Book Review: Tough Love (An Ultimate Novel) by Lori Foster

Book Description
     Vanity Baker loves a good, clean match, but she's not above playing a little dirty. She's wanted Stack "The Wolf" Hannigan from day one. Seems as though the best way to corral the famously commitment-phobic fighter is to insist on keeping it casual. And her plan works—deliciously well—until Stack's past steps out of the shadows. 
     Stack learned early to stay free of attachments. But with sexy, forthright Vanity, he's the one always left wanting more. Then his troublemaking family comes back into the picture, threatening everything Stack cares about—Vanity included. Suddenly he realizes they're much more than friends with benefits. He's ready to go to the mat for her…but will it be in time to protect the woman who's tamed him for good?

AVAILABLE: August 25, 2015
The Ultimate Series Hard Knocks (An Ultimate Novella) - Gage and Harper No Limits (Book 1) - Cannon and Yvette Holding Strong (Book 2) - Denver and Cherry Tough Love (Book 3) - Stack and Vanity *Available August 25 Fighting Dirty (Book 4) - Armie and Merissa *Available early 2016
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
     Vanity has wanted Stack since she met him, so she puts a plan into action capture the attentions of the sexy MMA fighter.  Vanity made a bargain with Stack to be her date to Cannon and Yvette's wedding for a night of hot sex, with the hope that one night will show Stack how great they could be together.
     This is were Tough Love starts... Stack has been primed for this night for WEEKS and now the night is finally here where he can get his hands all over the sexy Vanity.  Their night has a few glitches along the way with car-wrecks and family drama intervening, so their big post-wedding plans don't go exactly go as well as they hoped.  However, once they are able to complete their "plans", they are explosive together, and Stack knows that one night won't be enough.  
     Between continuing family drama and ex-girlfriends, Stack and Vanity must learn to trust each other and in their feelings for each other.  Tough Love delivers a PERFECT summer read with everything a Lori Foster fan could want!!
     **Also, this book makes me really, really excited for Armie and Merissa's book, Fighting Dirty.          Rating: 5 out of 5

Book Review: The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman

Book Description
     A brilliant, deeply dedicated psychologist, Grace Blades has a gift for treating troubled souls and tormented psyches—perhaps because she bears her own invisible scars: Only five years old when she witnessed her parents' death in a bloody murder-suicide, Grace took refuge in her fierce intellect and found comfort in the loving couple who adopted her. But even as an adult with an accomplished professional life, Grace still has a dark, secret side. When her two worlds shockingly converge, Grace's harrowing past returns with a vengeance.        Both Grace and her newest patient are stunned when they recognize each other from a recent encounter. Haunted by his bleak past, mild-mannered Andrew Toner is desperate for Grace's renowned therapeutic expertise and more than willing to ignore their connection. And while Grace is tempted to explore his case, which seems to eerily echo her grim early years, she refuses—a decision she regrets when a homicide detective appears on her doorstep.        An evil she thought she'd outrun has reared its head again, but Grace fears that a police inquiry will expose her double life. Launching her own personal investigation leads her to a murderously manipulative foe, one whose warped craving for power forces Grace back into the chaos and madness she'd long ago fled.
AVAILABLE: August 18, 2015
**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
     I had a hard time with this book.  I enjoyed the "flashbacks" of Grace growing up than I did of the present time in this book.  I could not connect with Grace as an adult on any level.  She was just so cold and unfeeling to me it was a huge turn off.  I had nothing to root for.  As for her "double life", it was no big surprise or shocker that she would have sex with strange men.  There seemed to be little actual dialog in this book, with most of it being Grace's thoughts or actions, over and over again.  Got somewhat tedious...
     Also, the "mystery" behind her new client, wasn't that mysterious to me...  
Rating: 2 out of 5    

Book Review: Starting Over by Stacy Finz

Book Description

     The mountain town of Nugget, California, may be tiny, but with its breathtaking scenery, fresh air, and lovable locals, it has everything. Not to mention it's the perfect setting for firsts—and seconds—of all kinds…

     On the day of her glitzy New York City wedding, society girl Samantha Dunsbury ditches her Wall Street groom, and hops in her convertible. Her only plan is to head west. But when a pit stop lands her at a lovely Victorian inn in Nugget, she doesn't want to leave. And when the innkeeper needs someone to fill in, Sam is thrilled to take the job—her first! For once, she's going to do what makes her happy. She just has to figure out what happy looks like. She never expects it to look like her surly new boss…

     The last thing Nate Breyer needs is a debutante dilettante mucking up his business. How his sister—and co-owner—could've hired Sam is beyond him. Nate's known women like Sam before—he was engaged to one once. With no options, he'll just have to keep his eye on her while also keeping his distance. But to his surprise it turns out Sam's got a knack for the job, and for putting folks at ease—including Nate. As business—and pleasure—heat up their relationship, Nate finds himself ready to do anything to persuade the runaway-bride to stay permanently gone…

AVAILABLE: August 18, 2015

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

     The book starts off about 4 months after Samantha Dunsbury leaves her glitzy wedding in her rear view mirror.  She ended up in Nugget, California, and the Lumber Baron, a B&B owned by Nate Breyer and his sister Maddy.

