❝I'm a vengeance dealer. A mercenary. I feign loyalty to exact revenge.❞
What a f*cking start to the book! I was equally appalled and excited
❝I'm a vengeance dealer. A mercenary. I feign loyalty to exact revenge.❞
What a f*cking start to the book! I was equally appalled and excited. My stomach was turning and my thoughts were reeling. I didn't even realize I was breathing quickly. I am amazed at Keri Lake's storytelling!!
Just like these characters, you will not read this episode and come out unscathed. Storytelling at its finest, Keri Lake takes you through the pits of hell with the promise of better.
Is it bad that I kinda like this anti-hero? I mean, what does that say about me? And Dylan is da bomb dot com. Her spirit and fight for survival make her one kick ass heroine!
I am not sure where she's taking us on this f*ed up ride, I just know I want a ticket to crazy town.
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
❝I'm a vengeance dealer. A mercenary. I feign loyalty to exact revenge.❞
What a f*cking start to the book! I was equally appalled and excited. My stomach was turning and my thoughts were reeling. I didn't even realize I was breathing quickly. I am amazed at Keri Lake's storytelling!!
Just like these characters, you will not read this episode and come out unscathed. Storytelling at its finest, Keri Lake takes you through the pits of hell with the promise of better.
Is it bad that I kinda like this anti-hero? I mean, what does that say about me? And Dylan is da bomb dot com. Her spirit and fight for survival make her one kick ass heroine!
I am not sure where she's taking us on this f*ed up ride, I just know I want a ticket to crazy town.
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
I binge read episodes 2-4 on Saturday. It helped that my family all had plans of their own, so I was home all day, by myself and able to enjoy the bruI binge read episodes 2-4 on Saturday. It helped that my family all had plans of their own, so I was home all day, by myself and able to enjoy the brutal, dark, addictive world that Keri Lake invented.
In this episode, we read about the twisty, unexpected happenings of the Chicago underbelly. All the brutality in the first 3 come to a head and explode!! Admittedly, this series was a little difficult for me to read, it certainly took me out of my comfort zone, but Lake has such a way with words and impeccable story-telling abilities, she knows how to take you right to the very edge of the cliff of your own mental destruction, and when to bring you back.
Lake rocked the anti-hero, strong heroine, and mafia storylines.
Ripley was not a guy to like, love or admire, the brutality he showed others was reason enough to not only hate him but fear him. Yet, you somehow learn to like, admire and then eventually love this man. (Albeit, questioning your own sanity in the process.) I think this was because we find a "reason" he is the way he is. And when you are able to place "blame", somehow, you can look beyond the atrocities and see the good.
Dylan had been through hell and still managed to be strong. She never whined, she never gave in, she fought for her survival. I loved that she was smart enough to see her reality and go after what she wanted.
The underworld of Chicago never looked so good bad. What made this story different? I mean, there was drug dealing, violence, killing, and prostitution, just like in other mafia books, but it wasn't formulaic. Rather, with her own flair, Keri Lake didn't just introduce the reader to this evil world, she immersed the reader, making them feel like they were a part of it, like they were fighting for their own life.
So in answer to my question in my review of Episode #1 "I am not sure where she's taking us on this f*ed up ride, I just know I want a ticket to crazy town."
Lake took us on a hell of a ride.
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
I binge read episodes 2-4 on Saturday. It helped that my family all had plans of their own, so I was home all day, by myself and able to enjoy the brutal, dark, addictive world that Keri Lake invented.
In this episode, we read about the twisty, unexpected happenings of the Chicago underbelly. All the brutality in the first 3 come to a head and explode!! Admittedly, this series was a little difficult for me to read, it certainly took me out of my comfort zone, but Lake has such a way with words and impeccable story-telling abilities, she knows how to take you right to the very edge of the cliff of your own mental destruction, and when to bring you back.
Lake rocked the anti-hero, strong heroine, and mafia storylines.
Ripley was not a guy to like, love or admire, the brutality he showed others was reason enough to not only hate him but fear him. Yet, you somehow learn to like, admire and then eventually love this man. (Albeit, questioning your own sanity in the process.) I think this was because we find a "reason" he is the way he is. And when you are able to place "blame", somehow, you can look beyond the atrocities and see the good.
