Under the MoonLight Book Blog: Author J

April 16, 2019 No comments

The Savior

by J. R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood (#17)

Published by: Gallery Books

April 2nd, 2019

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4.5 Stars

In the venerable history of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, only one male has ever been expelled—but Murhder’s insanity gave the Brothers no choice. Haunted by visions of a female he could not save, he nonetheless returns to Caldwell on a mission to right the wrong that ruined him. However, he is not prepared for what he must face in his quest for redemption.

Dr. Sarah Watkins, researcher at a biomedical firm, is struggling with the loss of her fellow scientist fiancé. When the FBI starts asking about his death, she questions what really happened and soon learns the terrible truth: Her firm is conducting inhumane experiments in secret and the man she thought she knew and loved was involved in the torture.

As Murhder and Sarah’s destinies become irrevocably entwined, desire ignites between them. But can they forge a future that spans the divide separating the two species? And as a new foe emerges in the war against the vampires, will Murhder return to his Brothers... or resume his lonely existence forevermore?

Reading this book took me back to the beginning of this series where the story was more about the couple than the world building and politics. I fell in love with Murhder and Sarah even when we don't get a lot into the back story of him or get to know her before this book.

We first see Murhder on Lover Mine; John Mathew and Xhex story; and we learn that he's gone mad after trying to rescue Xhex from the sympaths colony. There is not much else mention about him but there are some glimpses of him on one of the side stories from Lover Mine that makes you curious about him and his story.

Sarah lost her fiance about a year back and the FBI shows up on her house asking some questions that make her think twice into how he died and what he was working on. This leads her to discover some things that make her question everything they had and who she works for.

From the moment I picked this book up I was hooked and couldn't wait to see how these two were going to meet and how they were going to be accepted together in this world on vampires. I have to say that this book was a nice change from all this fighting and the constant angst in this series. That is not to say I don't love the other books.

The JM and Xhex side of the story had me hooked too as this is one of my favorite couples and you don't see a lot of them throughout the series. I also loved that scene at the end (who's that woman?) and the revelation #whosyourdaddy.

I can't wait for the next book in the series and see what else is in store for this band of warriors.

April 15, 2019 No comments

Melt For You

by J. T. Geissinger

Series: Slow Burn (#2)

Published by: Montlake Romance

May 15th, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Paperback

Source: Book Box Subscription

Rating: 4.5 Stars

A wallflower gets seduction tips from a playboy athlete—until love changes the rules.

Socially awkward Joellen Bixby has a date every Saturday—with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and fantasies of the way-too-handsome Michael Maddox. She’d give anything to win over the unattainable CEO of her firm, but how can she when she blends in so well with her cubicle? The answer may be closer than she thinks.

Cameron McGregor is a cocky, tattooed Scottish rugby captain who just moved in next door. He’s not Jo’s type—at all—but the notorious playboy is offering to teach the wallflower everything he knows about inspiring desire. Though a lot of women have rumpled Cam’s kilt, Jo is special. Far from the ugly duckling she thinks she is, in Cam’s eyes she’s sharp, funny, and effortlessly sexy. Now, thanks to him, Jo is blooming with confidence and has the man of her dreams within reach.

Unfortunately for Cam, he’s just helped to push the woman of his dreams into the arms of another man—and now he’s in the fight of his life to keep this beauty from getting away.

I got this book from a subscription box called Romance Reveal Book Box. The first thing that called to me about this book was the cover, but I have to confess that it would not have been a book that I would have picked by myself.

That been said, I am very glad that it came in the subscription box because I really enjoyed it.

So we have Jollene Bixby, an IT kind of girl for her company, who has been in love with her boss for 10 years. She is a plus-size woman that doesn't think she has a chance in capturing the attention of her boss.

Enter Cameron McGregor a Scottish rugby player who is in the States lying low. Cam is staying at his cousin's apartment which is across the hall from Jollene. He makes her life impossible and at the same time much more lively. He also convinces her to let him "help" her to get her boss.

