Category: 4.5-Stars

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Book Review: KARMA NEVER LOSES AN ADDRESS by K. J. McGillick

 KARMA NEVER LOSES AN ADDRESS

by K. J. McGillick

 

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU 

 

Betrayal on Every Level

     Marley Bennington had brutally murdered her older sister Samantha in a drug-fueled rage. Only two people know that fact as true. One of those two people, was sitting in a state prison, serving a sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. Who was that unfortunate person? Alex Clarke, Samantha Bennington’s husband, the man so buried in circumstantial evidence that he confessed to a crime he didn’t commit, rather than face a trial. He was now trapped with no way out.

     It all began as sibling rivalry and jealousy, as so many tales of treachery do. Now, that intense jealousy had ended in her sister’s murder. Once Alex was tucked safely away in prison, Marley was set to inherit millions of dollars tainted with her sister’s blood. But suddenly, two obstacles stood in her way preventing her from quickly obtaining the reward for her well-executed plan. One obstacle was her brother, and the other a nosy little old lady. But for Marley, this wasn’t a problem. She had killed twice already and cheated the justice system. What were a few more bodies? 

    Justice delayed is justice denied. Can Marley be trapped by the very people she tried to deceive? Will karma finally visit her door? Another gripping, tangled tale from the author of Facing A Twisted Judgment.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The next item she handed each of us was a pen that she advised us wrote upside down and could be used in any type of weather. It should have given me pause that she thought we could, at some point, be suspended upside down and needed to take notes.

 

Honestly, that man had more balls than a pool table.

My Review:

 

After reading her last book, Facing a Twisted Judgment, I was an instant fan of Ms. McGillick’s unique style, which involves a special blend of amusing humor embedded in her intrigue and suspense.   This was despite the expletives streaming from my mouth and steam shooting from my ears upon reaching that cliffhanger ending, which oh happy day, reached a conclusion with Karma Never Loses an Address. Karma was even more complex and cleverly nuanced with the chilling fratricidal psychopath Marley taking center stage, and I would have expected nothing less from the diabolically clever Ms. McGillick. My favorite octogenarian, Mary, was well represented but could always handle more attention, as I adore that wily little crone and her lethal handbag.   Mary deserves her own book, as she is such a corker. The storylines were well-constructed and multi-layered and told from multiple POVs with several rather complicated yet intriguing crimes taking place. Moral boundaries were smudged and ethics were stretched, but it all worked out to the greater good… essentially 😉

About the Author

K. J. McGillick was born in New York and once she started to walk she never stopped running. But that’s what New Yorker’s do. Right? A Registered Nurse, a lawyer now author.

As she evolved so did her career choices. After completing her graduate degree in nursing, she spent many years in the university setting sharing the dreams of the enthusiastic nursing students she taught. After twenty rewarding years in the medical field she attended law school and has spent the last twenty-four years as an attorney helping people navigate the turbulent waters of the legal system. Not an easy feat. And now? Now she is sharing the characters she loves with readers hoping they are intrigued by her twisting and turning plots and entertained by her writing

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/KJMcGillickauthor/

Kathleen McGillick

@KJMcGillickAuth

 http://www.kjmcgillick.com/

https://twitter.com/KJMcGillickAuth

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Book Review: Legend by Sawyer Bennett

Legend

(Arizona Vengeance, Book #3)

Sawyer Bennett

Release Date: February 5, 2019

Amazon| B&N|iBooks|Google Play|Kobo |Audible

 

The Arizona Vengeance is hockey’s hottest new team. But hockey’s hottest goalie is learning that even the best players sometimes need an assist.

Everything is clicking for the Vengeance. We may be new, but we’re well on our way to winning the championship, and I’m having the time of my life headlining the sports media as the hottest goalie—hell, player—ever. I for one am going to live up to my name . . . because I am Legend Bay.

Dragging my ass home from the gym, I’m blinded by some gaudy, glowing holiday lights. As usual, my hot-as-hell neighbor Pepper Nantais has gone way over the top. But just as I’m about to tell her off, something else catches my eye . . . Seems like Santa left me a present and not one I was expecting.

