I'll Never Let You Go by Mary Burton

Book Description

LOVE HURTS

He promised to kill her. One night four years ago, Leah Carson's husband almost succeeded. Philip stabbed her twenty-three times before fleeing. The police are sure he's dead. But fear won't let Leah believe it.

AND SOMETIMESIt starts with little things. Missing keys. A flat tire. Mysterious flowers. All easily explained away if the pattern wasn't so terrifyingly familiar. Leah has a new veterinary practice and a new life with no ties to her nightmare. But Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Alex Morgan suspects something. And when another woman's body is found, stabbed twenty-three times, Leah knows her past has found her.

IT KILLS

As Leah and Alex untangle the horrifying truth, he watches her, ready for the perfect moment. Until death—that was the vow they made. And a killer always keeps his word…

AVAILABLE: October 27, 2015

Before I even get into what I thought about the I'll Never Let You Go... I don't know if it was only my ARC, but the format on this ebook was confusing.  There were no spaces in between dialogue/thoughts and completely different scenes.  It was very confusing to keep track of who said what and who was thinking what.  It slowed down my reading process significantly and took a lot of the enjoyment out of the book.

Now onto my thoughts of the story...

I was kinda bored.  I didn't connect with Alex or Leah.  I thought Alex was cold and unfeeling throughout and Leah was a little to OCD for me.  Also, I didn't find it all that difficult to figure out who the bad guy was.

I also wouldn't classify this book as a Romantic Suspense.  I found absolutely NO romance.

Rating: 2 out of 5

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

Lily in Bloom by Tammy Anderson

Book Description

Lily Carter has one chance to save her family from destitution. She must marry.

The real question now is who? Lily longs for one man, but her attempts to attract Eric Sampson are foiled at every turn. Eric can’t see a future when he’s still tangled in his past, and Lily is forced to consider other suitors despite loving Eric.

When one suitor comes forward who could threaten Lily’s well-being, Eric must set his doubts about marriage aside to protect her. But events have been set in motion neither of them can stop. Will his past destroy both their futures?

AVAILABLE: September 15, 2015

Lillian (Lily) Carter has to marry to save her family and their business.  Lily will receive her inheritence (which is a piece of land in the Boston Harbor area) that her brother desperately needs in order to keep their ship building business afloat, but according to her parents last will and testimate, their children only receive their inheritence after they marry.  She is basically given till the end of the season to choose a husband, or her brother will find one for her.

But the only man Lily wants, doesn't seem to want her back.  

Eric Sampson's wife died two years prior in a carriage accident.  Since then, he has kept his focus on is business and his son, Toby.  As determined as Lily is to gain Eric's attention, Eric is equally determined to stay away from her.  But as Lily gains more and more attention from other suitors, Eric's reasons for staying away seem to fade.

While the relationship between Lily and Eric is the primary focus of this story, the mystery/supense factor is what kept this from being JUST a historical romance.  Lily in Bloom was a fast-paced, romantic read that I absoutely LOVED.

Even if you don't normally read "historical romances", PICK THIS BOOK UP!! 

Rating: 5 out of 5

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

Cold as Stone by Lisa Hughey

Book Description

Nothing is ever set in STONE…

Ex-Marine, John Pulaski, the surprise half-brother of the Stone siblings takes a trial job at Stone Consulting with hopes of making it permanent. Given a mission to find two missing women, John will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets to their abduction. His stunning and driven partner is the only hitch in his plan.

After a tragic incident two years ago, former FBI agent, Rissa Evans freezes at any sign of conflict, but she's bound and determined to overcome her personal obstacles to prove to her irresistably sexy and infuriating partner that she's got what it takes to solve the case. As John and Rissa dig deeper into the case, their unwanted attraction intensifies, taking them both by surprise.

But the two wounded souls have to put aside their desires, in order to find the monster who steals the lives of innocent women. With time running out and so much on the line, can they let go of the scars of their past to discover what they're really looking for?

AVAILABLE: October 12, 2015

I didn't connect with ANY of these characters.  Probably because I haven't read any of the previous books in this series, but reading this didn't make me want to read any others...

Luckily, this book was so short because I almost stopped reading it and just skimmed through it.

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

Rating: 2 out of 5

Resurrection River by Lindsay Cross

Book Description

Ranger James accepted his best friend’s death like a good soldier. With guilt. Regret. Vengeance. But a forbidden desire keeps pulling him from his mission…

Desire for his best friend’s widow.

Killed in Action. That’s why Amy Carter’s husband wasn’t coming home.

