Book Review: Escaping Valentine’s Day

An Italian romance is on the menu, but is she ready to order?

Content creator Rory Hibbert knows Valentine’s Day is only fun for couples and chocolatiers. For singles like her, it’s a day of disappointment. And that’s why her new marketing agency client has arranged a tour of Italy crammed full of activities to distract from the holiday. This trip is a test for Rory—if it goes well, it will jump-start her new social media career.

There’s just one snag: the ex she never got over is also on staff.

Huck Cranshaw walked away from the love of his life for a huge opportunity on a cooking competition show. At least, that’s the excuse he gave Rory at the time—and he’s regretted it for five years. Cooking for tourists was supposed to be a stopgap between restaurant positions. Now it could be much, much more: a chance to fix the past.

But when an Italian prince catches sight of Rory, Huck’s not the only one vying for her heart this time. Can Cupid still steal Rory’s heart when the truth finally comes out?

Each book in the Holiday Hearts series is standalone:

*The Magic of Christmas
*The Christmas Project
*Escaping Valentine’s Day

ARC Book Review:

Started out a bit slow but was great in the middle. Loved the side characters a lot. The conflict was maybe a bit extra drawnout for me. There were many moments they could have spoken and resolved a lot. Ending felt like it came on very abruptly and I would have loved a longer end or at least an epilogue. 4 solid stars tho for me. I liked the story a lot. Clean romance.

Book Review : Ancient Sentinel

He never expected her…

Jaguar shifter Ren never thought he’d fall for anyone again—not after the last woman he opened his heart to tried to cut it out. Literally. But the moment he met Grace he fell hard and fast for the sweet human. Except she’s made it clear she’s only looking for friendship, and he wants it all.

But he’ll do anything to claim her heart.

Grace officially has a crush on her friend—a quiet jaguar shifter with kind eyes and deadly skills. However, he hasn’t given any indication he wants more than friendship. So she vows to move on—until they’re given an assignment by their Alpha. When they’re stuck together under the same roof, sharing one bed, it becomes impossible to hide her attraction. But then an unknown threat surfaces, putting Grace’s life in danger, and Ren will stop at nothing to protect the woman he knows is his mate.

LENGTH: Novella

ARC Book Review:

After ‘The Fall’ life on Earth has changed immensely. Many died, housing is limited, technology is touch and go. Grace is a human living with her older sister Jo, Jo’s dragon shifter mate Cas, younger sister Luna, and her grandmother. The local alpha, King, is expanding his territory to include an area inhabited by humans who were recently part of an attack. Being a skilled plant geneticist, King asks Grace if she would travel to the new territory to analyze the local flora.This book is a friends to lovers story is a quick, enjoyable read. The story goes from the angst of their trying to hide their feelings to reveling in the love they share. Ren and Grace make perfect partners for each other and they find each other in a story filled with romance, humor and adventure.

Book Review : Honolulu Cold Homicide

His latest case is a link to the past
And a cold case that’s all too personal…

When a new case carries echoes of his sister’s cold case murder, Detective Sergeant Lance Warner is visited by another ghost from the past. Caroline Yashima isn’t only the CJD specialist assigned to work alongside him, she’s also the ex he regrets walking away from. He’s not sure if he can expect a second chance—or just a chance for closure. But when Caroline becomes a target, he knows that he doesn’t want to live without her.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Hawaii CI series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Book 1: The Big Island Killer
Book 2: Captured on Kauai
Book 3: Honolulu Cold Homicide
Book 4: Danger on Maui

ARC Book Review:

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I have to admit, he has a way of telling a story that had me hooked. I couldn’t wait to see who the killer was and I couldn’t wait to see how Lance and Caroline would find their way back to each other. I will definitely be checking out the earlier books in this series by this author ,

Book Review: Sweeter Than Chocolate

Soon to be a Hallmark Channel original movie!

Do the “Cupid chocolates” from Lucy’s shop
really help people meet their One True Love?
Dean, a TV reporter, has his doubts…

Lucy’s chocolate shop, How Sweet It Is, has been in her family for generations…along with the secret recipe for Cupid chocolates. Rumor has it that if you eat one on February 14, you’ll meet your soulmate. Lucy herself isn’t sure if it’s magic or just romantic optimism, but a family legend is at stake. Besides, with her grandmother to support and a rival bakery opening up across the street, it certainly doesn’t hurt to believe.

Dean, an ambitious and skeptical TV reporter, doesn’t like the idea of a business taking advantage of romantic desperation. He doesn’t count on Lucy joining him as he tracks down and interviews couples supposedly brought together by the chocolates. Together, they find that the truth can be complicated…especially when it comes to their own hearts.

