BOOK REVIEW- A Royal Vow of Convenience by Sharon Kendrick *

 The whirr of helicopter blades announcing the return of her new boss sends Sophie scurrying back to the kitchen. Little does she know that fleeing from royal scrutiny will place her under the devastatingly searing gaze of notorious billionaire Rafe Carter.

Having resisted his cook for days, a secret midnight swim sends Rafe's senses into overdrive and he can't resist a taste of the forbidden. But the press descend when Sophie's identity is shockingly revealed, and Rafe is duty-bound to rescue the beautiful princess…with a convenient vow.
AMAZON LINK    3 STARS

GOODREADS LINK 

This was a quick, story with plenty of emotions with some of the expected challenges that the book information suggests. 
Rafe' although highly successful was often almost unlikable at times . But when you get more information about his family, it's easy to see why.  Sometimes his arrogance is incredibly off the charts!  I  felt at times he was a jerk and treated her like a whore. I didn't enjoy that part at all. 

Sophie craves some peace and quiet and maybe independence to  have a more normal lifestyle.  She's on the ranch not only to lick her wounds but to be free from the rigid gilded cage of being a princess.  With all of it's rules, regulations and meaningless duties.  She wants to find more of her worth other than just a title. 
 Rafe' and Sophie clash as expected but they also are attracted to each other.  Being pulled towards each other but it's just no strings sex you know?  uh-huh.  I couldn't believe some of the things that she put up with from him.  Even when it came to trying to control her responses during sex.  Really?
 The story does have a good ending with a satisfying Epilogue.  Probably more than Rafe' deserved from his previous actions BUT he does
get his ways shaken up.  So in the end they do work things out. 

BOOK REVIEW- Woman of Sunlight (Brides of Hope Mountain Book #2) by Mary Connealy

Description

After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, they had to help. And it may cost them everything.

Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home and found the family homestead abandoned. In a land grab, a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when he follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten to a black-haired woman who dresses like Robin Hood.

Warden is intent on helping his family reclaim their land, but doesn't realize the risks his past has brought. Dangerous men have tracked him, and rather than risk innocent lives, he's determined to end the danger. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on a venture they'll never forget.
 AMAZON LINK
                                                                         5 STARS


 
 
"She'd swung in from the treetop. Into a gunfight. She'd brought a knife to a gunfight. What's more, she'd won.''   

(I love this description! )

 This is the second book that I've read in this series and I ended up loving it too.  Having read two of the sister's stories now I am eager to read the last one about Ursula.  But that is for another day.
The main characters in this story are well drawn.  Both Mitch and Ilsa are intense in their own ways with quite a bit of depth in the story. It helped to be able to get both of their P.O.V,'s as well.  I enjoyed how it all meshed together.
Mitch knows himself pretty well and makes some sound observations.  That he spent a lot of time being tough and independent.  That he usually keeps him emotions under control.   Something that Ilsa turns totally upside down because he has never met anyone like her.  And she was also as far from the worldly, sophisticated women he is used to. 
 Ilsa is one wild child, totally innocent of anything outside her mountain world.  She's a free-spirit who loves nature, swinging in the treetops, animals and her sisters. I loved this character!! She is non-violent unless she is cornered by an animal or needs to hunt for food.  Oh and yes if someone she cares about is threatened.  More than once when defending someone the warrior or feral look came out of her expression.  That was so well described and Mitch ought to know about it because she saved his skin more than once.  Ilsa and her knives yes, that added some interesting moments for sure. 
The only downside I felt was the over mentioning of the three different sister's skill sets and fears.  I slowed the story a couple of times although all of it was an important part of the story.  In my opinion it could have been pulled back a bit.
However, I just had to give it high marks because the mysteries in the story, twists and turns and the people were so good.  And the intensity of the chase takes off time and again especially towards the end!
A very satisfying H.E.A. brings it all to an end for now and for them.  There is still one other threat out their for the Warden family (probably completed in the next book) but at least this one is over.  

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

BOOK REVIEW- Red Dust Rebel by Eva Scott *

Description

In the small town of Elliot's Crossing, things are never really in the past ...
Justine Turner knew she'd become a solicitor the day her childhood friend Nate Kincaid was sentenced to juvenile detention for a crime he did not commit. Fifteen years later, Nate is back in town and JT is more determined than ever to defend him, and not just because of an unrequited crush. But small towns have long memories, and this one is sure Nate is guilty.
Being the town's black sheep is hard work, but Nate has neglected his sonly duties long enough. Back in town to care for his mother while she heals from a broken arm, it's not long before Nate discovers her condition is far worse than he expected. His only welcome distraction is JT, the gangly girl he knew from childhood who is now smart, sassy-and entirely kissable.
But everyone is keeping secrets, lies are falling apart, and unrequited love is surfacing--a force strong enough to tame a rebel ... or tear a town apart.
A small-town romance about overcoming prejudice, second chances and setting the past free.
AMAZON LINK       4 STARS

 I liked this story but with some reservations. It had good main characters, who were written with depth.  It also had a great sense of community that was also described with good depth. The same is true of Justine's circle of friends.  
There were also some serious issues addressed with well portrayed emotions. In fact, there were well developed emotions throughout. You could almost feel some of the fear and frustrations that that Justine (J.T.) and Nate are going through. 
I will say on the down side, the story slowed for me when it felt like the same couple of issues kept getting rehashed over and over again. Although important to the story, it felt a bit overdone.
However, towards the end things do ramp up and long held secrets are exposed.  And a dangerous situation closes in on J.T.  There will be a H.E.A. but it won't be easy getting there.

