Book Review- Heartbreaker (A Hell's Belles Novel#2) by Sarah MacLean

   

General Fiction (Adult) , Historical Fiction | Romance 

New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean follows her highly acclaimed Bombshell with Heartbreaker, featuring a fierce, fearless heroine on a mission to steal a duke’s secrets…and his heart. 

HEARTBREAKER Hell’s Belles, Book 2

A Princess of Thieves

Raised among London’s most notorious criminals, a twist of fate landed Adelaide Frampton in the bright ballrooms of Mayfair, where she masquerades as a quiet wallflower—so plain and unassuming that no one realizes she’s the Matchbreaker…using her superior skills as a thief to help brides avoid the altar.

A King of Reputation

Henry, Duke of Clayborn, has spent a lifetime living in perfection. He has no time for the salacious gossip that arises every time the Matchbreaker ends another groom. His own reputation is impeccable—and the last thing he needs is a frustrating, fascinating woman discovering the truth of his past, or the secrets he holds close.

A Royal Match

When the two find themselves on a breakneck journey across Britain to stop a wedding, it’s impossible for Clayborn to resist this woman who both frustrates and fascinates him. But late-night carriage rides make for delicious danger…and soon Adelaide is uncovering Clayborn’s truths, throwing his well-laid plans into chaos…and threatening to steal his heavily guarded heart.

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

This story was truly different.  What a life Adelaide has lived.  Both before as a young girl and even now in her current life.  She had learned how to be invisible early and it continues to help her now.  Nobody ever notices her until ..well...Clayborn.  Clayborn who has never been invisible a day of his life.  I'm going to alter a saying about a duck..because it fits him so well. "If it looks like a duke, if it walks like a duke, if it talks like a duke, it's a duke." That inability to hide causes Adelaide more than one problem.  Especially when they first meet outside of the normal parties and such. 

You want danger and chaos?  This would be the book for you. One of the things I liked about Adelaide was her drive for justice.  And she had quite the clever group of women surrounding her with a similar drive.  Although there were several purposes that the Hell's Belles provided.  Another one of the group caught my interest and now I want to read her story.  That would be Lady Imogene and her interactions with Tommy (a Detective Inspector).  It was touched on in this book and made me smile.

Now back to this book, which had a romance that challenged both of the main characters.  They both had big secrets but I also enjoyed the way they challenged each other. Witty exchanges would be a good way to also explain some of it.   It will take a while but there will also be sexual heat between them.  

The story has a good ending with an Epilogue that made it even better. 

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

 (Netgalley)

Book Review- Holiday Rescue :(An Albertini Family Romance #1 ) by Rebecca Zanetti

   

This is the first novella in a series of stories featuring Anna Albertini's cousins, and it was a lot of fun to write.  I hope you enjoy it!

Quint Albertini likes his life as a smokejumper and search and rescue expert. He has his dog, his friends, and his freedom. He’s had it with women who can’t commit or who want him to change, and now all he has to do is dodge the family match-makers so he can live his peaceful life when he’s not leaping head first into danger.

When Heather Davis gets trapped on a mountain during a wild winter storm, her carefully laid plans of safety and security go right out the snow filled window. Her saviors, dog and man, quickly capture her heart, even though she’s trying to remain under the radar from a disastrous past that seems to keep coming for her.

While Quint and Heather try to ignore the blazing hot attraction between them, the Albertini family has no intention of letting a possible romance fizzle out—especially during the magical holiday season.

AMAZON LINK 

3.5 STARS 

I really like this author's books but this story was just a fun, pleasant story for me with a dash of danger.  I did like both Quint and Heather and his family but I would also have liked a bit more depth to the story.  Just felt like it was missing something.  But I guess if you chalk it up to a sweet Holiday story/romance, then it does hit that mark.

I got a free copy of this story and these are my thoughts on it.

 

***Book Review- WRECKED (#6 of the Lost (Eden) series) by Cynthia Eden

   

In New York Times Bestselling Author Cynthia Eden's gripping new LOST novel, who's the cat and who's the mouse…?

SHE LEFT HIM ONCE.LOST Agent Ana Young was only fourteen when she was abducted by a madman, but unlike many kidnapping victims, she did go home. Now, her mission is to find the missing. But her new case has her on the hunt for the escaped convict who's obsessed with her. And Ana has an unlikely partner-the sexy, supposedly-by-the-book FBI agent she had one amazing night with and had to forget.

NOW HE HAS TO PROTECT HER 24/7…FBI Special Agent Cash Knox knows that Ana, the petite, tough-ass former bounty hunter, can get the job done again. But this time, someone else leads them to "Bernie-the-Butcher," someone who's been watching Ana. Waiting for her.