As life takes an unexpected turn, I realize that there’s much more to Pepper than meets the eye. Sure, she’s gorgeous. And exasperating. And her taste in decorating may be a bit . . . unique.

But beneath her carefree demeanor is a fierce determination and a heart of gold. And before I know it I’ve fallen for her. Hard . . .

Pepper is exactly the woman I never knew I needed.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My world just got narrowed down to this eight-pound bundle of wonderment in my arms and I am a different person as of now.

 

“Casual,” I confirm with a hard nod, but I do feel compelled to add on. “But exclusive.” Dax grins knowingly, because he understands that I just metaphorically peed on Pepper and marked my territory.

 

“You have nothing to be nervous about. You are wonderful and you could never embarrass me.” Relief wells in her eyes. “Unless you have an extreme case of flatulence at the table, and in that instance, I’m going to have to ask you to sit in the car and wait for me until I finish eating.”

 

I was 99.9 percent sure Pepper would say yes, but damn if that one-tenth of a point chance she might not didn’t have my body locked tight.

 

My Review:

 

I know next to nothing about hockey, other than it is played on the ice and it tends to violent, as the players are prone to brawl. So imagine my surprise when the tale turned out to be quite sweet. The storylines were well balanced with levity, erotically sensual steam, foul-mouthed characters, mental health issues, intrigue, and a tender yet sexy romance. The writing was observantly insightful and sneakily emotive. I enjoyed watching Legend’s awareness evolve and I found myself becoming quite unexpectedly fond of him, as he was protective and increasingly considerate of not just his innocent child but of Pepper and his struggling teammates. The storylines were briskly paced, well plotted, written with my favorite dual POV, and kept me continually entertained with a pleasantly engaging romance while also tickling my curiosity as I waited for the looming threat to arise.

 

The main characters were neighbors who had been somewhat at odds and annoying each other for several months as the highly structured and uptight hockey player, Legend, did not appreciate the colorful lawn displays and social lifestyle of Pepper, his somewhat bohemian next-door neighbor.   Pepper was free-spirited and had a kind and relaxed personality as well as a creative and artistic flair to her style.   I adored her. When her sexy yet cranky pain in the keister neighbor stumbled into her door in panic mode, Pepper did not hesitate to render assistance.   Legend was lucky she was so forgiving and generous with her time as his panic turned out to be warranted. A newborn baby had been left at his door in the dark with only a note, and that was only the beginning of the baby mama drama.

About the Author: Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer fromNorth Carolina, Sawyer uses real-life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as a full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Book + Main Bites | BookBub | Amazon | Newsletter | Master Blogger List

 

 

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Book Review: Second Chance by L.B. Dunbar

Second Chance

by L.B. Dunbar

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU 

 

 

Another romance over 40 from L.B. Dunbar

Can one sexy silver fox face the woman he once left behind but never let go?

Her.

A widow at forty-four, her husband left her a letter.

Contact Denton.

Once upon a time, the three of them had been best friends.

Mati Rath isn’t sure she should look back.

Her heart isn’t ready, or so she thinks.

Him.

A pleading phone call forces him to make a decision.

I’ll be there.

Yet, he hasn’t been home in twenty-seven years.

Denton Chance isn’t sure he should return.

The past still haunts his heart.

A desire that never left them, along with circumstances beyond their control, brings the past to the present.

Can one sexy silver fox face the woman he once left behind but never let go?

Sometimes love deserves a second chance.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My now best friend Cora tells me I need to get back out there. I don’t know where there is—or where I’d go.

 

I’m not certain how to categorize what just happen. It was the best non-sex-sex I’ve ever had.

 

My Review:

 

I have adored this series and author but I struggled more than a bit with this installment as it was a full-on angst-fest with near constant conflict, neither of which will ever be among my favorite tropes. I seek an emotional balance in my world but find I am willing to put aside my discomfort for exceptional wordsmiths such as the skilled raconteur known as L.B. Dunbar. The two main characters were each struggling with old regrets as well as recent losses and ongoing grief, as such, the tone was understandably heavy and other than occasional lashings of levity and bone-melting sensual scenes, it remained a chest squeezing read with thirty years worth of secrets and memories, wistful longings, resentments, disappointments, heartbreak, domestic and child abuse, family drama, and the emotional seesaw of their current indecisiveness and ambiance. Welcome respites from the ratcheting tension were found in the comedic flair of the family drama and observant insights of southern small-town living and pettiness, sassy and clever banter, and the breakneck speed of gossip.