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

 You can link to the Escape Publishing website http://escapepublishing.com.au/

BOOK REVIEW- One Night With The Alpha King by Belle Scarlett *

 One Night With the Alpha King (Fantasy/OtherWorld) by Belle Scarlett

When the Star Seekers of Searth crashed on a primitive planet generations ago, the castaways formed a new civilization with strict laws in order to survive. When a member of the elite diplomat caste, Senator Anya Fortune, snubs the barbarian Alpha King Shade's wedding offer, His Royal Highness wonders what he’ll have to do to get the woman to notice him. Use the one, hot night he’s given by law to change her mind, naturally. Let the game of hearts begin. Winner take all…AMAZON LINK
                                                                                                 3 STARS


I grabbed this book because I really do like science fiction, fantasy books but this book just didn't do it for me.  It had some good points but still wasn't as good  as I had hoped it would be.  

It did do a really good job of world building and explaining the caste system.  It also felt like a little bit too much time was spent on the past story of Shade's family and caste group.  It felt like it could have tightened things up a bit and not have lost anything in telling it that way.  
If you want to know if this book had sensual heat.  That would be yes, both in language and in actions too.  

It did have a good twist towards the end.  Just not enough to make it a favorite of mine.


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

BOOK REVIEW- BookBurner (Library Gate Series Book 5) by H. Duke *

“Thought you were saving the world?

You only made things worse…”

When a strange form of ink rot appears on the cover of One Thousand and One Nights, April steps into the story world to erase it.
Been there, done that, right?
Wrong. This rot’s different:
It’s immune to her touch.
Now, with only so long before the rot blackens more books, April must find a way to stop it—all while dealing with old friends, an old flame, and a new enemy the likes of which the library has never seen before….

Or have they known him all along?   AMAZON LINK

          4 STARS

...
Free bonus story: This ebook includes Yulewriter, an exclusive bonus story that takes place directly before the events of Bookburner.

I've been reading these stories right along.  But this book in the series was filled with quite the unexpected twists. Even April's Grandma shows up in the story. And begins to be filled in on some of the secrets that April has been hiding. 
Just like the book information shows us though the dangers have ramped up way beyond anything Gatekeeper April had ever expected.  
It was a good tense story with good main characters, flaws and all.  What an imagination this author has!!  
I'm glad the author included the "Yulewriter " bonus story because it makes for a good bridge into some of the personal activities of this book.

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

BOOK REVIEW- The Highlander's Promise by Heather Grothaus *

Description

Born illegitimate, these sons of medieval Scotland are bound for greatness—and made bolder by the power of love . . .

Brave Lachlan Blair stands ready to become his clan’s chieftain—until a revelation shows he is not a Blair son, but the bastard offspring of a notorious criminal. Faced with banishment to the Highland wilderness, Lachlan agrees to wed the daughter of an enemy clan. But he soon finds himself facing a new battle: an unwelcome attraction to his beautiful wife . . .

Since she was a wee lass, Finley Carson has heard tales of legendary Lachlan Blair. But nothing prepares her for marriage to the rugged highlander. Fortunately, Lachlan shares her desire to leave the union unconsummated in hopes of escaping their dutiful marriage. Yet as they partner to pursue the truth of Lachlan’s birthright, their deepening bond turns to passion. And once Lachlan’s past catches up with them, their love is put to the ultimate test . . . AMAZON LINK
                                                                   3 STARS

This book promised a lot.  From the attractive eBook cover to the book blurb.  However, for me it didn't really deliver everything I had hoped for all that well.  
In the Prologue, I was left wondering what was going on which is kind of okay because that is often the case.  But as time went on I began to see that it was part of the flashbacks that was used as part of the story.  That was confusing to me at times as I was still trying to sort out who the people were and how they fit into the story.  At other times I also found the flashbacks a bit confusing as well.  It did smooth out but it was kind of disconcerting to me.
The opening in the first chapter had me raising my eyebrows at the startling beginning.
I will say that Lachlan and Finley both added emotion to the story.  They were each struggling with different issues but each important in their own way.   
There are betrayals that will get exposed.  Many of them going many years back  but are suddenly appearing in their current times to bring even more danger to the forefront.   Many things do get resolved as things ramp up to a dangerous conclusion.  But there is one villain who escapes to cause more trouble in future times I'm sure.  I would have liked to have seen that finished but at least there is an unusual solution to bring a H.E.A. for Lachlan and Finley. 

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

BOOK REVIEW- Sit, Stay, Love (Rescue Me Book 2) by Debbie Burns *

These dogs aren't the only ones in need of rescue
For devoted no-kill shelter worker Kelsey Sutton, rehabbing a group of rescue dogs is a welcome challenge. Working with a sexy ex-military dog handler who needs some TLC himself? That's a different story.
Kurt Crawford keeps his heart locked away from everyone. Well, everyone except the dogs who need his help...and always have his back. But as Kurt gets to know the compassionate, beautiful woman he's been assigned to work with, he can't help but feel a little puppy love...AMAZON LINK
                                                    4 STARS

This was a good, homey, charming story even with some of the very serious issues that were addressed.  It had a community feel because so much of the community did pull together in it.
There was good depth to each of the main characters.  All of the other secondary people also were well fleshed out as even all of the dogs were well written too!   And let's not forget Mr. Longtail, a cat with a very high regard for himself.  He's not malicious but does definitely go his own way.
Some of those secondary people like Ida (who was the neighbor to the rescue manor, previously owned by Sabrina Raven.) She played even more of a part than just a friendly neighbor.  Patrick is a very important part of the rescue mission as well and was an unusual person too.   He had some limiting social skills when it came to people but he was brilliant with dogs and social media. 
This is a different kind of romance but good all the same.  Kurt is an all around good guy who has several issues.  One of them being a man of few words.  He has had trouble putting words to what he feels but Kelsey really does begin to pull the best of him out.  This couple does get their H.E.A. but it is also an emotional ride.