longer. I partake of the sacrifice of Your Son’s body, and I receive the abundant life that You provided, in Jesus’ Name.”

  1. Partake of the cup and make this confession: “Father, I give You thanks for all You have provided for me through the New Covenant in Christ Jesus. I partake of those promises now! I am healed. I am redeemed. I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath. I take the prosperity You sacrificed to give me, and I thank You and praise You for it, in Jesus’ Name.”

  1. Be settled on the matter. Once you have taken Communion, settle your finances in your heart according to God’s Word. Don’t just hope it is done—know it.

No matter what you may be faced with—sin, sickness, drugs, a weight problem, worry, strife, old habits and any situation in your finances—you can be delivered through properly receiving the Lord’s Supper. The body and blood of Jesus covers every area of your existence.

Kenneth Copeland Teaches About Communion

''DREAM WILD" Prophecy- Jennifer LeClaire



LINK

The "dream wild" prophecy that changed my life! I heard the Lord say:


I am marking you with my glory. I am changing you from the inside out. It's time to embark on a new season of chasing Me. You will be more effective. You will be more efficient. You will do more with less. You can't see it. It's hard for you to believe it but I am the author of it. Take the limits off. Take the lid off. I am opening new doors for you.

It's not just about favor. I'm shifting you from favor to open heavens. You will not strive but you will not lack. I have gone before you to make a way for you. The divine connections are right around the corner. They are just ahead. You will see them and know them.

I am indeed giving you double for your trouble. I will put in your hands as much as you can believe me for. How much can you believe me for? Dream again. Dream big dreams. Dream wild dreams. Dream with me and I will dream with you.

This prophetic word changed my life and is changing my life and will change my life—it can change your life too if you will let it.

I decided to take God up on His offer to dream and amazing things are happening and I know I haven’t seen anything yet. You can grab hold of this word too!

What Gifts are You Expecting? Graham Cooke

Image may contain: 1 person, text
Are you expecting the same gifts that God is freely giving? And are you expecting them to be as big and glorious as He’s created them to be? These are good questions to be asking if we want our confident expectation of the Lord to be converted into joyful anticipation.

Expectation and anticipation allow us to see above the turmoil of our circumstances and recognize the gifts that God has placed around our lives.

Your provision is predetermined by God’s presence in your life, in that He has gone before you and He knows the situations that you will encounter next. So my question always is,
“If God has gone before me, what is He seeing out there that I’m not seeing back here?”
What would change for us if our expectation was: “I don’t know what is out there right now, but God knows because He went ahead of me and has already placed all the gifts of provision I’ll need.”
In Deuteronomy 31, the Lord says,
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you and He will be with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Your provision in God is predetermined by the presence of Jesus in you.

Our biggest job is recognizing and receiving as freely as God is giving.

Is anything too hard for the Lord? The actual interpretation of that in Hebrew is, “Is there any situation in which God cannot be magnificent?”

It is my solemn duty to report to you that God is not remotely worried. He lives in expectation because He knows what He can do… and I have it on good authority that He would love to have you join Him.

That’s why in Brilliant we teach that next to every problem is a provision. God knows the territory you’re heading into and all the challenges it holds. And He’s been good enough to put a provision of His peace, His joy, His grace…whatever it is that you will need right next to every single problem that you’ll face.
Which means we’ll need to let go of our trepidation, fear and worry. If you look through those lenses, you’ll not be able to see the gifts God has around your life.

Trepidation leads to speculation and speculation ends in loss of hope.

Why? Because the world teaches us to prepare for the worst. It says, “Don’t get your hopes up. We don’t want you to be disappointed.” As if disappointment is the worst thing that could happen! Not recognizing His provision is the worst thing that can happen. Not having any trust, faith or favor is an actual tragedy.
Nothing the enemy is doing is ever going to be greater than what you do against yourself. Don’t miss seeing the gifts of God’s true nature that He’s placed before you. And once you find them, don’t let anything rob you of your peace, your holiness, your freedom in Christ.
Let your expectation rise and become joyful anticipation of His magnificence. Believe that the best is ahead… because it is.  Brilliant Perspectives- Graham Cooke
PS) I recently did an event this past October with Shawn Bolz, called Expectation, where we explored how we can cultivate a lifestyle of expectation through our placement in Christ. If interested in listening to the full conference, you can purchase a copy of the audio on CD or MP3 here or you can watch the full series on Brilliant TV here.