     I didn't particularly like Nick in the beginning of the book.  He was way to judgmental of Samantha, just because she has a similar background of his ex-fiance (extremely wealthy families).  Samantha never showed herself to be flighty or untrustworthy in her work for the Lumber Baron, yet every chance Nate gets he questions her longevity (and skill) as the event planner for him.

     I really liked Samantha.  She left her easy life in New York to find herself.  She is completely dedicated to her job as the event planner for the B&B and partnering with other local businesses.   

     Once Nate gets over his bitterness of being left the day before HIS wedding, he is actually a nice guy and I really liked him and Samantha together.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Book Review: A Glimpse of the Dream by L.A. Fiore

Book Description:
     Teagan Harper is barely 10 years old when she finds herself orphaned and sent away to live at Raven's Peak, a Gothic estate on the seaside cliffs of Maine. Soon, though her heartbreak and loneliness are tempted by a blossoming friendship with the only other child living at Raven's Peak: Kane Doyle, only two years older than Teagan and abandoned by his mother.  Over the years, the pair grows inseparable.  First they're prankster and confidants, but eventually their feelings change and best friends turn into soulmates.  On the cusp of Teagan's departure for a university in Boston, they share a glimpse into their happily-ever-after and make promises of forever.
     But Teagan and Kane's engagement and dreams of the future are shattered when Teagan returns home to find Kane gone from Raven's Peak - and living with someone new.  Devastated and heartbroken, Teagan cuts ties with her beloved adoptive home and tries to move on with her life.  But years later, when the shocking truth behind Kane's betrayal come to light, Teagan must decide whether to embrace her new life and let go of the past once and for all, or fight for her dream life with the only man she's ever wanted.
AVAILABLE: July 7, 2015
**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
     A Glimpse of the Dream starts off with a 10 year old Teagan Harper being taken to Raven's Peak after her parent's funeral.  Her first night there she meets Kane Doyle.  From then on we watch (read) their relationship progress from best friends constantly playing pranks on each other to their first kiss when Teagan is 15 and Kane is 17, to becoming engaged right before Teagan leaves Raven's Peak to go to Boston University.  Kane was supposed to join her in Boston, but he said he needed about six months to his live in order before he can move to Boston to be with Teagan.  While busy with school and struggling to keep her grades up, Teagan has less and less time for anything else, Kane included.  So when Teagan "surprises" Kane and finds that he is gone from Raven's Peak to live closer to his new girlfriend.  Teagan is completely HEARTBROKEN and doesn't return to Raven's Peak until she graduates from Boston University.  While back home, she sees Kane for the first time since he broke her heart and learns that he married the girl he left her for.  Again, Teagan leaves Raven's Peak, but this time with no plans to return back.
     Fast-forward another 5 years later, Teagan and her best friend have opened a successful antique shop in Boston, when she gets a call that Mrs. Marks, the woman that took her in and raised her at Raven's Peak has had a heart attack.  Teagan rushes back to Raven's Peak for the first time.  While she is back, Teagan why Kane betrayed her love.  
     I don't want to say anymore to spoil the story...  L.A. Fiore wrote a beautiful story of love and how you have to place your trust in it.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Book Review: Second Chance Summer (Cedar Ridge Book 1) by Jill Shalvis

Book Description      Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, and pine-scented breezes.  And it's the last place Lily Danville wants to be.  But she needs a job, and there's an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown.  What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aiden Kincaid - firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker.  She never could resist that devasting smile...      The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home.  Aiden has always done things his own way, by his own rules.  And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago.  If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has.  What she needs more than anything are long walks, slow dances, and sizzling kisses.  But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge - and this bad boy - a second chance...
AVAILABLE: June 30, 2015
     I LOVE Jill Shalvis.  She is an auto-buy for me whenever I see a new book coming out.  Second Chance Summer is the first book in her NEW Ceder Ridge Series and it doesn't disappoint.
     The first book focuses on Aidan Kincaid and Lily Danville.  Aidan had been Lily's teenage crush and right before tragedy struck Lily's family, they had started to explore their mutual feelings for one another.  Lily's sister and father died in the same week and it was just to much for a young Lily to take.  Lily has a serious case of survival's guilt and feels that the death of half her family is all her fault.  Aiden was devastated when Lily left and never looked back.
     Fast forward ten years, Lily is back in Cedar Ridge, even though it is the LAST place she wanted to end up.  She left with to many terrible memories, but she is desperate for a job after she was fired from her salon management position in San Diego and and her boss/boyfriend blacklisted her to save his own butt.  Lily's character grows throughout the book as she learns to let go of the guilt of losing her sister and father.
     The Kincaid's siblings are my kind of family.  They are completely loyal to each other, but tease and humiliate each other any chance they get.  The other Kincaid's will books in Jill's new Cedar Ridge series.

