Category: Book Reviews


At Wolf Ranch – Where Love And Danger Collides!!!

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February 12, 2015

Call me biased, but in my opinion Jennifer Ryan writes one of the most romantic suspense stories that I’ve ever read. “The Hunted Series” is always going to be my chicken soup for the soul, having lost count of the number of times I’ve read that series.

For the uninitiated, The Montana Men Series takes us to the Bowden brothers, Gabe, Blake and Dane, the brothers of Caleb (married to Summer Turner) from The Hunted Series, and yes Caleb and Summer have their own story (All I Want For Christmas Is A Cowboy). I love when the stories have cross over characters from various books. And the Montana Men Series is set before the Hunted Series.

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Running away from New York after witnessing the murder of her twin sister, millionaire Ella Wolf ends up on the snowy roads of Montana, bruised and injured, trying to get to her family ranch, leaving behind an evil uncle trying to kill her. Ella ends up in Gabe’s arms as he rescues her from dying and takes her into his protective folds. Her only goal is to bring justice to her sister and put her uncle behind bars forever.

Gabe Bowden is starting fresh after his injuries at rodeo circuit, and ends up buying Wolf Ranch to run his cattle breeding business. Meeting Ella and realizing that his business plans are going down the drain, doesn’t deter the sparks of attraction that flare between Ella and Gabe. As Gabe learns the truth about Ella, he stands by her to help and support despite him losing his money to her evil Uncle.

Jennifer Ryan’s heroines are just pure sassy, kick-ass and courageous to the core. And her heroes are not any less alphas, protective and supportive of their women. Her romances have just the right blend of love and danger. Every single story of hers leaves me with renewed hope and warmth, that every evil person is balanced by at least four good people. There are people like Gabe and Ella, who have empathy and compassion for others, helpful and hearts as big as the Montana skies with immense love and trust.

“At Wolf Ranch” (Montana Men, Book 1) is another brilliant story steeped with love and passion, laced with secrets and danger, touched with warmth and trust, a perfect fusion of suspense and charm captivating the hearts of the readers.

Received an ARC from the author for an honest review.

 

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Bridged – A Deadly Past Bridging Into The Present

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February 10, 2015

In my world of reading and authors, there are very few that I hold on a pedestal for their writing prowess and ingenuity. In my book, if an author/writer can progress on her prowess from one to the next, a winner for me. Especially in a series where the stories revolve around the protagonists, it’s very important to evolve their relationship, create layers of depth to their characters, only to be peeled to expose their strengths and weaknesses, and the connection that they have with the readers, as they bridge their own insecurities and fears for a future. And Kendra Elliot does just that with finesse.

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It’s not easy. It’s hard work and requires immense passion to be able to get into these characters to make them as believable as the next human being. The second book in the Callahan/McLane Series, “Bridged” by Kendra Elliot, is a brilliant narration of a past that haunts one person into killing, and a present that is burdened with guilt and the vulnerability of family and relationships.

FBI Agent Ava McLean and OSP Agent Mason Callahan are knee deep into investigating the murders that seem to be caught hanging at various bridges in the City Of Portland; Murders that leave no clues, or evidence. As Mason, Ava and their team of experts and agents, try to connect the pieces of the puzzle, Ava is drawn into a nightmare of a twin who is the power to bring Ava down single-handedly and test her sanity.

As the team goes into the past to dig through secrets, the present gets more and more ominous taking Ava closer to danger and death. What I most treasured about this book and my utter adoration to the writer is her technique of developing the story, piece by piece, detail by detail and character by character, be it the primary or the secondary. She delves into the pain and guilt haunting the killer as much she infuses strength and trust into the relationship between Ava and Mason. Ava’s twin Jayne is just another catalyst that tear opens Ava to the core, with Mason being her voice of love and reason.

Dripping with emotions of love and trust, tied up with frustration and fear, reeling in pangs of guilt and hatred, drowning in depths of despair and darkness, Bridged takes us over and under to the people who have made a choice to follow a path of evil and those who have chosen to protect until their last breath.

Received an ARC from Montlake Romance via NetGalley for an honest review.

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Barbecue And Bad News – Appetizing Good News!!

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Here’s another first time read for me – Nancy Naigle and her Adams Grove romances. “Barbecue and Bad News” is sure filled with flavor and a whole lot of quality news!