I loved this book from beginning to end. It was funny, sweet, and had you at the edge of your seat just wanting to know what other problems this couple could get into.

I really enjoyed J. T. Geissinger's writing style. I will definitely be picking up the other books on this series and I recommend that you do too.

January 31, 2019 No comments

Up In Flames

by Jennifer Blackwood

Series: Flirting With Fire (#2)

Published by: Montlake Romance

October 9th, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: eBook/Audiobook

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: 3 Stars

Sloane Garcia has butted heads with Reece Jenkins ever since he was a colossal jerk of epic proportions on a night she’d rather forget. So what if he’s overconfident, ultramasculine, and hard muscled? When she finds out he’s on the auction block at the annual firefighter’s charity event, she decides to give this cocky firefighter a dose of his own medicine. Now that she’s won the hunk, he’s on call—to do whatever Sloane wants.

Sure, Reece and Sloane had a rocky start, but he had his reasons. None of that matters now that he’s the bachelor at her beck and call, tasked with granting her four wishes in four weeks. He runs into burning buildings for a living, but nothing will be as tough as dousing the flames Sloane ignites in him. What started out as just a game might end up with Reece losing the one thing he swore he’d never give up: his heart.

This book is about Sloane; who is the best friend of Erin, the heroine from the first book; and Reece; who is Erin's brother and Jake's best friend, Jake being the hero of the fist book.

This is an enemies to lovers story. Something happened a year ago that made Sloane hate Reece.

In this book the firefighter captain has it against Reese for whatever reason, I really don't remember anything about this from the first book, and so the captain makes Reece participate in the four for four charity auction.

The person who pays the money for this firefighters have four weeks to make them do four tasks of their choice. Once Sloan sees Reece up for auction she thinks it is the best way to get revenge.

As much as I love the first book I thought I was going to love this one too and I did like it but I didn't love it as much as I did the first one. I love the banter between Sloane and Reece and some of the tasks that Sloane thought to have Reece do where hilarious.

What I found lacking was the deeper connection that the characters of the first book had. This book was more of a quick light read. This does not mean that I am going to quit reading this series. I'm looking forward for the next book.

January 01, 2019 No comments

Brave New Earl

by Jane Ashford

Series: The Way to a Lord's Heart (#1)

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca

August 7th, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher (via NetGalley)

Rating: 3 Stars

An Earl mired in melancholy is no match for a determined woman...

Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.

Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She doted on Benjamin's late Countess, and can't bear it when she hears rumors that the Earl is too bereaved to care for his young son. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.

Jean's sudden eruption into the Earl's household simultaneously infuriates and invigorates him. She may be the only person who can breathe life into his neglected home―and his aching heart...

Disclaimer:

This copy was provided by the publisher via Hidden Gems Books for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.

I was in a reading slump recently and that might be influencing my review but I found the beginning of this book rather on the slow side.

Lord Furness lost his wife in childbirth and has been mourning since then not caring for the state of his household or that of his son. Miss Saunders hears rumors from a reliable source that he is neglecting his son and she rushes to take the child away from his father and onto the child's grandparents.

From there is a series of everyday social situations that are charming and cute and you just want to know what is behind the characters motivations.

The second half of the book (when I got out of my slump) was all that I could have asked for. We get deeper into the lives of Lord Marklin (Lord Furness uncle), Lord Furness, Jean, and even Tom (Lord Furness son's unofficial caretaker).

I loved Geoffrey, he seemed like a very intelligent child and sometimes you forget that he is only four or five years old. And his antics! I was laughing my ass off.

I will be trying her next book on this series to see if it was just me or the actual book that was the problem since I am curious about Lord Macklin and all the other lords on that dinner.

