BOOK REVIEW- A Dog Called Valentine by Roxanne Snopek

When an unwanted Valentine’s Day present is dumped at the shelter, volunteer Lily decides to foster the poor dog herself. A little attention is all he needs to blossom into a loving pet, ready for his forever home. Plus, helping a poor, rejected animal will distract her from her own problems. Win, win. Right? Wrong. Valentine needs more than a makeover if he’s going to be adopted. He destroys her home, hates to be groomed and when he behaves better for a perfect stranger than he does her, Lily swallows her pride and begs the good looking but quiet stranger for help

After losing his canine partner in a horrific moment that upended his future, sexy and stoic Shane turns to books, walks in the park and remodeling his grandmother’s home. No more intense K9 officer career, no more dogs, no more risks. But it’s hard to ignore the misunderstood mutt at the park and his well-intentioned, but clueless, handler. Shane reluctantly agrees to give her a few tips and tricks, but that’s all. He won’t care. He won’t get invested. And once Valentine finds his new home, his life can go back to normal.

But Shane doesn’t bargain on a new normal in town and, suddenly, Valentine’s Day will never be the same.

AMAZON  4 STARS

#ADogCalledValentine #NetGalley

The different plot ideas on the book information and the name of the author caught my attention. 

This story lined up with all the hopeful notes I had for it.   Great main characters, supporting characters, emotions, friendship to romance. 

Shane's grandmother Dolly was a hoot.  She was not afraid to say what was on her mind but not in a mean way.

Lily, what a big heart she has but she is SO over her head.  There is the added pressure of she doesn't want to FAIL again.  She wants to help but she doesn't know zip about dogs let alone troubled ones.  And dealing with the demands of her mother is also a struggle she's not sure she can win.  She has dreams of her own. There is a twist towards the end of the book that I really liked about that. Lily, does have some skills too so don't think that she didn't.  She just didn't recognize most of them.  Her friends do though.  And as time goes on Shane also begins to bring them to her attention too.

Shane had even more depth than I was expecting and boy did he fight the pull of Lily and Valentine.   I thought the author did a good job of showing both the physical and emotional pain that Shane was going through. His K-9 partner, Titan had been so much of Shane's life both professionally and personally.  He couldn't even bear to talk about him.  It was written in a way that felt totally believable. 

What about  Valentine?  Yes, I consider him a main character as well.  He added laughs, humor and some tears too. 

This book kept my attention and I enjoyed it.  Also there were tidbits when it came to some adjustments of training a dog that was fun.  It was sprinkled throughout without being heavy.

I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book via Netgalley and these are my honest opinions of it.

 

BOOK REVIEW- Dirty Hitman by Vivan Connelly

 

Jackie

Fourteen months of working the graveyard shift at County General - yep.

Divorced by a cheating husband because he said I'm too boring? Yeah, got that too...

And now I have to take care of the guy in room 210? The one the cops originally thought was just a corpse?

Oh great, just when I thought this day couldn't get any worse...


Micky

Double crossed by a cocktail waitress at sunrise - check.

The second toughest killer in the family wants me dead - check.

Three attempts on my life in the last 24 hours - check, check and check.

But then they screwed with that nurse, that sweet angel of mercy with the dimples, the one who was only trying to help me out.

And they took things just a little too far...  AMAZON    4 STARS

*** Dirty Hitman is a contemporary romance with subtle humor and heavy steam. Standalone with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a happily ever after you can hang your pistol on. Psst - some people may have been killed when writing this book, but they were all bad guys, and they were just asking for it... ***

 

Okay, we all know since this story is about a hit-man there will be "language" - check.  There will be a fair amount of sex- check.  But I was pleasantly surprised that it had a pretty good story too- check.

Micky ended up being unlike any hit-man that I had ever read about before.  I couldn't help but like him and end up rooting for him.  Jackie had strengths that she didn't even know she had.  Liked her too.  

There was plenty of running for your life action.  Good romance while running for their lives.  The humor and steam was also provided as promised.   

I was beginning to think that one of the people that Micky trusted just might not be all that trustworthy.  And even when that suspicion proved right there still were a few surprises towards the end.

 I enjoyed the book and kept interested in it as it zoomed along.  The ending of the book also satisfied me as well.

BOOK REVIEW- Bay's Desire (MacLarens of Boundary Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 9) by Shirleen Davies

 

 He’ll do whatever it takes to forget the past and the woman who betrayed him.

What will he do when learning an assumed truth was a lie?

