Tag Archive: Alima Kanumilli


I love when writers/authors progress from their very first published work to a current state of confidence. I feel proud for them and of them. When I started reading Melinda Leigh with her first book “She Can Run”, as much as I was taken in by her writing, there was still an edge of rawness and the freshness of a novice. But now, as I read her new series Scarlet Falls, the progress is spectacular and her narration is seeped in conviction and self-confidence.

“Hour Of Need” leads her new series Scarlet Falls and starts off the story with a devastating double murder of well-known couple Lee and Kate Barrett. A shocking event that shatters the peace of the tiny sleepy town of Scarlet Falls, and brings Major Grant Barrett from the front lines of Afghanistan to a family reeling under the loss of loved ones, and to an orphaned niece and nephew.

HourOfNeed-ScarletFalls1-Dec2014

As much as the murder is a mystery, the attempted kidnapping of the kids and her daughter puts Ellie Ross right in the middle of the Barrett family and their crusade in finding the truth. As the family rallies around the kids to protect them, a past murder rears its ugly head, bringing more danger and secrets from the grave. Even as Ellie and Grant find themselves falling for each other, the killer gets too close for comfort, putting Ellie’s family in danger as his demands spike.

Racing against time to unravel the secrets in the sleepy town, the Barrett family rediscover themselves in the process. Melinda does a fine job of exploring human relationships in the midst of a crisis, and the importance of family, love and support, despite distances that may come between them

“Hour Of Need” is not a nail biting, falling of the edge, adrenaline filled thriller. It is the story of a normal family going through the turmoil of a life disrupted by unexplained murders. It is the story of a family with brains and courage wanting to put an end to the unexplained and it is the story of a family who would protect their own, yet doing the right things within their means.

Equal measures of suspense, love and courage give this story a great start for becoming another fabulous series, just proving Melinda’s prowess as a romantic mystery writer.

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

The battle between good and evil, human and demon is a never-ending war waged for centuries and shall continue into the future with destructive consequences, as power and control take precedence over everything. And as history shows, for every act of evil, there will be reacting to maintain the balance and for every demon that steps on an innocent, there will be a protector to mete out justice.

HotBlooded1-DonnaGrant-Dec2014

Donna Grant’s latest in her Dark Kings paranormal dragon saga “Hot Blooded”, brings Laith, a Dragon King face to face with Iona Campbell, daughter of the caretaker of the vast lands that safeguard the secrets of the Dreagan Industries. Estranged from her father for twenty years, photojournalist Iona makes the decision to reunite with her father in Scotland, but unfortunately ends up coming to his funeral instead. Strange things seem to happen as the beauty of the vast lands hide secrets that put her life in danger and test her integrity, loyalty and intelligence.

HotBlooded2-DonnaGrant-Dec2014

Guarded by the Campbell estates, the Dreagen Industries nestle the Dragon Kings and their kingdom, as they man the vast skies protecting the innocent and taking care of their own. Laith, as one of the Dragon Kings and protector, is drawn to Iona at first sight. The attraction between them kindles a passion that cannot be ignored, even as danger surrounds Iona, and Laith puts all his magical resources and allies to defend Iona and his kingdom.

HotBlooded3-DonnaGrant-Dec2014

Hot Blooded is another brilliant story, further taking the readers on a ride of passion, secrets and betrayal. For new readers, this book can be read as a stand-alone, and can be a good start, as it gives a detailed description into the history of the paranormal dynamics of the Dragon Kings, Warriors, Fae and others, and the ensuing war. And as Laith unveils the secrets of the Campbell lands and the Dreagen Industries to Iona, he puts himself and his love at risk.

HotBlooded4-DonnaGrant-Dec2014

Another passionate “Dark Kings” story by the fabulous Donna Grant, of a Dragon King finding his mate, a brilliant continuation of the Dragon King saga as it chronicles the past bringing us with the current, a thrilling ride of a mortal with her Dragon King, as he takes her on a fiery ride high above the skies, and an evil that is lurking in the shadows, biding it’s time, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Received an ARC from St. Martins Press via Netgalley for an honest review.

Here’s another first for me – Kara Braden. And another first for me in deciding what category do I really classify “The Deepest Night”. I mean the story did not get me excited; yet it was not boring. It can be read with ease, but with no anticipation of what’s going to come. It reads more like a narration without a direction. The storyline is feeble and it left me searching for the crux of the story and the essence of the characters.

TheDeepestNight-KaraBraden-Dec2014

The story is simple enough with Michele Cole coming to the Isles Of Scilly to escape a past pain and start fresh. She helps to take care of a friend’s B&B, as she tries to decide her future. Ray Powell ends up in the same B&B as a he is recuperating after completing a grueling mission in Afghanistan. He’s got roots here in this small coastal isle, before he made the USA his home. They meet, sparks flare, desire and passion take root and they try to overcome their insecurities to forge a future with each other.

