BOOK REVIEW- MARRIAGE OF INCONVENIENCE by Debbie Macomber

Rich Manning and Jamie Warren have always been friends—and nothing but friends. However, that changes when she asks him to father the child she so desperately wants. Rich agrees, with one condition: they have to get married. 

Suddenly, Rich discovers side of Jamie he’s never seen before, and they’re surprised by the sweetness and passion they feel. But can Rich prove to the headstrong Mrs. Manning that it’s time to let the world in on their secret that their love is truly here to stay?   AMAZON 3 STARS

Originally published in 1992

Jamie was afraid that the long-standing friendship that they have had will get ruined if they get married.  And it's a valid concern.  Misunderstanding after misunderstanding crops up.  For two people who communicated so well before now suddenly that all came to a screaming halt.  

I didn't really enjoy this story all that much,it was just okay.  It was emotional yes but it was also somewhat predictable too.  There were no real surprises. 

BOOK REVIEW- A ROGUE OF HER OWN by Grace Burrows

For Miss Charlotte Windham, the best way to maintain her spinsterhood-and her independence-is a teeny, tiny brush with scandal. She chooses wealthy, handsome upstart Lucas Sherbourne as her unwitting accomplice. He's intelligent, logical, and ambitious. What Charlotte doesn't count on is that one kiss will lead them straight to the altar.

Sherbourne has no love for polite society, nor is he keen on being anybody's husband of last resort. He is attracted to Charlotte's boldness, though-and her family's influence. Without a title, he knows he'll never truly be part of their world, even as he and Charlotte inch closer to a marriage that means much more than convenience. But a scheming business partner is about to test that tenuous trust, forcing Sherbourne to make a drastic choice: his wealth or his wife.  AMAZON 4.5 STARS

I really liked this story and I think it's mainly because of the main characters.   Lucas Sherbourne and Charlotte Windham were unique and some of their conversations  early on were pretty interesting.  They made me smile more than once at the way they interacted even BEFORE they married.   

Lucas has felt the lash of other people's opinion of him since he is considered a commoner and beneath the ton's value. It was pretty easy to feel sympathy for his sufferings.  Not everyone felt that  Lucas was below them and Charlotte definitely didn't look at people that way.  In fact, she was someone who valued justice and actually took actions to help people.  Especially women who had been misused by men and left helpless.   This was something that she kept very much a secret from most people though. She had a lot of skills that most upper crust women did not and that others would consider inappropriate.  However, Lucas begins to enjoy those things about her and it even begins to benefit him as well.

It didn't take long to begin pulling FOR Lucas and care about how the story about them as a couple would end up.  Also what would happen to take care of all the business upsets that were going on.  

There is a H.E.A.  and a good Epilogue.

BOOK REVIEW- YOU AND ME ENCORE by Alix Nichols

Do you believe that love and humor will save the day?
Then this box set of 3 heartwarming second-chance romances is for you!
Each stands alone and follows a different couple. All 3 are set in Paris.

UNDER MY SKIN — After three years of no contact, up-and-coming politician Mat Gerard has gotten over his crush on sassy barmaid Jeanne Bonnet... Or has he?

PLAYING FOR KEEPS — When amnesiac water-polo coach Lucas hires ex-player Isabelle as a publicist, their passion sends him on a course in which his past and his future collide…

THE DEVIL’S OWN CHLOE — Patient and strong, Hugo prides himself on being able to fix anything. Can his love save his high-school crush Chloe from herself, or will fixing her leave him broken?

Escape to Paris this summer and join 3 couples as they fall in love!     AMAZON  5 STARS


I have read all three of the stories and gave it 5 stars rating because it really is a great collection. Here are my thoughts on each one:
UNDER MY SKIN- I'm still smiling.
I wanted to read this one for quite some time. Having read all the other stories in this series (so far), this one just kept calling to me. For one reason or another I never quite got around to it but put it on my Amazon wishlist. When the author offered me an opportunity to read it; I jumped at the chance. When I got it and started reading I thought, "Oh, please be good, I don't want to be disappointed". I wasn't. I had liked Jeanne from the other books and was glad to get more into her story. Mat had quite the changes when it came to his appearance and confidence. He changed from the "toad" look to a "hunk". The tension between the two of them developed really nicely. I think this story might just be my favorite of all the Bistro La Bohème stories.
On a couple of side notes:
I really liked the song lyrics that Mat listened to, that Cyril had released as a new song. It also helped explain the title of this book. Very appropriate.
The other thing I found interesting is the way each new chapter was listed in the front. Not the usual Chapter 1 or 2 but with Month's or Event Title (but not enough to give it away).

