REVIEW - Love Me Sweet (Bell Harbor #3) by Tracy Brogan

The Book

Release Date: 20 January 2015

Goodreads Link

Delaney Masterson isn’t looking for fame.

Yes, she has famous parents and a reality TV show, but she’s not the wild-child celebrity the paparazzi have painted her to be. Until…The Scandal. When an old boyfriend releases a private video, Delaney’s name becomes every comedian’s favorite punch line. To escape the media, she sneaks away to Bell Harbor, Michigan—during the worst winter in fifty years.

Adventure show cameraman Grant Connelly has stayed away from Bell Harbor—mostly by choice—but when a family obligation converges with a spontaneous career decision, it’s time to return home.

When bad weather, missing money, honky-tonk musicians, and Elvis impersonators throw Grant and Delaney together on an unexpected road trip, emotions get all shook up. They know only fools fall in love, but they can’t help falling. Still, Delaney has a secret that could tear them apart forever.

Can they weather the storm? Or will this romantic ride end at the Heartbreak Hotel?

My Review.   4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

What would you do if an old boyfriend leaked a sex tape of you and him to the world?  In Delaneys world, you run away from the media while humiliated and don't tell your famous family you are running. Having looked on photos, Bell Harbour looks like the perfect escape, however, what she did not think about is the weather.

Grant Connolly is a Cameraman, but he has become jaded with the person that he currently works with.  After getting a wedding invitation from his brother, he quits his job and decides to head back home to Bell Harbour for a while.

Both do not get what they expect in Bell Harbour however.  Delaney uses a fake name of Elaine Masters and rents a house, however it is not long before Grant gets home and Delaney finds him in the shower of her rental.

Having to share accommodation, attending a wedding and finding that Delany's back has been stolen by Grants mother, both get in more close proximity  chances that has the heat between them turning up even further.

But the path to true love is never smooth and it is not long before the reason Delany ran from home is exposed and Grant reacts badly.

The chemistry between the pair is hot, we get good supporting characters and we certainly get a happy ever after.  I am certainly loving this series.

REVIEW - Craving Dr. Silver Fox by Judy Hale

The Book

Release Date: 25 January 2024

Goodreads Link

He was my secret fantasy. A silver fox billionaire with a heart of stone.
And my father’s worst enemy.

He’s everything I should avoid but I can’t.
I once stole a taste of the forbidden fruit and swore to high heaven it would be my last.
But fate had other plans.

We’re soon thrown together again on a project at his hospital.
And our ward rounds often end with me moaning against the wall.
Until our mounting desire explodes in a shower of ecstasy unlike anything I’ve ever known.

The more my father loathes him, the more I spread my legs for him.
But lurking behind his rapidly thawing wall of ice are clues to an ancient unspeakable secret.
Which explains why he and my father are enemies.

And why I should not be craving his touch, let alone getting pregnant.
But little do I know, those shocking clues will soon be saving my life.

My Review     5 STARS

**My thanks to Hidden Gems and the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was almost surprised at how invested I became with the characters.

Tessa Blackwell is a strong character, but has lived with growing up an orphan, then being adopted, but trying hard to fit in with her new parent, but never really fitting in, especially once her new mother dies.

Nathan Kng is a 40 something oncologist and has known Tessa since she was about 16 and he first met her.  He encouraged her passion for helping others and became the object of Tessa's fantasies, however when in her early twenties she is rebuffed by Dr King when she lets it known she wants him, she runs.

Five years later and Tessa is doing well for herself.  She pays her own way, is at college and is in a Guardian Angels company and is making a name for herself.  She has changed major from medicine to helping others and is blossoming.  However it is when she goes to LA and sees Dr Kings again that things change, especially when she goes home and is rescued by Nathan.

Nathan, who has no want of a relationship suddenly cannot keep his mind off the younger womankind she has him distracted.  It is he who stays as Tessa rock, while also letting her know that he wants her.

There is some mystery and suspense going on as we follow along with Tessa as she gets involved with finding out why the police has reopened her mother death, and again it is Nathan who is there when she needs him. He is also able to read what she actually needs and lets her know in no uncertain terms that she is his.

