REVIEW - Surrender (Balm in Gilead Book 2) by Noelle Adams

The Book
Release Date: 23 August 2017
Goodreads Link

They are business partners--and sometimes friends. They aren't supposed to fall in love. 

Ever since Vivian's lifestyle blog, Faith and Fabulousness, became a huge success and a profitable company, her life has been consumed by her work and each new creative initiative. Her job takes everything she has. She has no room for romance in her life. So certain feelings she's been having for her business partner, Jeff, will have to be ignored. She relies on Jeff to make her company function, and she can't let this growing attraction distract her from what's most important. 

When Jeff's ex-wife walked out on him two years ago, he resolved to never again give his heart to a woman who doesn't want it. Now he's having to remind himself of that resolution every day. Vivian might be irresitible to him--but she's also ambitious, complicated, and emotionally unavailable. She's never going to want him for real. And the intimacy that grows between them during their week-long company retreat on the Outer Banks isn't a promise of forever. 

He doesn't want to risk his heart again, so he really needs to stop kissing her. 

Surrender is the second book in the Balm in Gilead series, a spin-off from the Willow Park series about couples who fall in love in a physical and spiritual rest center on the North Carolina coast called Balm in Gilead.

My Review  4 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a very sweet romance that is based on a Christian living and and the only 'action' is kissing, so for those of you that like erotic or more sexual scenes, this may not be the book for you.

Vivian is a complex mix of composed confident front and insecure at heart.  It is only Jeff, her friend and business partner that see's the real her and even then her doesn't get to see it all.

Jeff has been deeply hurt with a past relationship and finds it hard to trust that someone could actually want him for him.

Both have their issues, but with their faith and a little help, see what they are missing and we get a sweet ending.  

We also get to see a little of Daniel and Jessica from the Willow Park series that is also christian based.

REVIEW - Touch Me Doctor: A Fake Marriage Romance by Aria Ford

The Book
Release Date: 14 July 2017
Goodreads Link

My daughter’s babysitter just asked me to take her virginity - and it’s screwing with my head. 

The reasons I can’t f*ck Jessica: 
She’s my employee. 
She’s a virgin. 
She’s twenty one. 
I will only want more and more. 

Saving lives for a living is what I do. 
But running a medical practice and being a single dad means my life is chaotic. 
I needed a babysitter – and I got so much more than I bargained for. 
I want her so f***ing bad, but I’ll have to keep my d*ck in my pants. 

Maybe there’s a reason we met. 
I’m seeking funding to research a cure that will change lives. 
And the head of the philanthropic organization will only support married couples. 

Taking Jessica’s virginity is a bad idea – but faking a marriage isn’t. I just hope I’ve got the self-restraint to pull this off. 

**This is a full-length, standalone Fake Marriage & Virgin Romance. No cheating or cliffhangers. HEA guaranteed. Bonus content included!

My Review  3 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This novella was ok, but the insta lust between a 22 year old virgin and her boss, who we never actually get an age for just did not feel real.

Everything happened really fast, and the ending itself just was not believable.  Forgiveness that quick just does not happen after something like that.

It certainly did not fell like something special or something that i would be reading again.

REIVEW - One night with the Master by Jackie Ashenden

The Book
Release Date: 1 July 2013
Goodreads Link
Was Originally release with the title Black Knight, White Queen

"One night in Bangkok changes all the rules. "

Professional chess player Aleksandr Shastin never lets emotions rule his life, or his game. Not even the unexpected death of his mentor shakes his icy control at least that s what he thinks. Until he meets a woman in a Bangkok rooftop bar, a woman whose raw sexuality and emotional honesty find every invisible crack and pries them wide open.

Graphic artist Izzy Cornwall fled to Thailand to escape suffocating grief and guilt after her sister s suicide. As she locks gazes with Aleks, their instant attraction sets her on fire. And the way he looks at her makes her feel what she hasn t felt in months: that she actually exists.

In the heat of a Bangkok rainstorm, their chemistry steams up what was supposed to be one night of pain-numbing passion. Neither expected that a single encounter would change all the rules, making Aleks the novice, and Izzy the grandmaster. But if Izzy wants his heart, she ll have to show him that in order to win, sometimes you have to lose.

Warning: Contains one hot, controlling Russian chess master, a heroine who s more than capable of taking him on in a game of strip chess, and a checkmate to make Kasparov proud. "

My Review   4 STARS
This book is being rereleased by the author and has been retitled.

This book takes place in Bangkok, Thailand and focuses on Aleks and Izzy who meet on a hotel roof bar.

Both characters have faced loss and heartache and have something to overcome in order that they can continue with a relationship.  But it takes Izzy to realise she is running to help herself heal and for herself to realise how she can help Aleks grow and heal from his past.