ARC Book Review

Super sweet read heading into Valentine’s Day. Lucy owns/manages her family’s small-town chocolate shop, which is struggling. The shop has a small reputation for bringing couples together through its “cupid” chocolates. People who eat one of these chocolates on Valentine’s Day allegedly have a better chance of finding love. Thanks to a friend, the cupids legend goes viral.

Lovers of the grumpy-sunshine trope will adore this book. Dean and Lucy have great chemistry together. As Dean works with her and the two have discussions over opening your heart and taking chances, they learn more about one another as well as themselves. This is a sweet, Hallmark-style romance that includes all the fun things you would expect: a small-town setting, a cute family-run shop, shared romantic glances, and fun side characters. I really enjoyed this one. It would be a great mood-lifter all year, but reading this in the time leading up to Valentine’s Day was perfect. I definitely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet escape.

Book Review : Depending on the Cowboy

The most reliable man

Could be the cowboy right in front of her.

Blaine Mayer’s life gets complicated when his high school crush, Sienna Powell—pregnant and recently divorced—comes to stay on his family’s ranch. He needs to focus on the cattle but can’t stop spending time with her. As Sienna’s visit nears its end, Blaine hates the thought of her walking out of his life for good. Can he prove to Sienna that he’s the man she needs?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

A Wyoming Ranchers Novel

Book 1: The Prodigal’s Holiday Hope
Book 2: A Cowboy to Rely On
Book 3: The Mistletoe Favor
Book 4: Depending on the Cowboy
Book 5: The Cowboy’s Little Secret

ARC Book Review :

A story of hope and healing – touching and emotional! Another heartwarming addition to this series with memorable characters and a lovely storyline. Yes, there are heartaches for some, but there is also a warm welcome for them. Sienna who is expecting her first baby, divorced and overwhelmed returns to Sunrise Bend where she reconnects with Blaine. I loved their tender relationship.Overall, I have loved this series and am sad to see it end but I am looking forward to more great reads from Ms. Kemerer.

Book Review : Recovery Road

A broken man finds a woman worth living for in the new novel in #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan’s Torpedo Ink motorcycle club series.

Kir “Master” Vasiliev doesn’t care whether he lives or dies. He’s a burnt-out shell with no one and nothing but his club. Whatever Torpedo Ink needs, Master will put himself in harm’s way time after time. If he doesn’t make it back, he’s certain everyone will move on just fine.
 
Investment banker Ambrielle Moore knows her own mind, and she’s not willing to settle for anyone. So when a second-rate gangster and his thugs try to coerce her into marriage—and giving up all of her family’s money—she’s having none of it. Until they turn to cold-blooded murder. 
 
Grieving and enraged, Ambrie is ready to go scorched earth on her captors when Master shows up anticipating a damsel in distress. But Ambrie is nothing like he expected, and everything he never knew he desired….

ARC Book reviewe

Recovery Road is the eight book in this series. And this is Kir “Master” book : hes an assassin and an ex con who thinks hes too damaged to survive. But meeting Ambriella may save his life. He may be all in for his club and Predident but his new wife is siromg amd the perfect women for this damaged man. I found this one not as dark and twisted as the other books. And a great new look at the club and each member of the family. If you are a long time fan of this series you will enjoy this newest book.

Book Review: Your Place or Mine?

Two reluctant housemates. One question: Is this your place or mine…?

When Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend, Taylor, to house sit for her while she and her husband go travelling could not be better timing. But unfortunately for Serena she’s not the only one to have received this offer…

Enter Ziggy: arrogant, messy (and annoyingly handsome) musician, and friend of Taylor’s husband. Living with him is far from ideal, especially when he claims the best room, has loud parties – and the least said about his kitchen manner the better…

There’s just one solution for Serena – drive him out of the house by being twice as difficult to live with than he is! But Ziggy knows Serena’s game and as war ensues between them, being forced together under one roof may result in some unexpected consequences…

Don’t miss bestseller Portia MacIntosh’s brand new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

KU Book Review:

 I did enjoy the book. It was a bit chaotic in my opinion just because there were so many story lines but it did all tie together in the end. I enjoyed the storyline following Diana so much and thought she was like Serena’s guardian angel! I thought Serena and Ziggy’s characters were great and definitely had some true LOL moments with their banter! The secondary characters were great as well and would read a second book about another romance if Macintosh went that route

Book Review: Sleep No More (The Lost Night Files Book 1)

New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz returns with the first novel of the Lost Night Files, an exciting new romantic suspense trilogy about a night that changed three women forever—but that none of them can remember. 

Seven months ago, Pallas Llewellyn, Talia March, and Amelia Rivers were strangers, until their fateful stay at the Lucent Springs Hotel. An earthquake and a fire partially destroyed the hotel, but the women have no memory of their time there. Now close friends, the three women co-host a podcast called the Lost Night Files, where they investigate cold cases and hope to connect with others who may have had a similar experience to theirs—an experience that has somehow enhanced the psychic abilities already present in each woman.
 