PLAYING FOR KEEPS- Wow, what a way to start a book. And wow, way to start to hate the "hero", well at least the main character Lucas. Wasn't sure how that was going to change. It was interesting how that came about.
I really enjoyed the book and it's probably my favorite of this series so far. The story idea itself I thought was interesting and I'm glad that I didn't regret reading it. It could have gone south but I don't think it did.
I liked how the story unfolded when it came to memories and what Lucas can recover about that past. He's not going to like all of what he finds out.
Isabelle oh yes, a good character and she definitely deserved better than Lucas. Well at least the old Lucas that is.
You know things are going to work out but the road is going to get a little bit rough.
Good Epilogue is included with a surprise twist; a happy surprise.
At the end of the book is a 4 Chapter look into another of her books, "Find You in Paris."
THE DEVIL’S OWN CHLOE -I found this book to be different, quirky, charming and unusual. Part of that quirkiness I think comes from the main character, Chloe. She has some really twisted way of looking at things. That definitely keeps everything interesting. It also helps her go through men like they are water. No strings, no attachments, no real relationships. As I read the story I realized that Hugo was the eternal optimist, and Chloe is the master of doom and Murphy's Law. She's always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Even with all of that, I still really liked her. A lot. And Hugo? What's not to like about him? He's a good guy, in fact he's a great guy. He's never given up on Chloe although at times he doesn't totally understand what makes her tick.
I also have to make mention of there being other interesting secondary people in the story as well.


"I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of all 3 of these books.

BOOK REVIEW- HARD TO FORGET by Rebecca Janet

Charles:

I lost her five years ago, along with everything else. One second, I was driving my motorcycle and the next, I couldn’t remember my past.

And then, as chance would have it, I saw her again.

I didn’t know who she was, but I could feel it in my heart that she meant something to me.

So, of course, I had to have her—she was the key to the past—the answer to so many questions.

Not to mention, she was sexy as hell.

But, Becky was playing hard to get.

And I play for keeps.

Becky:

He broke my heart.

From the start, I should have known he was too good to be true. I was just an average, plain Jane kind of girl, and he was the high school heartthrob. Of course, it would never work.

And, it didn’t.

So, I learned to forget about him.

But, of course, life’s a bitch and brought him right back.

Will I be able to forget the past? Or will the future hold more heartbreak and deceit?

I want to pray for forgiveness but I’ve long started to doubt that word.    GOODREADS   

***I couldn't find it on Amazon butt my rating would be 3 STARS  ***



This book had plenty of emotion to it.  Although I see that is was originally called, "Charles's Bride".
I do have to saw some of the story was a bit of a stretch when  it came to being really believable. And then later some of it felt a bit predictable and sometimes kind of high schoolish.  Of course a lot of their memories went way back like that. 


 Charles has lost so much of his memories, especially those about Becky.   Becky has plenty of memories and one that she'd like to forget.  The one where he cheated and that was something she couldn't forgive.  It took her almost forever to really believe that he had lost parts of his life.  She just thought it was another cruel trick.  I almost felt like part of her disbelief went on a bit too long. 

I did like the fact that there was a dual point of view from the main characters.  And that there was a charming H.E.A.  So I guess I would say that although some was predictable it was also Hot AND Sweet. 


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

BOOK REVIEW- THE ARROGANT THIEF by Mallory Crowe

Gage has been expressly forbidden from touching his boss's sister, Melissa Slade. But when has Gage ever done as he was told? The arrogant thief always gets what he wants...AMAZON

An intense story both in adventure and romance.  I don't want to give too much detail because it would ruin it for future readers.  But I can say that Gage and Melissa find themselves in an unusually dangerous situation that I didn't see coming.  It was a great surprise that I enjoyed. 
Gage had some serious talents that for a while he couldn't go too far with. He's not used to that and he's not liking it either.  Melissa is more of a behind the scenes, newer to the group person.  She doesn't feel like she has much to offer when it comes to skill and outwitting the "bad guys".   Add to that the fact that they both off the charts wanting each other and have for quite some time.  Part of the story is their fighting what they feel.  
I have read several of the books in this series so I am familiar with some of the team members that show up.  Hart, Slade, Tori are just a few of the people who show up.  But if you have never read any of these books, you won't get lost.  It could easily be read on it's own.  