Bay’s Desire, Book Nine, MacLarens of Boundary Mountain Historical Western Romance Series

Bayard Donahue lives to forget the past. The woman he loves, could never get enough of, and married, betrayed him in the worst way. The physical scars from that night don’t compare to the memories he can’t forget.

Suzette Gasnier shouldn’t still love Bay. He abandoned her, shoving her aside without caring about the truth. Desperate to forget the man she refuses to divorce, Suzette accepts a job managing a new restaurant and hotel in Conviction, a town days away from her home in St. Louis. It’s the opportunity she’s dreamed of, until learning Bay is one of her bosses.

No longer interested in continuing his career as a hired gun, Bay spends his days practicing law. At night, he escorts beautiful women into the restaurant where Suzette works, making certain to flaunt them before her. He only needs her to sign the divorce decree, then he can finally put the past behind him.

At least that’s what Bay thinks until learning what he thought happened in St. Louis might be far different than what he believes. And discovering someone is out to kill him.

AMAZON 4 STARS

This is a book that I have been wanting and waiting to read and it did NOT disappoint.  

It also showed quite clearly the damage that jumping to conclusions and letting pride rule causes.  Several years of unnecessary pain is at least one thing. 

Both main characters were ones that I enjoyed and they had quite the struggle a head of them.  They also had loyal family and friends who were there to support them and to help as much as they were allowed.

One of the supporting friends was August, who was also a co-partner with Bay. Talk about him going the extra mile!  We find out just how much as the story goes on.  

Bay's enemies are more than willing to go the extra mile to exterminate him as painfully as possible.  And one of those enemies want him to suffer a lot.  He already has done some damage which Bay is just not aware of yet.  Some truly clever, evil is at work. If you like plenty of action in a story, this one has it.

Trust is going to be a major challenge if Bay and Suzette are ever going to go forward in any relationship.  But are they going to be able to do anything?  Because it's getting more clear that danger is coming for them.

 I liked the way the story ended.  This author has an interesting way of not only solving the story but throwing out a hook about another person in the story.  It comes as a surprise that you don't see coming but I find that I like that.

I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and this is how I felt about it.

BOOK REVIEW- The Seal's Ward by Leslie North pressents Katie Knight

 

Former Navy SEAL Jed Tremayne knows discipline, hard work, and how to carry a rifle. So when his two best friends die suddenly and leave their daughter, Nala, in his care, Jed’s a little out of his element. Though he wants desperately to connect with her, Nala has withdrawn further and further into her books. Jed just needs a little help, and decides to hire a nanny, and who better than someone who loves to read as much as Nala does? Sure, Tess Frederick is a bit too intriguing, a little too sexy in an adorably unconscious way, but she instantly connects with Nala so Jeb gives her the job. 


Tess likes things ordered. But lately, her well-planned life has descended into a bit of chaos. Haunted by the suicide death of her former lover, and recovering from her bookstore going out of business, an open position for a private tutor seems like the perfect job to take while she figures out the rest of her life. Nala is an adorable and intelligent little girl and the two have an instant connection. Her guardian, Jed, is another matter altogether. Too good-looking. Too intense. And too sexy by far. If Tess can just get through the next few weeks with her heart intact, all will be well. The thing with hearts, though, no matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to turn hers off. 


But as Jed and Tess begin to fall for each other, an unknown danger threatens their burgeoning love, a danger that blindsides them both and threatens their very lives—and the life of the little girl they both love. Can two broken souls find the strength to conquer this dark menace or will they be lost in the fight to survive?


This novel contains sexual content, violence and profanity.

AMAZON    4 STARS

#TheSealsWard #NetGalley

A good story all the way around. I really liked it. Romance, danger, mysteries and great characters.  Speaking of characters, all of them had depth something that I really enjoy.  Nala contributes quite a bit to the story.  By the way, what a great name, Nala. 

The danger level was held at a pretty good rate throughout.  The "accidents'' came out just as you were reading about how Jed, Tess and Nala were starting to gel together.  It caused plenty of action. 

I liked how the author brought the emotions through when it came to both M.C.'s.  Jed because of his upbringing was still reeling from feeling too unworthy when it comes to someone loving him.  Tess is afraid to open her heart again to love.  But she's finding it harder and harder to keep both Jed and Nala on the outside of her heart.  

There is a few twists waiting for the reader as we got closer to the end.  Did I like how it ended?  That would be a solid yes. 

