BOOK REVIEW- Just His Luck (Sterling's Montana Book 3) by B.J. Daniels *

 He thought the past was finally behind him

Shade Sterling has carried a torch for Lizzy Conners since senior year of high school. But the timing never felt right for them, especially since his ex-girlfriend, Ariel, disappeared without a trace years ago. Now, with their ten-year class reunion approaching, Shade is tired of waiting. Determined to move on with his life and take a chance with Lizzy, he’s all in…until a car is dredged up from a local pond and Ariel’s remains are found inside.

As the newly appointed sheriff, Lizzy must investigate every single lead—including the ones that point right to Shade. She knows she can’t let her heart get in the way of an investigation, but she can’t accept that Shade is guilty. Now if she can only prove it—both to the town out for justice and to herself.   AMAZON LINK
                3 STARS

I liked it but I can honestly say that it isn't a favorite of mine.  Oh the people in the story were well drawn and so was the mystery of who the murder was and the why.   Ends up a whole lot more mysteries were in play than originally thought.   And they do all come out. 

Shade and Lizzy were worth the whole reading of the book.  I liked them both and the fact that although they are crazy about each other they never had their first date.  And when they do? It's a doozy!  Before that it had just been a few magnificent kisses and a whole lot of years between them. I did see more of a friendship and trust developing more than a romance though.  I'm not sure that even the both of them were enough to make me enjoy this book more.
I do have to say though that the idea of a class reunion in the middle of nowhere, was a page out of TSTL book. Especially with questionable cell reception and a landline phone.  Anyone see how bad this is going to be ?  They are pretty sure that one of them is a murderer who is probably going to kill again and they do this?  Although I do get the idea that with them all together, the murderer would be revealed.  Still...dumb. Guess, they got overconfident. 
That ghost narrator in the background, I didn't enjoy that so much. 
Towards the end I just got tired of the High School attitudes that was part of the story.

 

BOOK REVIEW- Her Highness and the Bodyguard by Christine Rimmer *

 CALABRETTIS MARRY FOR DUTY-BUT BRAVO-CALABRETTIS MARRY FOR LOVE

Marcus is the best man Rhia's ever known, and she's never gotten over their breakup. Now, he's practically strapped to her side. It's like a dream come true...or a nightmare. Because Marcus is as stubborn as ever: she's a Bravo-Calabretti, he's a lowly security guard, and they can never be equals. Ever.

Then a breathless night that should have brought closure brings something else: a baby. Marcus insists that no child of his will grow up without its own mother and father. Well, Rhia has her own requirement: her child will be raised on love, not the dry bread of obligation. And Marcus has made it abundantly clear that his duty to Montedoro comes before everything-especially his own desires.
AMAZON LINK 
3 STARS

This was a fast, emotional story with good main characters.  
Marcus had quite the lonely childhood with no family to help support him. The nuns at the orphanage were there for him though.  He even said that the Catholic orphanage was better than some.  The nuns were good to him being kind and nurturing.  He met H.S.H (Rhia's mother)  as a child and she left a strong, positive impression upon him.  He worked hard and advanced because he earned it.
What Marcus lacked when it came to a loving family, Rhia had it in spades.   They really did have each other's backs.  Rhia has such a good, extra special relationship with her sister,  Allie (Alice).  I realized as this book went on that I have already read Allie's story (How to Marry a Princess (The Bravo Royales Book 5)
Like I said Marcus and Rhia had a lot of emotions to work through.  And one of Rhia's biggest complaints is that Marcus holds SO many secrets so close to himself.   But you know those are all going to tumble out in the end, right?  They do and there is a surprise twist coming. 
There is a H.E.A. for Marcus and Rhia which was good to see. 

BOOK REVIEW- Blood Pact (New Breed Book 4) by Melody Raven *

 Aidan is having a run of bad luck. After crossing a powerful witch, he has his powers bound rendering him basically mortal. His only chance to get his mojo back is to find the monster who has been praying on men at a ridiculous vampire rip off bar. Easy enough, right?

Except this monster has legs for days, brown eyes he could lose himself in and a mysterious past that is quickly catching up to both of them.

His orders are simple. Turn her over to get back to his normal life of debauchery and decadence.

