​Dark, edgy, and brilliantly written.
 
First off, this is not Rizzoli & Isles, so if that’s what you’re looking for…stop, but don’t because this story is fabulous, it’s just different. If you’re a fan of ghost stories and especially The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, but maybe want something a little sexier, darker, and definitely edgier, then this is your book. 
 
The story is brilliantly and beautifully written as you’d expect from Tess Gerritsen. The details are there so you feel like you’re in a small, coastal town in Maine in a hundred and fifty-year-old home. No surprise in either of those areas because we’re talking Tess Gerritsen. What was surprising was the paranormal aspect. But yet…was there really a ghost or was it just Ava’s mind? I’ll let you decide. No spoilers from me. I will say, I read this in one day because I couldn’t put it down. The story drew me in, consumed me, wrapped Ava’s pain and guilt around me and wouldn’t let go until the end. 
 
If you like a good psychological suspense with twists and turns give this book a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
 
Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC.

​This story will make you laugh, maybe cry a little, but in the end will leave you feeling like love won and wanting more from Stefanie London.
 
What a perfect blend of emotion and sweet, funny moments that just reached out and wrapped themselves around my heart and held on tight. These two characters were made for each other even though they seemed too opposite and it appeared the deck was stacked in all the wrong directions. I loved watching them bond over the dogs, and try to be the perfect person for each other and learning what love is really all about. 
 
Not only did Stefanie London bring us two really great main characters to love, but she brought us a great cast of secondary characters to love like Jace’s sweet mom, and his over-the-top brother, and crazily competitive family, and of course, lovable Truffle and Tilly. 
 
After reading The Aussie Next Door I’m ready to pack my bags and head to Patterson’s Bluff where I plan to grab a cold one from the Esky, slather on some sunscreen and kill it in a game of beach cricket at a twilight party.  But no worries, I’ll keep an eye out for any jellies laying about, after all, wouldn’t want to get one of their stingers in my foot! 
 
But since I can’t head down under just yet, I’ll make do with reading more books from the amazing Stefanie London!

​The perfect pick-me-up!
 
I don’t usually read holiday books, but I love Liz Talley’s stories and a DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS was the perfect pick-me-up good for anytime of the year.
 
Liz Talley hit all the sweet spots that make a Hallmark holiday movie (even though this is a book) a tale that fills us with love and happiness reminding us of better days and that family, friends and home are the most important things in life.  However, the author didn’t stop there, she kicked it up a notch or two by bringing us a fabulous cast from the main characters right down to the fur and feathered side-kicks. 
 
I think a lot of readers could relate to Kris and his desire to succeed, while wanting to take care of his aging aunt. My heart went out to Tory with her kind and giving heart. The sweet romance between these two was fun, flirty, and just so perfect. Then there was Aunt Tansy…what a hoot! Not to mention tough but sweet Bria and the rest of the cast including Edison and Loretta Lynn the sweater sporting hen. 
 
If you’re looking for a feel good read then look no further because this book will make you laugh and smile and leave you feeling like Santa just left you everything on your wish list no matter what time of the year it is.

​Hidden is the first book in a new series (Dark Ops) that promises to be another hit by Rebecca Zanetti.
 
I’m a fan of the author and several of her series including the Scorpius Syndrome books, which is a mix of romantic suspense and not really paranormal, but more like science gone wild. The Dark Ops series is full on romantic suspense and as always with Ms. Zanetti’s books, on the steamy side. I wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to keep up the tension that she did so well in the Scorpius Syndrome series, but she did not disappoint. While HIDDEN did start a little slower for me as she set up the world and the players, it wasn’t boring at all. It was the perfect start to give us a chance to get to know Pippa and Malcolm, both of whom are fabulous characters. 
 
Pippa has been running and hiding for years and even though she’s at first terrified of Malcolm, she quickly finds herself trusting him. I will admit that he won her trust a little too fast for me, but the author made it work and hey…sometimes the heart just knows and overrides all of our other senses. While the chemistry between these two burns up the sheets, it’s Pippa’s strength that really caught my attention. This poor woman has been through so much. She’s seen things no person should have to endure or watch, yet she’s still kind of sweet, and gentle, and most importantly, compassionate. She’s also got this quiet strength to her that is easy for many to overlook, but she doesn’t let them and I really admired the character for that only.
 
