BOOK REVIEW- Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter *

Description

In this stunning series debut from New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter, a duke’s mysterious bequest brings fortune—and passion—to three young women . . .

Minerva Hepplewhite has learned the hard way how to take care of herself. When an intruder breaks into her home, she doesn’t swoon or simper. Instead she wallops the rogue over the head and ties him up—only to realize he is Chase Radnor, the man who nearly got her convicted of her late husband’s murder. Now he’s insisting that Minerva has inherited a fortune from his uncle, a wealthy Duke. Only one thing could surprise her more: her sudden attraction to this exasperating man . . .

Chase can’t decide whether Minerva is a wronged woman or a femme fatale. Either way, he’s intrigued. Since the scandal surrounding her husband’s death, she has set up a discreet detective business to rival Chase’s own. She may be the perfect person to help him uncover the truth about his uncle’s demise. But as proximity gives way to mutual seduction, Chase realizes he craves a much deeper alliance . . .AMAZON LINK
  3 STARS

 I so wanted to really like this book and I tried so hard but it just didn't pull me in.  It seemed to have all  the necessary ingredients , like good main characters, good secondary ones , a fairly good plot and good details of the settings and culture.  But still, I ended up feeling like it was missing something.  I guess it's fair to say that it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

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

BOOK REVIEW- Bishop's Pawn (House of Bishop Book 1) by Suzanne Halliday *

 Roman Bishop is a man on a mission. A mission to locate his boss’s surprise half-sister.

There’s just one problem. He’s feeling restless and edgy. Too many happily ever afters are going on around him. So when he sets off to find a twenty-something hidden away in rural Oklahoma, the best thing that could happen was finding her quickly—so he could get back to being grumpy.

Born into isolated obscurity and plagued by her mother’s poor choices, Kelly Anne James is self-reliant, determined, and fiercely independent. She has plans. Big plans that didn’t include duplicating her mother’s pitiful life.

Destiny, however, moved these two around like chess pieces until the perfect moment when time, weather, and a cascade of surprises turned a simple game into the challenge of a lifetime.
AMAZON LINK
 3 STARS

This book had so much potential.  It had great main characters in Kelly and Roman and also Matty.   It also starts out pretty good as well.  However after a while it began to feel like the main story got avalanched under a whole LOT of sexual adventures.  I guess to be fair that part was well written out but it had me skimming a lot of pages as well.  I want more story in my story.  When it finally got back to the story part, it held all the emotions, confusion and angst you could hope for.  It also had some really funny moments as well.  
What I liked about Kelly was that she hated lies and secrets and she wasn't about to let those things tear Matty's life apart like her had been.
Also she was one fierce lady in a small package. 
Snarky, independent to the bone.   She might never have felt loved by her mother but she did know how to love.  Her main focus of love was Matty.  I'm not saying who that is because that's one of the surprises.  
Secondary characters were good and helped fill in the story.  
There is a H.E.A. for now end to the story with the promise of the continuation of their story in their next book. 

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

BOOK REVIEW- Ruling the Princess( Sexy Misadventures of Royals Book 2) by Christi Barth *

I’m thrilled that my first trip back to my homeland, after years in exile, is for an assignment from the prime minister. Even better, the job's to put Princess Genevieve in her place...by cutting off her cash flow. Spoiled royals—even drop-dead gorgeous ones—don't do anything to deserve their wealth and status. Hell, they don't do anything. She's fighting me tooth and nail, of course. The only way to stop her arguing is, well, to kiss her.
And I can't seem to stay away from her. Now, I see a whole different side to the princess—and not just because I've gotten her clothes off. But I was put on this assignment for a reason… There are those outside the castle who want to see the princess discredited and push their own agenda, and I may have just given them all the ammunition they need.

Each book in the Sexy Misadventures of Royals series is STANDALONE:
* The Princess Problem
* Ruling the Princess
AMAZON LINK
4 STARS

Both  Genevieve (Genny) and Theo are good main characters.  And I have to say that at first I really disliked Theo a lot.  That chip on his shoulder was HUGE!  His hate for anything royalty and everything Princess Genevieve was front and center.  Yes, he has some cause for some of it but you won't find out the why of it till much later in the story.
Other people in the story were interesting as well.  Like Prince Christian (heir to the throne) Simon Brunner who is Theo's best friend.  Simon adds fun, humor and some common sense his friendship with Theo.  Simon is also a pretty smart accountant as well.   Kelsey is the long-lost sister who has been found now and trying to be herself in her new role as princess. 

Genny and Theo going from enemies to more was good to watch as they begin to admit their attraction.  So, good romance?  Check. 
There's some underhanded stuff going on that adds drama to the story and at least a couple of surprises.  But the underhanded stuff isn't coming from Theo because he's a straight arrow.  
The story comes to a satisfying ending with a quick look into the next story in the series (Book #3 that's about Christian and Mallory).  Looks like it could be interesting .