 

 About the Author:

L.B. Dunbar has been accused of having an over-active imagination. To her benefit, this imagination has created over twenty novels, including a small-town world (Sensations Collection), rock star mayhem (Legendary Rock Star series), MMA chaos (Paradise Stories), rom-com for the over forty (The Sex Education of M.E. and After Care), and a suspenseful island for redemption (The Island Duet). Her alter ego, elda lore, creates magical romance through mythological retellings (Modern Descendants). Her life revolves around a deep love of reading about fairy tales, medieval knights, regency debauchery, and strong alpha males. She loves a deep belly laugh, a strong hug, and an occasional margarita. Her other loves include being a mother to four grown children and wife to the one and only.

 
Books. Kissing included.
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Book Review: Three Little Words by Jenny Holiday

Three Little Words

(Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #3)

by Jenny Holiday

 

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU / B&N

Kobo | Apple Books |  Google Play

 

In this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday proves that opposites don’t just attract, they ignite.

Gia Gallo is officially in bridesmaid hell. Stranded in New York with her best friend’s wedding dress, Gia has six days to make it to Florida in time for the ceremony. And oh-so-charming best man Bennett Buchanan has taken the last available rental car. Looks like she’s in for one long road trip with the sexiest – and most irritating – Southern gentleman she’s ever met…

Bennett’s pretty sure that if there was ever a woman to break his “no flings” rule, Gia would be it. Sure, she’s stubborn. She’s also funny, smart, and the attraction between them is getting hotter with every state line they cross. While Bennett doesn’t do casual, Gia doesn’t do “relationships.” But if they break the rules, this unlikely pair might discover that their impromptu road trip could turn out to be the best ride of their lives.

The Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series:
One and Only
It Takes Two
Three Little Words

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Gia was Canadian, so admittedly, her impression of southern American culture was based on Duck Dynasty and the William Faulkner novels she’d read in her one year as a literature major, but this dude, with his drawl and his falsely pretty manners, sounded like he belonged in a rom-com romancing Reese Witherspoon.

 

A little smile played at the corner of her lips as she stared at his lap with unbroken concentration, like she was a Jedi master with the power to make men pop woodies with her mind.

 

Bennett was like a rare, complicated flower blooming in many phases.

 

What was it about Bennett? He could shift the entire tenor of a conversation with a single sentence. He could look at her like he was seeing inside her, like he was shining light on stuff that had been in the dark for as long as she could remember.

 

My Review:

 

I’m feeling a bit conflicted about this one. I have adored the series, enjoyed the premise, smirked at the clever levity and thermonuclear sex scenes, and found the storylines entertaining and engaging; but I struggled to fully appreciate the main character of Gia. To most people outside of her friendship circle, Gia was rather vile; she was difficult, arrogant, entitled, prickly, and mean. She was rude and prone to going postal with service personnel when her needs were not met – gah! Gia was the type of person I make a point to avoid and maybe, umm, even feel compelled to spill my coffee on as they walked by. Yeah, I know, but sometimes karma needs a little help, or maybe I’m just too impatient to wait for karma to catch up to obnoxious snobs like that…

 

However, I was totally enamored with the lovely Bennett, he was a true altruist and the opposite of the cranky and snarky Gia. Bad weather threw the mismatched couple together for a long road trip in a Mini Cooper convertible, which, to me, sounded like a lower level of hell. As with the earlier books, there were wedding and family dramas aplenty, sweet and adorable updates and continuing stories of the previously featured couples, smoking hot sensual scenes, witty banter, profoundly insightful observations and inner musings, captivating subplots, and clever humor. I am growing rueful and melancholy with the realization that this may well be the last of the series as all the bridesmaids have now completed nuptials… I can only remain hopeful that this clever scribe will invent a few more people in need of wedding attendants, as I am unwilling to let this fun and feisty group go just yet.