Dylan had been through hell and still managed to be strong. She never whined, she never gave in, she fought for her survival. I loved that she was smart enough to see her reality and go after what she wanted.
The underworld of Chicago never looked so good bad. What made this story different? I mean, there was drug dealing, violence, killing, and prostitution, just like in other mafia books, but it wasn't formulaic. Rather, with her own flair, Keri Lake didn't just introduce the reader to this evil world, she immersed the reader, making them feel like they were a part of it, like they were fighting for their own life.
So in answer to my question in my review of Episode #1 "I am not sure where she's taking us on this f*ed up ride, I just know I want a ticket to crazy town."
Lake took us on a hell of a ride.
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
❝Somewhere beneath the facility lies the answers, a cure for our suffering. To reach it, we'll have to open the haunting tomb, where man's de
❝Somewhere beneath the facility lies the answers, a cure for our suffering. To reach it, we'll have to open the haunting tomb, where man's deadliest mistakes, lie trapped within its tunnels, waiting to be set free.❞
With this third installment in the Juniper Unraveling series, we are taken back to the hospital in search of Valdys and the cure for the Dredge. Take heed to the warning given at the beginning of this book. Some scenes are brutal. Some so heart-wrenching I sobbed!
S O B B E D!
And while I was so angry, and maybe even cursed Lake a few times, I absolutely loved Kings of Carrion!
As usual, Keri Lake's characters are flawless, and we are gifted not only with Cali, Valdys, Titus and Cadmus, but we also get more Six and Wren.
❝We are broken pieces, stitched together by the pain of our losses ... In a world of monsters, love makes us human.❞
Bonded by horrific circumstances, their love for each other is fierce, and there isn't anything they wouldn't do to protect each other. Kings of Carrion is a heart-wrenching story of love and loss, and of friendships that know no bounds.
Lake is a master at world-building; whether a story about an anti-hero, a thriller, or dystopian, Lake has an unmatched ability to immerse the reader within each scene. We stand at the edge of towers overlooking the world below, we stare at tortured bodies, and we smell the stench burning from hospital stacks. Lake's readers experience the same heartbreak, and heart-wrenching sadness that her characters feel. But we also experience all the feels that come with the strongest, most beautiful unconditional love.
I think I've written this in every review of one of her books, but Keri Lake is by far the most underrated author I know of. I can't wait for the world to discover her.
The Juniper Unraveling series is one of my all-time favorite series! This post-apocalyptic story is angsty, brutal, steamy, violent, haunting, and unsettling, all the while holding a captivating love story.
I was provided a review copy by the author; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
❝Somewhere beneath the facility lies the answers, a cure for our suffering. To reach it, we'll have to open the haunting tomb, where man's deadliest mistakes, lie trapped within its tunnels, waiting to be set free.❞
With this third installment in the Juniper Unraveling series, we are taken back to the hospital in search of Valdys and the cure for the Dredge. Take heed to the warning given at the beginning of this book. Some scenes are brutal. Some so heart-wrenching I sobbed!
S O B B E D!
And while I was so angry, and maybe even cursed Lake a few times, I absolutely loved Kings of Carrion!
As usual, Keri Lake's characters are flawless, and we are gifted not only with Cali, Valdys, Titus and Cadmus, but we also get more Six and Wren.
❝We are broken pieces, stitched together by the pain of our losses ... In a world of monsters, love makes us human.❞
Bonded by horrific circumstances, their love for each other is fierce, and there isn't anything they wouldn't do to protect each other. Kings of Carrion is a heart-wrenching story of love and loss, and of friendships that know no bounds.
Lake is a master at world-building; whether a story about an anti-hero, a thriller, or dystopian, Lake has an unmatched ability to immerse the reader within each scene. We stand at the edge of towers overlooking the world below, we stare at tortured bodies, and we smell the stench burning from hospital stacks. Lake's readers experience the same heartbreak, and heart-wrenching sadness that her characters feel. But we also experience all the feels that come with the strongest, most beautiful unconditional love.
I think I've written this in every review of one of her books, but Keri Lake is by far the most underrated author I know of. I can't wait for the world to discover her.