FROM A CRAZED KILLER.

Now, catching a deranged murderer means Ana must trust her guarded heart to the gorgeous, complicated G-man she wasn't supposed to fall for.

 AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

I was looking forward to Ana's story.  And it was good, with plenty of depth but also plenty of darkness that Ana went through.  She's a survivor for sure but as tough as she is, she also felt like parts of her died during her torture.  Her twin brother Asher shows up in the story and he is still aggressive in his trying to continue to protect Ana.  He also does a deep dive on Cash and discovers some really surprising things!

Cash keeps telling Ana he is NOT a white knight but she's looked in killers eyes before and feels that he is one of the good guys.  Good guys weren't someone she usually was interested in.  So there is part of the struggle right there, because although he is fighting it, Cash is all in where she is concerned.     He has his reasons for trying to keep  his distance but it's not really working.

Once again a really clever opponent/killer is running everyone around.  And there are PLENTY  of surprises during that time.  It was totally unpredictable and I never saw things coming.  I liked that.  

One thing that I found kind of distracting was the often repeated, replaying of Ana & Asher's being tortured. It was same session over and over and even shows up in the nightmare's that she was having.  Oh, I get why she was having that kind of nightmare but it felt a bit overplayed.  But that is the only thing that slowed me down about it.

I liked what Asher wanted for Ana.  He wanted her to be happy.  And to find a man who was worthy of her, who made her the center of his universe and would lie down his life if needed.  That whole section was so special. 

 The tension and danger just keeps getting higher. The romance between Ana and Cash keeps getting better too.  

The story comes to a stunning conclusion and with an Epilogue that presents come interesting ideas.   

I read this through the Hoopla Library App

**Book Review- Code Name: Pisces by (Zodiac Tactical #4) Janie Crouch

   

My code name is Pisces. The stars say I’m independent, wise, and intuitive.

Still waters run deep.

I’m the leader of Zodiac Tactical’s guardian unit. We’re the bodyguards—the ones who stand toe to toe with danger and refuse to give any ground. We protect people who need it most.

But what if who needs it most is a spoiled diva?

I don’t normally take on movie stars. I don’t have time for the drama nor their self-centered lifestyle. If they don’t take their safety seriously, how can I?

But there’s something different about Alyse Peterson. On the outside America’s Glamor Princess is everything I want to avoid. But behind her perfect smile and sapphire eyes is a heartbreak she’s hiding from everyone.

She has secrets. And a stalker willing to kill to get to them.

My code name is Pisces. And anybody who wants to get to her, will have to go through me.

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

Tristan was NOT eager to protect another actress after the last disaster of working with one. However despite his misgivings he reluctantly meets with Alyse and her agent. All Tristan sees when he meets her is exactly what he feared.  He hadn't seen through her professional armor,..yet..to the real Alyse.  And it won't be easy getting there. But he does take on the case out of respect of her deceased father, who had helped him so much before.
 By the way, her agent was really a good one; he was concerned with her safety for real.  And acted on her behalf the best that he could.  I agreed with Alyse, that her agent, Jared deserved a raise!
It's interesting to watch Tristan see what she needs before she actually does.  Just the simple act of eating was something that he picked up on just to name one thing.  As her history starts to come out in the open, it's quite the surprise.
The stalker is one clever, clever villain who I never saw coming.  He always seemed to be one step ahead of the team.  Something that he shouldn't have been able to pull off.   He had the teams scrambling. His exposure was very well done, with all the danger you would expect.
I liked how the romance between Tristan and Alyse was so sweet at times and I enjoyed the ending.

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

Humor about - To Be Read Books

 

*** Book Review- Ruby Fever (A Hidden Legacy #6) by Ilona Andrews

   

General Fiction (Adult),  Romance,  Sci Fi & Fantasy 

 Description

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews is back with the newest book in the exciting Hidden Legacy series—the thrilling conclusion to her trilogy featuring fierce and beautiful Prime magic user Catalina Baylor.

An escaped spider, the unexpected arrival of an Imperial Russian Prince, the senseless assassination of a powerful figure, a shocking attack on the supposedly invincible Warden of Texas, Catalina’s boss... And it’s only Monday. 

Within hours, the fate of Houston—not to mention the House of Baylor—now rests on Catalina, who will have to harness her powers as never before. But even with her fellow Prime and fiancé Alessandro Sagredo by her side, she may not be able to expose who’s responsible before all hell really breaks loose.