September 28, 2018 No comments

Sacrificed to the Dragon

by Jessie Donovan

Series: Stonefire Dragons (#1)

Published by: Mythical Lake Press

September 22nd, 2014

Genre: Paranormal

Format: ePub

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

In exchange for a vial of dragon’s blood to save her brother’s life, Melanie Hall offers herself up as a sacrifice to one of the British dragon-shifter clans. Being a sacrifice means signing a contract to live with the dragon-shifters for six months to try to conceive a child. Her assigned dragonman, however, is anything but easy.

He’s tall, broody, and alpha to the core. There’s only one problem—he hates humans.

Due to human dragon hunters killing his mother, Tristan MacLeod despises humans. Unfortunately, his clan is in desperate need of offspring to repopulate their numbers and it’s his turn to service a human female. Despite his plans to have sex with her and walk away, his inner dragon has other ideas. The curvy human female tempts his inner beast like no other.

This story is a very old release as you can see of the date of publishing. If you are like me and went straight to the action (the review) so you now know it's from 2014. And you may say -Wow, its 4 years ago- however this title came from the list, yes that list all of us have an never use. As painful its sounds is the truth. So I gave it a chance. I love dragons stories!

Regarding the heroine of the story, she cares very much about her family, she got this situation because she wanted to save the life of her brother. So you can see what I mean that she cares about her family. However, in this story, everything passes too fast.

About Tristan, he hated humans, because of a tragic event of his past. However, he went from hating humans to loving them in like 2 seconds into the story. See when I say everything happens too fast. Also he care about his sister and his pack. He can make your hormones work out! I am drooling for this sexy, hot dragon. Mmmm...

Besides what I said it was a very good story to read. I definitely recommend to read it, if you're looking for something fast and a long series. When I said long series is because apparently there are like 10 books, Dear Lord. I am currently reading the second book of it, and I like it too. So, what is the moral here, yes there is a moral here, don’t wait too long your list so you can get up to date with books.

September 19, 2018 No comments

Wrong

by Jana Aston

Published by: Rutherford Press

October 7, 2015

Genre: Erotic Romance

Format: epub

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 stars

I have a history of picking the wrong guy. Gay? Player? Momma’s boy? Check, check and check.

Now I can’t stop fantasizing about one of the customers at the coffee shop I work at between classes. It’s just a harmless crush, right? It’s not like I ever see this guy outside of the coffee shop. It’s not like I’m going to see him while attempting to get birth control at the student clinic. While wearing a paper gown. While sitting on an exam table. Because he’s the doctor. Shoot. Me.

But what if, for once, the man I’ve had the dirtiest, most scandalous fantasies about turned out to be everything but wrong?

This book is that kind of book that is short but juicy. I've never read this author. This book came from a friend recommendation, so I trusted her with my life *Now I am being dramatic* I was totally bored with everything (I know you guys have been here too, where you have a list of books to read-on my case like 500-but nothing sounds good to read) so my friend said "you should read this story" and I am so happy I listened to her (this doesn't happen often, my mom will be so jealous). Sometimes you just need something like this to just clear out your mind from those series which are never-ending.

This story is a total cliche, you know the guy with a great career, rich and conflicted family, but with a touch of originality from the author.

The heroine I liked, however, like every cliche story on some parts of the story I just wanted to kill her with my bare hands *But suppose to happen as part of cliches* The hero, on the other hand, I melted for and made me laugh with his ironies, especially when they meet, even her knowing what he really does, makes me laugh so much and I felt embarrassed for this two.

There were parts where I felt like I was reading Cristian from 50 Shades of Grey again and I didn't like it (but Jana I will let it pass this time, just because I really like it)

The end left me wanting more and my heart bleeding. I really liked the epilogue. Somehow this author changed a little bit of the cliches and made him fall first for the heroine (finally). I am so ready to read the sequel of this story which is going to be the friend (this girl made me laugh like a hyena)

Jokes apart, I loved how extrovert she was and the full-time stalker. So, final thought, I do recommend this story because its short and I had a good time with this one.