The Juniper Unraveling series is one of my all-time favorite series! This post-apocalyptic story is angsty, brutal, steamy, violent, haunting, and unsettling, all the while holding a captivating love story.
I was provided a review copy by the author; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
❝Life gave him those scars, but for some strange reason, I suddenly want to be the one who heals them. I want to crawl inside his darkness and illu❝Life gave him those scars, but for some strange reason, I suddenly want to be the one who heals them. I want to crawl inside his darkness and illuminate the parts that have never felt the warmth of the light.❞
WOW! This is one of those books I couldn't stop thinking about since the very first time I heard it was going to be written!! I simply love this world!
When I finished Juniper Unraveling in 2017, I was riding a book high. I named it
my favorite read of 2017.
So when Keri Lake announced a follow-up book -- "Calico Descending", I was both thrilled and terrified. Because OMGEEE a follow-up to this amazing book what could be better? and OMGEEE what if it doesn't measure up? No, really! Would it MEASURE UP?! Let me assure you, Calico Descending surpassed my expectations. It left me in a puddle of tears, feeling broken and shredded. I'm a little freaked out right now that I have to wait for the release of the next book to read how this ends.
❝He is pain and agony wrapped in fire, but his hands and lips are sheer bliss. I won't stand by and let this place destroy him. This is my silent vow, a promise I will keep to myself. No matter the cost, I won't let them hurt Valdys. I can't. He's the flame that burns inside of me, the single spark that ignites my soul.❞
The story smartly unfolds as it flips between past and present. Keri Lake slowly guides you through the incidents of the past to catch you up with the present. We learn about Cali's mother and sister, what happened to them and how they ended up at the "hospital". I think this was so important as it laid the foundation for why and how Cali gained her strength.
❝She is the breath of air, when you're drowning. The warmth on your skin, when the world feels colder. The sun that draws the universe into her embrace.❞
Truth be told, this dystopian world is eerie and unsettling. My heart raced while I caught myself holding my breath, as I waited to find out what happened next.
Cali, Neela, Roz, Valdys, Titus and Cadmus -- Oh, my aching heart. What absolutely stunning characters! They were so cleverly written.
If you're looking for a heart-wrenching, mesmerizing, character-driven dystopian love story, you have got to add Calico Descending and the Juniper Unraveling series to your TBR!
❝But time and love are criminals who spare no one -- not even the most desiring. Time is the thief who comes in the night, silently chipping away at the present. And love is the killer of hearts.❞
I was provided a review copy by Keri Lake; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
❝Life gave him those scars, but for some strange reason, I suddenly want to be the one who heals them. I want to crawl inside his darkness and illuminate the parts that have never felt the warmth of the light.❞
WOW! This is one of those books I couldn't stop thinking about since the very first time I heard it was going to be written!! I simply love this world!
When I finished Juniper Unraveling in 2017, I was riding a book high. I named it
my favorite read of 2017.
So when Keri Lake announced a follow-up book -- "Calico Descending", I was both thrilled and terrified. Because OMGEEE a follow-up to this amazing book what could be better? and OMGEEE what if it doesn't measure up? No, really! Would it MEASURE UP?! Let me assure you, Calico Descending surpassed my expectations. It left me in a puddle of tears, feeling broken and shredded. I'm a little freaked out right now that I have to wait for the release of the next book to read how this ends.
❝He is pain and agony wrapped in fire, but his hands and lips are sheer bliss. I won't stand by and let this place destroy him. This is my silent vow, a promise I will keep to myself. No matter the cost, I won't let them hurt Valdys. I can't. He's the flame that burns inside of me, the single spark that ignites my soul.❞
The story smartly unfolds as it flips between past and present. Keri Lake slowly guides you through the incidents of the past to catch you up with the present. We learn about Cali's mother and sister, what happened to them and how they ended up at the "hospital". I think this was so important as it laid the foundation for why and how Cali gained her strength.
❝She is the breath of air, when you're drowning. The warmth on your skin, when the world feels colder. The sun that draws the universe into her embrace.❞
Truth be told, this dystopian world is eerie and unsettling. My heart raced while I caught myself holding my breath, as I waited to find out what happened next.
Cali, Neela, Roz, Valdys, Titus and Cadmus -- Oh, my aching heart. What absolutely stunning characters! They were so cleverly written.