Expectation Session 1


What new beginnings are you expecting this year and how are you going to see them become a reality?
We can move in expectation because God has located us in the one place that generates and guarantees confident expectation. He put us into Jesus, giving us the key to expect and receive more.

Hope is expectation, causing us to be confident in our thinking, to have an upgraded trust and faith, and to have the pleasurable anticipation of God regardless of circumstances.

To increase your expectation for what is possible, watch the short video above.

***INSIDE Edition Part 2 of What Are You Doing Wrong Video.

INSIDE Edition What Are You Doing Wrong Video.

BOOK REVIEW- RELUCTANTLY ROYAL by Gillian Archer

Reluctantly Royal: An HRH Novel by [Archer, Gillian]
A bad-boy prince is tamed by a vivacious American beauty in this charming love story.

Officially, the world knows me as His Royal Highness Prince Lucien of Monaco, but you can call me Luc. A long time ago, I vowed never to let my heritage stand in the way of a good time. Now the party’s over.

With the death of my father and my twin brother, I’ve lost a part of my soul—and my freedom. My heartless older brother tells me that not only do I have to settle down, I need to marry a girl with the right bloodlines. AKA, a princess. Yeah, I’ll get right on that . . . after one last trip to Vegas.

That’s where I meet Hannah. Not only is she gorgeous and down-to-earth, she reminds me what it’s like to live completely in the moment. Plus she has no idea who I really am. Hanging out with the locals, I feel like I can just be myself again. Besides, our chemistry is undeniable—especially after we take things to the next level.

What happens in Vegas is special, and I don’t want it to stay there. But I’ve been keeping a secret that will tear us apart. The last thing I expect, though? Hannah’s been keeping a secret of her own . . . one that might just bring us together.   AMAZON  3.5 STARS

I wanted to like this story more than I did.  It was a case of Too Much Too Soon.  There was a lot of sexual tension and attraction which I get.  But some of the flirting and visiting questionable places early in their "dating" was kind of strong.  I know they only had a short time but I can see why his bodyguard was somewhat disapproving.  
The emotional elements to the story were there though. I have to give the author good marks for that though.  The things that Hannah had been through came through the story really well.  And the emotions that Luc experienced through the loss of his twin was also well done.  Luc's older brother's attempts at controlling him was enough to make you mad on his behalf.  
Some of the conversations between Luc and Hannah were fun as well.  When they weren't all about sex, which there will be plenty of.  She had reasons to want to live full out, she had missed out on so much of life earlier in her life.   
There will be a unexpected twist towards the end of the book that adds to the drama. 
The story is told mainly from Luc's P.O.V. and I can see why.  It really helps keep the "surprise" just that.  



I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.

Not wanting to finish a book...(pic)

Link
Oh yeah.  This is from Choosy Bookworm.
Free and Discount eBooks Daily
www.choosybookworm.com

Friday, January 12, 2018

BOOK REVIEW- THE CUNNING THIEF by Mallory Crowe

The Cunning Thief (Stolen Hearts Book 5) by [Crowe, Mallory]
Don't believe a word he says.
Don't look in his eyes.
Don't let him inside.
And whatever you do, don't kiss him.

The next thing you know, Tristan will take everything you own. And Shae is about to find out exactly how dangerous it can be to trust the Cunning Thief.   AMAZON 4.5  STARS

This book had action right out of the box, I liked that.  

