Romance Book Review: Ella Jade's A Love Discovered

Author: Ella Jade

Series Connection: The Steeple Town

Digital ISBN: 9781940744254

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc

Purchase Link: Beachwalk

Doing a favor for a friend, Cali Tate makes a delivery to the reclusive newcomer. When she realizes what a sexy man Dr. Carter Stavros is she decides she would really like to get to know the man even if all he wants is to be left alone. 

Carter came to Steeple to get away, finish his book and most of all get away from people. When he meets Cali, he starts to wonder if maybe being alone isn't everything he thought it was going to be. Cali is impulsive and full of life, everything Carter isn't.

With two completely different people is it possible for a future together? That is the main question these two characters have to answer.

Cali is stubborn and aggressive, just what Carter and his OCD tendencies need. This is a classic love story of two souls who are so completely opposite that they couldn't not fall in love. There is even the dubious friend who has doubts, sowing seeds for one of the characters. Even with so much classic style romance I adore the characters and am looking forward to reading Jenson's story next. 

Description:

When they met, love was the last thing they were looking to discover…

Local bar owner Cali Tate has always been trendy, easy-going, and impulsive. She isn't afraid to take chances, but her carefree attitude may have put her restaurant in jeopardy. Her failing business is beginning to take a toll on her, both mentally and financially. When her best friend asks her to do a favor and take some books to the town's reclusive professor Cali welcomes the distraction. To her surprise, the sexy professor is nothing like she had pictured him.

Dr. Carter Stavros wants to be left alone. He's set in his ways and doesn't want to be bothered with the outside world. Wanting to escape the demons of his recent past, he moved to Steeple, taking a sabbatical from his teaching job to write a book. He wasn't prepared for the spunky, persistent bar owner to invade his life. But the more she pushes, the more intrigued he becomes.

Neither one of them expected to find any common ground, much less fall in love. 

What happens when an OCD professor collides with a risk-taking woman who won't take 'no' for an answer?

Content Warning: contains graphic sex and mature content

Romance Book Review: Constance Bretes' The Last Dig

Author: Constance Bretes

Digital ISBN: 9781940744247
Genre(s): Romantic Suspense, Contemporary
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc

Purchase Link: Beachwalk

While at a dig site paleontologist Caroline Priest and her team find a dead body. Immediately they call the police into investigate. In walks Caroline's high school flame, police chief Rand Callahan. 

Since being back in her hometown Caroline has done everything she can to avoid seeing Rand. After the way he left and never got in touch with her again, she decided it wasn't worth meeting up with him again. 

Now they are forced together again as Caroline is accused of killing the man found at her dig site. 

This is a fairly quick read story with light suspense and a bit of a mystery. This man is a stranger to Caroline and even Rand doesn't believe that she didn't kill him. I've read more intense, suspenseful mysteries, this one book is good for those who don't want to delve into an all out hardcore mystery novel. The writing is well executed and the characters well developed. 

Description:

Bones, bodies, and a love rekindled.

Paleontologist Caroline Priest is shocked when she finds a dead body at her dig site. When she calls it in to the sheriff's department, her former boyfriend, Rand Callahan, comes out to investigate. The evidence quickly starts to point to Caroline being the killer, and Rand has no choice but to arrest her.

It's clear to Caroline that she's been set up, but by who and for what reason? While Caroline is out on bail, Rand rekindles his relationship with her as they try to solve the mystery before it's too late.

Content Warning: contains some sexual content

Romance Book Review: Imogene Nix's Executive Justice

Author: Imogene Nix

Series Connection: The Reunion Trilogy

Digital ISBN: 9781940744261
Genre: Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.

Tomi Ito has been in love with his efficient assistant since she stepped foot in his office, but had chosen not to let his feelings be known. When Gillian is fired from his job his hands are tied, but more importantly he wishes he could have let his feelings be known when he had the chance. 

Gillian doesn't know what she is going to do with her life after she is fired she knows she is innocent, but the rules are clear and the chances of her getting a job somewhere else are Reunion are almost impossible. To make matters worse she won't be able to spend her time with Tomi anymore. Although she knew he didn't have the same feelings for her as she had for him, she would miss him dearly. 

When Tomi shows up missing, Gillian will do anything she can to help find him and then prepare herself to walk away from him forever. 

This is the third and final installment to the Reunion series. Although all too quickly the story has been wrapped up. This series has the potential for a much larger exploration and although this part of the story is over I hope the author decides to incorporate some future stories in the world of Reunion. 