If you're looking for a heart-wrenching, mesmerizing, character-driven dystopian love story, you have got to add Calico Descending and the Juniper Unraveling series to your TBR!
❝But time and love are criminals who spare no one -- not even the most desiring. Time is the thief who comes in the night, silently chipping away at the present. And love is the killer of hearts.❞
I was provided a review copy by Keri Lake; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
❝Our burdens give weight to everything we do. They shed light on all that we are. And the moment we lose them … we lose everything.❞
From the blurb: “e
❝Our burdens give weight to everything we do. They shed light on all that we are. And the moment we lose them … we lose everything.❞
From the blurb: “evocative story of two people whose paths collide against the backdrop of mystery, murder, and the Great Depression.”
Yes, a mystery, from Amy Harmon, about a serial killer!
The Unknown Beloved depicts historical, real-life events which took place in Cleveland, Ohio during the 1930’s. While creative license was used in order to develop captivating characters, it was clear Harmon did much research into the actual events that served as the foundation of this story.
While the brutal murders were the foundation of the story, the beautiful relationship between Dani and Michael serviced as pillars for the story. They both cared about the ‘unknowns’, the ones that people ignore, don’t help, don’t give a second thought to; the victims, the helpless, the powerless. These two fit perfectly together, and I’m not ready to have their story end.
The Unknown Beloved was unlike anything I’ve ever read from Harmon. When I finished reading it, my head was spinning and I sat, shocked that she wrote this story! Now before your feathers get ruffled, know that this isn’t a criticism of her abilities, but admiration for her abilities as a story-teller, and I cannot praise this book enough, it was brilliant!
The Unknown Beloved was a work of historical fiction based on true life events that was magical, poetic, suspenseful, romantic, and absolutely fantastic!
**I was provided a review copy by Amy Harmon. This did not influence my opinion of the book nor my review.** ...more
"Ten years of teasing and flirting—yes, that’s what it had been, she could admit it now—had always been coming to this. This bonfire."
W
"Ten years of teasing and flirting—yes, that’s what it had been, she could admit it now—had always been coming to this. This bonfire."
We begin the Ruthless Rivals series with an enemies-to-lovers story. Maddie Montgomery's family had been feuding with Gryffud Davies' family for so long no one remembered what they were fighting about; was it a pig, a woman? Ten miles separated the two estates, but it was the strip of land between the two where
"Every year, on the day of the spring equinox, one representative from each family had to present themselves on the dividing bridge and shake hands in a gesture of goodwill."
If either family failed to send a representative, then the other family would receive full ownership of that strip of land.
This year, Madeline and Griff were sent to represent their clans. The two had known and been taught to hate each other their whole lives. Of course, neither let their families down and were present to shake the other's hand. After some contentious encounters, the two found themselves discovering gold, smugglers, and danger. Fighting for their lives and their families force them to work together, and togetherness brings sparks.
"This was no slow stoking of fire. This was an immediate conflagration: heat and desperate urgency"
Every book from this author feels like an adventure. Whether promenading, exploring, fighting, or escaping, her characters are always on a quest. Along with great banter, a sexy rogue, and a feisty heroine, you can guarantee there will always be a slow-burn romance and some steamy scenes.
'While We Were Dating' is a cute, fun, and sexy story.
Anna is an actress whose star is about to rise. Her career is incredibly important to her. She 'While We Were Dating' is a cute, fun, and sexy story.
Anna is an actress whose star is about to rise. Her career is incredibly important to her. She yearns to be recognized as the talent she knows she is. But will earning that Oscar fill the void she has inside?
Ben is in advertising and yearns to be acknowledged for the talent he has and climb the ladder of success. One-night stands no longer fill the void he has inside but is a relationship with an actress the answer?
Their two worlds collide when Anna is the actress in the ad campaign Ben is working on. Their relationship simmers when Anna's manager suggests a 'fake relationship' to the hunk of a man, Ben Stephens will help boost her image and get her in the news. Anna and Ben strike a deal; a couple of dates, a few photos, and a very public breakup.
What ensues is an entertaining and sexy story with characters you can't help but enjoy!
I was provided a review copy, this did not influence my opinion of the book.