Tristan proved pretty creative when it came to getting Shae to go out with him.  "Wary" would be a good word to use for her initial response to him.  Sure, he was down right gorgeous to her way of thinking.  But still, she had some dangerous things happening around her.   And she is working her butt off and doesn't have time for romance.   But tempted?  Yes, she sure is.
If you are looking for a story with action in it, you've come to the right place because it happens on a pretty regular basis.  Things will be going along a bit quieter and "bam" the bad guys show up again and keep things stirred up.  The Blackthorne Group, is a questionable company with deep pockets, and a whole lot of evil influence.  They don't stop and they show no mercy.  In fact, the main villain that they are trying to bring down explains who he is quite well.  He is a steamroller and that's what he does to people who get in his way. 
Humor?  Yes, there is some of that too.  I have to admit I did really laugh out loud in at least one place.   It had to be the conversation between Tristan and Gage, one of the guys on the team.  It had to be one of the funniest definition of when a woman says she's "fine " but it came from a guys point of view. 

I loved Shae's observations that nothing about Tristan was normal.  That was both in positive and not so positive ways.  Most of the time, I think she was leaning towards seeing the positive. Of course she couldn't ignore the fact that he was a thief.

I have read some of the other books in this series so it was nice to re-visit with some of the other characters.  Like Toni and Scott to name a few.   The book was written in a way that if you had not read any of the other books, I think it would stand well all on its own.  

My final words on the book is that I really enjoyed it.

I was given an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion of it. 

Falling in Love with a new book? (pic)


This is one of the best images and words that I've seen in awhile concerning books.
Kind of gets your attention doesn't it?

It was shown on a newsletter from The Author's Billboard.  You might want to check it out.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

BOOK REVIEW- KNIGHT & DAY by Stephanie Queen

The Omega Team: Knight & Day (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Black Knight Security Book 1) by [Queen, Stephanie]
Black Knight Security was his life—his wife and his baby…

Joe Knight couldn’t be more ready to step in and protect one of the most powerful and beloved world leaders in recent history. The high profile Omega Team assignment carried the extra weight of a level one, real and verified threat to the man’s life. 
But the real test for Joe has nothing to do with protecting Black Knight Security’s most tense high profile risk yet, and everything to do with him protecting his heart from utter destruction…AMAZON 5 STARS


What a great way that the tension in this book is developed.  I'm speaking at this point of the tension of Joe and Ariana protecting a high profile leader.   And no, I'm not going to say who because that would ruin the surprise.  And yes, I was surprised.  I liked the fact that it surprise me.

The tension between Joe and Arina on a personal level was also pretty high too.  You could feel the warring feelings that they were dealing with.  Ariana felt she had so much to lose, she loved the leader they were protecting.  He was also like family to her.  So for a while she simply pushes away her feelings for Joe, denying them. Joe has buried some of his feelings as well but isn't doing as well with it as she was.  
This was an emotional read, with tenderness at many times too.  Oh and of course there was a dangerous threat that they were guarding against.  It all does come to a head of course in an unexpected way. 
It was a fast read but felt worthwhile. 
By the way, I felt like the cover of the eBook had an eye catching quality to it. 

I was given a copy of this book without a requirement to review it.  These are my honest opinion concerning the book.


BOOK REVIEW- MY FAIR PRINCESS by Vanessa Kelly

My Fair Princess (The Improper Princesses) by [Kelly, Vanessa]
First, Vanessa Kelly brought readers The Renegade Royals. Now, in a delightfully witty new series, she introduces The Improper Princesses—three young women descended from royalty, each bound for her own thrilling adventure . . .
Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.

Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protégée, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast . . . but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?  AMAZON 4.5 STARS


I enjoyed every minute of this book.   A lot of that had to do with Gillian who was an outstanding main character.  Charles turned to be out quite the surprise as well.  He wasn't half as stuffy as he appeared. I liked the both of them a lot. 
The two of them together was fun to watch even from the beginning.  And it is true that Gillian had pretty much run wild on her own in Sicily.  She was quite skilled and able bodied at getting things done but that doesn't keep her out of trouble.   The opening chapter to the book starts the story out with quite the bang.  

