BOOK REVIEW - Montana Dawn (Wild Sky Book 1) by Roxanne Snopek *

   

 Montana Dawn was previously published as Three River Ranch and has been slightly modified from the original.

Cowboy Carson is not happy to discover children's therapist Rory renting the guesthouse on his ranch. Dogs, horses, heartache, secrets. It's a wild ride.

Needing a fresh start from a bad job and a worse ex-fiancé, child-therapist Aurora McAllister answers a realtor’s ad for a guesthouse on the beautiful, serene Three River Ranch. She shows up at the ranch with her trusty Labradoodle, tired, heartbroken, but determined to do what she’s always done: find the bright side.

 Cowboy and conservationist Carson Granger returns to Three River Ranch, determined to transform his embattled family home into a mustang sanctuary. But his late father, controlling even from the grave, had different ideas, and left an iron-clad will to enforce them.

Aurora McAllister’s empathic ability and her therapy dog work wonders with troubled children. But when Rory’s personal life falls apart, she takes her broken heart and flees. Three River Ranch is the perfect place to rest, heal and start over. Unfortunately, no one told her about the estranged son, or the grim Granger history. The man’s energy is raw and full of pain, but beneath that there’s a kindness that attracts her.

Carson wants Rory gone. Her relentless optimism and her mop of a dog are messing up all his plans. Then he sees her with the wild mustang mare he’s rehabilitating. The woman has skills. Maybe Rory is the key he didn’t realize he was looking for.

But Rory also has secrets and when it comes to women, the Granger men are cursed. His dreams for her future? Even he’s not that cold.  Then Rory makes him an offer he can’t refuse…

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

This was an enjoyable story from start to finish. 

And the start was rather dramatic and a bit of a surprise.

Both Carson and Rory were good main characters who were each dealing with plenty of hurts.  I liked that Rory was able to help people and animals because of her empathic gift.  There was enough background of both Carson and Rory's life to show a depth to them both.

I enjoyed Rory's service dog, Mistral and that part of the story.  The wild mustangs also were a great addition.

The story had a warm feeling to it even though there were times of challenges too. 

Carson and Rory had so much in common when it came to animals even though Rory was scared of horses.   And the other thing in common was that darn attraction between them. And that was one of the challenges that they had to work around.  One step forward and then two steps back.  At least for a while.

I liked how the story ended and the H.E.A. that I wanted for them all. 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW- How to Catch a Duke (Rogues to Riches Book 6) by Grace Burrowes *

   

"I have come to ask you to kill me, my lord."
Miss Abigail Abbott desperately needs to disappear -- permanently -- and the only person she trusts to help her do that is Lord Stephen Wentworth, heir to the Duke of Walden. Stephen is brilliant, charming, and -- when he needs to be -- absolutely ruthless. So ruthless that he proposes marriage instead of "murder" to keep Abigail safe.

Stephen was smitten the instant his sister introduced him to Abigail, a woman with the dignity and determination of a duchess and the courage of a lioness. When she accepts his courtship of convenience, he also discovers she kisses like his most intimate wish come true.

For Abigail, their arrangement is a sham to escape her dangerous enemies. For Stephen, it's his one chance to share a lifetime with the lady of his dreams -- if only he can convince her his love is real.

 AMAZON LINK

3 STARS

 I liked both Abigail and Stephen, both who were unusual characters.  Abigail was one independent Amazon of a woman who had integrity and spunk.  Also a somewhat unusual job, for a woman. Very few people appreciated her as she needed to be appreciated.  She didn't know how to handle it at first when Stephen cherishes her.  Stephen had a brilliant creative mind, a somewhat handicapped body and a kind soul.  That was a surprise but actually was a good added angle to the story. When I say that he was kind, it's because he often did good things for others behind the scenes.  He had the wealth to help but didn't want any applause at all.  He not only helped with money but with his time. 

The beginning felt a bit wordy.  It made it feel like it wasn't flowing very well when big  and often odd words were used in the main characters first meetings. 

The secondary people in the story were good.  There was a lot of loyalty in Stephen's family.  Whether they were family by blood or adoption of the heart.

There is plenty of mystery and dangers followed by several twists that I didn't see coming.  I rated this book lower only because although I liked the M.C.'s and the emotions, most of the rest didn't pull me in as much as I would have liked. 

The H.E.A. and the Epilogue was a good ending though.

 

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

BOOK REVIEW- Titanian's Phoenix (Titanian Chronicles ) by Victoria Saccenti *

   

Description

She’s the mate he never expected. And she has powers she never asked for…

Maya Brown is New York tough. She doesn’t believe in magic—until she’s kidnapped along with her eccentric godmother, Anna. By elves.

Freed by a strange power, and reeling from bizarre revelations about her heritage, Maya follows Anna’s plea to seek out a man named Soren at—of all things—a magical bar. Maya doesn’t believe in love at first sight, either, but when she encounters seven-plus feet of muscle and mood-changing eyes, her body does a full-on reset.

Nothing shakes up Soren Westerberg, Titanian Enforcer assigned to NYC. Until a beautiful human woman with golden skin and lost brown eyes walks into a bar. In one trembling instant he knows that she’s his mate—who promptly faints away in his arms.

Their bond is instant, gloriously intense, and a miracle. Soren’s life scroll never foretold a mate, but now that he has her, he’ll protect her at all costs. Because she’s not just his—she's also an extraordinary being coming into her power. And ready or not, that makes her a target of his cruelest enemy.