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

BOOK REVIEW- Assassin's Mark (Assassins #1) by Ella Sheridan*

 I knew the minute I saw him that Levi Agozi was too perfect to be real. I didn't care. He came to me, asked for me, and, dazzled by his dark good looks and the bad-boy aura surrounding him, I gave in. Willingly.

My father is set to become the next governor of Georgia, and he'll use me to get there if he has to. He'll hand me over to the man with the biggest bank account and political pull.

I wanted something more.

I wanted Levi. And I had him—until I woke up, disoriented and confused, at his mercy. He’s a bad boy, all right. A sexy, deadly assassin. And I'm the pawn torn between him and my father, two powerful men intent on destroying each other.

I might not understand their war, but I do understand one thing: no matter who wins, I lose.
 AMAZON LINK
                        3 STARS


Definitely had mixed feelings on this one. I knew going in that Levi was going to be kind of an anti-hero and he was. He does have his own code and the only people that he trusts and loves is his brothers.
I will say that sure I was pretty sure that were going to sex scenes in the story but wow, way over what I was expecting. That was on the downside for me, especially the only time Levi really interacted with Abby was then. The rest of the time he was pretty ruthless, letting no weakness show.
Abby had been so controlled by her father that it was almost painful. She had become his pretty little puppet until she said "Enough". But then again that's also what lead her to take a risk with Levi. That's one jump that's gonna cost her.
I will say that the story was intense with plenty of surprises and that makes me want to give it some points on that. Huge twist at the end continues the intensity.
Is there going to be a H.E.A. for Levi and Abby? How's that going to work? Not sure but I just know, I'm not going to continue with any more of their story.  
        

Cody Carnes – Nothing Else (Live at Passion Conference)

BOOK REVIEW- The Most Eligible Lord in London by Ella Quinn *

Description

In this captivating new Regency trilogy, bestselling author Ella Quinn picks up where her beloved Worthingtons series left off, as three Lords of London discover true love at last . . .

Handsome, rakish, incorrigibly flirtatious—Fredrick, Lord Littleton, is notorious. Lady Adeline Wivenly is resolved to keep him at arm’s length during her first Season—until she overhears another woman’s plot to trick him into marriage. Even a rogue is undeserving of such deception, and Adeline feels obliged to warn him—only to find herself perilously attracted . . .

In the past, Littleton’s charm nearly got him leg-shackled to the wrong woman. Now he’s positive he’s found the right one, for Adeline is everything he wants and needs in a wife. Her sense of justice is so strong she agrees to help him despite her mistrust. But can the ton’s most elusive lord convince the lady he is finally serious about marriage—as long as she will be his bride? AMAZON LINK
                                                                 3 STARS



There was a good foundation for both  of the main characters, their families and friends.  But the story was SO Slow....I was past the 40% on my kindle still waiting for something, anything to really happen.
While it was nice to have dual P.O.V's from both Frits and Adeline, for me the story was JUST okay. 
On the plus side I guess you could say that it was somewhat charming at times, there was a bit of humor but it was still somewhat predictable.  The only real twist I saw came when a secret was exposed about another man who was also pursuing Adeline.

I did think that the eBook cover was very attractive.

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

BOOK REVIEW- Cowboy for Hire (Wishing River Book 2) by Victoria James *

Description

When a shy woman inherits a ranch, she’ll have to find an inner strength to succeed—and open herself up to love—in this heartwarming novel from New York Times bestselling author Victoria James.
Sarah Turner has led a very sheltered life. So when her parents pass away tragically, suddenly she’s left in charge of the family ranch with little know-how but plenty of will to keep it afloat. Determined not to lose her parents’ legacy or her newfound independence, she needs a hero fast—not to save her, but to show her how to save herself. But she’s unprepared for the ruggedly handsome cowboy who answers her ad.
“Cowboy for Hire,” the ad said, and Cade Walker is quick to respond. Betrayed as ranch manager by his former boss, he’s looking for a new place to put down roots—without the pressure to prove himself again. Except when he meets his new boss, it’s clear he’s not only there to run a ranch but to also teach Miss Independent how to run it. But as they struggle to make the ranch flourish, they’ll both need courage if they hope to find a family...together.   AMAZON LINK
                                                                                     3 STARS



 I had high hopes for this book but at best all I can say is that it had it's moments and then at times it was sunk in a lot of repeated memories.  It left me with mixed feelings.  Oh, there's nothing wrong with them having their own painful emotional memories but at times it felt repeated a bit too much.  In fact, at times it felt like it kind of drowned out some of the romance between the two.  Because I often wasn't feeling it.
Both Sarah and Cade were good people, no mistaking that. Cade carried the pain of always having to prove his worth to someone or else he was kicked to the curb.  Sara was kind of like a young woman who was so overprotected that she was stunted.  The only person who really had cared for her was the family's longtime housekeeper.  Who by the way, I really disliked for a very long time.  Yes, yes I know her actions were because she loved Sarah like a daughter.  
So I guess the final answer is yes, I enjoyed some of the humor, and Cade's friends but it was just missing something.


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