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

 

BOOK REVIEW- To Wed The Widow (The Reluctant Bride Collection Book 3) by Megan Bryce

 































Come back to a time when manners are everything and rules are made to never be broken. Come back to a time when men are in charge and women do what they are told...
Yeah, that never happened.
Welcome to Megan Bryce's Regencyland, where ladies with backbone get what they want. Where a woman can thumb her nose at rules and care little for convention, and yet somehow, unexpectedly and most reluctantly, find love.

To Wed The Widow

A man with a Future, the Honorable George Sinclair would rather poke his eye out than take his place beside his brother and learn How To Be An Earl. But when an earl orders, a brother obeys. And when an earl tries to make his brother steady and responsible and old and gray, well... it just might kill them both.

A woman with a Past, Lady Haywood is a scandalous distraction that no honorable gentleman can ignore. Especially one who's just been told that his very happy life is changing irrevocably to the boring. But even if a scandalous distraction is what George wants, what he needs is a wife. A virgin wife. A scandal-less wife...

The earl would be the first to say that his brother has always had a problem choosing what he needs over what he wants. Lady Haywood would say that very few women who have buried five husbands would bother with a sixth. And George would say... why, this sounds like fine fun. 
AMAZON  4.5 STARS

I took a chance on this book.  It could have been boring, just okay, good or really good. I'm so glad for me that it fell into the really good category.  The characters alone were pretty good. Who wouldn't like George?  And the widow, Elinor was more multi-layered as a person that people thought.  A lot of people lived to hate her though.  
I also enjoyed the other players in the book who also had some drama going on. Although George's brother Sebastian was "blind" to a lot of things.  He was too busy giving orders as an earl and being obeyed.  At times I thought he was a bully but as the story goes on I recognized that he truly believed that his way was the only way.  It sure caused a lot of pain along the way though.  Unnecessary pain.  
 Flora is Sebastian's wife who is hurting. And she is basically hurting alone even with all the daughters she adores.  
There are some dangers also in the story and it's just not the danger of George finding himself married off to someone his brother approves of.  Because Sebastian pushes and he pushes hard.  Not much of a real listener this guy. Well, not right away at least.  Circumstances began to cause that to have to change. 
This book had all the necessary emotions to keep me reading without getting too pulled down into heavy depressing angst.  Humor was in this book too, something that I always enjoy too.  The way that George looked at life added much of it.  Of course, the verbal baiting between George and Elinor brought a smile to my face more than once.
I liked how the story ended and that there was a very satisfying Epilogue.

 

BOOK REVIEW- Driven to Distraction (Road to Love Book 1) by Lori Foster

When desire gets this hot, you’d better buckle up…

Mary Daniels doesn’t let anything get in the way of her job acquiring rare artifacts for her wealthy boss. But this particular obstacle—huge, hard-muscled, unashamedly masculine—is impossible to ignore. Stuck in a cramped car with Brodie Crews for hours en route to their new assignment, Mary feels her carefully crafted persona—and her trademark self-control—is slipping, and she won’t allow it.

Brodie can’t imagine what secret in Mary’s past has left her so buttoned-up, though he’d dearly love to find out. Maybe then she’d trust him enough to explore their explosive chemistry. But he needs this job, so he’ll play by her rules and bide his time…until an enemy determined to outwit them strikes and he needs to get close—in every way—to protect her. Otherwise they could lose much more than a precious collectible. They could lose it all.  AMAZON  4 STARS

What a great start to the book.  It was amusing, unusual and hot.  
I really liked all the main players in the book.  Mary was quite the mystery and she kept herself buttoned up for quite a while too.  It was like peeling an onion when it came to knowing her.  Not in a bad way, just that there were layers to her that have stayed hidden for years.  She is definitely a professional woman and did well as long as no one tried to get too close to her. 
Not Brodie, he was a good guy but he was also a straight talking one too. He likes people and people generally like him too.  He also finds that he's getting a big kick out of teasing "Red" (Mary).   
I enjoyed Brodie and his family.  His brother, Jack who has his own story that we get a peek at the end of this book. It's called," Slow Ride."  I looks interesting too because I like the author's spunky women and it looks like Jack is about to tangle with one.
Brodie and Jack's mom, Ros is a natural born, bossy but loving nurturer who adds to the story.  Let's not forget Charlotte. She is the office organizer, "adopted" family member. She's like a little sister to the guys and she shows up from time to time in the story.  Another group who adds to the story is Mary's professional group of people who also just want to include her in their "family."  
Oh, if there is a fair amount of humor in the book which I enjoyed.  Howler, Brodie's dog provided his fair share as well. 
The only kind of negative thing that I might mention is that the angst of Mary's past kind of dragged a few times.  
And be prepared there WILL be a fair amount of sex in the book too.  I did like how Mary and Brodie came to understand what the other needed emotionally.  It was fun to watch that develop.