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

 This story grabbed and kept the attention.  There was depth to the world building and each of the people in the story.  The main characters were well drawn out as is the emotions that they go through as they meet each other and discover that they are mates.  Which is quite the kick for Maya because Soren is out of this world supernatural and she hasn't believed that someone like him is even possible.  She definitely is tossed in on the deep end of that world.
Each one of the different creatures are well fleshed out as is the dangers that they all face.
When I say that this story is a wild ride I mean it.  The action is off the charts as is the romance that leads to more than one hot sex scene.
Enemies are overcome for now  with some of the danger still out there.  Soren and Maya find their H.E.A. in each other .  They also know though that there will be more battles ahead in their future. 

By the way, the gorgeous eBook cover is what first caught my eye. 

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

 

 

BOOK REVIEW- Resisting the Sicilian Playboy by Amanda Cinelli *

 

   

The debut novel from SYTYCW winner Amanda Cinelli! Suave, sensual and utterly scandalous… Leo Valente is as notorious as the tabloids make him out to be. But feisty wedding planner Dara Devlin isn't deterred. She needs his family castle for her top client, so she boldly accepts Leo's outrageous challenge to be his fake girlfriend. If Dara thinks her sensible suit and unwavering professionalism will discourage him, she's mistaken. They only make Leo want to get beneath her buttoned-up exterior all the more! Surrounded by the imposing walls and haunting memories of his opulent Sicilian castello, Leo finds seducing Dara is the perfect diversion-and claiming her will be this playboy's ultimate prize. And the story continues in the bonus novella included! AMAZON LINK

 4 STARS

This was a quick, enjoyable story with plenty of emotion as well as some sexual sizzle.  I'm glad though that the sex wasn't something that was instantly acted upon. 

Leo was quite the surprise especially since there was so much hidden suffering.  Everyone thought he had led such a golden life and that was so far from the truth.  And Dara had her own personal tragedy that she had pushed deep.  She never wanted to feel less-than ever again. 

I liked how the story finished along with the bonus novella that shows an even better bonus to their lives later on. I viewed " Christmas at the Castello" as an Extended Epilogue.

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW- Claimed for Makarov's Baby by Sharon Kendrick*

   

Part 1 of the  Bond of Billionaires series

Stop the wedding! Dimitri Makarov's former secretary is getting married, but instead of congratulating the happy couple, the masterful oligarch plans to stop the wedding… For he's just discovered that the blushing bride is also mother to his secret son! Erin Turner thought her luck was changing until Dimitri dispatches her convenient groom with his signature ruthlessness. But in other ways the high-flying businessman seems completely reformed from the disreputable bad boy she once knew. The chilling truth: whether it's business, billions or bedding women, Dimitri doesn't do anything by halves; he's not just here to claim his child, but Erin, as well!  AMAZON LINK

3 STARS

An emotional story with plenty of drama.  Dimitri was one complex man who blew hot and cold with Erin.  Erin was one straightforward woman who was honest and somewhat innocent.  Not so innocent when it comes to protecting her son from Dimitri's unwholesome lifestyle. 

There is plenty of push and pull back from the two main characters along with some plus settings.  

It was a nice story without being something I want to read again.  

"Christmas at the Castello", the Bonus Novella was a pleasant surprise.   It was enjoyable and offered up the information on how to find out how the two main characters first met. That caught my interest and  I'm reading that right now, ''Resisting the Sicilian Playboy".

BOOK REVIEW- Out of the Blue by Jill Shalvis

   

he right bet…and the wrong bed! Don't miss this fun and sexy classic romance from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis! For Hannah Novak, running a bed-and-breakfast with her two best friends was adventure enough. But they didn't feel that way. They wanted to devote the summer to serious man hunting-loser cleans toilets! Fine for them, but Hannah was, uh, inexperienced. How could she seduce anyone? Then out of the blue came Zach Thomas, looking for a bed…and breakfast. Hannah had always thought the rugged cop was the sexiest man alive, and, bet or no bet, she wanted him. So she checked him in-to her own room-with every intention of checking him out! A sexy contemporary romance. Previously published.

This story made me grin..a lot.  Hannah was so adorably clumsy.  The way she was written just made you want to see her win.  She has several cheerleaders (her friends and co-owners) and also I believe the reader too.  

 

BOOK REVIEW- Cooked Goose by [Susan Amanda Kelly]

   

"Minnie, you know I'm the only man you could take home for Christmas who wouldn't be sent home in a body bag."

Biker-princess turned supermodel, Minnie Coolidge, intended to introduce her new man, Big Mike, to her father, eventually. In a few decades, perhaps. Daddy needs time to get used to the idea that his little girl is embroiled in a serious relationship. Snake Coolidge is not your run-of-the-mill protective father - he's a dangerous outlaw. But circumstances force Minnie to head home for the holiday with Big Mike in tow. 
Six-foot-six of ex-biker, ex-special-forces muscle, Big Mike is no delicate violet, but he doesn't want to spoil Minnie's Christmas and promises not to hurt anyone. His resolve will be tested by Minnie's manipulative father, her psycho brother and three outlaw lieutenants who want his woman. 

AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick story.  It made me smile and even outright grin more than once.  Both Minnie and Big Mike were unusual and somewhat quirky people. And so was "the family."  Something that I really enjoy.  

I know a lot of people might think, "well, it's not very deep."  But for me, it didn't need to be because I just enjoyed it ; it was just pure entertainment.  And the nutty, dangerous brother had a great line, "Best Christmas Ever".  It was delivered at the best times ever.  *Smile.