July 03, 2018 No comments

Built to Last

by Julie Ann Walker

Series: Black Knights Inc. (#12)

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca

June 26th, 2018

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher (Netgalley)

Rating: 4 Stars

Masterful, mysterious, and completely ruthless, Jamin “Angel” Agassi joined the Black Knights Inc. after a mission-gone-wrong forced him to undergo extensive plastic surgery and change his name. He's going to bring down the world's worst crime syndicate, and hopefully keep Sonya Butler, a love from his past, from discovering who he really is...

When a dark-eyed stranger gets caught up in Sonya’s latest mission, she starts to question all her hard-won instincts. Something about Angel tells her he's more than he seems, and sometimes, when she least expects it, he reminds her of a man she used to know. As the bullets fly, she realizes that in love and war nothing is ever what it seems...

Disclaimer:

This copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.

For me, this book had a slow start but after that, I got into it and I really liked how Julie Ann Walker went about finishing this series.

Since Jamin "Angel" Agassi came into the BKI picture a couple of books ago he has been aloof, mysterious and a bit cold at times. This more than anything made me want to read his story and want to learn what made him tick.

From the moment this book starts we see his facade start to crumble and that rigid self-discipline starts to fail and all because of the woman he once loved who now works as the personal assistant of the very man Angel and the BKI crew are looking to bring down. Sentence by sentence we learn more and more about Angel's past and chapter by chapter I fell in love with who he is under all that restraint.

I know I put to much pressure into this book since the hero was a mystery and also because it's the end of BKI and I was a bit disappointed in it but I still liked how it turned out. I especially liked Ace and Rusty's side story.

I have to say I was surprised by that ending. I hope we get more of this characters even if it's just a glimpse here and there if Julie Ann decides to expand on that. It is with a sad and heavy heart that I say goodbye to the BKI crew and say you will all be missed.

June 27, 2018 No comments

June 18, 2018 No comments

The Start of Something Good

by Jennifer Probst

Series: Stay (#1)

Published by: Montlake Romance

June 5th, 2018

Format: eARC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: Publisher (NetGalley)

Rating: 4 Stars

When Ethan Bishop returns to the Hudson Valley, his body and spirit are a little worse for wear. As a former Special Forces paratrooper, he saw his fair share of conflict, and he came home with wounds, inside and out. At his sisters’ B & B and farm, he can keep all his pain at a safe distance. But quiet time isn’t easy when a fiery woman explodes into his life…

It’s business—not pleasure—that brings Manhattan PR agent Mia Thrush reluctantly to the farm. Tightly wound and quick tempered, Mia clashes immediately with the brooding Ethan. Everything about him is irritating—from his lean muscles and piercing blue eyes to his scent of sweat and musk.

But as the summer unfolds and temperatures rise, Ethan and Mia discover how much they have in common: their guarded histories, an uncontrollable desire, and a passion for the future that could heal two broken hearts. But will their pasts threaten their fragile chance at a brand-new future?

Disclaimer:

This copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.

I loved this book. From the get-go this story had me captivated. I needed to know what was Ethan's story and I needed to know how a city girl that dresses only in designer cloth was going to deal with the fact that she was on a farm.

From the moment Ethan and Mia meet is one disaster after another but you also see a connection there too. You see how hard Ethan is trying to forget the past and help his sisters (while at the same time feeling guilty for going after his dreams and letting his sisters deal with the farm and B & B after their mother's death).

I liked the "antagonist" of the story (Chloe's situation) and how it makes this book feel relatable. Even when it was fictional, there are many teens that find themselves in situations just like Chloe's and they think the same; that nobody can help them and that if they try and get the help they need no one is going to understand them, or if they do understand, that things are going to get worse than they are.

I also loved Hei Hei and the old crazy people staying on the B & B with Mia and Chloe. Those characters gave us some light fun moments in the sometimes heavy, most times hot, situations. I think this book is perfect and I can't wait to read more of Probst books.

