Mr. Big by Delancey Stewart

Mr. Big

Title: Mr. Big

Author: Delancey Stewart

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept

Date of publication: August 29th, 2017

Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction

Number of pages: Unknown

POV: Alternating 1st person

Where you can find Mr. Big: Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

Once upon a time, I had everything: money, power, a multimillion-dollar company, a loving family. Well, at least I thought I had everything. Then my parents died, and I found out my whole life was based on a lie. That’s pretty much the moment when I went numb. Told the world to f*** off and went on a bender of epic proportion, just to see how far I could fall before I hit rock-bottom.

Now I’m back and all I want in this world is my morning—okay, afternoon—coffee. Then one of my employees has the nerve to call me out for cutting the line at the coffeehouse at the company I own. Sure, I’m a little scruffier than usual, but come on, bitching out the CEO? Not a smart career move. Just who does this smart-mouthed ball-buster think she is? And more important, what do I have to do to get her number?

Holland O’Dell may be uptight, but I wouldn’t mind taking her back to my place and ripping off that business-casual blouse/skirt combo and burying myself in her curves. She pushes my buttons, but at least I’m feeling something. And whatever it is, I won’t stop until I get more.

My review:

I was pretty stoked to read Mr. Big when I read the synopsis on Random House’s NetGalley page. I am a sucker for a romance that has a good plotline, a conflicted hero, and a strong heroine. I really thought that I was getting that when I started reading Mr. Big. But, I knew something was off after I read the first chapter.

Continue reading “Mr. Big by Delancey Stewart”

My Fair Lover (Legendary Lovers: Book 5) by Nicole Jordan

My Fair Lover (Legendary Lovers, #5)

Title: My Fair Lover

Author: Nicole Jordan

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine

Date of publication: August 29th, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Number of pages: 368

POV: 3rd person

Series: Legendary Lovers

Princess Charming – Book 1

Lover Be Mine – Book 2

Secrets of Seduction – Book 3

The Art of Taming a Rake – Book 4

My Fair Lover – Book 5

Where you can find My Fair Lover: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

Lady Katherine Wilde believes she has crushed any lingering romantic feelings toward Brandon Deverill, who spurned her six years ago. And now that the rough-edged rogue needs polishing to claim his inheritance, she’s willing to strike a practical bargain: Kate will mold the brash privateer into an acceptable English nobleman if Deverill will safeguard her from brigands on a voyage to recover lost family treasure. However, the soul-melting kiss that seals their agreement just may reignite blazing passion. 

Brandon’s fortitude was sorely tested when he turned Kate away from his bed all those years ago. Even a rake such as he wouldn’t seduce an innocent beauty before sailing into battle. But now that he’s inherited a title and must take a suitable bride, he sets his sights on Kate. Though he fiercely desires her, true love is a notion that baffles him–until their adventure turns perilous and Brandon realizes he’d gladly trade his life to save the woman who has captured his heart.

Trigger Warnings: None

Continue reading “My Fair Lover (Legendary Lovers: Book 5) by Nicole Jordan”

The Dream Keeper’s Daughter by Emily Colin

The Dream Keeper's Daughter

Title: The Dream Keeper’s Daughter

Author: Emily Colin

Publisher: Ballantine Books, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine

Date of publication: July 25th, 2017

Genre: Romance

Number of pages: 482

POV: Alternating 1st person

Where you can find The Dream Keeper’s Daughter: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

Eight years after the unsolved disappearance of her boyfriend Max Adair, archaeologist Isabel Griffin has managed to move on and rebuild her life with her young daughter, Finn, her last tie to Max. But after a series of strange incidents, Isabel begins to wonder if Max might still be alive somewhere, trying to communicate with her. She has no idea that the where isn’t the problem—it’s the when. Max has slipped through time and place, landing on his ancestral family plantation in 1816 Barbados, on the eve of a historic slave uprising. As Isabel searches for answers, Max must figure out not only how to survive the violence to come, but how to get back to his own century, the woman he loves, and the daughter he has only ever met in his dreams.