The transformed bad boy falls in love with the plant lady.
❝Reality was never just the picture of events. It was the smells and the sounds
The transformed bad boy falls in love with the plant lady.
❝Reality was never just the picture of events. It was the smells and the sounds and a hundred other small details no one else would ever understand because they hadn’t been there, standing among the ashes as your world burned down.❞
Police Chief Travis Hale had not always been a respectable person. He’d done terrible things to so many people in his life that his misdeeds would fill pages and pages. Maturity, feeling loved by his brother and sister-in-law, along with feeling accepted by the town helped shape him into a more responsible, caring human.
Haven and her brother Easton had been on the move for several years. Traveling from one small town to the next, staying just long enough to get a job and save enough money to move on. They didn’t plant roots, didn’t develop long lasting relationships and had no plans on staying in any location permanently.
When Travis's apartment is damaged and he's forced to find temporary housing, he heads to The Yellow Trellis Inn. The Inn is filled with colorful characters who made living there fun. There was Batty Betty - the owner, Cricket - who learned to make her homemade hooch while she was in prison, Clarice the fortune teller, the absolutely adorable blind birdwatcher Burt and Clawdia, the cat, along with the plant lady Haven Torres and her bad-boy ladies man of a brother Easton.
While I enjoyed the romance between Travis and Haven, my favorite part of the story was the characters at the Inn. They were charming and heartwarming. I'd love to explore each of their stories.
Because this is Pelion #1 - I hope that means we will get ladies man and fire fighter - Easton’s book, along with books for the adorable Connor, Charlie and Averie Hale!
Avery and Declan have been best friends for years. Now an adult, not only does he handle the finances for theThis was a cute friends-to-lovers story.
Avery and Declan have been best friends for years. Now an adult, not only does he handle the finances for the business that she runs with her two sisters, but he is also Avery’s roommate. When Avery gets seriously injured in a car accident, Declan feels horrible and guilty that he wasn’t there for his friend when she needed him. Trying to make up for his mistake, Declan takes "caregiver" to a whole new level.
Even though I didn’t get the same feels that I usually get from a Hunting book, overall, I enjoyed their story.
I was provided a review copy, this did not influence my opinion of the book.
Layla is a recently divorced music teacher at the elementary school where Josh's kindergartener attends. Josh, who is going through a divorc2.5 - 3 ⭐️
Layla is a recently divorced music teacher at the elementary school where Josh's kindergartener attends. Josh, who is going through a divorce himself, is trying to navigate life as a single parent and the new world of independence. With a past and present storyline, the author slowly explained why their marriages ended. During this time, the two start a friendship based upon commonalities. As things heated up and the friends turn into lovers, Layla decided to put their relationship with each other on hold until Josh's divorce was final.
Once Layla and Josh took a break, the story focused on the present and took on a new direction as it began exploring what Layla truly loved and what made her happy. We saw her flourish and come into her own after a terrible marriage and even more awful divorce. She began to accept responsibility for her role in her life and placed less blame on her ex.
At this point, Josh's storyline stopped in order to focus on Layla. We didn't get to watch him discovering who he was, what he liked, and who he wanted to be. Which I think would have lent so much to the story, especially since he was married when he graduated high school and was married for 20 years. There's a lot for him to unpack there, and we didn't get to witness that. This was especially noticeable because the present and past were about both Layla and Josh. Also, because they put their relationship on hold with one another until his divorce was final, I needed Josh's POV of what happened during that time. While I understand the author's intent with the ending of the book; and can appreciate the author taking the story in a different direction than my *non-authoring* experience wished for, by not exploring more of Josh's present, I feel the reader missed out.
Despite the slow-burn buildup between Josh and Layla, this is more a story about coming into your own than it is a romance. While this book may have missed the mark for me, Tracey Garvis Graves is one of my favorite authors, and I've read and enjoyed all of her books.
I was provided a review copy by the publisher; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
"In this charming, sexy romance, a bookish beauty needs a fake boyfriend and finds a handsome cowboy who is just the man for the job."
Librarian Alice"In this charming, sexy romance, a bookish beauty needs a fake boyfriend and finds a handsome cowboy who is just the man for the job."