Description:

The end game is looming, but whether the last of the Ito family will find his happily ever after is in the balance.

Tomi Ito must deal with the knowledge that the woman he's loved forever, Gillian Edgemont, thinks he's abandoned her in her time of need. But when he's abducted, she's there to help save him.

Gillian is running from the wreck of her life and the unrequited passion she holds for her former boss, Senator Tomi Ito. When he follows her to Vega II so does the danger that's been dogging the Ito family.

As the finale looms, does it include a future for Tomi and Gillian? Or will it all turn to ashes?

Romance Book Review: Imogene Nix's The Assassin

Author: Imogene Nix

Series Connection: The Reunion Trilogy

Digital ISBN: 9781940744209

Genre: Science Fiction, Futuristic Romance
Publisher: Beachwalk Press Inc.

Purchase Link: Beachwalk Press

Kumi Ito is the head of Finance on Reunion and has discovered a great many discrepancies with the financial documents left by her predecessor and she feels that Reunion will fall to ruin if she can't find an answer, but a distress call from her brother, Senator Tomi Ito, has her dealing with more pressing problems. 

Captain Carmichael Snow, who helped save Selina in the first Reunion book, has found a group is plotting to kill Kumi. 

Carmichael has been in love with Kumi since they first met at Selina and Ren's wedding. Now he has to protect her and find out who is trying to kill her before it is too late. 

This series has a lot of potential, however as it came to the second and third book it was just too short. It was a little disappointing because I would have liked to see more of a development of characters and world building. What I did see I liked and give it high praise for that reason. 

Description:

Kumi Ito has her mission, as does Carmichael Snow, but are their objectives compatible?

Kumi Ito is a woman with a problem. Since assuming the role of head of the Commerce Department, she's found discrepancies…the kind that could cause anarchy if the truth got out.

When Carmichael Snow, the commander of the Emancipation, comes across intelligence that someone has placed a hit on Kumi, he has to save her. His plan? Hide her and find the assassin.

As they dodge the killer, a passion ignites between them that runs from simmering all the way to steamy. But will the actions of one snatch away their happiness before they can accept what is growing between them?

Content Warning: This book features a buff, hot guy and a kick-butt heroine. Naturally, hot scenes will follow.

Romance Book Review: Leslie Gould's Courting Cate

Author: Leslie Gould
Series Connection: Courtships of Lancaster County
ISBN: 978-1-4412-6049-9
Genre: Amish Romance
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Purchase Link: Amazon 

Cate Miller has come to terms with the fact that no one wants to court or marry her, except maybe if it meant having a piece of her father's money. Her father on the other hand would like to see her married and giving him grandchildren, so he make a rule. Her younger sister can't court or get married until Cate does.

This does not make her happy and she hopes she can convince her father to break his rule and leave her to spinster life she assumed she'd have.

Pete is looking to settle down in a new Amish community after traveling around for seven months. He makes clear to Cate he is looking to do some courting, get married and start a family. He also tells her he is dirt poor and that makes Cate believe he is just another looking for what her father's money can offer to his future.

When her sister pushes Cate to let Pete court her, Cate begins to like Pete until her overhears a secret that changes everything.

This is a heart-warming version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Cate's insecurities are believable, even if some of the facts around the Amish community don't ring quite true. The story is told from the first person and enough hints are distributed throughout the pages that you get to know the other characters in the story, even though I would have liked to have had more true interaction between Pete and Cate.

Description:

When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!

In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!

But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor--until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?

Romance Book Review: Maddy Barone's Wolf's Vengeance

Author: Maddy Barone
Series Connection: After the Crash
ISBN: 978-1-62210-108-5
Genre: Paranormal Romance, BBW Romance, Sci-Fi Romance, Werewolf/Shifter Romance
Publisher: Liquid Silver

Purchase Link: Amazon 

In Maddy Barone's After the Crash series book six, she takes readers to where she left off after book five at the ranch of the Dirk family where wolf shifter, Snake Wolfe, has agreed to help his new mate, Melissa and her brothers find their mother who was kidnapped 11 years before.

Melissa isn't so sure about her new mate. She agreed to marry him after he rescued her from former brothers-in-law who, after winning her in a bride fight, wanted to rape and murder her because she killed their brother.

Now home Maddy only hopes to see her mother again. As she gets to know Snake, she has to deal with living with being a woman in a society mostly composed of men and the repercussions of her past.

Snake Wolfe has finally found his mate and will do anything to keep her happy and safe. With the help of his cousin, Stone, he sets out to find Melissa's mother so that he can take his mate back home to the pack with him where he can keep her safe from harm.