Malcolm is a cop who is burned out and looking to simply escape. Too bad life won’t let him, which is probably a good thing given Pippa’s situation. Two things I really liked about Malcolm: his faith in Pippa and his protective streak, which extended beyond her and showed us his true character. 
 
The storyline was full of twists, turns, and moments that kept the page turning as well as a few spots that made you laugh. A perfect combination.
 
There were other great secondary characters that are going to make this an interesting series, especially Wolfe. And I dare you not to fall in love with Roscoe who is the coolest and most unique dog I’ve ever seen.
 
I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes romantic suspense, special ops or books with great characters and unique storylines.

​I’ve been hearing about Katie Ruggle for sometime and it’s all been good. So, she’s been on my list of new-to-me authors to check out. I’m just not sure if this was the best one to start with mainly because it’s book 4 in a series and I always feel like I’m playing catch up when I do that. 
 
Even so, it was an enjoyable read.
 
The heroine, Kit Jernigan is smart, savvy, loyal, and funny, not to mention, she has an awesome dog, Justice, her K-9 partner. She loves her job and wants to do a great job and fit in, to find a home. Unfortunately, her human partners on the force don’t exactly make that easy for her. Still, she didn’t give up; rather she resolved to win them over. I really liked this about her. Kit wasn’t whiney, she wasn’t bitchy, she was nice—something we need more of in this world. She also had great instincts, which is important not just for police work, but for life in general. 
 
Wes March as the hero was a breath of fresh air. He was quirky—super smart (he makes the coolest gadgets), sweet, honest—just not a real people person. I love that he was there for Kit when she needed him, but he also stood back and let her do her job too. 
 
I loved watching this romance between Wes and Kit slowly unfold. While the romance was a strong plotline in the book, it wasn’t the main focus and that was okay. It seemed more realistic and built naturally. The two characters really “got” each other, but there were still those sweet moments of uncertainty that were so fun to watch. 
 
What I wasn’t too crazy about were the other police officers. I know it’s typical to razz the new person, but they went beyond that and were flat out jerks most of the time. They also came across as stupid, inept, and slightly corrupt. Given that I didn’t read books 1-3, I did have to guess as to their motives and I tried to give the characters and the author the benefit of the doubt. Although, based on other reviews, I think “dumbing down” the men was the author’s way to make Kit the hero of the story. 
 
As to the rest of the book, it was fast paced with lots of action and kept you turning the pages. I would recommend not reading this book until you’ve read the first three in the series.

​I’m going to start off with the truth: I’m not a huge fan of historical romances. I’ve read a ton (ha ha pun not intended) of them and just got sick of the “ton.” So when I saw Christi Caldwell’s newest book, THE VIXEN, didn’t have a hero that was a duke, or earl, or viscount, I was thrilled. Even more so when I found out her heroine was basically a “street rat.”
 
I loved, loved, loved this story.
 
Great characters in Ophelia Killoranand Connor Steele. Strong, driven, flawed, independent humans who have had to live on the wrong side of the “moral line” to survive, but still had more morals than those who should have been leading the charge. It’s been awhile since a story has made me cry, and the black moment (no spoilers) really got to me. 
 
I’m just going to say, read the book. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, and I’ll be reading more by this author…a lot more.

​A wonderful, satisfying and emotional story of family dynamics, drama, and growth. 
 
Gentry Cabot is one of those characters that start out as a secondary and steal your heart. She’s the baby of the family, but is more a mix between the “the only,” and the “forgotten middle.” She’s fierce, independent, and more than a bit on the wild side, which is how she got into her current situation of being a single mom. 
 
Getting to this point wasn’t easy for Gentry and she’s far from reaching the finish line of her arc. Her relationships with her family are complicated at best, and completely believable. If that part of her journey doesn’t tug at your heart, watching her fall in love with her colicky son surely will. 
 