Recognizing Strongholds

BOOK REVIEW- South Village Singles Series Books 1-2 (Roughing it with Ryan/Tangling with Ty) by Jill Shalvis

 

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis's brings readers her fan-favorite South Village Singles series. Where four strong, independent women decide they don't need a man in their lives. But their pact is about to be tested…


ROUGHING IT WITH RYAN

Quirky dessert caterer Suzanne Carter is definitely cursed in love, so when Ryan Alondo, a man who is her polar opposite, shows up, there's no problem resisting him. Until she discovers that opposites attract!


TANGLING WITH TY

Can a vow to remain single stand up to an Irish accent?

Dr. Nicole Mann's work as a surgeon consumes her whole world. But then architect Ty O'Grady and his sexy Irish accent lead Nicole to prescribe herself an intense—and temporary—round of seduction!

AMAZON   5 STARS

I loved it, BOTH of the stories did it for me.

Great main characters, plenty of emotion and struggle with love.  Pretty much all of them were terrified of that "L" word.  Just getting together and sleeping together was one thing but that was lust right not love?  So yes, there will be sex in the story but also some serious running from anything really long-term.  Of course they can run but they can't hide from it at the end.  

I really enjoyed the humor that often cropped up in both stories.  And the girl friendships that developed between the three women (Taylor, Suzanne and Nichole) was fun and funny.  Their vow of single-hood was charming in it's firm belief that it was really going to stay that way.

Did I like how the stories in the two books ended?  Oh yes, I did.  

I enjoyed Taylor and the pain that was hinted at in these books.  But of course, she gets her own story which I am so on board about reading.   That would be the book titled, "MESSING WITH MAC"
 

BOOK REVIEW- A Perfect Fit (DiCarlo Brides Book 1): Love in Juniper Ridge by Heather Tullis

   

Who knew Cami's father was a closet matchmaker?
































Cami DiCarlo is crossing off the list of her father's dying wishes.
1 Move from Chicago to Juniper Ridge, CO to open his new hotel—check
2 Live with her five sisters—four of whom she didn’t know about until he died—check
3 Marry the guy he picked out for her—oh wait, she didn’t know about that one.
Though she misses her father like crazy, she can’t help resenting him for interfering in her life, or the many, many secrets he’d been keeping—even if he did bring hunky Vince Talmadge into her life.
Luckily Vince not only knows what her father wanted—once he meets her he is more than willing to give a relationship a try. After all, it isn’t often that you meet a beautiful, capable, fascinating, complicated woman like Cami in this mountain ski town.  The fact that they have definite chemistry doesn’t hurt. The question is whether or not he can make her see that they really are A Perfect Fit.
AMAZON  5 STARS

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was a full size book, it seems like I just flew through it.  I didn't WANT to put it down.  There was plenty of emotion and surprises that kept my attention.  Although Cami's father loved her and the rest of her sisters, he was kind of a hound dog when it came to being faithful. I didn't like that but it was part of the story and it definitely stirred up plenty of not only emotions and anger but also problems too.  All of which, he dumped in his "girl's" laps without any warning.  Most of weight falls on Cami and Lana who are his legit daughters. 
The relationship between Vince and Cami is fraught with tension and problems.  But the attraction is still there.  Also, Cami has had some losers in her past and isn't real open to another man.  Especially with all the stuff on her plate right now.  But Vince has more to offer than she realizes at first.  I did like seeing how he was there for her even when her anger at being manipulated override her good sense a few times.  Vince was a good guy with some interesting depths as well.
The only thing that I will say is that in the beginning, it kind of took me a bit of time to keep up with all the people in the story.  I was guilty of checking back and forth a few times just to keep them all straight in my head.  
There is also the mystery of who and why someone is trying to sink the women and the opening of the new hotel.  You just never knew when and how the new attack would come.  They faced some pretty mean spirited media attacks, with information that the gossip rags shouldn't have.
I like the way the story ended with some pretty good action and the promise of the rest of the sisters stories as well. I think they would be stories that I would like to follow up on. 
 

BOOK REVIEW- The Lost Vampire Prince by Melody Raven

       

Nicolas is the embodiment of royalty. Strong. Powerful. Deadly. The only thing he's missing is his throne.

Decades ago a vampire mutiny murdered his father and forced him into hiding, but all that is about to change. A mortal woman smart enough to learn the truth about him and naive enough to trust him is the perfect pawn to sneak him back into the monarchy.