Charles might be looked at as the most Perfect man when it comes to manners and decorum but it also covers a lot of hurts as well.  Gillian is not alone when it comes to feelings of rejection. 

There were also multiple interesting people in the story as well.  Not so many as to clutter up the story or make it hard to follow.

There will be a H.E.A. but of course not until a lot of misunderstandings, tempers and some criminals try to get in the way. 

Things do get heated sexually between the main characters before their total H.E.A.    



 

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

BOOK REVIEW- The Tycoon's Red Hot Marriage Merger by Christine Glover

The Tycoon's Red Hot Marriage Merger by [Glover, Christine]

Geeky mathematician, Cassandra Nelson, proposes to her father’s sworn enemy to protect her family’s shipbuilding corporation from a takeover. Regatta racing tycoon, Marco Delgado, knows their union is a quick ticket into the society that shunned him after a devastating boating crash. He agrees, but expects a permanent commitment; one with sizzling side benefits. And, after a Vegas wedding, he unleashes Cassandra’s inner vixen during a steaming hot honeymoon in Argentina while aboard his yacht.
Cassandra never calculated falling in love into their equation, but there’s more than desire and passion flaring between them. Soon she believes they can have so much more than a sexy bargain on paper. But when Cassandra’s secrets are revealed, during a reception held in their honor, Marco must learn the power of forgiveness and love before they can have the future they deserve.  AMAZON  3.5 STARS

This story had two really good main characters; each having such different lives but also have some unexpected similarities as well.  Cassandra begins to see that Marco had a lonely life as an outsider and she recognizes that loneliness.   She always felt like an outsider as well even though she was raised in high society.  They had both suffered for being different.  Marco had felt the pain of being unwanted by family and Cassandra had suffered many cruelties from her peers; her so called "friends".  She also felt outside her family, not feeling much warmth from her parents.  The only exception being her brother Justin, who died in a horrific boat racing accident.  The same accident that killed Marco's father and injured Marco.
Just a reminder.  The book blurb and the title does warn you that this is a red-hot story.  There is marital sex and a lot of it.  A totally adult story.  You have been warned.
I actually think I would have liked it a little bit better if some of that had been dialed down a notch or two.
I received a copy of this book for free and this is my honest opinion of it. 

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

BOOK REVIEW- THE CROWN PRINCE'S BRIDE by Donna Alward

The Crown Prince's Bride (The Prince Duology) by [Alward, Donna]
A Crown Prince gets a second chance at love with the woman who’s always been there - in the next book in the prince duology from Donna Alward!
The Crown Prince of Marazur is suffering from a broken heart. After losing his wife and future queen, he knows he’ll never find love again with a partner as wonderful as her. He’s thrown himself into his duties and is trying to be a better father to his two children, but he’s lonely. Even though falling in love seems impossible, so does spending the rest of his life alone.
Stephani has been Raoul’s assistant for years. Smart, loyal, and discreet, Stephani is fantastic at her job. Except for the fact that she’s been in love with her boss since her first week of employment, not that she would ever act on it. Besides, Raoul is first in line to the throne and she’s his assistant. If Raoul ever marries again, it’ll be with someone who can be a future queen. Not someone like Stephani.
When Raoul’s date for a state dinner is unable to attend, he invites Stephani. She’s well-versed on the issues and castle protocol, and Raoul’s always been comfortable with her. But when Stephani arrives, Raoul hardly recognizes her. Is this stunning woman the same one who’s run his office for years?
AMAZON  4 STARS

I liked it with just a few reservations.   
The main characters and supporting cast of people were good.  The fact that the prince had a loving, 25 year first marriage was a refreshing change from some of the other stories out there.  He was a man with a lot of responsibilities who faced things head-on and with courage and integrity.  He was definitely blindsided when his eyes were finally opened to Stephani and how much a part of their lives she had become. 
He was surrounded with people who loved and cared about him.  They wanted him to move on and have a life.  But he was stuck and then he began to waffle back and forth about his feelings for Stephani.  Made me want to smack him right in the head even though I understood his difficulties.
Stephani, now there was a loving, caring woman.  She was someone who was capable, humble but she still knew her own worth.  And she may have been in love with Raoul for years but she did have a backbone. It was good to see her find it and act on it too.  