Melissa is one of the strongest female characters that readers have seen in this series. She's been through hell and back with the best intentions of keeping her mother safe. I like this sci-fi series and the world that the author has created in a way to bring both a post-apocalyptic future and paranormal shifter genres together with imaginative descriptions of what the new world would look like.

Description:

In a post-apocalyptic future, a woman desperate to save her mother marries the werewolf who promises to help her. Wolf’s Vengeance takes you once again into the dangerous and passion-filled world created by Maddy Barone in her amazing romance series, After the Crash. 

In a future world where modern technology is unknown and women are rare, werewolf Snake Wolfe claimed Melissa Dirk as his mate the moment he laid eyes on her. All he wants is her love for him to match his for her. Mel will do anything to save her stolen mother, even marry the fierce werewolf who promises to help with the rescue. Love? Well … maybe she’ll love him someday. 

When trouble from Mel’s past threatens her very life, Snake swears anyone who wants to hurt her will have to go through him, and he will avenge every insult dealt her. Can love be born in blood? Or will Snake have to settle for merely his wife’s gratitude? 

Content Notes: Spicy, Paranormal, Shifters, Wolves, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Post Apocalyptic 

Romance Book Review: Celia Kyle's Lion's Honor

Author: Celia Kyle

Series Connection: Ridgeville Series

ISBN: 9781311793706

Genre: Paranormal, Shifter Romance, Werelion Romance, BBW Romance

Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing

Purchase Link: Amazon

Since she was 16 years old, Grayson, second in command of the Ridgeville Pride, suspected that Honor was his mate, but he knew that he had to let her go and finish college before he could claim her. He let's her go even though he doesn't want to.

Honor decides to leave the pride to go to London to attend Cambridge University. Since werelioness' don't reach their first heat until 22 she hopes that she will be home before it happens. Unfortunately, everything goes wrong in London and she is forced to come home battered and beaten. She knows that Grayson will be there for her, but will he still want her after what happened? 

Grayson isn't the only one who is interested in claiming Honor though, can Grayson protect her and keep his one true mate to himself?

This appears to be the ninth and final book in the Ridgeville Series. This book picks up four or so years after book eight in the series. Honor's story finds another werelioness in peril with the pack rallying to help keep a member of the pack safe from an evil disturbed rogue werelion. 

The nearly 80,000 word novel is well written offering a look at a strong alpha female who has been tortured and finding it hard to face those she loves with what she believes as her own shame. She fears her destined mate can't understand her reluctance to mate after all she has been through. Grayson is a strong alpha who plays a strong sensitive role and who works hard to protect his mate. His character is well developed and well written. There are excellent supporting characters in the entire series. I like the way the author handled this story much better than she did in the last book in the series. 

Description:

Sometimes the Queen of the Jungle needs to lean on her King. Okay, she’s really not the queen and he’s totally not the king, but damn it, they need each other.

Four years ago, werelioness Honor Mauer walked away from Ridgeville and hopped on a plane bound for London. She had college dreams and none of them included her pesky maybe-mate Grayson. (Even if he is the hottest thing to ever walk on two legs—and four.)

All is fantastically furry in London until she goes through her first heat. Then her world collapses, her bright, obnoxious eyes dim, and she runs home with her tail tucked between her legs. Too bad the London werelion who sent her scurrying home decides to show up just as she’s feeling a little less psychotic. Bastard.

Werelion Grayson got his curvy, luscious mate back on U.S. soil and he refuses to let her go. He knows there’s a lot of emotional work to do, but he didn’t become Ridgeville’s Second by turning belly up at the first sign of trouble. She’s his. The quicker she realizes that—and opens her heart to healing—the better. He’s got a plan for a life filled with love, laughter, and cubs and it sorta requires her cooperation.

Just when he thinks her recovery is around the corner, the male who’d hurt Honor shows up in Ridgeville. Which is a good thing, really, since it gives Grayson a chance to kill him. It’s like Christmas in July.

Romance Book Review: VA Dold's Cade

Author: V.A. Dold

Series Connection: LeBeau Brothers

ISBN: 978-1497533745

Genre: Paranormal, Shifter Romance

Publisher: Vickie Dold

Purchase Link: Amazon

Anna James sons are gone and successfully out on their own. This gives Anna the chance to finally leave her no good husband and find a new start. For five years she's been dreaming of a man who shows her love and romance. Moving to New Orleans she never would have guessed she would actually meet her dream man. 