Nothing is going to stop Nicolas from getting what is rightfully his. Not lust. Not love. And not Anna. At least that's what he thinks.   AMAZON

Anna has lived quite the life and we get to see it as it slowly unfolds.  Don't get me wrong, I think the pace of that is good.  We learn that she is terrified of Charles and no, I'm not going to say anything more about him.  Why take away the enjoyment of the next reader, as the story opens up.  Anna does have an Aunt Abigail, someone who has been the closest thing to a mother that Anna has ever had.  Anna even says that Abigail is someone who brought calmness and safety to her life.  
Both Anna and Nicolas have their own agenda. Both agendas are dangerous ones.  Just Anna stalking Nicolas is danger number one. Just let me say right here that Anna is brave, loyal and takes some pretty stupid risks.  A polite way of saying she's kind of dumb at times when it comes to personal safety.
Not only are Anna and Nicolas fighting enemies but also the attraction between each other.  Well, to be truthful Nicolas isn't really fighting it.  
There will be quite a few surprises as the end of the story comes.  
There is also an interesting look into the next book in the adventure called "Vampire Villain."

Can I just say, "Wow" when it comes to the cover for this eBook? 

 

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts about it*
 

BOOK REVIEW- Shadow Hawk by Jill Shalvis

When his latest mission turns into a bloodbath, ATF officer JT Hawk realizes he's been set up by someone at the top. Wounded and on the run, he has no choice but to take beautiful Abby Wells hostage. After all, she's in danger, too. And if the only way to keep the fiercely independent communications expert safe is to cuff her and bring her along for the ride, he'll do it. With pleasure, even.

Only, given their close contact, it's not long before Hawk's thinking about a totally different kind of pleasure….AMAZON 4.5 STARS

I really liked this book. It had great interesting main characters and some pretty good supporting people as well.
Are you looking for a lot of action, twists, turns and surprises?  This book has that as well. And the romance isn't too shabby either. 
It was kind of fun to watch Abby being beyond cool to Hawk.  More like trying to emulate an iceberg.  It was just her way of trying to protect herself against her attraction to Hawk.  And the "fight" was on.
I liked how the story ended and enjoyed the whole book.
 

BOOK REVIEW- Holiday Wishes: A Heartbreaker Bay Christmas Novella by Jill Shalvis

It’s Christmastime again in Heartbreaker Bay!

When Sean O’Riley shows up at the Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, he’s just hoping to make it through the weekend. What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.

The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.

But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B&B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air.
AMAZON 3 STARS


My thoughts-
This was a quick, flirty, fun story but with some painful history between Lottie and Sean.  The emotion is well played and there is a H.E.A. in the works.  
I liked how the reader could see what Lottie was seeing when it came to how much more grown up Sean had become. 

Although I liked this one and I do enjoy books by Jill Shalvis, I can't say that this one is a favorite.  I know it was a novella and you could feel some of the closeness of some of the people but I just ended wanting more depth in the story. 

BOOK REVIEW- Alexander: A Seventh Son Novel (McClains Book 1) BY Kirsten Osbourne

 


































Madelina is the youngest daughter of a Norman conqueror and a woman of power. Her own power is insignificant enough in her eyes that she trains to be a healer under the expert tutelage of her mother. When a child is brought to the castle where she lives, she knows she doesn’t have the skills to heal him, and her mother’s powers—and her own—will need to be revealed to a handsome knight.
Alexander Lain is the seventh son of a seventh son, and as such he has luck on his side in everything he does. When he finds a peasant child burning with fever, her parents burning in a hovel nearby, he takes the child, hoping to find someone who can heal her. He’s pointed toward the castle and Lady Lina, and he takes the child there, finding it convenient that his errand was taking him to the same place. What he sees in his first hour in the castle astounds him, but it doesn’t keep him from an attraction for the young lady there. Will he be able to convince her—and her father—she’s meant to be his bride? Or will his luck finally run out?    AMAZON  3.5 STARS

 This book was a charming, quickly read book with some unusual plot lines. Not only were the main characters unusual and interesting but also each of their own families had some unusual "quirks" or lineage if you want to explain it that way.  There were certain things that were passed down through their family and that could continue should Alexander and Linda marry.  Lina's mother had quite the useful and helpful gift of healing.  Lina wasn't so sure how her own gift was either useful or helpful.  It was sweet for Alexander to point on some things about that she hadn't thought about before. 

As a new couple there is plenty that the two of them have to get adjusted to.  I liked how the story ended with a good Epilogue. 
I also thought that the eBook cover was very attractive and also showed so of the sweetness of the book!