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.






BOOK REVIEW- KNIGHT ON THE TEXAS PLAINS by Linda Broday

Knight on the Texas Plains (Texas Heroes Book 1) by [Broday, Linda]
Duel McClain has lost everything he's ever loved: his wife, his son, his sense of self. But when a strange twist of fate—and a poker game he'll never forget—leaves an innocent little girl in his care, Duel vows to defend his new family to his very last breath. If only he knew a single thing about taking care of babies...
Just as Duel swears his life can't get any more complicated, a beautiful woman stumbles into the light of his campfire, desperate for help. Jessie Foltry is hungry, tired, and running for her life. She agrees to help Duel care for the child in exchange for his protection, even as she fights to guard her broken heart. But Duel will do whatever it takes to make Jessie see that the Texas plains have more than one kind of knight, and perhaps their salvation is closer than either of them could have dreamed...AMAZON 4 STARS


This was a good story with a lot of emotional elements too.  The book info gives you that impression and it does deliver.  Marley Rose became quite an important part of the story just like her introduction into Duel's life.  That was one poker game that impacted his life in a big way.  And for Duel the surprises just kept coming.

Jesse had lived through some pretty horrific abuse at the hands of her husband for years.  And to be honest, because of that I wouldn't recommend this book for younger readers.   But putting that part aside, the sense of family that developed for Jessie through the McClain's was sweet to read.  She went from being almost totally alone to having the McClain family surrounding her and rooting for her.  

The story did slow down part way through the book.  But I think it was so  you could see the struggles that the main characters were going through.  They had painful pasts to try to get past and getting to know each other as well.  Also, you could feel the building of the sense of trouble hanging over their heads but you just didn't know how and when it was going to fall.

On one last note,  Marley Rose didn't say a lot but what she did say was cute and she reached out to people and animals with a lot of love.  It was heartwarming considering how brutal her earlier days were before Duel and Jesse.   




Wednesday, January 3, 2018

BOOK PREVIEW- DREAM OF DANGER by Maggie Shayne

Dream of Danger (A Brown and De Luca Novel) by [Shayne, Maggie]
She didn't want to need him.
Murder brought self-help guru Rachel de Luca and Detective Mason Brown together. Their shared secrets drove them apart. But now they're together again in this riveting novella that begins where New York Timesbestselling author Maggie Shayne's Sleep with the Lights On ended.
She may have been blind for twenty years, but Rachel's always had an uncanny gift for seeing through people—and she distrusts her assistant's new boyfriend at first sight. Amy isn't interested in Rachel's misgivings, though. She's too eager to celebrate Thanksgiving by introducing her family to the new man in her life.
Then Amy doesn't show up for the holiday….
Desperate to find her missing friend, Rachel has no choice but to turn to Mason. Their investigation into Amy's disappearance takes them ever deeper into danger—and reignites the attraction that they've both sworn to resist. Now it's a race against time as these reluctant partners fight to stave off passion and save a life.  AMAZON  5 STARS
Look for Wake to Darkness, the next installment in this suspenseful series, coming in December from Harlequin MIRA and Maggie Shayne.


It was short in the number of pages but I loved every minute of it. This was the first book that I have read in this series.  But I didn't have one ounce of trouble keeping up with what was going on.

The personalities in the book were strong ones and not just the main characters and I liked that.

I just HAD to give it 5 stars on Amazon just because of the writers style alone.  The way that the thought speech that went on in Rachel's head and out of her mouth was hilarious.  Rough and tough at many times but I thoroughly enjoyed it!  
The interactions between Rachel and Mason was also worth the read and I want to read more about them.  
He really "got" her, which it seems isn't always the case with other people.  I want to read more of this series and I am crossing my fingers that Rachel and Mason become a couple and stay that way.

This book also included a look into "Sleep with the Lights on" by this author.   Very interesting.  And definitely looking like an adult story too because of it's subject matter. 