Trigger Warning: Beating of slaves, the beating of a child

Continue reading “The Dream Keeper’s Daughter by Emily Colin”

The Warlock’s Nemesis by Alena Des

The Warlock's Nemesis

Title: The Warlock’s Nemesis

Author: Alena Des

Publisher: Inkitt

Date of publication: August 23rd, 2017

Genre: Fantasy, romance

Number of pages: 780

POV: Alternating 1st person

Series: King Series

Mated to the Werewolf King – Book 1 (review here)

The Warlock’s Nemesis – Book 2

Heartless – Book 3

Where you can buy The Warlock’s Nemesis: Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

The world is devastated by a deadly virus which threatens humans’ very existence. In an alliance with the humans, the witch coven sends Alice as a healer. With resources stretched thin, and with no information on the cause of the sickness, what Alice can do is limited. However, whoever is behind the creation of the virus has another target in mind. Things take a sinister turn as Tannon, the powerful warlock faces his greatest nemesis yet. Will the identity of his nemesis be his downfall? Take this journey as Alice and the warlock join hands to find the solution to the extinction of all species, and fight the enemy who is so far away, and yet so near at the same time.

Trigger Warning: None

Continue reading “The Warlock’s Nemesis by Alena Des”

Black Mark’s Resistance (Black Mark: Book 1) by Ebony Olson

Black Mark Series Book 1: Black Mark's Resistance by [Olson, Ebony ]

Title: Black Mark’s Resistance

Author: Ebony Olson

Publisher: Inkitt

Date of publication: August 23rd, 2017

Genre: Romance

Number of pages: 184

POV: 1st person

Series: Black Mark Series

Black Mark’s Resistance – Book 1

Black Mark’s Secrets – Book 2

Black Mark’s Heart – Book 3

Where you can buy Black Mark’s Resistance: Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

Get the #1 bestselling Black Mark Series in an exclusive and complete boxed set, including Black Mark’s Resistance, Black Mark’s Secrets, and Black Mark’s Heart. This collection of steamy and thrilling romance series is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat! 

You’ve never been wanted. You’ve never been loved. You release your emotions by bleeding and having sex. But now, the hottest person alive develops a sudden interest in you. What do you do? 
Mora has never had an easy life. Physically and mentally abused by her mother, she’s never known what being wanted or loved felt like. Her only relief? Sex, bleeding and playing the cello. And now, her new boss, Darius, has shown an interest in her character. Will Darius become another danger in Mora’s life, or is he the absolution she’s been internally wishing for?

Trigger Warning: Child Abuse, Cutting

Continue reading “Black Mark’s Resistance (Black Mark: Book 1) by Ebony Olson”

Chasing a Legend (Kavanagh Legends: Book 4) by Sarah Robinson

Chasing a Legend (Kavanagh Legends, #4)

Title: Chasing a Legend

Author: Sarah Robinson

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept

Date of publication: August 22nd, 2017

Genre: Romance, Sports

Number of Pages: 250

POV: 3rd person

Series: Kavanagh Legends

Breaking a Legend – Book 1

Saving a Legend – Book 2

Becoming a Legend – Book 3

Chasing a Legend – Book 4

Kavanagh Christmas – Book 5 (expected publication date: November 6th, 2017)

Where you can find Chasing a Legend: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

A top-notch manager and agent, Quinn Kavanagh pictures a life outside of his family’s renowned MMA gym. Beneath his sleek exterior, Quinn has a secret passion for sculpting. But after a nearly fatal motorcycle accident, he’s struggling just to walk again, let alone get back to the studio—and it doesn’t help that the doctor in charge of his physical therapy is his childhood crush. Quinn’s always ready for a fight, but the bittersweet sting of unrequited love has him begging for mercy.

Dr. Kiera Finley is determined to make her medical residency a success. Six years ago, she gave in and shared a single passionate night with Quinn. Now she’s just hoping the cocky lover from her past doesn’t derail her plans for the future. Little by little, though, Kiera gets to know another side of Quinn. She knew he was a family man, devoted to his parents and brothers, but he’s also a free spirit trapped in a cage—and only she has the key. To heal both Quinn’s body and soul, Kiera’s tempted to give him a special kind of medicine.

