Book Reviews

THROWING SHADE by Deborah Wilde

6/7/2021

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would.

There were so many things that drew me into this story. Miriam, for one, was fabulous. Intelligent, funny, and real (magic aside). When we meet her, we get a glimpse of her everyday life…one many of us can relate to. She’s a single mom, working a job that she doesn’t necessarily love but doesn’t hate. She’s also reached that age where she’s learned when to bit her tongue because of priorities like keeping her job so she can keep paying her mortgage and feeding her daughter and wanting to tell the jerks of the world to shove it.

Her internal monologue had me cracking up (maybe because it’s how I think), but so did the banter between Miri and her best friend, her daughter, her ex-husband (who is not a bad guy), and pretty much everyone she comes into contact with outside of work.

I loved that she had brains. OMG! So refreshing to read about not only a smart heroine (she’s a librarian and full of random facts) but also one that has common sense. She’s loyal to a fault.

The world-building was interesting, as was the different mythos being told. This story was refreshing. It was the perfect blend of something new yet old. It was also a fabulous blend of dark moments and great one-liners to lift the tone when needed.

Full disclosure…this is not a paranormal romance. Yes, there is sexual tension between Miri and Laurent (the hot, broody French werewolf), but that’s not the central part of this story. This is paranormal women’s fiction. This is about Miriam’s journey, of her learning to accept her magic and learning to live the life she was meant to live.

This was my first Deborah Wilde book, and I am so looking forward to the next book in this series because we all need kickass heroines like Miri in our lives.

Summer Love – An Anthology

5/26/2021

This is a must have for your summer reading list! Fourteen perfectly sized stories for an afternoon on the beach, by the pool, or curled up in your favorite reading spot. Plus, All proceeds will be donated to The Women’s Venture Fund, an organization that supports female run small businesses. Releases June 2, 2021, but is available for pre-order now.

I started with some of my favorite authors and loved getting to visit some of my favorite locations: Patterson’s Bluff, Australia, Granite Junction, Montana, and Calamity, Wyoming.

SWEET ON YOU by Stefanie London

I fell in love with Patterson’s Bluff and the residents when I read THE AUSSIE NEXT DOOR (if you haven’t read it…do so NOW). That affair continued with HER AUSSIE HOLIDAY and I’ve been jonesing for a chance to get back to my favorite seaside town down under. SWEET ON YOU was such a tantalizing, entertaining, enjoyable read. I loved Zoey and Mack. Both so hardheaded, yet totally soft inside. Their friends-to-lovers story was the perfect pick-me-up that had me laughing, smiling, and saying YES! Not to mention, made me so hungry for all those yummy desserts.

Next I stopped over in Cowboy country with A COWBOY TO REMEMBER by Megan Ryder

I love the cowboys and the woman of Granit Junction. Tough, resilient, loyal, and love with all their hearts. While Colton Raines wasn’t your normal cowboy, but rather a country music star, he could hold his own (most of the time) with the other boys on the ranch and definitely with feisty, independent Sierra Austin. These two had been looking for each other their whole lives and never knew it. They were simply…made for each other and their story was engaging, sexy, and oh so perfect.

Last, but definitely not least was LOVE, ME by Erika Kelly

I’ve been a fan of Erika Kelly’s since I read her first book, YOU REALLY GOT ME and every book since. Oh my gosh…Matteo Candella is like the sexiest Prince Charming ever. The man has waited years for his chance with Quinn and when he gets it, he lays on the charm in the best way imaginable. I absolutely adored how he showed Quinn that she was the one and so much more. Quinn, on the other hand, was strong and determined, and the type of woman you’d want to be your best friend because she was genuine. Together they were explosive, fun, sexy, and oh so sweet.

All three of these stories will leave you feeling satisfied, light-hearted, and smiling because love won. Can’t wait to dive into the other eleven stories.

CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE by Erika Kelly

2/19/2021

Erika Kelly has a way of just pulling you into a book and not letting go until the last page. I've loved her writing since I picked up her Rock Star Romance series. She writes strong, smart, sexy women who can hold their own against their hero, and this book was no different. I loved Coco's character, how she handled her very strong willed daughter, but it was how she handled Beckett being in their lives that really got to me. And Beckett...Oh My! Such a great character. So much baggage. Seriously a hero worthy man. Their love story was sweet and touching, but it was him coming to terms with his demons and becoming the person you'd be proud to have at your side, or call your son, or friend that made this a total five star read for me. Really, it was the combination of all of these things.

Definitely will be reading the next book (and those I missed). This is part of a series, but I had no trouble reading it out of order or as a stand alone.

DANGEROUS WATERS by Toni Anderson

2/5/2021

This was only my second Toni Anderson book, and once again she kept me turning the pages until the very end.

Dangerous Waters is about a small town full of secrets, flawed characters, with a setting perfect for the seedier side of life. The author wove together complex plot threads and story lines that kept my interest and had me guessing until the end with her unpredictable twists and turns.

The attraction is there from the beginning, which is fine with me. It happens and it’s realistic. We’ve all had at least one person come into our lives where we felt an instant sizzle (at least, I hope so). The author did a great job showing why these two were the worst possible choices for each other, and yet, they were the perfect choices. Both main characters, Holly and Finn, have complicated backgrounds that have shaped them into the people they are today. Neither are perfect. They both make mistakes, but deep down, they have good intentions and chemistry with each other.

As for the mystery…and yes, this is more mystery than thriller, it’s twisted and dark. I’m not a huge fan of prologues, but it helped build the suspense and tension for the big climax at the end.