But in this world of blood and magic, nothing is simple.  AMAZON LINK
                                                                                             4 STARS

This book had really good, unusual main characters that kept me involved all the way through.  Aiden was not your traditional good guy.  In fact that part of his selfish nature is what got him in trouble with his powerful grandmother Talia to begin with.  But he's NOT all bad which makes him even more interesting.

That girl that he is chasing?  She is just trying to stay undercover and stay alive.  It's kind of hard to be invisible when you look as good as she does.  Lina is tired of being powerless, afraid and captive though.  

There is plenty of action and intrigue with some magic thrown in too.  The friendship and romance between Aiden and Lina is hard fought for since they weren't looking for either.
I have to mention how much I liked the eBook cover for this book.  It does have that attractive, otherworldly look to it. 

  “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.” 

BOOK REVIEW- His Billionaire Bride (The Morgan Sisters) by Madeline Ash

Description

She’s got it all… on paper
Business investor Carrie Morgan is guarded for a long list of good reasons. She’s battled her way to the top of her industry, dealt with enough bad sex to put her off men, and if her painful past has taught her anything, it’s that commitment always ends in heartbreak.
When Carrie’s sister asks her to sit for a portrait—as a bride—she uneasily agrees. Anything for Emmie. Even if it means intimate nightly sessions with her secret fantasy: artist Edwin Prince.
Rejected by his family and treated as temporary by past lovers, Edwin will settle for nothing less than commitment — and wants that and more from the beguiling Carrie Morgan. Startling them both, she allows him to unwind her emotional bindings one intense interaction at a time, until their chemistry builds so high, she’s blinded to the fall.
And the only way out is to break both their hearts.  AMAZON LINK  5 stars


The book information caught my eye right away as did the eBook cover.  I thought, "Oh, this one is really a different slant and could be really good."  And it was.  I also noticed and liked the descriptive flavor of this author.  She made things come alive.  And it made things feel that way too!
I loved the main characters.  They couldn't be more different if they tried.  They couldn't have been more incompatible if they tried and they shouldn't work.  On paper they don't but  together now that is a different story.  
Edwin was bright, likeable and joyous and with so much talent.  It cracked me up that people had a nickname of sorts for Carrie.  She was the wolf and intimidated the daylights out of just about everyone. But I liked even more the nickname Edwin gave her and how it came about.  Her talent was from a totally different realm than Edwin's.  She was brilliant in the business world but what most people didn't see was how precious her family was to her.  She carries a lot of pain caused by family losses and failures in the romance area.  That makes her incredibly self protective.  Edwin carries pain as well but that turned out to be quite a surprise to me where a lot of it was coming from.  Not the fact that people would be attracted to him and his energy.  Not that when they had got "all they wanted" and then they abandoned him.  All of that was bad enough but there was even more reasons for his pain and you will have to read the book to find out why.  One of his secrets made me a bit uncomfortable but the story was so dang good that I just kept reading. 
All of these things and more made it an emotionally good story. 
It all comes to a stunning, emotional, brilliant ending. 
 You might also like to take a look at the the  excerpt of "The Wedding Obsession."  Its the first book that features Emmie (who is Carrie's sister) and Bran.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- CONSTANT RISK by Janie Crouch

The hunters
Become the hunted.

Deputy Tanner Dempsey and Bree Daniels are tasked with unraveling a deadly mystery in Dallas—one that involves transmitting live feeds of victims trapped in tanks as they fill with water. Bree’s computer genius is their only hope at solving the crime.
Knowing the darkness in Bree’s past, Tanner is determined to make sure she comes out of this emotionally unscathed. Especially once they both become a killer’s next target…
AMAZON LINK
                         5+ STARS                                                                                                             

 How does this author keep doing it?  This series just keeps getting better and better.  Or maybe I should say high quality all the time.  The intensity and plots are off the charts great!  Again! I'm not generally super-quick to rate a book 5 Stars or 5+ stars but I've been running across some excellent books and this one is definitely one of those!
I liked that the author started the book out with a cast of characters list.  A good review for me since I've read a few of the books in this series a while back.  Also it should really help new readers I think.
I find it difficult to do a review without spoiling it by saying too much. So, just let me say a few things.  Still love Tanner and Bree.   Tanner is so in love with her; protective without hedging in her in too tight.  I like how he loves her "big brain" and sees it as an important part of who she is.  Bree has a nickname for Tanner that brings a smile.  And she observes that although he might not understand all of the computer speak, he sure understands her.  Bree's people skill has improved a tiny, tiny bit but made her all the more endearing.
There is plenty of action, danger and surprises in the story.  As well as good secondary people in the story too.
 I have to say I don't know how this author comes up with all this stuff but I'm glad she does.
The ending was exquisite in it's justice.
  “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

 

BOOK REVIEW- The Debt by Jackie Ashenden *

Description

Ruthless billionaire Ash Evans finds the sexiest way to collect on a debt in the first installment in The Billionaire’s Club quartet!

