Book Review- "Trapped with the Covert Ops Soldier" by Julie Rowe

   

Dr. Abigail Westward is home after military duty in Asia and the Middle East. She’s taken up an unusual hobby: tossing lit dynamite sticks into the waters of Lost Lake, Montana. Spencer “Smitty” Smith, a fellow soldier and friend may be the only man who might be able to find out why Abby has taken up her new explosive pastime. Smitty loves Abby, has from damn near the moment he met her. He’s stayed at arm’s length because getting involved with anyone while on a combat mission is just plain stupid. But combat is over and he’s waited long enough. Smitty’s been hired by the town of Bandit Creek to ride herd on her, and Abby is resistant to the idea until someone attempts to shoot her in the middle of town. Now she and Smitty have to figure out who wants to kill her and why before he’ll go. He must go. He’s her only weakness and the one man who knows her terrible secret. She’s a doctor who’s guilty of murder.

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

 Abby, what a character she was. And I became her cheerleader, rooting for her in almost no time at all.  Her attitude of not putting up with foolishness, her smart -mouth that hides a tender heart.  Oh yes.  Now figuring in Smitty, there was another great main character, bossy, over-protectiveness and all !  He spends a lot of time showing how trustworthy he really is.  There was a friendship before and it does develop into a romance that is all Abby and Smitty style.

There is plenty of action, danger, twists, and surprises in this story.  It kept me on the edge of my seat, which I like.  I started this book late in the evening which was a mistake.  Why?  Because I had to put the book down to go to sleep and I didn't want to. 

The ending was just as good as the whole book was.  I was VERY satisfied. 

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

(Got this book through

Evan at StoryOrigin

)

** Book Review- Gemini Divided by Lauren Kristen Roberts

    

Mystery & Thrillers | Romance

Description

Everyone has secrets, but the skeletons in Jen's closet are bigger than most: by day, she writes fanfiction for her favorite TV show, Gemini Divided, but by night, she works as an assassin to pay her mother's chemotherapy bills. Her world tilts on its axis the day she is assigned to kill Will Bryant-the handsome and charming star of Gemini Divided, and her celebrity crush. What could Will have done to land on someone's hit list?

The assignment gets Jen up close and personal with Will, who is just as kind in person as he is in the media coverage she obsesses over. When she stumbles onto the reason Will ended up as her target, she must make a life-altering choice: kill Will and keep her mother alive, or save Will and put herself in danger, leaving no way to fund her mother's treatments in the future. She has to decide quickly, because in two days, the choice will be made for her.

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

This book was a whole kettle of different.  Even a bit different than what I was expecting.  Well, it did start out kind of like was expecting and then took a major turn.  One that I did enjoy.  The story also had me wondering right along with Jen.  Wondering if Will was as good as he appeared or was he just that excellent an actor BOTH onscreen and off.  That part kept me busy.

Jen was definitely caught between a rock and a hard place but I still managed to like her.  Even sympathize with her too.  There was plenty of emotions to the story beginning with Jen.

Once Jen begins to learn more and starts to put some pieces together, things REALLY take off! 

Throughout the story I kept wondering how on earth things could ever work out for the good.  So, the story really did keep my interest there. 

Can you guess how everything is going to turn out?  You'll have to read the story to find that out. 

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

Book Review- Finding Edward: A Novel (Save Me Book 3) by Suzanne McKenna Link

 

 Finding Edward is the lighthearted third book in the compelling, romantic Save Me series. If you like vivid Italian imagery, humorous characters, and heartfelt emotional connections, then you’ll adore Suzanne McKenna Link’s page-turning charmer. Part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Recommended for ages 18 and up.

Will the search for his long-lost paternity lead Edward to his forever?

When Edward's beloved grandmother dies, she doesn't just leave behind money. His inheritance includes a father in Italy he never knew he had.

Now he's forced to navigate a country he doesn't know, using a language he doesn't speak, in search of a man who has no clue Edward even exists.

He's expecting disappointment, he's expecting anger, he's expecting pain. But what Edward isn't expecting is to stumble across the one woman to ever steal his heart ... the one woman he can never have.

Edward's past and future collide, leaving him more lost — and more alive than he's ever felt before.

An adventurous, wild ride through the beautiful Italian countryside.

AMAZON LINK

3.5 STARS

 This was an emotional and also at times a sweet story with a romance. That inheritance that Eddie/Edward was given to him by his grandmother really did change his life.  It also at times took him on a roller coaster of feelings and changes while in Italy. 