About the Author:
.
Jenny Holiday is a cunning Slytherin who is constantly being told she’s unduly optimistic. This year, after realizing she had accidentally put “hero makes late-night grilled cheese sandwiches for heroine/other hero” in three books, she started doing it on purpose. When she’s not writing, she’s probably having porch wine with her neighbors and enjoying having gardened. Follow her @JennyHoli on Twitter, @holymolyjennyholi on Instagram, and find other fun stuff at JennyHoliday.com.
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Book Review: Betting On Us (Wilde Love #3) by Kelly Collins

Betting On US

A Wilde Love Novel #3

by Kelly Collins

Amazon  US / UK / CA / AU 

 

She’s the daughter of an Irish mob boss. He’s the archenemy’s youngest son. Will they choose love or loyalty?

When Kirsten O’Leary became a veterinarian, the last thing she thought she’d end up doing is patching up gangsters in her backroom. In spite of her best efforts, she can’t seem to leave her father’s world behind. When she’s framed in an elaborate drug deal, she turns to the last person she should for help.

Rafe Wilde, Nevada’s sexiest new lawyer thought he could leave the past in the past, but when the girl he could never forget needs him, he gets sucked back into a world of danger and lies. Possibly most risky of all is the undeniable longing he has for Kirsten.

Will these two find a way out together or will their family loyalty crush their dreams of happily ever after?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Ugh, don’t remind me that I’m nearly thirty! That was such a low blow. Age to women is like Kryptonite to Superman.

 

Never in my life would I have imagined a wedding like this. It was like housing cats and dogs in the same cage. It was doable but dangerous.

 

I was only going to say one day big butts will be in style and you can tell everyone you’ve had yours forever.

 

“He’s a good man, and he knows I’ll kill him if he ever makes you cry.” I kissed my father on the cheek as we all lined up and waited for the music to play. “You won’t have to kill him, Da. I can neuter him while he sleeps.”

 

The priest performed the ceremony and ended it with an Irish blessing. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Father O’Connor looked out at the attendees before he leaned forward and whispered, “And may you leave quickly before all hell breaks loose.”

 

My Review:

 

The mystery and intrigue were strong throughout the storylines of this romantic suspense mob series set in modern day Las Vegas. This installment tied in the characters from the previous books in a pleasing and entertaining manner yet this volume could easily standalone with a strong story of its own. The featured coupled were likable and endearing, and had been childhood friends from rival mob families and despite obvious attraction and deep feelings, had not been allowed to take their relationship further. The mystery was well-crafted, menacing, and unpredictable.

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive.

Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years. She loves hockey, shiny objects and has a new-found appreciation for green smoothies.

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Book Review, Giveaway: The Convalescent Corpse by Nicola Slade

The Convalescent Corpse

by Nicola Slade

 Amazon US / UK / AU / CA  

 

A story of Family, Rationing and Inconvenient Corpses.

Life in 1918 has brought loss and grief and hardship to the three Fyttleton sisters. Helped only by their grandmother (a failed society belle and expert poacher) and hindered by a difficult suffragette mother, as well as an unruly chicken-stealing dog and a house full of paying-guests, they now have to deal with the worrying news that their late – and unlamented – father may not be dead after all.  And on top of that, there’s a body in the ha-ha.

‘I love it. A delightfully unusual mystery with wonderful characterisation and historical detail.’ – LESLEY COOKMAN BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LIBBY SARJEANT MYSTERY SERIES

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

… my elder sister Alix announced that she intended to become a nun. This was because she had diligently attended every party she could cajole her way into in the town, but still failed to attract a man willing to become the husband she so desperately wanted. The nun idea was speedily cast aside and instead she decided to volunteer as a nursing assistant at the convalescent home for officers at Groom Hall, the gloomy hunting lodge next door to us. Her reasoning was that a wounded officer, being unable to escape her attentions, might well be a good marital prospect provided his injuries were neither unsightly nor injurious to the married state.

 

I imagine the best I can hope for is a wounded young man who’ll think me an angel of mercy. I don’t care if he has a limb or two missing, as long as he has a handsome bank balance and thinks I’m wonderful.

 

Alix says the prospect of Mrs Mortimer as a mother-in-law renders him ineligible as a husband.