Book Review: Her Hometown Hero by Melody Anne

Book Description:

     Dr. Spence is searching for the perfect woman... but how will he know when he's found her?  From New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne, the second steamy in a new breakout series based on her beloved and bestselling Billionaire novels.

     In the bestselling books Billionaire Wins the Game, Hidden Treasure, and The Billionaire's Marriage Proposal, among others, we met the Andersons.  Matchmaking patriarchs Joseph and George took matters into their own hands to get their sons to marry and settle down.  But now that Dr. Spence Whitman sees how happy his Anderson friends are in married life, he's itching to get hitched too!  But how will he find The One?

     After this wealthy dad adopted him and his two brothers at a young age, Spence grew up learning there are more important things in life than money.  He wants to find a girl who shares that philosophy, and wouldn't hurt to have some similar interests too.  Now if he could just stop getting distracted by his gorgeous surgical resident, he could start looking for the perfect wife...

Her Unexpected Hero (Book 1)

AVAILABLE: June 30, 2015

** I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

     For me, the description of this book DID NOT match anything that actually happened in this book.  It doesn't feel as though the author of the book communicated with whomever wrote the book description.  I feel really bad about leaving such a bad review about this book, but I have to be honest and there was NOTHING that I liked about the characters and their "romance".  

     The book starts off with Sage Bank's grandma "faking" a illness to get her to take her surgical residency at her hometown teaching hospital with the hopes for matching her with Dr. Spence Whitman (who spends a majority of his time working in a Seattle hospital).  Spence and Sage "first" meet again when she is driving home and loses control of her car and has an accident.  Spence is there to provide medical assistance and gets her to the hospital.  While there, Sage is nothing but rude and nasty to Spence (who doesn't even recognize Sage) because she professed her teenage love (She was 16, Spence was 22. HELLO JAILBAIT) to him and he turned her down (umm.... Duh).  

     About a week after the Sage's car accident, she drives her grandma and grandma's friends to a party at Spence's dads house.  Spence is there are finally recognizes Sage (and bets his friends $50 that he can "reignite some old flames") as the teenager who had a crush on him and seems to think he can schmooze his way into her pants.  Sage doesn't fall for his rather stupid lines and walks way.

     Jump 5 months later, and now Spence is the head of the ER and Sage's boss.  Blah, blah blah... Now Spence can't think of anything or anyone other than Sage...  They sleep together, she was a virgin and Spence freaked out... Boom IN LOVE!  Yet, throughout the book Sage can't seem to make a decision for herself.  She is whiny, and for such a smart person, sounds really dumb.  Spence is a doctor with a serious God-complex.  I didn't like either of them and most definitely did not root for their romance at any point.  In fact I rolled my eyes throughout most of the book.

Rating: 1 out of 5

Book Review: Fatal Pursuit by Elisabeth Naughton

Book Description:

     Five years ago, Aegis Security op manager Marley Addison's lover died in an  South American raid gone horribly wrong... or so she thought.  When she receives a phone call telling her that he is still very much alive and in danger, she vows to bring him home safely, even if Aegis CEO and former Navy Seal Jake Ryder has kept her out of the field for the last few years.  Then Jake shows up in Columbia to help her, leaving her Marley annoyed... and more than a little distracted by her alarmingly handsome boss.

     As things between Marley and Jake heat up in the wilderness, they discover their rescue mission is filled with treachery.  Now the domineering Jake has to rely on Marley for survival.  But can she depend on him when their mission takes a shocking and deadly turn?

     Fatal Pursuit is the pulse-pounding third book in Elisabeth Naughton's scorching Aegis series.

AVAILABLE: July 28, 2015

Extreme Measures (Book 1)

Lethal Consequences (Book 2)

**To start this review I did receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

     The book starts off with the Aegis team testing the security for Pulaski Gallery and Jewelry Exchange in Washington D.C., with Marley in the command center in Kentucky.  Jake Ryder, her domineering boss, unbeknownst to Marley who helped planned the op, changed the plans by "breaking in" earlier in the day before going in at the "planned" time.  Marley is not happy with being kept in the dark.  She argues with Jake and hangs up on him while storming out of the office.  

     Thinking that Jake was calling her from a strange number, she answers a call from Grayson McKnight. Gray was her boyfriend five years ago before he disappeared in South America while on a job for Omega Intel, Marley's dads company.  Next thing Marley knows, Gray is begging her to come in help him in Columbia, and after "borrowing" Jake's private jet, she is on her way.  

     Jake returns back to his office to find Marley gone (along with his plane) and tracks her down to Columbia to bring her back to the States where she will be safe.  However, stubborn Marley won't leave until she saves her friend AND if she is able to prove to Jake that she is fully capable of taking care of herself along the way, so be it.  Their mission takes some twists and turns while in the Colombian jungle.  As they return home trouble seems to have followed.

     I really enjoyed "watching" both of these characters grow and learn to trust in each other and what they are capable of apart and working together.  Both had... interesting childhoods that left them scarred in their own ways.  

Reading this will make me look out for more Elisabeth Naughton books.

Rating 5 out of 5