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

Outstanding is what this story is.  It was a wild ride with outstanding, really creative world buildings.  And Catalina and Alessandro were the best, main characters.  Their love story was unique and kept my interest throughout.  The battles that they had in their " world of supernatural business" was just another area where they had each other's backs.  

Catalina's family were a strong unit who ALWAYS had each other's back, no matter what.  They also had varying "talents", strong personalities and quirks.   Even the ones who were welcomed into the family by unofficial adoption. 

Now, Alessandro's family was a different kettle of fish.  His grandfather has been busy time after time arranging marriage agreements that Alessandro wanted no part of. It didn't stop his grandfather from trying to sell him for the money he so desperately wanted.  It was also an issue of control, something that the grandfather definitely didn't have when it came to him. Grandfather is definitely holding some secrets that I never saw coming.  But they were good for the story but not so good for a lot of people. 

To say that this story was unpredictable would be an understatement.  But it made the story SO yummy. 

 I liked how their enemies bite the dust, even though it wasn't easy.  The ending was really good but it also left a couple people on a form of family probation.  I say that because, it's not a sure thing that they are going to be forgiven right away.  

I want to read a story about Catalina's youngest sister, Arabella.  She is one firecracker and has a really interesting power. 

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

 

 From Ilona Andrews Blog

 

 

* Book Review - One Hot Holiday (Wilde Ways #5.5) by Cynthia Eden

  

She’s running for her life. He’s the safe haven she never expected to find. The holiday season is about to get HOT.

Hiding out for the holiday season in the heart of the South? Not something that Haley Quick ever expected to have on her to-do list but then…she never expected her ex to want her dead, either. Turns out, life is full of surprises. Time to deal. Haley has ditched New York for a crazy little dot on the map known as Point Hope, Alabama. It’s a town gone extra crazy for the holidays, and Haley is sticking out like a sore thumb with her very much Grinch-self.

But enter sexy sheriff Spencer Lane…Tall, muscled, and made with an extra dose of sex appeal, he is exactly the kind of man that Haley should be avoiding. He’s charming, he looks way too good in a Santa hat, and, oh, yes, he’s her new landlord. The hits just keep coming. She can’t afford to let Spencer learn all of her secrets, a tough job since she is living with the man. No sex, though. It’s purely a business relationship. Except…the holidays in the South sure do get HOT. Or maybe that’s just sexy Spencer. Usually, Haley falls for the bad guy. It’s the whole reason she’s running for her life. She can’t help but wonder…What would it be like to fall for a man like Spencer?

He just got his Christmas wish.

Sheriff Spencer Lane can’t believe his luck. The most beautiful, fascinating woman he’s ever seen has just dropped into his life like a gift from, well, the big guy in red. Only the problem is that Haley seems to think Spencer is some by-the-book, nice guy. Probably because of the badge. And if she wants him to be the hero, that’s a role that he’s happy to play for her. But the truth is, Spencer has plenty of darkness inside, too. An ex Navy SEAL, he knows how to get sh—um, stuff done. He also knows how to be very, very naughty.

When danger threatens his Haley, all bets are off. No one is going to hurt her. No one is going to threaten her. Not in his town. Not on his watch. The nice guy will show Haley just how bad he can be.

Fake snow, a parade of wild elves, and a stalker ex don’t make for the merriest of times, but in Point Hope, anything can happen—and it usually does. Ready for a steamy story that will get you in the ho-ho-ho spirit? Settle back, curl up with Spencer, and have yourself a jolly old time.

 AMAZON LINK

 3.5 STARS

 This story is takes place in a very eccentric town, even Sheriff Spencer mentioned it and I agree.  But that only added to the fun.  Of course it's not all fun and games as the book information clearly explains. And dangers do keep popping out of the woodwork with stalkers galore.   But there is also plenty of good people in the story too.  Titus is one of the good ones.  He is charming, the ladies like him but the baddies underestimate him too.

In fact all the baddies underestimate Spencer and his people.  They think it's just a hick town with hick officers.  Mistake.  Big Mistake.  They have some serious skills.  

The romance between Spencer and Haley is fast and furious. The love scenes were the same although well written I could have done with a few less.   And don't get me started with the "F" bombs.  That's ONE of my least favorite words and it seems to abound in the story.  OK, I got that off my chest.  The rest of the story had twists, turns,  betrayals, and overturning of evils leading to a good ending.  It also included a sweet Epilogue that wraps everything up.  

My final words on it is that although I liked it, it wasn't one of my favorites by this author.  I hate to say it though because most of her stuff I really like. 

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