I try not to give away spoilers, so let me say that I like how Holly was smart, but not infallible. She made mistakes. She let her emotions rule her actions at times, and that just made me like her all the more. She even made a few “bone-headed” choices that made me want to shake her too, but that’s what makes her a great character. Finn, on the other hand, was totally ruled by his heart, and his loyalty to his family. Honestly, that made him very appealing to this reader. He’s the kind of guy who would put his life on the line to save someone he loves. And yes, he wasn’t always heroic, but again…that made him complex like most people really are in true life.

Other aspects of this story I loved were the secondary characters…my heart broke for Thom, and the vivid details that painted a realistic setting and set the tone perfectly.

DETACHED by Elicia Hyder

2/3/2021

Another great start to a new series by Elicia Hyder.

This story was everything I wanted it to be. A tough heroine who is soft inside. A hero who is worthy, not an alpha-jerk. Complications that are going to pull at my heart. Fun, interesting side characters (I really hope we see more of Flash and Teek.) Moments that make me laugh. Moments that brought tears to my eyes. All tied up in a complex, intriguing plot.

If you've not read Elicia Hyder before, read this and then go read The Soul Summoner series while you wait for book 2 in the Saphera Nyx series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

THE FIANCE by Stefanie London

1/2/2021

If Stefanie London was a baseball player, she’d be the designated batter, because she always hits it out of the park. The Fiancé is no exception.

Strong, smart, sassy heroine. Check. Wounded, commitment-phob hero. Check. Smoking hot love scenes. Check. A fun, fabulously written tale that brings it all together to create a memorable love story. Double check.

The Fiancé is more than a story of instalust, or even a romance. It’s about two people that are both stuck in bad situations, with life throwing them one curveball after another, and how when they stand together, they are strong enough to fight back and win. It’s about family issues (the good and the bad…totally love grandma), trust, jealousy, standing your ground and knowing when to give in.

The Fiancé was a fun, flirty, smoking hot, and heart-warming read from the first to the last page.

KISSING LESSONS by Stefanie London

11/9/2020

Anyone who has read my reviews knows that I’m a huge fan of Stefanie London. Let me tell you, KISSING LESSONS, didn’t let me down. I loved so much about this book: a curvy heroine who puts family first, but doesn’t let life’s lemons keep her down. Add in a smart, sweet hero who has a soft spot for his grandmother, and our heroine…Perfection.

The chemistry between Audrey and Ronan sparked from the first moment and just kept building, giving us a tender, romantic, yet very sexy romance.

As in all Stefanie London books, the secondary characters really rounded out the storyline and added additional depth and emotion (and laughter…can you say, mean llama). The author does include a serious subject matter (death, grief, a family shaken), but it’s handled in a gentle and kind manner. This is also a student/teacher romance in the beginning, but again it was handled in a professional and responsible manner (she’s an adult…26, part-time student, and he’s only a few years older).

You would think looking at Audrey and Ronan’s backgrounds, their priorities, and goals, there is no way these two will end up with a HEA, but in reality, they were the perfect match. In KISSING LESSONS, you get a sweet, fun, sexy romance, and may even win the next pub trivia challenge!

I highly recommend KISSING LESSONS and can’t wait for the next installment in this new series.

GUARDIAN’S GRACE by Rebecca Zanetti

10/19/2020

Zanetti is a master at writing alpha heroes you love, and would love to slap, all at the same time. Not to mention page turning action from start to finish, with just enough breathing room to fall in love with the characters. Guardian’s Grace did not disappoint.

I loved Grace’s feistiness, and brains. And fell hopelessly for Adare, a man who didn’t believe in love, but fiercely believes in loyalty and protecting those in his circle. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but these two were a perfect fit. Let’s also just say, I can’t wait to read Benny’s story.

This book is part of a series and can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series in order as there is a higher, over-arching story thread.

IN A HOLIDAZE by Christina Lauren

10/6/2020

If you’re a fan of holiday books, Ground Hog’s Day (the movie) and Christina Lauren (all of which, I am) then this is definitely a book you should check out.

I loved the mish-mash of families and friendships that came together in this story, complete with traditions, good-natured ribbing, a bit of drama, and lots of love.

Considering the circumstances of the story, Mae handled things pretty well. I mean, most people would just have themselves checked in to a psych ward if they started to repeat the same day over and over. But Mae did a fairly good job of trying to figure things out. More importantly, she used the do-over to go after her dreams, and I loved that.

Andrew was sweet, romantic, shy and yet not a push-over. He might be one of my favorite book heroes that I’ve read in quite some time.

Overall, this was a fun, happy, laugh-out-loud book that made me smile.

Trust Fund Fiancé by Naima Simone

9/1/2020

Naima Simone is a master at character chemistry, character conflict, and smoking hot love scenes. I’ve never read a Naima Simone book I didn’t love, and Trust Fund Fiancé didn’t let me down.

The writing was sharp, the characters had chemistry, and it was so much fun to watch these two try to deny what was happening between them. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite story types. Throw in a caring, sweet, helpful hero, and I’m a goner. Which is describes Zeke perfectly.

Yes, Zeke would benefit a little from their union, but it was mostly Reagan who would reap the rewards. Although, I don’t think either realized when they tied the knot, exactly what those rewards were.

I love that Reagan was Zeke’s champion against her parents and those that snubbed him. Those were totally magical moments that made you see how perfect these two were for each other. Zeke was strong, yet caring. And while Reagan came off, at first, as a spoiled little rich girl, she had substance and depth that made me really want to fight for these two to be together.

I found Trust Fund Fiancé a compelling read. I loved the romance and am intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Wingate’s and what looks to be their fall from grace.