BOOK REVIEW- Dare Me Again (Angel Fire Falls Book 2) by Shelly Alexander

Making dreams come true is a red-hot challenge for two stubborn hearts risking it all on a second chance…

Hot-wired and restless, financial wizard Elliott Remington doesn’t turn down a dare. This time it’s to coordinate a service-dog boot camp for veterans at his family’s resort. Success means a one-way ticket to the West Coast to pursue his dream career. But it comes with a hitch: teaming up with his ex, who vanished on him ten years ago with nothing more than a kiss-off note.

As fiery as her hair and as stubborn as her name, Rebel Tate did what she had to do—for Elliott’s sake and her own. A dog whisperer with a keen sense of survival, she’s lived a tough life. Here she is, back in Angel Fire Falls, doing what she loves, next to a man she’s never forgotten. While the flame between them still smolders, neither is ready to get burned.

For Elliott, trusting Rebel is a gamble. For Rebel, sharing the secrets that sent her running is a risk. Now, while finishing a job that could define both their futures, two hearts are about to collide—and a second chance at true romance could be the greatest dare of all. AMAZON   4 STARS

I liked the fact that it didn't take very long into the first chapter that I could see where the title for the book came in. 
I liked that the book was full of emotion, some hidden secrets and good main characters.  The Remington family were also a really good supporting cast as well.  I got a giggle out of the fact that the "boys" had developed their own secret code as a way to communicate.  There were also other people who were secondary to the story as well.

The service dog angle was a really good one and I enjoyed that part of the story as well.  Rebel had her own emotional support dog and as the story goes on picks up a three legged stray as well.  The relationship that developed between those two dogs was sweet to see as well.

One problem after another arose keeping things hopping.  It kind of makes up for a part of the middle of the story which I felt started to drag going over and over the M.C.'s regrets.  

I was happy how things work out and was satisfied with the ending and the fact that there was an Epilogue.

And how about that cover?  I felt that it was attention getting in a sweet way.

I voluntarily read a Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Netgalley and these were my honest opinions about it.

 

BOOK REVIEW- Bedding the Highlander (Bookshots Flames) by Sabrina York

Only a Scot can steal her heart.

There's nothing ladylike about Katherine Killin. She's a spitfire who cannot be tamed. To rid himself of her, and to honor a truce set by the Duke of Glencoe, her father agrees to wed her to his clan's mortal enemy, Ben Rannoch. But when Katherine meets the enticingly masculine Kirk Rannoch, brother of her betrothed, she suddenly craves domination.  AMAZON   4 STARS

This was a fast, charming, and many times feisty story.  It also made me smile more than once.  Great main characters and a very full story especially considering the smaller amount of pages.  
There is a H.E.A. for both Kate and Kirk which was fun to see them get to.
However, I would have really liked to see Kate's half-brother Connor get his comeuppance.  Ah, maybe in another book?  Also would like to see any adventures with Kirk's sister Heather and Kate's sister Elise.  Elise had some fire in her belly too and I loved how the two sisters could communicate so many times without words.  A glance between them often spoke much.

BOOK REVIEW- Before the Dawn: A Novel of Romantic Suspense (Killer Instinct Book 2) by Cynthia Eden

The Killer Instinct series from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden continues as an FBI profiler tracks a case that resurrects ghosts from his past

Ex-SEAL Tucker Frost knows that the world is full of evil. He saw it in the face of his own brother, Jason Frost, a cold, methodical, sadistic killer. A killer Tucker put down with his own hands in order to save Jason's final victim--Dawn Alexander, the only girl who got away from the infamous "Iceman."

It's Tucker's up close and personal experience with evil that's made him perfect for Samantha Dark's experimental profiling division in the FBI. And when women start turning up murdered with the same MO used by the Iceman, Tucker is sent back to Louisiana to investigate.