Most of the book takes place within Aleks hotel room, however they do occasionally venture out, but mostly it is giving each other what they need, but did't know they needed.

A good read.

REVIEW - Hell's Bells (Welcome to Hell #6) by Eve Langlais

The Book
Release Date: 30 June 2016
Goodreads Link

A catastrophe has befallen Hell. The great and mighty Lucifer has fallen prey to the most wicked of spells. He’s become…nice. 

Just using that word makes Gaia want to gag. The demon she fell in love with is not some pushover, polite, candy-ass, nice guy. She wants her big, bad Lord of Sin back. 

Can she, along with the minions of Hell, find a way to break the curse? And will they do it in time to celebrate the wedding from Hell?

My Review  5 STARS
With Lucifer's upcoming nuptials to Gaia and his very much changed personality from sinner to saintly, it is a race against time to get Lucifer back to his old sinning ways.

This book focuses on Lucifer and Gaia themselves, but the other characters from the previous books do get some mentions.

Eve Langlais has a way of writing that pulls you along and has you giggling at the antics of the character and you really end up invested in their happiness and you really want a good happy ending.

A really good ending to this series.

REVIEW - Die For You (Catastrophe #1) by Michele Mills

The Book
Release Date: 3 May 2016
Goodreads Link

Love, in a hopeless place.

Two months after a virus took out civilization, Rachel Donnelly is the last living soul in California, as far as she can tell. Until she runs into a Marine sniper, battle-hardened but alive and healthy.

Adam Sanchez would love nothing more than a slamming session of I-can’t-believe-we’re-alive post-apocalyptic sex in the back of his Hummer. But Rachel’s fragility, inexperience—and much younger age—hold him back from exposing her to his raw, aggressive sexuality. If anything, Rachel needs protection. Especially from himself.

As they band together with other survivors to battle feral animals, violent ex-cons, and motorcycle clubs jockeying for power, Rachel grows stronger in mind, body, and spirit—strong enough to give the dangerously sexy Marine what they both crave.

The power of their passion rocks Adam’s world, bringing him to his knees—which, he discovers too late, is the worst possible place to be when danger springs from the shadows.

Warning: Contains a sexy Marine, a tattooed ex-con, a girl who blossoms into a sexually assured young woman, laughter despite the pain, m/f/m ménage, hope, love, and more bad language and violence than are strictly necessary.

My Review  5 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

In some ways this book reminds me of a book called The End of All Things by Lissa Bryan as it runs is a similar via and both are brilliantly written books that really draw you into the world left behind with only a handful of survivors.

The book starts off with Rachel, home alone after her family have died and wondering what she should do next.  Then the book goes to Adam and continues in this vein so that we get both points of view of lone smart researched based female and alpha male who has lots of practical ability after having been in the army.

A close environment and very few other survivors lead these two to fall for each other as both do a push me-pull you relationship to begin with but find they cannot resist the inevitable.

The author creates a believable post apocalypse world where in many cases everything has to be started again like the nineteen hundreds.

I really enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it to others.

REVIEW - Complicating (Preston's Mill #3) by Noelle Adams

The Book
Release Date: 19 July 2017
Goodreads Link

Forget all those other accidental pregnancy romances you might have read. 

Daisy and Carter don't have a one-night stand...because it's thirty minutes in a back room at a wedding reception. And Carter isn't a bad boy baby-daddy...except for the motorcycle, tattoos, and attitude. Daisy doesn't have the typical issues with her pregnancy...if you don't count the morning sickness, food cravings, and occasional horniness. And Carter doesn't hang around all the time, wanting both her and the baby...until he falls in love. 

But they definitely don't become a happy family...right away. 

Daisy has always been a good girl. She's never done anything wild or spontaneous until she has a little too much to drink at a wedding and has a fling with a sexy stranger. She thought they were careful, but accidents happen. And now she's going to have the baby of a man she barely knows. 

Carter is her opposite in every way and completely the wrong man for her. They can still work out a reasonable arrangement regarding the baby. But the more time she spends with him, the less reasonable she feels. And he's acting all possessive and protective, so it gets harder and harder to convince herself that he's just the father of her baby. 

She wants him to be so much more.

My Review  4 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a very well written book that gives you pretty much everything you need in a book like this.

Daisy is aa girl brought up right and has that good girl thing down well, Carter has the bad boy vibe, the motorcycle and the tattoos, but he is a sweetheart just like his all but adopted dog Teddy.

Sometimes though it takes only a moment to bring to people together that would not normally find their way to each other.  A moment to find the man that completes you and your life, the man you were meant to find happy ever after wife, even if there are a few bumps along the way.

Certainly well worth a read.