June 09, 2018 No comments

Burning Up

by Jennifer Blackwood

Series: Flirting With Fire (#1)

Published by: Montlake Romance

May 8th, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher (NetGalley)

Rating: 4 Stars

Unemployed schoolteacher Erin Jenkins is back in Portland, the town she hasn’t called home for more than a decade. It’s not the way she wants to spend her last days of summer: in between jobs and avoiding her mother’s snooping by escaping to the ice-cream aisle. But when the opportunity arises for her to accompany her brother’s best friend—her lifetime crush—to a wedding, summer gets a whole lot more interesting.

Firefighter and single dad Jake Bennett has built a nice, safe wall around his heart—no romance, no getting burned. That doesn’t mean he’s ruling out a fling. Considering Erin’s visit is temporary, they’re the perfect fit for a scorching no-strings one-night stand. Or two. Or five. Until the worst thing happens: Erin and Jake are feeling more. Damn that four-letter word.

Now their hearts are on the line, and when their smoldering summer comes to a close, it’s going to be harder than ever to put out the fire.

Disclaimer:

This copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.

I've read just a few books where one of the main characters is a firefighter and I have to say that it is slowly becoming one of my favorite occupations for characters to have. This story to me is kind of like a friends to lovers mixed in with a second chances romance.

We have Erin, who is home for the summer to help with her mom after a surgery and who is looking for work back in California. She "ran away" ten years ago and her family and friends are plotting to make her want to stay in Portland.

Enter Jake, a single father of a 12-year-old. He has been burned one too many times and he is not willing to risk again having his daughter get attached to a woman that will eventually leave. When he and Erin meet again it is awkward and funny and from then on you get a story packed with funny, sexy and heartbreaking moments.

I really liked this book. It was heartwarming to see Jake put his daughter above all and very emotional to see him suffer so much when getting calls involving children and him thinking (or trying not to) that said child could very well be his princess.

There are some other characters that got my attention and I cannot wait to read their books, especially Erin's brother and one of her best friends. I do hope they are the next book.

May 07, 2018 No comments

The Lost Duke of Wyndham

by Julia Quinn

Series: The Two Dukes of Wyndham (#1)

Published by: Avon Books

May 27th, 2008

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Mass-Market Paperback

Source: Gift from Friend

Rating: 5 Stars

Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.

Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine... until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have...

For the past five years, Grace has been the companion to the dower dutchess of Wyndham and she is apparently the only one that can deal with the old lady and not run for the hills. When coming back from a ball they are stopped by highwaymen to be robbed and the old dutchess starts acting a bit crazy since one of the men looks like her dead son (or at least what she can see of him since he's wearing a half mask).

Jack is a carefree man that has many secrets but always has a smile on his face no matter the problems he faces. He is charming and a rogue and he wastes no time in trying to seduce Grace at every turn.

I love Grace and Jack. Both of them have tragedy in their pasts that puts them in the circumstances they find their selves in but at the same time they have a childhood full of love and caring family. Jack is a terrible flirt and I like that he has a warped sense of humor.

From beginning to end this book is a fun, enchanting read that left me glued to the pages even when the ending was so glaringly obvious. I can't wait to read Thoma's book since there where a couple of scenes I'm curious about that I hope are told in his book (since both books are kind of on the same timeline).

April 22, 2018 No comments

The Thief

by J. R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood (#16)

Published by: Ballantine Books

April 10th, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

Sola Morte, former cat burglar and safecracker, has given up her old life on the wrong side of the law. On the run from a drug lord's family, she is lying low far from Caldwell, keeping her nose clean and her beloved grandmother safe. Her heart, though, is back up north, with the only man who has ever gotten through her defenses: Assail, son of Assail, who never meant to fall in love--and certainly not with a human woman. But they have no future, and not just because she doesn't know he is a vampire, but because he is not about to stop dealing arms to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Fate, however, has other plans for them. When Assail falls into a coma and lingers on the verge of death, his cousins seek out Sola and beg her to give him a reason to live. The last thing she wants is a return to her past, but how can she leave him to die?