 

My Review:

 

This was quite an unusual collection of characters, each one was oddly entertaining and rather abhorrent; I couldn’t get enough of their smartly written and artfully portrayed peculiarities. I also learned quite a bit as I will confess to being rather sketchy on my WWI knowledge, while I am old – I’m not that old. The storylines were humorously engaging while also informative and continually prodded my curiosity; was it murder, who did it, was it a crime or a kindness? There were multiple suspects, each equally repellent and captivatingly depicted. I treasured this wily author’s pacing, character development, and humorous observations; she cunningly tucked in shrewd insights and colorful descriptions with levity cleverly woven throughout, although their food sounded absolutely dreadful, which was a boon to my diet efforts!   I do believe Nicola Slade has snared a new fangirl.

Author Bio 

Nicola Slade lives in Hampshire where she writes historical and contemporary mysteries and women’s fiction. While her three children were growing up she wrote stories for children and for women’s magazines before her first novel, Scuba Dancing, was published in 2005. Among other jobs, Nicola has been an antique dealer and a Brown Owl! She loves traveling and at one time, lived in Egypt for a year. The Convalescent Corpse is Nicola’s 9th novel. Nicola is also a member of a crime writers’ panel, The Deadly Dames https://www.facebook.com/DeadlyDames/

Social Media Links 

 www.nicolaslade.wordpress.com   www.nicolaslade.com

Twitter: @nicolasladeuk

https://www.facebook.com/nicolasladeuk/  https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nicola8703 (I have a board for each book)

Giveaway 

Win a paperback copy of The House of Ladywell

(Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Review: There’s Something About a Cowboy by Rich Amooi

 

There’s Something About a Cowboy

by Rich Amooi

 Amazon US / UK / AU / CA   

 

Rule #1: No Dating Cowboys.

A fake fiancé doesn’t count, right? Oh boy . . .

 

Amy Weaver is tired of her dad meddling in her love life. Fed up, she hires an actor to play the part of her fake cowboy fiancé when she goes home for her grandpa’s ninetieth birthday. Sure, Luke Jenkins has got looks, charm, and muscular legs, but this is business, pure and simple. Things are fine and dandy until she finds out he’s a real cowboy, not an actor. Now, she’s stuck between a rock and his chiseled jawline, falling faster than a sack of horseshoes. How the heck is Amy supposed to ignore the sparks between them and stick to her rule of not dating cowboys? All bets are off.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“Those aren’t Wranglers,” Amy said, glancing at the tight jeans surrounding the man’s muscular legs. “That’s denim-colored Saran Wrap. I swear I can see his marble collection.”

 Sure, he’s some serious eye candy, no doubt, but you know I prefer the nerdy type. Give me a computer engineer and I’ll be naked before you can say hard disk.

 …”why don’t you bring me a piece of that delicious apple pie with some of that slow-Chernobyl vanilla ice cream.” “It’s slow-churned, nincompoop.”

 “Now, don’t you go joking around like that,” Grandpa Leo said. “You never know when I’m going to keel over from this old heart of mine. My A-orca is not what it used to be.” “Aorta.” “That, too.”

 He’s a master at sucking up to your father. Hear that slurping? That’s him again. The man could suck a Big Mac through a screen door.

 Not that Nathan was a horrible person, but they wanted different things. He wanted Amy to be a housewife, and she wanted him to go far, far away.

 I want to say thank you all for coming to my birthday. I’m so old I remember when the Dead Sea was just sick.

My Review:

I can always count on Rich Amooi to put a smile on my face; his stories are a sweet treat like a delightfully frothy confection. His characters were knowable and endearing while not always likable, but I honestly don’t know anyone who is – other than myself of course.   The storylines were engaging and pleasantly entertaining while the writing was cleverly observant, humorous, easy to follow, and held my interest throughout. His light romantic comedies are a welcome respite between heavier tomes and just good fun.

Author Bio:

Fun, Quirky Romantic Comedies from a Guy’s Perspective. Rich Amooi is a former radio personality who now writes romantic comedies full-time. He is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.richamooi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichAmooi

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/richamooi

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Book Review: Betting On Her (Wilde Love #2) by Kelly Collins

Betting On Her

 (Wilde Love #2) 

by Kelly Collins

Amazon 

 

She’s a renegade Russian mob princess. He’s an ex-con trying to go legit. Can they stay out of trouble long enough to fall in love?