REVIEW - The Good, the Bad, and the Vampire (Dead in the City #4) by Sara Humphreys

The Book
Release Date: 5 January 2016
Goodreads Link

Beloved author Sara Humphreys' acclaimed paranormal romance series continues with sweltering attraction between two vampires who have all the time in the world to satisfy their desires...

He wants eternity?
Dakota Shelton is a vampire cowboy with a penchant for cinnamon lollipops and Johnny Cash. Though highly skilled and deadly dangerous to his enemies, he's still a Texas good ol' boy at heart. And he has that heart set on wooing Trixie LaRoux-the most badass punk rock chick in town-the old-fashioned way.

Over her undead body...
Trixie is tough as nails and sharp as a silver stake-the last thing she wants is a man to sit on a porch and not grow old with. So it'll take going to hell and back fighting a new threat to vampires before she admits Dakota's courtship makes her blood hum. Turns out chivalry's not dead after all.

Praise for The Good, the Bad, and the Vampire....
"Sara Humphreys combines vampire and cowboy into a devastatingly sexy hero! The Good, the Bad, and the Vampire is a compelling, pulse-pounding, titillating adventure that grabs you from the first page, tosses you down, and steals your breath. Humphreys is a must-read in the paranormal genre!"--NYT Bestselling Author, Rebecca Zanetti

My Review  4 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an honest review**

Although this book it can certainly be read as a stand alone book and i really did enjoy it.

This book includes a lot of paranormal beings, Vampires, Demons, Witches and Gargoyles and meshed them to make a really good story with an original storyline.

Trixie was funny and stronger than she realised and Dakota was a true gentleman.

You really feel that you are going through Trixie's emotions and are really there with her, especially as she learns the true reason that she is afraid.

I would certainly recommend this book and i will probably look back at seeing what else this author has written at some point.

REVIEW - Tall, Dark and Immortal (Entity #4) by Cat Devon

The Book
Release Date: 1 September 2015
Goodreads Link

HE’S TAKING A BITE OUT OF CRIME.
Alex Sanchez is more than just an ordinary detective. He’s on the prowl—as a vampire. Alex uses his unique gifts to police the mean streets of Chicago like a natural predator. But when he learns that local blood banks are being robbed, he’s not sure what rattles him more: the bizarre crime wave or the stunningly beautiful journalist who’s reporting it…

SHE’S RISKING HER NECK FOR A STORY.
Keira Turner is dedicated to her job—and determined to uncover the truth. Dangerously, out-of-this-world handsome Detective Sanchez seems oddly fascinated by the crimes—and obsessed with Keira. Alex might not have a clue who’s stealing blood but he’s sure of one thing: Keira is no mere mortal. She’s descended from a long line of vampire hunters. And if they try to solve this case together, he’ll have to fight the urge to kiss her…or kill her.

My Review  4 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an honest review**

This is an instal-love kinda romance book and the book takes place over only a few days, but a lot is packed into it.

Keira has lost both her grandfather and her mother in the last year, her mother only two months ago and it is only upon opening er mothers safe deposit box that her world is turned upside down.

Alex is a Vampire and a cop and as soon as Keira introduces herself to Alex her world turns upside down.

There are a few unanswered questions left at the end of the book and i did find that things wrapped up very fast at the end of the book, however they did seem to suit each other with both good at asking questions due to the nature of their jobs.

This book does not need to be read as part of the series and can be read as a stand alone book.

REVIEW - Married to the Maverick Millionaire (From Mavericks to Married #3) by Joss Wood

The Book
Release Date: 1 December 2016
Goodreads Link

She can marry the millionaire and keep her hands to herself…right? 

When Cal Carter needs a husband in name only, her childhood friend is the perfect pick. But on the other side of "I do," her sexy millionaire of convenience is much more man than she counted on! She can't stop thinking about their marriage bed… 

Especially when the millionaire in question is Quinn Rayne, world-famous heartthrob hockey coach. Quinn is grateful for Cal's proposal, which keeps the press at bay—but the sizzling passion between them is irresistible. All it takes is one stolen kiss at a masquerade ball to turn this convenient arrangement between friends into a red-hot affair… 

Married to the Maverick Millionaire is part of the From Mavericks to Married series.

My Review  3 STARS
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a friends to lovers book where both have kept secrets from each other, which are eventually spilled.  None of which are taken badly by the other.

Cal is a woman who has to build herself back up after a abusive marriage where her husband died five years ago, Quinn is your typical bad boy who likes women and has a reputation he needs to fix.

It is a mutual agreement where both will get what they need they decide to get married and stay just friends.  We all know however this will never happen and attraction between the two starts almost immediately.

We get a nice positive ending, which, yes is was able to predict, however it was nice seeing them so happily settled together.