But unfortunately there is absolutely no chemistry between the characters, and the characters themselves have a weak creation. There doesn’t seem to be a particular purpose in their life, and for that matter, neither does the story. I think Michele’s mother had more form than Michele or Ray. And even as I got to the end of the book, my thought was, “Is this all?”

It would have been great if the author had given her characters more depth and a plot to the story. It would have made a sweet romantic story. Irrespective of this book, I’ll definitely check her other works.

Received an ARC from Sourcebooks Casablance via Netgalley for an honest review.

Born into wealth and privilege, free-spirited Liv Quinn left it all behind when she realized there was more to life than living off of trust funds and barely skating by.  Since then, she’s worked and fought for everything she’s earned and never looked back at the world or the family she left behind.

Jackson Reid is starting over with a new job in a brand new city.  A single father to his son Noah, he hopes the change will help strengthen the bond that has seemed to suffer since puberty reared its ugly head.  What he hadn’t planned on was Liv—his exotic next-door neighbor who drives him insane with her wild, new age lifestyle, but still manages to leave him aching for more.

ReadyOrNot-CoverReveal-Sept2014

As challenges arise and feelings intensify, will these neighbors be able to look past their differences and find a middle ground?  When love comes knocking, will they be ready, or not?

Add READY OR NOT to Goodreads here!

Purchase READY OR NOT on Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | Barnes and Noble (coming soon)

Sign up for J.L. Berg’s newsletter here!

About J.L. Berg

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

jlberg-author

Connect with J.L. Berg

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

Note: I am posting one review for the entire series, as the five books are a continuation of each book and story.

Ethan Frost (Ruined/Addicted) was one the most amazing fictional characters I’ve ever read, and he would be one of my top ever favorites of any of the books I read and continue to read. Tracy Wolff did an amazing job of creating a character with so many flaws, like any normal human that was just pure perfection.

PlayMeHard2-TracyWolf-Dec2014

So it’s no wonder I had high expectations of her “Play Me Series”, with Sebastian and Ari at the center of a roulette of painful pasts, dangerous ties and unsurpassable passion. And once again Tracy Wolff did an outstanding job etching Sebastian and Ari, and I had to read all the five books in one sitting!

Ari Winston works as a cocktail waitress at one of Vegas’s top-notch casino. Beautiful, smart and hardworking, she almost loses her job when she stands up to a billionaire harassing a guest in the casino. Until the prodigal son and successor Sebastian Caine steps in to take care of the situation and makes sure Ari keeps her job.

PlayMeHard3-TracyWolf-Dec2014

Thus starts the journey of Ari and Sebastian, as they try to understand the attraction that ignites in them and fathom the feelings of concern and desire that sparks between them. As they explore the sexual tension and consummate their relationship, secrets from the past make Ari wary of giving her trust to Sebastian. Sebastian on the other hand is as tenacious and protective of Ari, and wants to keep her with him every second of his breath. But neither is Sebastian free of dark shadows that may break the fragile relationship with Ari.

As Sebastian takes Ari into his seductive domain and Ari lures Sebastian into the deep depths of her soul, they both discover the intense power struggle that keeps them on the edge, and the control that they are so willing to relinquish to each other. The Play Me Series is not just about submissive, dominant or eroticism, it is about two beautiful people plagued by trauma and pain from the past. It is about two individuals on the opposite ends of the spectrum brought together by passion and love. And it is about two insecure people finding within each other the courage to build trust and make a life with each other forever.

PlayMeReal4-TracyWolf-Dec2014

Tracy Wolff, no doubt has put her soul and breath in etching Ari and Sebastian wit their perfect flaws. Ari as the independent, strong and vulnerable woman is a treat to read. She is compassionate, courageous and brave enough to weather the storms of her family and the relationship with Sebastian. Sebastian as the kind, generous and protective casino owner makes you believe that not all rich people are jerks and there are always good people left in the world. And as I went on this journey with them, I hurt with them, I cried with them, I laughed with them and I fell in love with them!

PlayMeRight5-TracyWolf-Dec2014

I am not sure if the series will be published in one single book, but you have to read them in sequence – Play Me Wild, Play Me Hot, Play Me Hard, Play Me Real and Play Me Right.

Engrossing, Thrilling, and Exceptional!!!!

Received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept, via Netgalley for an honest review.

I am not sure if the series will be published in one single book, but you have to read them in sequence – Play Me Wild, Play Me Hot, Play Me Hard, Play Me Real and Play Me Right.

Engrossing, Thrilling, and Exceptional!!!!

Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept

Tule Publishing GroupTule Publishing Group

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

lrnicolello.com

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

romance festival

Home of the virtual romance festival.

Melinda Leigh

Award-Winning Romantic Suspense & Paranormal Romance

Cynthia Eden

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

Julie James

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

Bella Andre

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

Romancing Life

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

WordPress.com News

The latest news on WordPress.com and the WordPress community.