Beautiful but deadly, Katya Petrenko’s future has been decided. She’ll marry the man her father orders her to, or she’ll pay the price. After narrowly escaping a marriage to the wrong Wilde brother, she has now been promised to a notorious Russian hitman who has the Wildes in his crosshairs. Ultimately, Katya must choose between loyalty to her family and protecting Matt, the Wilde brother who stole her heart years ago. She rolls the dice at the chance to win at love, but will Matt be her next losing hand?

Matt Wilde has had his share of troubles. Born into mob life, it’s all he knows. After spending the last three years in prison, he’s ready to run Old Money Casino legitimately—until trouble arrives in a red dress and heels. Matt is torn between loving Katya, the woman he knows, and hating her for being the daughter of the man who killed his father. When danger threatens to take everything away, will Katya be a safe bet, or will he have to go all in to save them both?

Love is a gamble, especially when the risk is your life. Will this pair double down and win or die trying??

Betting On Her – A Wilde Love Novel is a page-turning contemporary romance. If you like snarky heroines, sexy heroes, and passion that pops off the page, then go all in on this Kelly Collins’ novel.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

If Shrek and Dwayne Johnson had a baby, I was certain he’d look like Sergei.

 

There were two ways to deal with a man like Yuri. Kill him outright or make him suffer. I always believed that Karma was a bitch, and right now my name was Karma.

 

You’re so thin, you could hula hoop with a Cheerio.

 

I like your bad side. You’re like one of those German chocolate eggs. You break it open and never know what surprise you’ll find inside.

 

My Review:

 

Romance can be difficult enough but it grows ever so thorny and rather deadly when the attraction is sparked between the offspring of rival mafia families, although it does make an excellent premise for a steamy tale of romantic suspense in the wily hands of Kelly Collins. Bundled together with alluring characters, tragic and startling twists and turns, volcanic sensual heat, and clever snark and witty banter; the storylines were actively engaging and intriguing. I will be eagerly awaiting the next Wilde ride.

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive.

Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years. She loves hockey, shiny objects and has a new-found appreciation for green smoothies.

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Book Review: Betting On Him (Wilde Love #1) by Kelly Collins

 

Betting On Him 

(Wilde Love #1)

by Kelly Collins 

Goodreads / Amazon

He’s a gangster going straight. She’s a waitress going bankrupt. Will their gamble on a marriage of convenience pay off in true love?

Alex Wilde desperately wants to be free of the family’s mob business. But when his infamous father is murdered, the family attorney makes a suggestion he can’t ignore: find a bride before the funeral or they’ll force a wedding with a nice Russian gangster girl. When he meets a feisty cocktail waitress, he thinks he’s found his way out.

Faye Tandy is desperately in debt and hard-pressed to find help. Alex’s offer of a phony marriage for a ton of cash couldn’t come at a better time and she’s happy to help him exit the criminal world. The fact that he’s tall, dark, and handsome is an attractive bonus. But when she discovers the Russians have a contract out on her head, she wonders if divorced and bankrupt would be a better choice than rich and dead…

As Faye’s fake feelings for Alex turn real, she’s terrified her trip to the altar might be her last. Will Alex and Faye’s throw of the dice succeed or will they lose the lawless game of love?

Betting On Him – A Wilde Love Novel is a hilarious contemporary romance. If you like feisty heroines, sharp heroes, and passion that’s meant to be, then you’ll love Kelly Collins’ sure bet story.

 

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

She touched my hair. “You look like Snow White. Dark hair. Fair skin. Red lips.” She walked behind me and stared at our layered reflection in the mirror. “But your ass…did you have to eat all seven dwarfs?”

 

She’s not my type. I’ve seen nicer legs and bigger breasts on a chicken.

 

Not only was he handsome, he kissed like a porn star and danced like Michael Jackson. I’d hit a trifecta.

 

What’s with these Italian guys and their sausages? … You know me, I’m all about the O—and oh, does he have the skills to keep me happy.

 

I understood the danger of inviting such a diverse group; it was why I served cannelloni. No one needed a knife.