As Anna and oldest LeBeau brother Cade begin to spend time together she learns that the world out there she never knew existed and her new love isn't exactly human. That's okay because the man in her dream wasn't totally human either. While Cade opens a whole new world for Anna, her ex-husband isn't quite done with her and is working hard to drag her back into her old troubled world. 

As far as I can see this is the first book for V.A. Dold and not a bad start. Like with all new series there is a lot of explaining and meeting of several characters that will more than likely have their own stories told in the near future. I think there is quite a bit of stumbling during the sex scenes making them appear a little rushed, but not bad. I was just thinking that Cade's personality lead more to the romantic and would have like to see more romance rather than erotic in this case. Otherwise I can't wait to read Simon's story which isn't out yet, but is promised sometime this summer. 

Description:

*Heat level=hot.* Recommended for 18+ due to explicit sexual content. This is an adult paranormal romance with erotic content. 

The series centers on wolf shifters but also includes vampires, voodoo priestess, a Marine, and magic. These are stand alone books that create a series. They do not need to be read in order. 

Anna James is single again, finally. In her opinion, men are self-centered and will never love her for who she is, a beautiful, plus sized woman. All except the fantasy man that she’s been meeting in her dreams for five years. 

She just never expected her fantasy to be a real live alpha shifter... 

Cade Le Beau isn't what he seems. He’s a billionaire wolf. A Shifter. He laments his missed chance six months ago to meet his fantasy woman in the flesh. Just as his second chance presents itself, his fantasy woman, his mate, is threatened by the local mob boss and her ex-husband. Now, he has forty eight hours to deal with this threat once and for all or chance losing her again. 

Is it Anna who’s in danger, or the humans who unwittingly threaten her? 

The heat is on the moment they lay eyes on each other. Neither, age, children, horrid ex-husbands, nor mob bosses will stop this love affair.

Romance Book Review: Ann B. Harrison's Two For One

Author: Ann B. Harrison
Series Connection: The Club
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance, Menage a Trios, MFM Romance, BBW Romance
Publisher: Self Published

Purchase Link: Amazon

Lizzie is down and out. Her boyfriend is a wham, bam thank you ma'am type, her job is going no where and she is in need of money because her loser of a brother skipped out on a loan that she co-signed for. Her friend Bel has a way to help her come up with the money she needs fast and get rid of the pesky problem of not being satisfied sexually. All it would take is to take a chance and be auctioned off to the highest bidder for one night.

Taking a leap of faith Lizzie decides to take the chance, but is Lizzie biting off more than she can chew when she gets the chance to take on two brothers for a weekend of hot sex?

Taking place in Australia, this book features a woman with a self-esteem problem way down on her luck. Be prepared for two sexy guys who have a few issues of their own and some really hot sex scenes. Sometimes this style of erotic romance is better off just being filled with sex because that is all anyone seems to be interested in. This time the author spent a little time trying to introduce the readers to her characters. The writing was well done, however it ended just a little too short at the end. With the character development the author already had a good start on it would have been interesting to let the characters shine just a little bit more and show their growth.

It will be interesting to check out the next book in the series when it comes out which will be called Fighter Boy.

Description:

Nothing is going Lizzie’s way. Her sex life is unsatisfying, her job sucks and she has more debt than she needs thanks to her loser brother. Against her better judgment, she lets her best friend sign her up to be auctioned off at a high-rolling venue called the Club. Agreeing to a weekend of adventurous sex with a stranger is one thing, but being bought by the brothers who own the Club means Lizzie is up for a weekend beyond her wildest fantasies.

Ryan and Lizzie hit it off, in bed and out, but it’s his quiet brother, Trace, that has her heart pounding and her panties in a twist. But is Lizzie what Trace needs? Having been burned before, will he take a chance on what his heart is telling him or trust his instincts and send her home after their weekend is over? 

Author Bio from her website:

When dreams become a reality anything can happen!

Ann swears she was born with a book in her hand and after years of reading she achieved her dream of writing…and publication.

Her debut novel – Taming to Outback was released in 2012 and since then she has published another five raunchy rural romances and two steamier reads. She’s currently working on a series The Club – destined to blow your mind.

Strong sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in all her stories, and of course a strong, passionate hero or two complete the mix.

With more than a little help from her own handsome hero Ann is living her dream in the beautiful Hunter Valley busy making sexy Australian heroes available to everyone.