Trigger Warning: Death of a pet

Continue reading “Chasing a Legend (Kavanagh Legends: Book 4) by Sarah Robinson”

The Other Girl by Erica Spindler

The Other Girl: A Novel by [Spindler, Erica]

Title: The Other Girl

Author: Erica Spindler

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Date of publication: August 22, 2017

Genre: General Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller

Number of pages: 256

POV: 3rd person

Where you can find The Other Girl: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

From the NYT bestselling author comes a chilling new thriller about a ritualistic murder of a college professor that sends a small town cop back into the trauma she thought she’d put behind her.

Officer Miranda Rader of the Hammond PD in Louisiana is known for her honesty, integrity, and steady hand in a crisis—but that wasn’t always so. Miranda comes from Jasper, just south of Hammond, a place about the size of a good spit on a hot day, and her side of the tracks was the wrong one. She’s worked hard to leave the girl she used to be behind and earn respect in her position as an officer.

However, when Miranda and her partner are called to investigate the murder of one of the town’s most beloved college professors, they’re unprepared for the gruesomeness of the scene. This murder is unlike any they’ve ever investigated, and just when Miranda thinks she’s seen the worst of it, she finds a piece of evidence that chills her to the core: a faded newspaper clipping about a terrible night from her long-buried past. Then another man turns up dead, this one a retired cop, and not just any cop—Clint Wheeler, the cop who took her statement that night. Two murders, two very different men, two killings that on the surface had nothing in common—except Miranda. 15 years ago.

And when her fingerprints turn up at the scene of the first murder, Miranda once again finds herself under the microscope, her honesty and integrity doubted, her motivations questioned. Alone again, the trust of her colleagues shattered, Miranda must try to trust the instincts she’s pushed down for so long, and decide what’s right—before it’s too late.

Trigger Warning: Rape, Date Rape Drug Use

Continue reading “The Other Girl by Erica Spindler”

Traitor in Her Arms (The Scarlet Chronicles: Book 1) by Shana Galen

Traitor in Her Arms (The Scarlet Chronicles, #1)

Title: Traitor in Her Arms

Author: Shana Galen

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept

Date of publication: August 22nd, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Number of pages: Unknown

POV: 3rd person

Series: The Scarlet Chronicles

Traitor in Her Arms – Book 1

Where you can find Traitor in Her Arms: Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

Two morally compromised souls wage a battle of wits—and seduction—against the backdrop of the French Revolution in this thrilling romance from bestselling author Shana Galen.

After her late husband leaves her in debt to some dangerous people, Lady Gabrielle McCullough is forced to become a thief. In the intervening years, her skills have not gone unnoticed. After being recruited by the Scarlet Pimpernel, the mysterious do-gooder spiriting aristocrats out of revolutionary France, Gabrielle crosses the Channel for the most daring mission of her life. Accompanying her is the Earl of Sedgwick, a thief in his own right and an enticingly masculine presence. The man is not to be trusted—nor is Gabrielle’s body when he’s near.

Ramsey Barnes would not say he is an honorable man. His whole life has been based on a lie; why change now? Although it pains him to deceive the tantalizing Gabrielle, he’s working toward an altogether different objective: unmasking the Scarlet Pimpernel. If Ramsey fails, his blackmailer will ruin him. But when Ramsey’s confronted with the carnage of the Reign of Terror, he seeks refuge in Gabrielle’s heated embrace. Now he faces a terrible choice: betray the woman who’s stolen his heart—or risk losing everything.

My review:

Traitor in Her Arms is one of those books that is going to stay with you for a long while after reading it. Set during the French Revolution, I was sent on a hair-raising and harrowing adventure through England and France. I was literally on the edge of my seat for more than half the book and I think during the more harrowing parts of the book, I couldn’t take a breath, that is how much this book got to me. And believe me, for me to get so emotionally invested in a book is a good thing.

I had mentioned in another review that the French Revolution, while used as a backdrop in historical romance novels, really isn’t a place that authors visit in their novels. It was too violent and not at all romantic. But, I like what the author did to make Paris a perfect spot for Ramsey and Gabrielle’s romance. She made them go to France for two different reasons. Gabrielle, an accomplished thief, was to steal a bracelet and then secure the freedom of a Comtesse and her child. Ramsey, well he was to find out who was the Scarlet Pimpernel and tell his blackmailer his identity.