Notoriously ruthless property developer Ash Evans never forgives a debt. And I have two days to convince the former street fighter not to pull his investment in my father’s company. Taking a job as his chauffeur in Paris is the only way to get close enough to ask the bad-tempered billionaire for a favor.

With his sexy tattoo, scars and magnificently cut body, he’s as powerful, sleek and difficult to manage as the sports cars my family designs. And after meeting his electric-blue eyes in the rearview mirror all night, I’m more than happy to rev his engine and take the boss for a ride!

But now Ash thinks I’m just using him to get what I want. And he’ll give me what I need, but there is a price—posing as his girlfriend to help him exact vengeance on his half brother. Pretending to love Ash is the easiest job I’ve ever had…and soon my heart is racing into danger. Will a man so full of anger ever be capable of loving me back?    AMAZON  3 STARS

This was a really emotional story.  Intensely emotional when it came to both of the main characters. 
 It was also sensual, steamy and kind of erotic.  Especially in the semi- voyeur scene, which I wasn't expecting. 
 I forgot that the "Dare" inclusion on the eBook cover was the remember that it was going to be of a higher sexual content.   The information about this kind of series said that it had strong characters (it did) and highly explicit sexual encounters (it did).   For me, I didn't enjoy that as much since it was in the danger zone of taking OVER the story.  That is something that I don't like.  I can't say it wasn't well written but it's just not my style.  Quite a bit of language as well including one of my least favorite "F" bombs.  
Now to get to some of the things I did like.  Ash was an angry man and he had plenty of reasons to be that way.  He was a man who had to fight for any and everything he ever wanted.  I liked that he was complex.   Anything nice about him he tried to keep hidden and there were some people that he cared about.  But he could list those on one hand.  Anybody else got the street fighting steamroller part of this personality if they didn't get out of the way first. 
Ellie Little was more than a match for Ash.  Because even in front of a steamroller she's not going to roll over and play dead.  She is a fighter also and loves a challenge.  That's something that they both have in common.   And she intrigues the heck out of Ash and she finds that she returns the favor.  She's not put off by him or his scars.  It makes for some interesting interactions.  
The book comes to an expected conclusions of some challenges that have been plaguing Ash.  
Some of his anger issues get resolved, even though we know he will never be an easy to get along with man.  He's not tame but there is a H.E.A. for Ellie and Ash. 

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.” 

BOOK REVIEW- Wind River Rancher (Wind River Series Book 2) by Lindsay McKenna *

 Something to hold on to . . .

Not so long ago, Reese Lockhart was commanding a company of Marines. Now his life is spiraling out of control. The Bar C ranch outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming may be his last chance to save himself . . .

Shaylene Crawford, an Afghanistan veteran herself, knows all too well the demons of PTSD—that’s why she’s determined to turn her family’s cattle ranch into a place where wounded warriors can work, find a home, and rebuild their souls. Her embittered father nearly drank and gambled the place away, but with help from a small crew of vets—including the newest arrival, the quietly compelling Reese Lockhart—she intends to hold on to her dream. And when someone tries to destroy that dream, Reese will do whatever it takes to defend her . . .AMAZON LINK
                                                                     3 STARS

 This book had potential that felt like it only hit some of the marks.  
I liked both Reese and Shay and felt like their emotions came through pretty well.  I also liked the other wranglers in the story who came together as a team on the ranch.  I also liked what Shay was doing on the ranch to help support fellow vets.
However.  It also felt like a lot of repetition on several subjects.  Especially the issue of P.T.S.D.   It was important to the story but it was the same thing over and over and it dragged the story down.  Don't get the wrong idea though. I do believe that we need to do more for our veterans.
We are also left hanging about Shay's nasty daddy.   That really wasn't okay with me.