Action, danger, romance, denials, teamwork, the bad guy getting it in the end?   All good words to begin to describe what's going on.  You know pretty early on who the bad guy is. But the satisfaction is in seeing how Gage and Melissa get free. 



"I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest opinion of it."

BOOK REVIEW- TURBULENT INTENTIONS by Melody Anne

The Armstrong brothers are wealthy, wild-at-heart bad boys—until their father’s will demands they prove themselves and marry in order to inherit their fortune.

Eldest brother Cooper channels his reckless spirit into becoming CEO of his own airline. The only thing better than the adrenaline rush of flying is his one-night stand with a stunning stranger. At first he doesn’t recognize the fiery barista he clashes with years later at an airport coffee shop. But when Stormy Halifax turns up as his new house sitter, Cooper knows she’s his Cinderella. And he doesn’t just want her in his mansion. He wants her back in his bed.

Stormy can’t believe she’s living under Cooper’s roof. Gorgeous and arrogant, he’s convinced she’ll surrender again—and he’s right. But just as Stormy is succumbing to a world of pleasure, her trust is shattered. And the biggest challenge Cooper has ever faced will be proving he wants Stormy, now and forever, for all the right reasons.   AMAZON  3.5 STARS

I liked this book but with some reservations.  Cooper and Stormy definitely came from different backgrounds but were good main characters.  I also liked Cooper's Uncle Sherman too.  He brought a sweet but sometimes meddling element to the story.   Stormy and Sherman built a real sweet friendship over time.

My main "complaint" was that it was so slow and at times didn't really feel like it was going anywhere.   There were good written visuals of the locales that were a part of Cooper's life.  So that did help too. 

The action does gear up towards the end of the book and there is a H.E.A. for the M.C.'s.  

I borrowed this book through the Prime Reading program. 

One last comment which I guess is more a question.  What was with all the winking? 

BOOK REVEIEW- COLD SHOT by Dani Pettrey

In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet--until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern--a young social justice lawyer missing since spring--and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.
AMAZON 5 STARS

What a great story.  This book starts out with a bang right from the start.  I have to be honest I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book so it came as a surprise that I liked it so much.  I have read several of Dani Pettrey's books so I knew she wrote stuff I usually liked.

It has great main characters, interesting secondary people and a plenty of action and surprises.  Oh and don't forget the romance.  It's a clean story with the Christian elements of people who have invited God into their lives and are working their lives out. I liked that but I know others might not.  In some Christian books that would mean that the story might be not as good, that isn't the case here. 

Finley Scott, keep an eye on her because she is going to play an important part in this book.  She's smart, and good at her job.  She reminds me of Dr. Temperance Brennan from the TV show, "Bones".  Although there are some major differences like Finley's faith in God but also she tends to draw people to her and she is not socially awkward.
Of course another difference is no in-depth autopsy pictures or gruesome explanations.
Griffin is trying NOT to keep his eye on Finley but he's fighting his interest in her .  But as you can guess, it's not working very well.  He has so much on his plate emotionally that he doesn't want to be romantically involved.  But as much as he tries to backpedal, he can't.  And now he is going to have to spend more time with her on this case. 

I liked both Declan, and Parker who are brought into this case because their skills are needed.  They were good additions to the book, but their stories went only so far because I suspect they each have their own stories too. Which I would like to read as well.  We did see what we needed to see about what caused the animosity between Parer and Griffin. 

It was good to see the "old team" working together again and doing a pretty good job of it.  Of course, Finley is part of the newer members of the unofficial team working with them.  Also add Avery Tate to that list.  She has a story to tell but it wasn't told here. 

I'm looking forward to more of the books in this series.  After reading this one with all the twists and turns, it's looking good for the other ones.