I couldn’t understand why Gabrielle was such an accomplished thief until it was explained a few chapters into the book. I couldn’t imagine my husband dying and leaving me to deal with his creditors. She was desperate and the unsavory people who her husband was dealing with were becoming more and more impatient. So she learned to pick locks and used those skills to steal jewels and whatnot from the fellow members of the ton.  When she was approached by the Scarlet Pimpernel and told that she was going to France to save the Comtesse and her child, she didn’t hesitate…even though France was in a state of civil unrest.

Ramsey was an enigma to me, at first and I couldn’t understand why he was stealing Cleopatra’s jewels. But the more into Ramsey’s story I got into, the more something didn’t add up. I really didn’t understand why Madam seemed to have him by the balls and kept threatening to show his secret. But the more into the book I got, the more the author gradually peeled back Ramsey’s layers. When his secret was finally revealed and the reasons behind it, I actually felt bad for him. What a burden to be carrying around!!

The book really picked up once Ramsey and Gabrielle were undercover in France. I will give you all a warning and say that this part of the book is not for those who do not like violence. Because there were some pretty violent and descriptive scenes. I was literally chilled when Ramsey and Gabrielle saw the aristocrat who was literally dismembered before their eyes. Also, what chilled me was when they went to witness the people being guileteened. I couldn’t get the descriptions of the square soaked in blood, the people being executed or the people watching out of my mind. I knew that was a bloody period in France’s history but I guess I didn’t know how bloody until I read this book.

The end of the book was pretty anticlimactic after reading Ramsey and Gabrielle’s times in France. But it did end as a happy ending for both Ramsey and Gabrielle.

How many stars will I give Traitor in Her Arms: 5

Why: I loved this book. It was a beautifully written book that had plotlines that definitely kept my attention and a romance that defied Revolutionary France.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex and violence. Like I said above, when Gabrielle and Ramsey were in France, it was very bloody and some people could be put off by it.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Ready to Run (I Do, I Don’t: Book 1) by Lauren Layne

Ready to Run (I Do, I Don't, #1)

Title: Ready to Run

Author: Lauren Layne

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept

Date of publication: August 22nd, 2017

Genre: Humor, Romance

POV: 3rd person

Series: I Do, I Don’t

Ready to Run – Book 1

Runaway Groom – Book 2

Just Run With It – Book 3

Where you can find Ready to Run: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

The Bachelor meets The Runaway Bride in this addictive romance novel about a reality TV producer falling for her would-be star: a Montana heartthrob who wants nothing to do with the show.

Jordan Carpenter thinks she’s finally found the perfect candidate for Jilted, a new dating show about runaway grooms: Luke Elliott, a playboy firefighter who’s left not one but three brides at the altar. The only problem? Luke refuses to answer Jordan’s emails or return her calls. Which is how she ends up on a flight to Montana to recruit him in person. It’s not Manhattan but at least the locals in Lucky Hollow seem friendly . . . except for Luke, who’s more intense—and way hotter—than the slick womanizer Jordan expected.

Eager to put the past behind him, Luke has zero intention of following this gorgeous, fast-talking city girl back to New York. But before he can send her packing, Jordan’s everywhere: at his favorite bar, the county fair, even his exes’ book club. Annoyingly, everyone in Lucky Hollow seems to like her—and deep down, she’s starting to grow on him too. But the more he fights her constant pestering, the more Luke finds himself wishing that Jordan would kick off her high heels and make herself comfortable in his arms.

Trigger Warning: None

Continue reading “Ready to Run (I Do, I Don’t: Book 1) by Lauren Layne”

Mary Poser: Butterflies and White Lies as Bollywood Comes to Nashville by Angel A.

Mary Poser: Butterflies and White Lies as Bollywood Comes to Nashville

Title: Mary Poser: Butterflies and White Lies as Bollywood Comes to Nashville

Author: Angel A.