I liked that the title is shown why it fit so well.  

I also liked how in his corner Claudia was.  She was the wife of Eddie's best friend Toby who was also his boss.  The family was so good and I enjoyed how sweet Eddie was with their little girls.

The time spent in Italy was almost like a travel log with the different culture, foods, language and places.  Very well described. 

The friendship between Edwardo (hey, when in Italy) and Ivyla developed well.

I was happy with the somewhat slightly predictable ending.  They all worked hard to get there.

 

  "I voluntarily read a free copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts.”

** Book Review- Code Name: Virgo (Zodiac Tactical Rescue Unit) by Janie Crouch

   

My code name is Virgo. The stars say I’m practical, honest, stubborn as hell.

Guilty as charged.

Zodiac Tactical is the company that gave me a second chance. We guard, protect, rescue...eliminate the threat when nobody else can. And as a former SEAL, I’m good at those things. Good with weapons, good with missions.

But with people...not so good.

So when a gruesome enemy takes Bronwyn Rourke, one of Zodiac’s newest young recruits—with blue eyes that take up nearly her whole damn face—I shouldn’t take it personally. Shouldn’t allow her to consume my every thought and become my only mission.

They took her because they thought she was alone. Easy prey. That no one would fight for her.

They were wrong.

My code name is Virgo. And I will grind my enemy to dust to bring her home.

AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

 

If you're looking for a story that is clever, intense and that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this one will do that.  It was totally unpredictable but with such great main characters.  And Bronwyn just couldn't seem to catch a break, for quite a while.  But she did have Sarge (Virgo) in her corner as much as he could be. Sarge was helping her in unexpected, unusual ways that added additional depth.  They started as a friendship that went way beyond just that.

There was also really good supporting people in the story too.  Actually that's a good way to describe them because they were a supporting, got your back group.

The villains in this piece were super evil with some really scary agendas. 

The ending of the story was a good one that left hope for the future.

 

  "I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.” And these are my honest thoughts about it.

*** Book Review- Counterbalance by Kelly Moran

 

 Romance, Women's Fiction

Description

She’s a beauty, but he’s just a geek.

The world might think billionaire Xavier Gaines has it all, but he’s got a big problem. His successful software company is about to sign a government contract that’ll land him smack in the glare of the public limelight, and his lifelong battle with social anxiety has marked him as a cold, uncaring bastard in the eyes of the press. To dispel the unflattering image, he needs help, and there’s only one person he trusts with the job—Peyton Smoke. Gorgeous, kind, and funny, she agrees to be his media relations director and soon imbeds herself so deeply in his life, his world will crumble if anything upsets the balance. He cannot screw up their solid unit. No matter how achingly he desires her. Yet, how is he supposed to resist when she tugs emotions from him he didn’t think he was capable of experiencing? Especially since it appears he’s not the only one fighting their undeniable attraction.

Ever-after just might be possible...if he can convince her to believe in love again.

Peyton Smoke is looking for a change, and working at Gaines Industries has given her the boost she needs to fill the empty void in her life. Xavier is the perfect boss. Under his seemingly callous, frigid demeanor lies a compassionate man who cares about causes and those precious few he lets into his inner circle. What she wasn’t prepared for is the smoldering passion suddenly flaring between them, nor the hot-as-sin alpha side beneath the layer of sexy nerd. Getting involved with him puts more than her job at risk. She’s been trampled one too many times, and she vowed never to leave herself vulnerable again. But the heart wants what the heart wants. If only she can figure out whether his feelings are genuine or if this is a mistaken case of gratitude wrapped in lust, then their shot at forever may not seem like such a fruitless hope.

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS 

This book had all the "feels" to it.  And I was on Xavier's side like at the speed of light.  The author did a great job of drawing me into both of the main characters. They showed the depth of their personalities, their hurts, their challenges and even their successes.  There was such tenderness on Xavier's part too. And the fact that he loved his family so much didn't hurt either. 

"X' is what Peyton called Xavier when they were out of the public eye and that made me smile.  X has the family that Peyton no longer has but she doesn't get how much they adore her.  Well, not until later at least.  Peyton does have one best friend, Kate who would protect her to the end.  But she is snarky with X calling him "Moneybags".