On her way to her ex-husband’s marriage, Savannah Dey sets off the radar in the handsome sheriff’s car. Instead of giving her a ticket, Sheriff Scott Calvin lets her off with a warning as his heart skips a beat. Savannah on the other hand is intrigued enough to stay back in Adams Grove to test her flare of attraction to the lovable Sheriff.

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As the Sheriff and the aspiring writer play hide and seek, they end up working together. The sparks are ignited, passion is fanned and lust lands them in bed. The handsome and honest sheriff is smitten with the sassy and beautiful writer blooming into love. But there are some secrets that could break their romance and trust is put to test. Savannah and Scott are just downright lovable, simple and good, with open hearts and helpful nature, and you can’t help falling in love with them.

“Barbecue And Bad News” is a very cute romantic story. Nancy Naigle does a wonderful job of penning a lovely romance laced with mystery, filled with small town charm, and a charismatic couple finding love towards a future of forever.

Received an ARC from Montlake Romance via NetGalley for an honest review.

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Love, Diamonds And Spades – Sparkling Love With Spades Of Wooing

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February 5, 2015

Before I start off on the review, a few sparkles for the uninitiated – Love, Diamonds and Spades is book 2 after Love, Chocolate and Beer (Luke and Danica). Violet Duke has released Love, Tussles and Takedowns (Lia and Hudson) as book 2 initially, but now that all changed just because of her love for her fans. Violet Duke being the ever-loving Violet Duke, she pampered her fans with Love, Diamonds and Spades as a dedication to her readers, outside of her original plan for the series.

So the sequence of her Cactus Creek Series –

Love, Chocolate And Beer – Luke and Danica

Love, Diamonds And Spades – Rylan and Quinn

Love, Tussles and Takedowns – Lia and Hudson

Love, Exes and Ohs – Isaac and Xoey (Coming Mar 2015)

…and hoping she doesn’t stop there!!!!

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Now on to the review – Rylan is one of the sexy alpha citizens of Cactus Creek, who owns a successful landscaping business and also runs a band. And from the moment Quinn stepped into Cactus Creek as Luke’s business partner, he was hooked, line and sinker.

Quinn is a divorced mother and has endured a painful past to make a future for her son Cooper in Cactus Creek. She has been playing hide and seek with the sexy singer and the chore gambler for a while before she succumbs to his wooing and charm.

And together Rylan and Quinn steam the pages with their sweet wooing, the sublime passion that ignites between them, the tip toeing around each other as they spar with repartee and the pure and precious love that develops between them is a reading pleasure.

Cartwheels all the way!!!

Violet Duke never ceases to amaze me with her positive attitude, her zeal for life, her perseverance and her amazing talent of writing super delicious and charismatic love stories. As much as every line is consumed with wit and fire, you cannot miss the fact that she creates her characters with her heart and soul. She does a brilliant job of creating that sense of simultaneous narration of her stories, yet each book of Cactus Creek can be read as standalone. But trust me when I say, you’ll be panting to read every single book in series.

“Love, Diamonds And Spades” is a simple love story of Rylan and Quinn, with the whole town of Cactus Creek, playing a role in their story. I love how Violet pulls in secondary characters and family into the story, be it Rylan talking to his parents about his love life, or the captivating dialogues that flow with ease among the residents, you can’t but help feel so warm, fuzzy and protected by the unconditional support, love and care that roots in Cactus Creek.

And let the Ohs and Ahs begin as Xoey tries to keep her relationship with Isaac platonic!!!!!

Received an ARC from the author for an honest review.

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The Cowboy Next Door – Tepid!

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February 4, 2015

I don’t recall ever reading Roxanne Snopek, although feels that I should know her writings. But “The Cowboy Next Door” in my opinion just did not make my heart skip a beat, shiver in anticipation or tingle me happy.

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I’m really not sure what did not work for me in this book, but I get the feeling that the story was pieced in a hurry with no proper development of characters. Granted Leda is a young and single mother, but not that young to sound immature, confused, and childlike.

Past rodeo star turned agent Eric Anders is organized, efficient, and can’t stand to see anyone being hurt or cheated of what they are entitled to in life. And in this case, he wants to help Leda get what she’s entitled from the jerk who left her pregnant.

Somehow Leda and Eric just did not click as a couple. Age has never been an issue for me, but “The Cowboy Next Door” sure did not tingle my senses or draw me into his love story with Leda. And Leda’s character really did not ignite any empathy or sympathy. The characters just lacked chemistry and that special bond, which draws a reader into their story.

Received an ARC from Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

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