Ian Crawford was perfect for Gentry (and vise versa). While these two appeared to be a different as night and day, they had more in common deep down, where it matters the most. I really liked that neither characters were afraid to call the other on their attitudes, but also brought out the best in each other. They did that one thing that makes them so right for each other: they saw past the surface, to the heart and soul of each other; they saw the good qualities and the bad and not only accepted each other, but loved with all their heart.
 
While this is a romance, it’s so much more. It’s life with: family dynamics, parenthood, growing up, following your passions, facing your past, trying to do what’s right, and yes, falling in love. And Jamie Beck did a fabulous job of blending that all into one story. 

Definitely a great read! Mary Ellen Taylor did a fabulous job of weaving interconnecting stories from the past and present. 
 
If you’re a fan out Downton Abbey, then you’ll like WINTER COTTAGE.
 
The story starts out in the not so distant past as a young girl begins her senior project by interviewing long-time resident and centenarian, Mrs. Catherine Buchanan: owner of Winter Cottage.  I was immediately drawn in by these two characters; so very different from each other, but clearly kindred spirits. What tales did Mrs. Buchanan have to tell, what secrets of the rich and powerful did she have to spill? 
 
We then switch to the present with Lucy Kincaid returning to her mother’s hometown, a place she’d never even heard of until her mother was dying, and to a property that no one knows why was willed to her mom and now her.  So we have that mystery. Plus, there’s the mystery of why her mom ran away the day before graduation and who is Lucy’s father. If all of that weren’t enough to draw you in, you have wonderful, witty, charming characters like Arlene (Lucy’s mom’s high school best friend), Hank Garrison (I completely fell for this guy with his honestly and a streak of integrity a mile wide…so refreshing), and of course, twelve year-old Natasha. 
 
The story bounces back and forth from the distant past (1916) to the near past (1988), to the present as you learn about these women’s lives and the choices they’ve made.  I was totally taken by the story of “Claire,” a seamstress working for the wealthy Buchanans. Oh, how different life was a hundred years ago, and not necessarily for the better. It was a fascinating and believable tale of life and relationships between the upstairs and downstairs residents. 
 
And just as I was captivated by Claire’s story, so was I with Lucy.  The characters are well developed and the plot is solid, with good characters that you like, love or in some cases, hate. It’s a tale of home and ties that bind, and of family and one not to be missed.

​LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS has been on my list to read since it came out, and while I’m happy I finally read it, I’m sad I didn’t read it sooner. What a wonderful, heartwarming and heartbreaking story.
 
Evie was so much fun. Feisty, upbeat, so full of hope and love. How could Tom not have fallen love with her the minute he laid eyes on her? And Tom, what a perfect hero of the story. So stoic, loyal, strong, and brave. I cried at the end as he put his uniform on and read the final letter from the love of his life fifty years after that first letter.
 
I love reading historical fiction and learning about the events of the past through the eyes of those who have come before us and how those now interpret their lives. This book flowed from start to finish for me and the pages flew by. I lost myself in the words, pictured myself flying down the lane on “Rusty the bicycle” delivering the post, and had tears running down my cheeks when “those” telegrams were delivered. Ms. Gaynor and Ms. Webb told a gripping tale and did a magnificent job of melding their styles into one seamless work. Definitely five stars and this goes on my keeper shelf.

OMG, I must have told five friends about this book within five minutes of finishing it. When the offer to read an ARC came from St. Martin’s I almost deleted the email after reading the blurb. This line right here is what had me hesitating, “Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment.” I mean that sounds like a tissue box or two kind of read, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but did I want to put myself through that kind of emotional turmoil? Then I kept reading and the answer was yes, and I’m so glad. I’ve read a lot of great book lately, but this has been my favorite.

Maggie and Ian are still with me even though it’s been a couple of weeks (I wanted to let the story settle before I wrote this review).  I miss her crazy sister and I want to read it all over again — something I never do.
 
This was the first book of Katherine Center’s that I’ve read; it most certainly won’t be the last. Do yourself a favor, read this story. It will break your heart a little, maybe even curse at the fates, but it will make you smile and laugh and be awed by the strength of the human spirit.