I really enjoyed this book and read it within a day.  I shall certainly be reading more from this author.

REVIEW - The Best Medicine Bell Harbor #2 by Tracy Brogan

The Book

Release Date: 30 May 2014

Goodreads Link

Bell Harbor is a one-million copy bestselling series.

Everyone in Bell Harbor thinks career-minded plastic surgeon Evelyn Rhoades needs a husband. Everyone, that is, except for Evelyn…sort of. Even if she did want a husband (which she doesn’t…most of the time), she’d never let something as intangible as fate determine who she marries. No, if she’s going to find someone to spend her life with, she’ll do it with a carefully crafted list of criteria and an Internet dating site.

But when intoxicated, law-breaking Tyler Connelly crashes into her life by way of a stolen Jet Ski, unruly emotions defy common sense. Sure, he’s sexy, charming, and determined to win Evelyn’s affection, but all evidence points to him being the worst possible choice. He’s too young for her. Too irresponsible. Too underemployed. And, oh yeah, he’s her patient.

But Tyler knows firsthand how the best-laid plans can crumble under the weight of destiny. Now all he needs to do is to teach Evelyn that, in matters of the heart, love often supersedes logic.

My Review     4 STARS

This is the first book that I have read by this author and can certainly be read as a stand alone story.

Evelyn has only fairly recently moved to Bell Harbour and has concentrated on her education then her career.  But now she finds that her parents who have been warinn since they divorced twenty years ago are getting married again, she has been thrown into a spin, especially when her mother says its about time she got married  and had a little fun.

Tyler is 6 years younger than Evie, however when they first meet it is not in the best of circumstances, however she is immediately attracted to him.  

  

Tyler is a man who helps his family in more ways than one.  He is a dependable man who has taken on more than his fair share of making sure that his family does not fall apart.  He has a massive heart and when he sees Evelyn wants something for himself.

I really enjoyed this couple come together, grow as individuals, have people behind them and in some cases re-evaluate what it is they really want in life and who they want in life to be happy.

I will certainly be reading more by this author in the future.

REVIEW - Sanctuary Kindled #6 by Claire Kent

The Book

Release Date: 29 December 2023

Goodreads Link

Ever since civilization fell apart eight years ago, I've used my body in any way necessary to protect my younger sister and stay alive. Now she's safe and settled, I'm free to travel my own path, never again confined by walls or the demands of any man. Everyone says a woman isn't safe by herself in the dangerous wilderness the world has become, but I'm doing just fine on my own.

My job as a messenger and courier offers me freedom and the means to provide for the people I love. No one is going to take it away from me--especially not clever, cynical Aidan, who insists I'm moving in on his territory. He's starting to compete with me for jobs, but I've never backed down to a challenge. Not when I was young and helpless, and certainly not now that I'm not. If he wants a war, he'll get one.

I'll never back down to a man again, even one I'm starting to want.

My Review    5 STARS

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

This is another brilliant book in this series.

This author writes the grittier stuff well and does not shy away from the hard topics that can be hard to write about, let alone sometimes read about.  However this author talks about the subject matter and the feelings of those involved so well that you get so invested in the characters and really hope that they get the happiness that they deserve.

Breanna has always done what she had to in order to keep her and her sister safe.  Now that Del is in a safe community and has a man to keep her safe, Breanna feels like the third wheel and wants to be out and about and delivering messages.

Aiden, the British messenger does not want Breanna on his turf, but his guff demeanour hides what he is truly feeling.  Its is only when they agree to a competition do things finally change between the warring pair.

Breanna and Aidan are both tested and find that they are better working together and also find solace in each other.  It is not long before they find more than what they were missing and both of them are tested.

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait ti see what happens next in the series.

REVIEW - Thrown Down (Made in Jersey #2) by Tessa Bailey

The Book

Release Date: 4 April 2016

Goodreads Link

He has one last chance to deserve the girl of his dreams...