After receiving a tip for their podcast, Pallas travels to the small college town of Carnelian, California, to explore an abandoned asylum. Shaken by the dark energy she feels in the building, she is rushing out when she’s stopped by a dark figure—who turns out to be the women’s mysterious tipster.
 
Ambrose Drake is certain he’s a witness to a murder, but without a body, everyone thinks he’s having delusions caused by extreme sleep deprivation. But Ambrose is positive something terrible happened at the Carnelian Sleep Institute the night he was there. Unable to find proof on his own, he approaches Pallas for help, only for her to realize that Ambrose, too, has a lost night that he can’t remember—one that may be connected to Pallas. Pallas and Ambrose conduct their investigation using the podcast as a cover, and while the townsfolk are eager to share what they know, it turns out there are others who are not so happy about their questions—and someone is willing to kill to keep the truth from coming out.

ARC Book Review:

Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz is the first book in her new the Lost Night Files series. We meet our heroine, Pallas Llewellyn, from the start. Many months ago, Pallas was staying at the Lucent Springs Hotel, when an earthquake and fire literally destroyed the hotel. Pallas, and two other women came out of this with no memory of being there; as well as each having enhanced paranormal abilities. Pallas joins with the other two ladies, Talia March and Amelia Rivers to start a podcast called the Lost Night Files; investigating strange unexpected events, or cold cases.

This makes for an exciting and compelling storyline, that had me unable to put the book down. Slowly, Pallas and Ambrose begin to not only feel the psychic energies between them, but slow build romance begins. As they get more information, the danger escalates, as they become targets to whomever wants to stop them. Sleep No More was so well written by Jayne Ann Krentz, with wonderful characters, filled with nonstop action, in a fantastic paranormal mystery. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and I do not want to ruin the story for you. I look forward to the next two books in this trilogy, with both Talia and Amelia having their own storylines. I suggest you read Sleep No More, as it was a great read.

Book Review: Tick Tock A Thrilling Novel of Suspense

The Sisterhood: a group of women from all walks of life bound by friendship and years of adventure. Armed with vast resources, top-notch expertise, and a loyal network of allies around the globe, the Sisterhood will not rest until every wrong is made right.

The women of the Sisterhood have developed a motto: “Whatever it takes.” Regardless of how dangerous an adversary may be, or how overwhelming the odds against them seem, the group’s devotion to each other and to their cause has helped them achieve the seemingly impossible.
 
But there’s a price to pay for success. In the course of both their official careers and their top-secret missions, the Sisterhood—and their menfolk—have acquired enemies. Myra has been feeling uneasy of late, and her fears are justified when her adopted daughter, Nikki, is seriously injured. With Nikki in a coma, and Nikki’s partner, Jack, convinced that the organization’s online security has been breached, the women of the Sisterhood are more vulnerable than they’ve ever been. 
 
On their trail is a vicious felon with scores to settle and a network of accomplices willing to do his bidding, for a price. He’s set his sights on vengeance, and the attack on Nikki is just the beginning. Though frantic with worry about her daughter, Myra and her beloved Charles know it’s time

ARC Book Review:

 found this book a bit hard to get into and I am quite the fan of most of the Sisterhood series. I did find the beginning to be a bit confusing. With all of the villains and the story going back and forth between them and the victim.
Maggie did make me smile with her always hungry, endlessly empty stomach. And I did enjoy Libby who was introduced into the story on the side of The Sisterhood. Maybe she will be included in some future stories.   
It took a while for the story to get more interesting to me but when it took off, I enjoyed it more. So although I liked this story, it wasn’t quite a favorite for me. Although I do have to give the author points for coming at this story from a different angle than usual.
The ending was good in the justice type sense that The Sisterhood gals dishes out. I did like that they handed out punishments after interrogating the men and clueless Leroy didn’t get the worst of the punishments. They looked at the people, case by case. I do have to say the man that deserved the harshest punishment, got it. That last one might make you cringe a bit.

Book Review: A Deputy in Amish Country:

Falling for a witness

Was never his plan

When Annabelle Richards needs someone to keep her safe until she’s able to testify, Deputy Conrad Westhouse volunteers to protect her at his family’s ranch, deep in Amish Country. Watching Annabelle charm his neighbors and dream of starting over in the Ohio countryside tugs at Conrad’s heart…even though keeping his emotions locked down is the only way to protect the woman he’s starting to care about.

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

Amish Country Haven

• Book 1: A Deputy in Amish Country
• Book 2: A Cowboy in Amish Country

ARC Book Review
I really enjoyed the characters, the animals and the intrigue. Small town with some city drama and rural crime all combined for a wonderful story.