As a lethal new enemy of the vampires shows its face, and the Brotherhood needs Assail back on his feet, Sola finds herself not only a target, but a mission-critical force in a war she doesn't understand. And when Assail's truth comes out, will she run from the horror . . . or follow her heart into the arms of the male who loves her more than life itself?

I never know with J. R. Ward books if I'm giving it 4 or 5 stars because there is something that annoyed me so much during the reading that I can't ignore or I loved it so much that I can't think of anything that I didn't like. This book is more of a 3.5 read just because I am so over and done with the Vishous shit. Like I posted on my Instagram, Ward should just kill the fucker and be done with him.

What I did love about this book was Sola and Assail's story. I know many will disagree with me but I think every story so far has developed at the exact time it should and this one is no different. Assail needed to clean himself of his addiction and Sola needed to see him almost dying for this couple to appreciate what they have or could have.

What I like about this books is that we see a side to this characters that is sweet but, even with the women, it does not make them weak and vulnerable, on the contrary, it gives them character and make them feel more real.

I can't wait to see what this new turn in the war will bring and how some of the secondary stories will develop further in upcoming books.

April 13, 2018 No comments

Dearest Ivie

by J. R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood (#15.5)

Published by: Ballantine Books

March 13th, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

The last place Ivie expects to be approached by a devastatingly handsome male is in a crowded, smoky cigar bar rarely frequented by vampires—yet here he stands. Silas is flirtatious, gallant, and, above all, mysterious. Ivie is anything but. A nurse at the healer’s clinic and the daughter of a biker, Ivie is accustomed to speaking her mind. So she does. Since aristocrats rarely pick up females of her class, Ivie asks Silas just what kind of game he thinks he’s playing.

Despite her guarded exterior, Ivie surrenders to the fierce desire she feels for Silas. And yet, just as their courtship is heating up, he reveals that it cannot last, for he is bound to return to the Old Country. Their bond only deepens as they make the most of their precious time together. But when she learns the truth, Ivie must find a saving grace—before all is lost.

What can I say, another win for J. R. Ward in my book.

This short novella is about Ivie, a nurse from Havers' clinic, and Silas an aristocrat from one of the founding families and of course, you get the waterworks running.

I'm not going to talk about what this book is about because I feel since it's a novella the book can be summarised in a few sentences. And this book in particular, although not from characters we've met before, should be enjoyed with no clue as to what's going to happen.

Now what I'm going to say is that unlike other Ward books this one has just one POV and that is Ivie's but not first person (thank goodness). This gives Silas a mysterious light that captivates you and leaves you wanting to gobble up the story so you can learn all about him.

I would like to have more novellas like this. Where the Brotherhood or Legacy characters make some cameo appearances but the main characters are completely unknown to us. An insight into the commoners' lives and how they deal with daily life.

March 14, 2018 No comments

Playing to Win

by Jaci Burton

Series: Play by Play (#4)

Published by: Tantor Media Inc.

July 29th, 2013

Genre: Erotic Romance

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library Loan

Rating: 4 Stars

Football star Cole Riley is notorious for doing as he pleases—on the field and off. He parties hard and fights harder. But if he doesn't clean up his act, his career is over—so Cole reluctantly agrees to work with image makeover consultant Savannah Brooks. He's not used to being told what to do, especially by some (admittedly hot) Southern belle. As for Savannah, she's not convinced she can transform this cocky (and aggressively sexy) force of nature. But she's determined to give it her best shot.

When the sparks start to fly, Savannah lays down the ground rules: no personal complications. If she can turn off the tingle she feels every time Cole gives her a hot stare with his gorgeous baby blues, he can turn off his desire as well. But for two people determined to have it all, a hands-off policy can only last so long before one of them yields.