This story was not only sweet but it also has some heat later on.  It was also unlike any other stories I've read.  Just on the social anxiety of a rich businessman who's a nerd, part alone.  That idea sparked my interest and kept me involved.

And I just have to mention that the descriptions of places like the family home in Napa, Nate's home and some of the fundraisers and the offices was well fleshed out.  A+ for the details.

I really liked that the title of this book is shown to be a really good decision.  In fact, it's perfect. 

And so is the ending of the story.

 I received an ARC through Netgalley and am voluntarily providing an honest review.

*** Book Review- The Family You Make (The Sunrise Cove Series # 1) by Jill Shalvis

 

 General Fiction (Adult) , Romance , Women's Fiction

During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst…but can’t bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother’s lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he’s happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend—right before his phone dies.

But Levi and Jane do not.

Now Levi’s family is desperate to meet “The One.” Though Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, she’s nervous. After a traumatic childhood, Jane isn’t sure she knows how to be around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. She’s terrified, and a little jealous. But an unexpected series of events and a host of new friends soon show Jane that perhaps this is the life she was always meant to have.

As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can’t live without the man she’s fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of.  

 AMAZON LINK

5+ STARS

I fell headlong in love with the people in this book.  Not only because of the people but also because of the off the charts humor.  Please understand though, humor didn't overwhelm the story. For me it's a keeper, which I will want to read again.

I loved Jane and her spunk.  Also her spunky and funny conversations with Levi.   Sure she was running from putting down anything permanent but at heart she was so kind and loving.  That is IF anyone was allowed to get close to her.  Charlotte has had to work hard to get close to Jane but she was also someone who wouldn't take no for an answer. Not only did she become Jane's landlord but also wormed her way into becoming her friend.  It was on Jane's terms but Charlotte understood and was trying to get Jane to see that she was family now too!

This story began to feel as much as Charlotte and Mateo's story as it was Jane and Levi's.  And I loved that and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of that "dance" too. It was like two stories in one.

Both Mateo and Levi had large, loud, families that loved their people hard.  Levi's family especially added to some of my smiles.  It wasn't all smiles and giggles though because some grown up hurts were part of the story too.

Some other things that added some smiles was when Jane did a prank on Dr. Daniel Briggs. It was funny and brilliant.  Even better, she also didn't get caught. I also liked her private term,"Splat Syndrome" for risk takers on the slopes.  

And I can't forget Peyton (Levi's niece).  I just have to give just one of her funny responses.  When she was asked what she was scribbling in, she said, "It's my secret diarrhea."  Out of the mouth of babes. 

The Epilogue was excellent.  Perfect ending for the story. 

There was a short discussion section at the end of the book.  

I just have to say that I can see that the title of this book really fit. 

 

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

 

 

 

**Book Review- The Smuggler's Girl by Jennie Felton

   

 General Fiction (Adult)

 She always knew a piece of her heart was missing...

Cecile has been raised to a life of privilege at Polruan House, by her widowed father and aunt. Now she's of age, they are determined that she make a proper match, but Cecile's heart belongs to their coachman, Sam - most definitely not suitable marriage material.

When Sam turns to his friend, smuggler Zach Carver, for help eloping with Cecile, Zach tells of a recent encounter with Lise, a beautiful but poor girl in St Ives, who is the mirror image of Cecile.

And so a daring plan is born to briefly swap the girls. But bringing Cecile and Lise together will uncover an astonishing family secret of a bold escape from a loveless marriage, a treacherous shipwreck and a sister thought lost to the sea long ago...

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

This book was a good one filled with a lot of surprises.  Although it did feel like it started out kind of slow.  But the time that it took getting started did set a really good foundation of how things were.  But there were a whole LOT of surprises and twists as the book got about 3/4 of the ways through.

Cordelia (the aunt) was one controlling piece of work.  I really hate bullies and she was a top winner for that award. Of course Cordelia wasn't the only one who was super controlling.  Cecile's father was also controlling but out of love and fear of his losing her.  It was NOT healthy but at least he loved her, which her aunt definitely did not.

Lise might not be rich and pampered like Cecile but she did have her freedom.  Anne was someone who raised her with love and affection.  

Zach and Sam were such good additional main characters, who were well able to keep me interested in the story.

You know there is going to be danger and there was actually even more than I thought.  It was a good surprise, well at least for the reader. 

There is a hard fought for H.E.A. bringing it all to a close.

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And this is my honest opinions about it.”