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

BOOK REVIEW- COWBOY STOLE MY HEART by Soraya Lane

Cowboy Stole My Heart (A River Ranch Novel) by [Lane, Soraya]
t takes true grit to build a billion-dollar dynasty like the Ford family ranch. But when it comes to finding love, all it takes is one handsome cowboy to steal a woman’s heart…
SHE’S RIDING SOLO
As one of the heirs to the River Ranch fortune, Mia Ford is practically Texas royalty. But that doesn’t mean she’s some pampered princess. She can saddle up and ride a horse as well as any man, even a hard-working cowboy like Sam Mendes. For years, she’s harbored a crush on the strong, silent horseman. But how can she make a move when she’s his boss?
HE’S TAKING THE REINS
Sam Mendes is through with love—or so he thought. Still recovering from a breakup, he’s doing everything in his power to resist Mia Ford. It’s bad enough she’s the kind of beauty who drives men wild with desire. It’s even worse she’s got him so worked up, aching to kiss her lips, when he’s supposed to be working her ranch. Is this lovestruck cowboy willing to risk losing his job—and breaking his heart—to win the girl of his dreams?  AMAZON 3.5 STARS  

Mia and Sam were both very skilled at the work they loved.  Their work was done in different ways but it still boiled down to working with horses. Sam just clicked with them and has become knows as "The Horse Whisperer".  A title that he has earned with hard work and heart.  The only way that his heart is open is to horses and his adopted dog, Blue.    Well, when it comes to people,  he does love his sister-Faith and his best friend Nate who he has known for ages.  He keeps his heart closed against romantic love since he got burned so badly years ago.  He doesn't trust women and that kind of love anymore; he just hasn't moved on, he's stuck. 
Mia has the problem of very few people taking her seriously and she's serious about her profession.  She is also someone who has kind of giving up on dating.  Why?  Because most men see her as dollar signs because of her wealthy powerful father.  Few realize that she pays her own way, carrying her own responsibilities.  Both of the main characters were easy to like even with their complexities.  The emotions were definitely there both in the story and what the two of them went through.  Both in the past and in their present lives.  

The only reason I rated it a bit lower was because I had mixed feelings about it.   The mixed feelings coming from how long the story started to drag on with the angst from Sam's cruel ex's treatment.  

There were at least two unexpected surprises in the story that I didn't see coming.  That I did like.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is  my honest opinion of it. 

BOOK REVIEW- WEDDING AT TWO LOVE LANE by Kieran Kramer

A Wedding At Two Love Lane by [Kramer, Kieran]
Never say never when it comes to love.
Greer Jones has made a real name for herself at the elegant matchmaking agency Two Love Lane. For a lot of reasons—including a past engagement she broke off—practical tech expert Greer is more interested in the business of love than the experience of it, but she can’t help but covet a gorgeous wedding gown that’s the prize in an upcoming cocktail-party contest. In a moment of brazen inspiration, Greer asks a handsome Brit she’s only just met to accompany her to the party. He agrees—and Greer believes her date is a starving artist. Little does she know the truth. . .
Ford Smith, as he calls himself, is actually Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire. Fresh off a breakup with a money-grubbing siren who deceived him all the way to the altar, Ford has no desire to fall in love—especially with Greer who, like the desired wedding gown, is beautiful but only skin-deep. But soon Ford realizes that there’s more to Greer than meets the eye. Her professionalism is matched only by her passion for life and love. . .and, best of all, she has no idea that he’s to the manor born. Could it be that true love is priceless after all?   AMAZON 3 STARS


It starts out pretty slow.  At about 30% on my kindle I just felt like I was still waiting for something to really happen. 

I did like both of the main characters  and the supporting cast of people.  Having said that, I also have to say that I really couldn't get into the whole Wedding Dress thing.  I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did but it just wasn't my cup of tea.  

There is a H.E.A. but it also leaves at least one question unanswered.  





I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.

 #AWeddingAtTwoLoveLane #NetGalley

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