Librarian Alice needs a plus one for a wedding. Rancher Josh needs someone to help him with his dyslexia because he is taking over as foreman for the ranch. The two pretend to be a couple with the deal they will 'break up' after the wedding. Alice and Josh know each other well; she used to babysit him when they were younger. So what could go wrong with friends helping out friends?
"Beau swallowed. Apparently, he was still having conflicting and inappropriate thoughts about the babysitter."
I need books to come with a POV tag because I obviously need to stop reading 3rd POV books. They rarely work for me. However, there were moments of promise hidden in the book where I was blind to the POV, and the dialogue was great!
"And where's Ford?" Beau asked Clare. "Babysitting?" "Not that I know of," Claire said. "He's supposed to be at home with Rosa." "So…he's babysitting." "No. Babysitting is something people do for other people's kids, and they get paid for it. Ford is at home being a parent."
As for the characters, I liked Bryce's character more than Alice's. Her character seemed stilted, where his flowed. CARMEN was the bomb. She was awesome, and her friendship with Alice was smile-inducing. I would love to read her book!
Overall, I enjoyed the story, characters, and dialogue!
I was provided a review copy by the publisher; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
“Ghisla?” “Yes” “Promise me you will not give up.” “I will not give up today.”
Life got in the way of my finishing this book, with its ups and
“Ghisla?” “Yes” “Promise me you will not give up.” “I will not give up today.”
Life got in the way of my finishing this book, with its ups and downs, and twists and turns. But this morning, I dedicated some quiet time to sipping coffee and finishing this remarkable and memorable story.
“Where is home?” “Home is where you are.”
The second book in The Chronicles of Saylock series, 'The Second Blind Son', runs parallel with 'The First Girl Child', so reading that first is highly recommended. We see Saylock is still under the curse with no girl children having been born in the last 12 years, and Banruud still ruling as King. But in this book, we follow Ghisla, a songr of Tonlis, and Hod, a blind boy named after a blind god. He nursed her back to health after her washing up on the shores by the cave in which he lived. They learned from each other, became friends and confidants. He taught her about Saylock, the Keepers, and the runes, and she sang to him, allowing him to see the world through her eyes.
I have loved this series. 'The Second Blind Son' had everything I loved about the first book, 'The First Girl Child', and more. Amy Harmon’s writing is always stellar. The few intimate scenes are erotic in their simplicity and dance. Her characters are always fleshed out, and her storylines ebb and flow, simmer and build into breathtaking works of fiction.
“You have destroyed me.” “If I have destroyed you, you…have…obliterated…me.”
I was provided a review copy, this did not influence my opinion of the book.
'Marriage and Murder' promises two things; there will be a marriage and there will be a murder, but it delivered so much more.
"Our love story mi
'Marriage and Murder' promises two things; there will be a marriage and there will be a murder, but it delivered so much more.
"Our love story might've been a little mixed up. Some folks might even call it weird. I'd threatened and blackmailed him. We'd become friends. We'd fallen in love."
"I was so glad I'd stayed away from the normals, because I wouldn't have traded being weird with Cletus for being normal with absolutely anyone else."
My first thoughts were that this book was **STEAMY** and it is. At first glance, it was easy to question why the steam was needed: Was it gratuitous? Was is it too much? But as with most superficial judgements, I was wrong. I get it now. It isn't just **steam**. It is Jenn coming into her own, finally accepting her sexuality. She was raised to repress those feelings and desires and taught that they were wrong. One can't have those and be a good girl. So now, in a committed relationship, where she once struggled with the ideas of sex, she's flourishing. She no longer sees sex as an act, but as part of her fully functioning, healthy relationship with Cletus. As the story unfolds, and with the help of her friends, she learns these desires and feelings are normal and healthy, but more so that she is normal, healthy and perfect the way she is.
I loved this version of Cletus in this story. Of course he was broody, domineering and sneaky but Cletus was also sexy, protective and incredibly loving.
Y'all, the coming together of Jethro and Cletus was incredible! Their touching conversation added so much heart and character to this story and their relationship. The revelations revealed shined light onto why Jethro was the man he was, and why he is who he is now. It was like reading a story within a story. I think I cried a few times while reading it.
Also ... I need and am so excited for Jackson James's story.