Overachiever River Purcell was never supposed to be a struggling single mom, working double shifts just to make ends meet. Nor was she supposed to be abandoned by her high school sweetheart, breaking her heart into a thousand jagged pieces. Now Vaughn De Matteo is back in town, his sights set on her...and River is in danger of drowning a second time.

No one believed Hook's resident bad boy was good enough for River. Not even Vaughn himself. But he'll fight like hell to win back the woman he never stopped loving, to keep the daughter he never expected, and convince himself he's worth their love in the process--even if he has to rely on their fierce and undeniable sexual chemistry.

But even as River's body arches under his hungered touch, the demons of the past lurk in the shadows. Waiting for Vaughn to repeat his mistakes one last time...

My Review    4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

I always enjoy a book by this author.  We get good rounded characters, lots of passion and a mix of emotions and some stress thrown into the mix.

River is a single mum, left behind when the man she loves with all her heart walked out on her after being together for 4 years and after getting back from the military.  However her brother has finally managed to track him down and let him know that he has a daughter.

Vaughn has always thought badly of himself and having very little support growing up he only had himself and choosing how others saw him.  He has only ever really loved River and has never forgotten her, however now he is back home and he wants to see his daughter.

One look at River and all the feelings crash back on him, however he will do whatever it takes to be a part of her and his daughters life.  The chemistry is still very much there, but both of them are stronger than before and this time, River fights back for what she wants and will not accept Vaugh pulling back.

Both characters have some good support behind them, however when the past comes back and tries to tare them apart, they both fight to stay together to get their happy ending.

REVIEW - The Girl Who Broke the Dark: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (Royal Mages #1) by Evelyn Puerto

The Book

Release Date: 14 November 2023

Goodreads Link

Sometimes, breaking the curse is only the beginning…Princess Eliana of Ymittos has long anticipated the day she gets to make the rules — and use her magic without fear of penalty. 

But until she ascends the throne, Eliana’s days are devoted to practicing diplomacy on inconsiderate guests and weighing the merits of her latest string of suitors.Then, on her 18th birthday, Eliana’s parents reveal her true she alone must wake a sleeping prince from his hundred-year curse, deep in the monster-infested underworld of Malkh. 

Terrified, Eliana refuses. But the terms of the curse are only the heir of Ymittos can break its spell. If she fails, the entire continent will be easy prey for the evil sorcerer Cetus.Banished and stripped of his power a millennium ago, Cetus has lain dormant, rebuilding his strength and amassing his armies. 

Now, his carefully laid trap is about to spring destruction on the first realms in his path. Only Eliana stands in his way.A Sleeping Beauty retelling with a deadly twist, The Girl Who Broke the Dark is the first volume of the Royal Mages series.

My Review.   5 STARS

**My thanks to Hidden Gems and the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This was the first book that I have read by this author and I was certainly impressed by the world building and the strength of the characters in this twisted re-telling of sleeping beauty.

Eliana is about to turn eighteen and is the only child of Royalty set to inherit her kingdom and knows her duties.  With her having to entertain a visiting princess they both end up making friends only after Eilana breaks the rules and uses her magic to help safe som of her people, much to the chagrin of her parents when they find out.

Eliana is pushed into making a marriage match the day she turns eighteen and things spiral from there.

Is the man who turns up as captivating and nice as he seems, or are her maid and her friend right that something does not add up with him.

Eliana also finds out that she has to break a curse soon after, but for a kingdom that was sent under the earth nearly one hundred years ago.  She sets off with her fiancé, her maid and her body guard.  Her friend also goes along with them as far as she can.

From there we get a bit of a split in the story.  We mainly stay with Eliana and follow her as she enters the underground, meets new people, scary creatures and find that she is no longer sure if she can trust her fiancé.  We also follow her friend, the other princess, as she makes her way back home, with trouble along the way.

The book does end not so much on a cliff hanger, but with a lot of questions unanswered and you looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series.

REVIEW - A Court of Discovery (Unseelie Fee Academy #1) by Ember-Raine Winters

The Book

Release Date: January 2024

Goodreads Link

She thought the human realm was dangerous, but it has nothing on Unseelie Fae Academy.