Seven years have passed since the night that Tucker faced down his brother...and since he last saw Dawn, his one-time lover. But as Tucker and Dawn grapple with a desire that never died, they must also face the shared shadow from their pasts. Both have the same question--has Jason Frost come back from the dead to hunt again? And this time, will he succeed in killing the victim who got away?
AMAZON 4 STARS

Dramatic, dramatic start.  It jumps right into the action right away.  It also kept the intensity of the story at that same high level.  Bodies keep dropping too.  Who can be trusted?  That is a major question and as time goes on the question expands.  How does the "killer" seem to know so much insider info and seem to be steps ahead so often?
The emotional pain and memories are strong in the story as is the fear.  The author did a great job of conveying that!  The main characters were good and their own individual points of view woven into the story was pretty good.
You want a story with lots of twists and turns?  This one has it. 
The people who were secondary characters were also ones that I enjoyed too.  Just look at some of the people in the special task force; you could tell that each and every one of them had inside painful experiences with serial killers.  They wouldn't be a part of that special team without that skill.   
I have to admit that I had my own suspicions on who the killer might be.  And in the end that is who it was but I wasn't terribly upset about that like I thought I might have been.  The why of it was deeper than I expected and the surprises kept coming until the very end. 
Good ending, no cliffhangers but the door is now open to read about some of the other team members.  There is a short excerpt about Macey's story called, "Into the Night."  In the book I just finished reading there has been some hints of attraction between team members Macey and Bowen Murphy.  It looks like in the next book, that is going to be explored.
 

King of My Heart (w/ spontaneous) - Steffany Gretzinger, Jeremy Riddle, ...

BOOK REVIEW- Jerusalem's Queen : A Novel of Salome Alexandra (The Silent Years #3) by Angela Hunt

Born in the small village of Modein, a town made famous by the warrior Maccabees, Salome Alexandra knows better than to harbor grand dreams for her future. She pales in comparison to her beautiful older sister, and though she learns to read at an early age, girls are not valued for their intellectual ability. But when her father and sister are killed, John Hyrcanus, a distant relative, invites Salome and her mother to live with his family in Jerusalem, where her thirst for knowledge is noticed and indulged.

When her guardian betroths her to a pagan prince, she questions HaShem's plan. When Hyrcanus finally marries her to a boy half her age, she questions her guardian's sanity. But though Salome spends much of her life as a pawn ordered about by powerful men, she learns that a woman committed to HaShem can change the world.
AMAZON 4.5 STARS

I wasn't quite sure to expect with this book but it out that it was really pretty good. Good Jewish history mixed with some fiction. I was amazed when I found out how much of it was actually true. 
I was concerned that with all the history of the nation during that time and the Jewish customs that it would be dry or that I would get bored. Nope, it didn't happen.  I think mainly because of my interest in the people.
 Salome is quite the character and easily kept my attention throughout.  The things she went through and how deeply she loved HaShem (God), while at times not understanding what he was doing was powerful!
The people in the story were boldly written with many of them almost bigger than life.  Salome's uncle John who became High Priest for many years was one of those.  As time goes on, Salome also begins to see the uncle she loves she much is also flawed. 
I enjoyed the developing friendship between the young slave handmaiden Kissa and Salome was precious.  They knew each other from young childhood and developed a very close bond of friendship.
Salome also had some friendships that she kept for many years.  She didn't have a huge group of friends or supporters at first.  But a young man who became her tutor when she was young, was someone who remained a friend though-out her life.  Another friendship that developed later in her life was a man who was a warrior leader that she was drawn to.
Brace yourself, there will be suffering, death plots, and murder in this book.  Even some mass murder, thankfully those were not overly detailed.  But the horror war and of all the loss of life can be almost felt.


At the end of this book  there are Discussion Questions and References.  I really liked that the references were included. 

I voluntarily read an Advanced Copy of this book via Netgalley and these are my honest opinions of it. 

BOOK REVIEW- The Miracle Lady :Kathryn Kuhlman and the Transformation of Charismatic Christianity by Amy Collier Artman

AMAZON 2 STARS

On October 15, 1974, Johnny Carson welcomed his next guest on The Tonight Show with these words: “I imagine there are very few people who are not aware of Kathryn Kuhlman. She probably, along with Billy Graham, is one of the best-known ministers or preachers in the country.” But while many people today recognize Billy Graham, not many remember Kathryn Kuhlman (1907–1976), who preached faith and miracles to countless people over the fifty-five years of her ministry and became one of the most important figures in the rise of charismatic Christianity.
In The Miracle Lady Amy Collier Artman tells the story of Kuhlman’s life and, in the process, relates the larger story of charismatic Christianity, particularly how it moved from the fringes of American society to the mainstream. Tracing her remarkable career as a media-savvy preacher and fleshing out her unconventional character, Artman also shows how Kuhlman skillfully navigated the oppressive structures, rules, and landmines that surrounded female religious leaders in her conservative circles