 

My Review:

 

Buckle up for an active modern-day Vegas mafia power grab with goons, beleaguered casino workers, Russian gangsters, money laundering, abductions, brokered marriages, romantic suspense, and the sassy waitress/college student in the midst of it all. I enjoyed the Wilde ride; written in my favorite dual POV with Ms. Collin’s signature clever and edgy humor. I look forward to more Wilde times ahead with this exciting new series.

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive.

Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years. She loves hockey, shiny objects and has a new-found appreciation for green smoothies.

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Book Review, Giveaway: Moonlight on the Thames by Lauren Westwood

Moonlight on the Thames

by Lauren Westwood

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA  /

B&N / Kobo / iBooks / Google

 

Worlds collide when two strangers meet at Waterloo station. It’s a moment they’ll never forget. Perfect for the fans of Milly Johnson. 

Christmas is a joyous time, but not everyone is merry and bright.

Nicola is a rising star at the top of the corporate ladder, but her personal life is a disaster. Her office affair has lost its allure, and the last thing she wants to think about is Christmas. A night of canceled trains and festive Christmas carols at Waterloo Station is just about the last straw…

Dmitri loves conducting his pop-up choir during the festive season, meeting people, and spreading joy and cheer around London. But he carries deep secrets from his past that robbed him of his dream to become a concert pianist. 

Can their hearts and souls be unlocked by music and moonlight and will they discover the healing power of love?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Jules had what many people would consider the perfect life: a perfect husband, a perfect house and three perfect children – and therefore took it upon herself to appear busy and stressed at all times.

 

Her penguin jumper had a white pompom stuck on the back – the penguin’s tail. Not that real penguins had tails like that. The jumper was probably made in some sweatshop in Bangladesh by women chained to sewing machines who’d never even seen a proper picture of a penguin, let alone a real one.

 

When she caught sight of him, he could tell from her face that he must look like an old shoe that had been chewed by a dog and spat out again. Which was better than he felt.

 

For a brief moment, her life had been shaken up like a snow globe and filled with magic.

 

… it was as if she was experiencing the world for the first time. The colours looked brighter; the people were people, not simply obstacles to be avoided on public transport.

 

Chrissie put her hands on her hips. Even the appliqué reindeer on her Christmas jumper seemed to look annoyed.

 

My Review:

 

This was an angsty holiday tale, fraught with tragic histories, regrets, guilt, anxieties, personal pain, and tension. Both main characters were heavily marked with scars, although where Nicola’s were internal, Dmitri’s were equally distributed inside and out with PTSD. I held my breath they would not damage each other further as Dmitri was so fragile and Nicola so full of anger and hostility, she was difficult for me to care for initially as she was so cold, selfish, and basically abhorrent. Both characters were fascinatingly complex, deeply damaged, and brilliantly crafted.   And the music – oh my heart, I’ll never be able to listen to Chopin or Rachmaninov again without remembering this heartrending tale. Ms. Westwood certainly made me earn that hard-won, well deserved, and highly desired HEA, but it was well worth the effort.

In addition to the new additions to my Brit Word List of bursary (scholarship) and chivvy (hurry along); I have learned a new manner of drinking tea as Dmitri enjoyed his strong black tea with one spoonful of strawberry jam, I’d never heard of that before. I’m going to have some while I listen to Chopin’s Nocturnes one more time.

Author Bio

 Lauren Westwood writes romantic women’s fiction and is also an award-winning children’s writer. Originally from California, she now lives in England in a pernickety old house built in 1602, with her partner and three daughters. facebook: @Lwestwoodbooks; twitter: @lwestwoodwriter; web: www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com; Instagram: @lwestwoodwriter; Goodreads: Lauren Westwood

Social Media Links –

facebook: @Lwestwoodbooks;

twitter: @lwestwoodwriter;

web: www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com;

instagram: @lwestwoodwriter;

Goodreads: Lauren Westwood;

Booktrail: https://www.thebooktrail.com/book-trails/moonlight-on-the-thames/ (this is a third-party site).

Playlist (music plays a big part in the book): http://www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com/playlist

Giveaway

Win 2 x Signed copies of Moonlight On The Thames

(UK Only)

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