I have been in love with the Riley family since I read book one of this series years ago. What I love about this series is that the family is not just centered in one sport but in a variety of them. From baseball to car racing to ice hockey to football and more. So that as you follow this lively bunch you don't get bored with the same "gameplay".

In this fourth installment, we have Cole Riley, bad boy wide receiver, who has been traded one too many times and his new agent (his cousin Gavin's fiance Liz) doesn't want the bad reputation that will be attached to her name if she can't turn him around. Everywhere he goes and every team he's being with the media is there to trash his name with blown out of proportion gossip.

Enter Savannah Brooks, an image makeover consultant. She has been hired to fixed Cole's image since this might be his last chance before no other team wants to pick him up. The problem is that Cole doesn't think he is the problem, the media is and he makes Savannah's job hard, but she is used to the type of reception she receives from Cole. She will not be easily intimidated.

The banter between these two characters and the way Savannah handled Cole had me glued to the story. The Riley's are a bunch of macho a-holes that are marshmallows inside thanks to the loving upbringing. I love all the family dynamics and how this is one big family that supports every one of their own no matter what they've decided to do in their lives.

The only reason this book didn't get a 5 stars rating is because of the narrator. I didn't want to judge the book because of my not liking the narrator (it is not the author's fault I didn't like her) but I still couldn't enjoy completely because of it.

February 24, 2018 No comments

Wyoming Bride

by Joan Johnston

Series: Mail-Order Brides (#2)

Published by: Dell

January 1st, 2013

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

CAN SECRETS AND SECOND CHOICES EVER LEAD TO LOVE?

After three months in a mail-order marriage, Hannah Wentworth McMurtry is a widow--pregnant, alone, and near death in the Wyoming wilderness. Though she is saved by a man with a face cut from stone, she still grieves the husband who died on their journey west. Hannah needs a husband, but does she dare marry another stranger?

Flint Creed has also lost someone he loved--when the woman he hoped to marry chose his younger brother instead. Now he must find a ranch wife of his own. But every female in the remote Wyoming Territory is too old, too young, or already married... until he discovers Hannah on the prairie. Flint doesn't pretend to love her, but he doesn't tell her he loves another woman, either. Hannah doesn't pretend to love him, but she doesn't tell him about the child she carries. Though danger surrounds them on the Wyoming frontier, the greatest threats of all are the secrets within--revelations that could destroy the new life Hannah and Flint have begun to cherish.

What I liked about this book is that it is not your traditional Historical Romance where you have a lady or a debutante trying to either avoid scandal, a man or plain and simple has given up on ever finding a man of her own.

Hannah has married a man that has promised to take her sisters with them so they can leave the awful orphanage they have been leaving in and being mistreated on. Their older sister left with their two little brothers in the first book and they are tired of wondering what happened with their sister and if she'll ever come for them.

On the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming her husband dies of cholera leaving her and her sisters to fend for themselves. After an attack from Sioux Indians, she is separated from her sisters and near death when Flint finds her.

From this point on it a roller coaster of secrets, lies and emotional scars that leave not just this two with a lot of thinking to do but Flint's brother Ransom and his fiance Emaline too. We get this side story that is just the perfect amount of distraction for all the time that goes in between (sometimes months) without letting you feeling like you lost something in the telling.

I will definitively be adding a couple of Ms. Johnston's book to my growing TBR pile.

February 09, 2018 No comments

Sex and the Single Fireman

by Jennifer Bernard

Series: The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel (#3)

Published by: Avon Books

January 29th, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

The toughest captain on the East Coast, single father Rick Roman has come thousands of miles to San Gabriel to put an end to the "Bachelor Firemen" media hype. But when a stunning woman he nearly hooked up with in Reno turns out to be a firefighter from his new station, Roman realizes it's going to be tough keeping the tabloids at bay.