After being kidnapped by the Seelie and taken to the Fae realm, suddenly, Erica's soon discovers she may never be able to return to her former life of hell on earth. Because. according to the king and queen, as the lost princess of the Seelie Court, Erica must attend the Unseelie Academy to foster relations between the Seelie and the Unseelie.

So what's worse than being forced to attend a hostile academy that hates you for belonging to the "wrong" court? Being stuck in a coed dorm with an Unseelie prince who wants to destroy you. Which is exactly what Erica faces as the brooding enemy prince bullies her along with the rest of the Unseelie fae at the school.

They share a common secret, though, that could put them both in far worse danger than any school, magical or not. Because as much as they hate each other, they're starting to fall for each other too.

And even if Erica does learn to use her magic quickly enough to survive the torment of her bullies, there's little hope her heart will survive Maddox's loyalty to the Unseelie court.

Fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout will love this spicy enemies to lovers fantasy romance. 

Scroll up and preorder A Court of Discovery today!

CONTENT ADVISORY: This book is for readers who love dark themes such as bullying, attempted assault, and violence. The consent between characters in these books is not explicitly stated, but the FMC secretly loves it! If you enjoy that kind of fictional fantasy, this series is for you!

My Review    5 STARS

**My thanks to Hidden Gems and the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was greatly impressed.

This book does contain dark themes an may well have some triggers for some readers, but I enjoyed all of this as things we worded and described in such a way that it felt required.

Maddox is the Unseelie Prince and he has a sadistic father.  He is tasked at finding out why the Seelie royals agreed to send their teenagers to the Unseelie Academy for schooling.  But Maddox puts in place some very unsavoury tricks at the school that will only affect the Seelie Fee.

Erica was kidnapped as a young infant and abandoned in the Human realm.  She grew up in foster care and at 18 aged out and has been on her own since.  She is kidnapped from the human realm when found and finds out that she is the missing Fat Princess and now have to go to the Unseelie Academy, however, someone or more than someone wants her dead.

Both Maddox and Erica have to share accommodation, but they find each other annoying, but are yet drawn to each other.  Erica has a dark side and likes the bad boys, and Maddox finds that Erica becomes something that he craves, but he is always so twisted up that he can never tell if he like her or trusts her or not.

Erica does have someone looking out for her in Professor Locke, but we don't truly know if he is helping her or if there are other reasons for his help.

The book ends with lots of unanswered questions and a bit of a cliff hanger, but I really can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

If you like a darker themed book, this is definitely worth a read.

REVIEW - Deep River Promise (Alaska Homecoming #2) by Jackie Ashenden

The Book

Release Date: 30 March 2021

Goodreads Link

Welcome to Deep River, Alaska

Damon Fitzgerald's only desire is to get back to LA and out of the tiny Alaskan town he's somehow inherited. But first he has to keep a promise he made to his old army buddy and look out for his friend's son. That would be a whole lot easier if the kid's mother wasn't the mayor of Deep River...

Astrid James didn't ask to be mayor of Deep River but since she is, she intends to do right by the town and her son. The last thing she needs is an arrogant outsider coming in and taking charge, no matter how attractive he is. But when Astrid starts to realize that Damon is more than just a pretty face, she'll have to decide whether she can risk her heart and her son's happiness on a man who's mission is to leave Deep River.

My Review.   4 STARS

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

Its always worth picking up a book by this author.  The story telling is always well written, characters are well fleshed out and grow as the story goes on and you get a little bit of spice and a good developing relationship.

Astrid is a single mum of a teenager along with being the town mayor and librarian of a small town called Deep River.  She is a strong person, because life has been hard for her and she has had no choice but to step up and look after herself and her son.

Damon is a military man who is only in Deep River on a promise from a fallen friend.  He two has his scars, but with Astrid, something makes his give them up in order that he can help her, however he longer believes that he is capable of giving someone else the love they would need in a relationship.

Both find something special with each other and they help each other in many ways, however it is not until the end that Damon makes a discovery of his own that changes everything for him.  

I really liked seeing the interconnected characters and their relationships to the main characters and glad that Damon finally figured out what he really wanted.