REVIEW - The Island by Alice Ward

The Book
Release Date: 10 July 2017
Goodreads Link

One playboy billionaire. One gorgeous virgin. One deserted island...

The moment I lay eyes on Kendra Baxter, I know she has to be mine.

But the daughter of a Navy SEAL doesn't take orders. She’s been taught skills, strength, and integrity. And God, that’s hot.

So I do what any powerful billionaire CEO would do — I take her on as my intern and plan my aggressive takeover.

Only, fate has other ideas.

My perfectly laid out plan of attack is flawed, and our plane crashes on a deserted island.

Here, who I am doesn’t matter. Money and social power don’t matter. I’m not a CEO anymore. I’m just a man.

Something’s different, I’m different. I still want to claim her, but now I want to protect her too.

We are locked in a fight for survival, and maybe more.

And I will do anything and everything in my power to protect her and make her mine.

My Review 2 STARS
*My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

I really struggled with this book as i really disliked Eli.  As a successful man i found it hard that he would instantly take one look at Kendra and basically sexually harass her until he got what he wanted and sulked until he did.  There was nothing about hi i liked until around 73% into the book when he managed to redeem himself and be the type of man he should always have been.

Kendra, well considering all the things her father supposedly trained her with she was fairly pathetic at standing up for herself it the big bad world.  The fact that she had to clock in with her dad every day and that she told him everything made me wonder how under the thumb she really was.  Considering her up-bringing she had too many insecurities.

The only part of this book i actually liked was the last 20% or so when the characters started to be what i expected, however Kendra still somewhat annoyed me.  It seemed that it was really only Eli that changed.

Not a book that i will be revisiting.

REVIEW - Knocked Out By Love (Love to the Extreme #5) by Abby Niles

The Book
Release Date: 15 August 2016
Goodreads Link

Brody Minton has loved Scarlett Harris for years. But she’s his best friend’s wife, so he’s worked hard to keep his distance. Hearing the marriage is over shouldn’t change anything. Only an ass would make a move on a friend’s ex… Except Scarlett wants help getting back in the dating game, and Brody’s torn. If he helps her out, he can keep an eye on her and guard her vulnerable heart. But having the woman he’s longed for for years in arms’ reach is hell on a man’s restraint, no matter how iron strong his will.

But loving Scarlett is only half the fight.

All Scarlett Harris wants is to get away for a while and rethink her life after filing for divorce from her lying, cheating bastard of a husband. The gorgeous Bahamas sounds like the perfect escape, except she’s booked in very resort Brody “The Iron” Minton is staying at for his sister’s wedding. Now her ex’s best friend is dogging her every move, and is a witness to her first pathetic attempts at flirting in years. If Brody isn’t going to leave her alone, then she’ll just recruit him to help get her reacquainted with her single self.

My Review  4 STARS
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**

This is almost like a best friends to lovers but with a twist.  She was the wife of his best friend who turns out not to be such a great friend after all.

Scarlett is a woman scorned but she acts well to her ex husband, but has a mountain of hurt to get through first hence a vacation to the Bahamas with her best friend Delaney.

We have met Brody before in a previous book, however, now we get to see the real and very sweet him.

Its a really good book, but the interfering families pulled it back a little.  Brody's sister was a little harsh and Scarlett's mother and sister needed to have their heads knocked together.

A good book to the series.

REVIEW - My Wild Irish Dragon (Boston Dragons #2) by Ashlyn Chase

The Book
Release Date: 6 September 2016
Goodreads Link

ONE JOB OPENING
TWO SHIFTERS APPLY...
SPARKS FLY
Dragon shifter Chloe Arish is hell-bent on becoming a Boston firefighter. She uses her Irish charm and fake documents to score an interview, knowing she has to work every bit as hard as a man-harder if she wants their respect.

Born into a legendary Boston firefighting family, phoenix shifter Ryan Fiero can't possibly let someone best him on the training course or the job. He'd never hear the end of it. When a feisty new recruit comes along who's determined to do just that, Ryan plots to kick her out-until their sizzling chemistry turns explosive...

My Review  3 STARS
**My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This was a fun read, but not something that i would pick up again in a hurry.

In this book we get a Dragon Princess from Ireland who is a thousand years old who has moved to Boston and she has decided to be a fire fighter, something she believes she can do well.

We also have a male 500 year old Phoenix who's whole family are firefighters and he also believes that he deserves the advertised firefighter role.

The secrets withheld are not withheld to us so there is little that turns out to be a surprise and Mother Nature/Gaia falls a little flat in her nature to help and Aiden felt like he was turning bad, but very suddenly changes his mind about marrying Chloe after one look at Amber's friend Candy.

The romance between the two started off slow, but soon hotted up and Ryan found that Chloe is more than he bargained for.