"I want somebody to look at me like Jenn looks at you, how Ash looks at Drew."
"Jackson, you do realize that in order for somebody to look at you that way, you have to be with the same woman more than once?"
But also ... will mamma finally get her HEA?? (psst. Penny, asking for a friend)
'Marriage and Murder' is the story telling from Penny Reid I fell in love with; great banter, great laughs, great emotional pull. Just GREAT! It elicited all the gooey delicious feelings! All of them.
**SIGH** I’m not really sure how to rate or review this book. It definitely wasn’t what I’d hoped for or expected. And maybe that’s the problem, I set**SIGH** I’m not really sure how to rate or review this book. It definitely wasn’t what I’d hoped for or expected. And maybe that’s the problem, I set myself up for disappointment.
I find that 3rd person POV is difficult for me to enjoy. While reading, I tend to feel like the story is being told to me as opposed to being shared with me. Tommy did this, Sarah said that... doesn’t engage me. There were moments in the story where I was drawn in, but this was a long book, so those moments felt few and far between. What didn’t help were the multiple side stories that not only caused confusion, but took up too much real estate along with the main character’s exercise videos. To make matters worse, one moment we are reading about Adrian and the next paragraph we are reading about the killer. The lack of transition created confusion and frustration. I also felt the romance came on without warning. With little to no build, the romance felt forced and almost thrown in for good measure.
I know this review sounds harsh and that isn’t my intent. I didn’t hate this book, but I didn’t love it either. There are many 4 and 5 star reviews out there so read those, too. This is the first book I’ve read from this author that missed the mark for me. I take heart knowing there are many more that I did love.
I was provided a review copy by the publisher; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
Totally Folked is a swoony slow-burn second chance romance with a heart-tugging story and charming and funny characters you can't help but lov
Totally Folked is a swoony slow-burn second chance romance with a heart-tugging story and charming and funny characters you can't help but love.
❝What is something real you want, maybe even something selfish just for you?❞
To an outsider, mega movie star Raquel lived a dream life. She had a team of people who took care of her every need, from dressing her in stylish clothes to taking care of her skin and hair. She had a chef who prepared her meals and someone to direct her daily workouts. She had a PA to handle her appointments and tell her when and where to be. But what she didn't have, and what outsiders couldn't see,
❝Privacy. Freedom. Anonymity. But more than that, I wanted a real friend.❞
Deputy Jackson James had a reputation for being a ladies man. He knew that if he wanted to be the Sheriff after his father retired, he needed to clean up his reputation and settle down. So, Jackson set forth trying to be a better man, one who was reliable and trustworthy. He wanted to be someone the town and county took seriously, so he drew lines in the sand of things he would and would not do. He was done with temporary relationships and one-night stands. He wanted,
needed
something real.
❝Because what is the value of a man who doesn't keep his promises to himself?❞
Jackson James and Raquel Ezra have pined over each other for the last five years after sharing an unforgettably explosive and somewhat platonic night. Raquel is finally back in Green Valley for a much needed break from Hollywood. Neither wish to impose on the other, both wish to take liberties with the other, but with Raquel's life in LA and Jackson's life in Green valley, is admitting the obvious too much of a risk?
Reid masterfully played with my emotions, she had me both crying and laughing. The cadence of the story was perfectly timed and the characters tuned to perfection.
❛The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba❜ is a provocative mixture of passion, intrigue, and controversy.
❝Viva Cuba Libre,❞ I whisper to him, the cry for a f
❛The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba❜ is a provocative mixture of passion, intrigue, and controversy.
❝Viva Cuba Libre,❞ I whisper to him, the cry for a free Cuba forever in my heart. ❝Viva Cuba Libre,❞ he echoes fiercely.
There have been times in my life as a book reviewer where I don't feel worthy reviewing a book, where I felt my words weren't eloquent enough to adequately and thoroughly describe the story, the emotions I experienced, and the enjoyment I felt for the book I just read. And never before has this feeling of inadequacy been more true than after having read ❛The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba❜.