But there's even more Sabina isn't telling him. Before dedicating her life to battling blazes, Sabina led a very different life, one that made her famous. The last thing she wants is to have her secret exposed. The papers, bloggers, and TV gossips will have a field day with that—especially when they sense the obvious sexual heat between Sabina and Chief Roman, who's torn between firing her...and falling in love with her!

Sabina Jones hates Thanksgiving and like every year she goes out of town to "celebrate". This year she gets into a bit of trouble when she takes it out on a fellow driver and ends up on the same casino/hotel as him. Things heat up between then and when things are getting good and hot she disappears for good. Or so she thought.

Rick "Rock" Roman is looking for a new beginning for him and his son. After losing his firefighting wife he is not happy staying in New York and decides to move to California where his son can play baseball all year long. He is the new training chief at San Gabriel Station 1 and he gets a surprise when the woman who disappeared on him leaving him with unfulfilled lust walks into the formation.

Sabina and Roman's story is fun, sexy and at times sad. I loved the interaction between not just the main characters but all the characters from Anu to Vader to Ella Joy the news anchor. Bernard gives us one hell of a story that touches the heart and makes you think really hard about the risk that firemen go through every time they get a call.

I liked how the story evolved and the struggle both characters went through to keep their relationship professional and not let anyone know they had the hots for each other. In the end, everything worked out for them and I liked how it came to be. I knew Roman was going to go that route since he loved to relax that way.

Even though this is the third book in a series you don't need to read the previous ones to understand it. I haven't and I loved it. That being said you can guess that I'll be trying to others too.

January 19, 2018 No comments

Blood Fury

by J. R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Legacy (#3)

Published by: Ballantine Books

January 9th, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

A vampire aristocrat, Peyton is well aware of his duty to his bloodline: mate with an appropriate female of his class and carry on his family’s traditions. And he thought he’d found his perfect match—until she fell in love with someone else. Yet when his split-second decision in a battle with the enemy endangers the life of another trainee, Peyton has to face the idea that his future, and his heart, actually lie with another.

Novo, as a female in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training program, feels like she has to prove herself to everybody—and she has no interest in being distracted by falling in love. But when Peyton proves to be so much more than a rich playboy, she is forced to confront the tragedy that has broken her soul and closed her off from love.

As the two grapple with Novo’s past and Peyton’s present, another couple must contend with an erotic connection that is unparalleled—and potentially scandalous.

Saxton, who has had his heart broken, discovers in himself a deep-seated attraction to Ruhn, a new member of the household. But will the other male explore the connection? Or will he close his mind and his heart to what could be true love . . . and cost Saxton everything?

I. Loved. This. Book.

I cannot adequately express how much I fell in love with the characters of this book or how much Ms. Ward made me cried to the point I had to stop cause I couldn't see the pages.

On one hand, we have Novo and Payton. Two trainees from the Black Dagger Brotherhood soldier's program. On the surface, Novo is a hard-assed female that takes no bullshit from others and keeps everyone at a distance. Deep down she is as scarred by her past as any of the Brothers and we get to see a side of her that does not diminish her tough exterior but that explains so much of her character.

Payton is not far behind with all the crap he hides under that carefree persona. There is a male of worth in there that just needs a push (okay more like a shove and a two by four in the head) to get his ass in gear and do what is needed to come out on the other side of thing a new male. That is what Novo does for him and I am happy with how things moved along for them.

On the other hand, we have Saxton and Rhun. I have loved Saxton's dignity and acceptance from the very beginning. He is a gentlemale and an awesome solicitor/lawyer (more so when having to deal with Wrath on a nightly basis). Rhun for his part was a mystery worth waiting for. His past and his personality were a heartache and a delight to read. I think J. R. Ward has a knack for writing wounded warriors and have them express their feelings without taking away from their manliness.

And what a surprise Saxton turn out to be at the end. I didn't even think that behind those expensive clothes hid that kind of power.

More and more I fall in love with J. R. Ward's writing and with the BDB world. I just can't wait until April for the next release of this awesome storyteller.

January 16, 2018 No comments

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