I found this book to be kind of dry although it did have an interesting start.  If you want a history of the charismatic religious movement then this is probably for you. I found it kind of a struggle to work through this book though.
I could also sense that just maybe this book was written by someone who was critical of Kathryn Kulhman and her motives.  Often it came through that she felt like Kathryn was an opportunistic woman, focused on position, influence and or money.  While I am sure that Kathryn was not perfect, it was kind of disturbing to see the author's view from her eyes.  Was Kathryn flamboyant?  Yes, definitely.  Was she unusual? Once again a strong yes.  Was she totally authentic?  That is between her and God. 
I will give the author credit for doing her homework when it came to featuring how "Your Faith and Mine" episodes ran. She was very detailed in her accounts.   She also included other ministries and what they ran into as they televised healing meetings. 
One particular "meeting" on TV that I enjoyed reading about was when Kathryn Kuhlman interviewed Adele Carmichael. It made me smile when it was described as two giant personalities meeting.  It made me even more interested in finding out about Adele. I had heard of many of the people and women mentioned in the book.  But she is someone I don't remember hearing about before.  
This book also featured quite a few other people and their ministries also including others that followed after her and give credit to the fact that she prepared the way for healing ministries.  Benny Hinn was one that was mentioned after Kathryn's passing.  
Still, my last words on this book would be that I found it sadly..boring. 

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley and these are  my honest opinions on it.

BOOK REVIEW- Kilted At the Altar (Clash of the Tartans Book 2) by Anna Markland

AMAZON 4.5 STARS

Who jilted whom?

Darroch MacKeegan vows revenge when his intended bride, Isabel MacRain, fails to show up for a marriage arranged to settle the long feud between their clans.

Isabel’s father lays waste to MacKeegan lands in retaliation for Darroch jilting his daughter.

Who stands to gain from the mix-up?

Perhaps a blue dog and a wee lass who never speaks can help solve the mystery and reconcile two people who were always meant to be together.

I really liked this story a lot and enjoyed every minute of it.
The plot of evil against Darroch and Isabel was deeply planted and it does take a while for all of the truth to come out but it was really well done.  
The main characters were excellent and strong each in their own ways.
Darroch has a daughter and that was unexpected as was the way that Kyla has gone through life.  Darroch loves Kyla fiercely but that doesn't mean that her life has been easy.  You'll have to read the book to find out the why's of that.  
Isabel's cousin Fanny is another good supporting character, an "auld" woman but wow does she add even more depth and help to Isabel.  
There is plenty of adventure in the story, with some twists, turns and evil to overcome.  
It also has a good Epilogue, which I like to see in a story. There were however a few things that were left unanswered which had me lower the ratings just a bit.  I'm not going to mention them here though because then it would be me spilling some of the story.
Also the  Historical Footnotes was a nice touch, it had more information similar to a glossary that explained some things in the story.  
Like a box bed, which I am including a picture of below to help you visualize some of the settings in the story even better:

   

BOOK REVIEW- Unexpected Eden (Eden Book 1) by Rhenna Morgan

Eden, #1

Paradise, love and power. . .and a prophecy with a price.

Most people believe Eden no longer exists. Lexi Merrill's about to learn they're wrong. A hard-working bartender with a self-sufficient backbone and a wary nature, she knows pickup lines like a second language. So, when Eryx Shantos barges into her world with too-smooth words and a body to back it up, she locks up her libido and vows to keep her distance.

Eryx has other ideas. As king of the Myren race, Eryx is duty-bound to enforce the laws preventing exposure of their existence to humans. Yet The Fates have led him through his dreams to Lexi, a temptation he doesn't want to resist. The question is, is she Myren, or human - which makes her forbidden fruit?

When Eryx's nemesis tags Lexi as his next target, Eryx insists on taking her home where he can keep her safe. Lexi had no idea "home" would mean the one-and-only land of creation. . .or that she'd trigger a prophecy that could doom her newfound race.   AMAZON  3.5 STARS

Although I did like this book, I did so with some reservations.  I thought that the fantasy world, customs and culture was pretty well built.  Second, I did like the main characters and the secondary ones too. Eryx was surrounded with good men and women, a close family. Close family was something that Lexi has lacked and she is very self protective because she has had to be. So you can see how that will present difficulties because of her trust issues.  
The evil guy, Maxis was everything you could want in a villain..pure evil with nothing redeemable about him at all.  There is a woman who you will hate almost as much as the guy.  Didn't seem like there was much to redeem in her either.  There is hope for one other "man" who made some bad choices and sided with Maxis.  
Just to let you know of course there will be violence, some torture, danger and a boatload of sex.  Although the sex scenes were well written I have to admit that I began to skim through a lot of them.  
This is book one so of course the enemy hasn't been totally overcome but there is a H.E.A. for now.