Romance Book Review: Theresa Stillwagon's A Betrayal of Friendship

Author: Theresa Stillwagon 

Digital ISBN: 9781940744223

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase Link: Beachwalk Press

Charlie McIntire is working to move on with her life since her ex-boyfriend committed suicide and her best friend blamed her and left without saying goodbye. Working flying planes in Alaska two years later Charlie can't believe it when her former best friend comes back to town. Charlie doesn't want to deal with him, but can she stay away from the man she's been attracted to for years. 

Mace Hamilton comes back to town after two years to figure out what happened to his brother. Spending time with Charlie might not be a good idea because ever since she began dating his brother he realized how much he truly wants her. Mace needs to decide if he believes all the rumors about what she's done of if there is another story.

A lot of hurt feelings on both sides make up this story is portrayed in this relatively quick read. Okay story slow moving story. 

Description:

Sometimes friendship is enough to get over betrayal—sometimes it's not.

Charlene McIntire and Mason Hamilton used to be the best of friends. But when she began dating his younger brother, Mace started to change. It almost seemed like he was jealous, but that wasn't possible, because he never saw her as anything other than a friend.

Tragedy struck when Mace's brother, Charlie's boyfriend, unexpectedly committed suicide. Everyone believed it was Charlie's fault—even Mace. After the funeral, he left town without a word.

Now, two years later, Mace has returned. And Charlie doesn't like it one bit. She's gotten her life together, focusing her attention on the career she loves—flying planes in the rugged state of Alaska. The last thing she needs in her life right now is a pain-in-the-butt, hardheaded man—a man who still holds her responsible for his brother's death.

But wanting him? That's an entirely different story. Despite everything that's happened, there is no denying the sparks between them.

Content Warning: contains graphic sex and strong language

Note: This book has been previously published.

Romance Book Review: Celia Kyle's Big Furry Deal

Author: Celia Kyle

Series Connection: Ridgeville

ISBN: 9781311813817

Genre: Paranormal, Shifter, Suspense, BBW Romance

Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

This is the continuation of the Ridgeville pride series. Cat shifters, Walt (lion shifter) and Millie (panther shifter), two lost souls find themselves to be mates, but neither know if they would make good mates at this time because both have haunting pasts. 

Millie is a member of the group of shifters that was kept prisoner by McAllister who was killed in one of the previous books. Millie has a little more of a problem then just being abused by McAllister, she has a sensitive power that is so angry that any man who comes near attacks first and asks questions later. The only man who has yet to be attacked by the power is the man Millie realizes is her mate. 

Walt lives with the knowledge everyday that his mother believed him to be a demon and not someone that anyone would want to love. He isn't sure that Millie will even find him worth the effort of mating. 

When the two start to explore mating, Walt realizes that he can help Millie control her sensitive power, but attacks on Millie's life is bringing out her sensitive's anger and putting everyone in danger. 

This is a good story addition of the Ridgeville series. As always I like the Pride Prima, Maya's sense of human and the way she works to help her pride members, both Walt and Millie make good additions to the series. I like the suspense storyline wondering who could be committing the attacks and Millie's protective cat. The only problem I had was they way the author handled the submission angle of her book. I don't like using violent dominating tactics on previously abused.  

Description:

Panther shifter Millie Walker is finally free, finally knows her real name, and finally… has a mate? Well, crap.

For Millie, having a mate is a horrible, no good, he’ll end up very dead, bad idea. She’s got what some refer to as a “control problem.” In other words: she has no control and that’s her problem. So, she stays away from others, keeps to herself, and generally tries not to kill people. Except the pride Prima—Maya—has this “awesomesauce” idea and suddenly Millie’s at a pride picnic surrounded by people… and then she meets her mate. Her tall, delicious, please-may-I-lick-you-from-head-to-toe mate. Now she prays her powers don’t suddenly decide Wyatt is better off six feet under.

Lion shifter Wyatt Dane knows he’s not the kind of man who takes a mate. His own mother proved he wasn’t worth loving. But then he meets Millie. Millie with her fiery hair, generous curves, and dangerous powers. He tries to resist her, forces himself to reject her, but then she returns and he realizes he can’t let her go. Her powers will just have to figure out how to deal with his presence. He’s keeping her. Period.

But someone from her past didn’t get the “she’s mated” memo and he’s determined to have her, no matter the cost.

Warning: Big Furry Deal contains kick ass violence, some potentially trigger content (what do we expect from the bad guy), and copious hilarity. Be prepared for laughing, crying, and cringing. As always, curvy women rock, boys drool-girls rule, and your mileage may vary.