Publisher: Angel’s Leap

Date of publication: August 21st, 2017

Genre: General Fiction

Number of pages: 478

POV: 1st person

Where you can find this book: Amazon

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

The recipe for a warm and humorous story…

In a modest bowl of Nashville, gently place a girl who is Country music, Bible belt, and a Steakhouse foodie.

Then add a surprise portion of exotic and handsome Anglo-Indian, who is a passionate Bollywood director, vegetarian and Hindu.

Stir vigorously on a bed of intense attraction.

At first, the ingredients will seem to clash and separate.

Keep stirring…

Include a dollop of jealous boyfriend and a meddling mother.

Splash in a serving of fun and mischievous friends. Keep stirring…

Add a dash of a crazy aunt and a minister father to keep the flavors working together.

Sprinkle in even more complicated family members to taste.

Cook on high emotions.

The secret ingredient that cuts through the sweetness is a final layer of shocking revelation that adds a surprising depth of flavor.

Finish with a twist of ‘Oh My God! Is she really going to do that?’.

Serve as tasty bite-size chapters in a novel dish of mayhem and madness with a side of Country music and Bollywood dancing.

My review:

I couldn’t get into this book, which is very unusual for me. I didn’t love this book but I didn’t hate it either. I was kinda “eh” while reading it. Which made me a little sad because I really wanted to get into the book. I like most of the characters and thought the storyline was great. It just didn’t hold my attention.

I didn’t like Mary at first. She really was kind of a pushover and there were certain points in the book where I kinda wanted to go into the book, shake her and yell “Why!! Use your brain!!” But, seeing that this is a fiction book, I just settled for humphing grumpily at my Kindle. I think that she could have had a better choice in friends too. Her family, though, she didn’t have a choice and they were all kinds of crazy. Oh, and let’s not forget that she was immature. There were certain scenes where I was like “Really, you could have handled that better”. But by the end of the book, I did like her. She came into her own and I was like “You go girl”

I actually felt bad for Simha. He fell for a girl who was the polar opposite from him and who kept jerking him around the entire book. Honestly, I would have said “See ya” after the scene where she bolted after they had sex. But he still kept on trying. Sending her gifts, texting her all the time, making a Bollywood musical in Nashville so he could be near her. He was too much, even for me.

The secondary characters left a bad taste in my mouth. Mary’s mother was a homophobic, racist Christian. Her brother was the same but on a lesser level. Her father had no backbone and acted like Jerry Lewis to break up arguments. Her best friend was a jealous witch who was all about herself. Her fiancé was self-centered and racist. Actually, the only secondary characters I liked were Alice and Erin. But really, having Alice say “bro” all the time got very tiring to read. Also, having the characters leaving the g’s off of words “Starvin’, such as, was great to create the accent but that too got tiring to read.

I did like the sex scene between Simha and Mary. It showed the full depth of their feelings for each other (even if Mary wasn’t willing to admit it). All I have to say is cosmic sex rocks….lol. That scene is also why I kinda hesitated on slapping a Christian label on this review. But seeing how heavily God was mentioned, I felt that a Christian label was appropriate.

The whole Bollywood angle fascinated me, along with the mentions of the Hindu religion. Believe it or not, but I have never seen a Bollywood movie but after this book, I am going to find one and watch it. I have a feeling that it will be right up my alley. Also, I didn’t know much about the Hindu religion and thought that it was awesome that the author had Simha explain the aspect of the religion to Mary. What I liked were the changes that Mary made in her life. Taking up yoga and going vegetarian was a pretty significant lifestyle change. I just wish that she had the sense to do the other changes earlier in the book.

The end of the book was insane. Everything blew up at once and it was kind of hard to keep track of things. But I liked it, it was very interesting and definitely kept you on your toes reading wise

How many stars will I give Mary Poser:  3

Why: I kinda went back and forth on giving either a 3 star or 4-star rating to this book. While I loved the romance aspect of it, I felt that the other parts of the book brought the book down. I couldn’t get past Mary’s mother and that is what caused me to lower the book down to a 3-star rating. If she had been toned down a tad, then I think I would have given the book 4 stars.

Will I reread: Maybe

Will I recommend to family and friends: Maybe

Age range: Adult

Why: One intense sex scene. Also, racist comments and homophobic comments

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**