❛The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba❜ is realist fiction. It is a retelling of the real-life Evangelina Cisneros, who was proclaimed The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba in the late 1890's and who became the face for the Cuban Revolution from Spanish control. Her story was largely exaggerated by US newspapers, as the two biggest, The New York Journal and The New York World, fought for control of the Newspaper market. William Randolph Hearst vs. Joseph Pulitzer. A fight that brought about yellow journalism with the hopes of appealing to the mass market during the Gilded Age, a time of economic boom for the rich, and unhealthy and dangerous working conditions for the poor.
❝I am surrounded by forgotten women.❞
This story could have easily been only about Evangelina, and it would have still been beautiful. But Chanel Cleeton didn't give us easy. Instead, she mingled Evangelina's story with two other women, Grace Harrington and Marina Perez. All three were strong-willed and courageous women who were full of righteous indignation over what was happening in Cuba. They used their anger to fuel themselves into action.
❝I might have been born a lady, but we are made in times of war.❞
Cleeton has set the bar with this series. She has cemented her position among the best, and I will drop any and everything to read what she writes.
A gripping tale of love, loss, and the spirit to fight for what you believe, ❛The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba❜ was a powerful, all-consuming read. Phenomenal!
❛The Bow Street Bastard and the fairy-tale princess fell in love.❜
❝I'm still waiting to find that gorgeous someone who irritates me enough to
❛The Bow Street Bastard and the fairy-tale princess fell in love.❜
❝I'm still waiting to find that gorgeous someone who irritates me enough to want to strangle her. Until then, I plan to enjoy my bachelor status to the hilt.❞
Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, is tasked with figuring out who is responsible for the recent string of murders and discover the link (if any) to a missing Russian princess.
❝I don’t bed virgins. Ever. I bed wenches. Actresses. Widows. Tarts.❞
While he's not new to the charms of women (he visits the brothel to get his 'needs' met), Sebastian doesn't believe in love. But a passionate encounter with a stranger who runs away has him chasing a future he never considered.
Russian Princess Anastasia Denisova is on a mission to stay undercover so as to not bring harm to her door. She's living an unassuming life as the assistant to Dowager Duchess of Winwick and tutor in the brothel next door to her home. Getting involved with anyone is risky, but the alluring Earl of Mowbray has her questioning if the risk is worth it.
This story is filled with passion, tension, teasing, and exploring.
❝She circled him and he regarded her warily, like a wolf trapped in a snare, unsure whether she meant to free him or dispatch him.❞
❛Princess and the Rogue❜ was a passionate slow burn romance with off the charts sexual tension.
I was provided a review copy by the publisher; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
Blair Calloway comes from a family of wealthy restauranteurs
“I’m just a cupcake, looking for my stud muffin.”
What a great, original story!
Blair Calloway comes from a family of wealthy restauranteurs who insist that once she’s over her little fascination with cupcakes, she join the family business. They are pretty ruthless in their approach (or reproach as the case may be) and although they have the financial means to help, Blair would rather struggle to make it on her own than have their interference (which would surely come with the money). She may be retro in her fashion and decorating sense, but fierce independence and will to succeed hide beneath her 50’s housewife exterior.
“What is this?” I snap! Axe man’s full lips pull up into a grin. “It’s called a bar, and judging from the look of it, I think you fell down the wrong rabbit hole, Alice. Wonderland isn’t here.”
Ronan Knight, AKA Hot Lumberjack, comes from the finance world. While the income was good, he wasn’t particularly fulfilled. He dreamed of opening his own brewery one day. When his grandmother dies leaving his grandfather to run their family bar, Knight Cap, Ronan jumps in without hesitation to bring the struggling bar back to life. This is his legacy. It’s been in his family for 3 generations. He isn’t going to let it or his grandpa down.
Blair needs her Buttercream and Booze to succeed to not only prove her idea was good but to prove to her family that she’s capable and perfect the way she is. And Ronan needs Knight Cap to succeed so he can revitalize the family business, and prove he is capable of starting his own brewery. When YouTube extraordinaire Tori, sets out to find the best bar in the Pacific Northwest, the two neighbors are in it to win it.
These charming characters start out like fire and ice, which makes for some hysterical banter and serious sexual tension, and what ensues are hilarious and touching moments that will surely keep you entertained!
This is a top favorite of this author. It was a joy to read, the perfect book to take on vacation with you and read while sunning on the beach.
I was provided a review copy by the publisher; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
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