A war widow, alone and broke, Amy struggles to revive her family’s crop dusting service to survive. Now she takes to the skies to find escape. Escape from the pain. From the guilt. From the earth-shattering desire for her husband’s best friend.

Amy and Ranger can’t fight the attraction between them any longer. But one fateful night cleaves their new found love in two...

Can they find the will to fight for true love

AVAILABLE: October 21, 2015

Men Of Mercy Series
Redemption River (Book 1)
Resurrection River (Book 2)
Reckless River (Book 3)

Resurrection River starts with a 7 months pregnant Amy Carter finding out her husband was killed during his latest deployment to the Middle East.  Under the stress of finding out she is a widow, Amy has her baby girl, Chloe, early.  With the pressures of being a new mother, widow, trying to keep her business afloat, and the mother-in-law from HELL, Amy retreats into herself and becomes numb.  And suffers in guilt for the feelings she (still) has for Ranger James, her high school sweetheart and Shane's best friend/teammate.

Ranger has watched Amy struggle with her new life for 8 months.  He is determined to show her that it he has never stopped loving her and that it is okay to accept help, especially his.  Amy is determined to do it on her own, but when one of her workers (and herself) is threatened by a local gang member, Ranger's patience is gone.

I wish I had read the first book in the Men of Mercy (Redemption River) series before I read Resurrection River.  I somewhat felt that I was missing some of the back story between Amy and Ranger.  I don't know if more was explained in book 1 or just left out all together.  That being said I really really liked this book.  Enjoyed these character's and look forward to reading more about them.

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

Rating: 4 out of 5

His Temporary Fix by Sofia Grey

Book Description

Holly Jacobs loses her heart a little too easily. Never again. But when she meets the sexy soldier on the beach, Holly knows she's in big trouble. Zack Winter is gorgeous and in pain, and when he kisses Holly, all of her resolve melts away...

Zack's is on short-term leave to attend a funeral, and he's walking a fine line. The loss is unbearable...and he'll do whatever it takes to distract himself from it. Especially if it means a night of searingly-hot sex with Holly Jacobs. Only his brilliant idea isn't exactly going according to plan.

One night isn't nearly enough. But if it goes much longer it might end in broken hearts…

AVAILABLE: October 26, 2015

THIS BOOK IS A NOVELLA!!

Holly Jacobs is home to help care for her younger brother after he was in a car accident.  Zack Winter, staying in a rental property a few houses down from Holly, is on temporary leave to attend his baby sister's funeral.  They meet and feel an instant kinship over the lose of loved ones (Holly lost her parents when she was young).  Between burying Zach's sister and finding out new details about her death, Zach and Holly's connection grows in their short time together.

I've read novella's that have the feel of a full-length novel.  This book isn't one of them.  I felt rushed through the story and relationship.  And because of that, I didn't really get invested in these characters.  I definitely would of really enjoyed this as a full length novel. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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

Want by Emma Rider

Book Description

Savage in the cage. Savage in the bedroom.

Powerful. Brutal. Mixed Martial Artist, Ryland “The Savage” Cole doesn’t play by the rules. He wants it. He takes it. And he wants Jade.

Professional cuddler Jade has not only been hurt but also deceived by the one she once loved. She’s not going to make a mistake again by giving her heart to a man. Especially since she’s now free.

When a motorcycle club threatens her best friend, she puts her life on the line in order to save him, but in order to do that, she must spend every night in Ryland’s arms.

A professional cuddler. An alpha MMA fighter. And a motorcycle club.

WANT is a full length contemporary MMA Romance, a standalone, and has no cliffhanger.

AVAILABLE: October 14, 2015

First, before I even get into what I thought about this book... Professional cuddler?!?!?!  Ummm.... I have to be honest... I googled it.  Is this a real thing?? Does it actually have therapeutic benefits?? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?!?!? I kid you not. This through me off for a little bit.  And yepp, it is real and yes it is said to have benefits for those suffering PTSD and other disabilities.

Okay, onto the book...

It's starts with a classic story.  Girl loves boy.  Girl and boy get engaged and start a life together.  Girl gets degree.  Girl finds out boy is a lying slimeball.  Boy sets up girl with drugs in truck of car.  Girl gets arrested and spends time in jail.  Girl gets out of jail with a mountain of debt and becomes a professional cuddler...  You know, happens all the time.

Jade started her business, Snuggle up to Me, to help people (and herself).  She is determined to make it on her own and remain free.  She screens clients and has contracts with them to protect both her and her clients.  She has rules and boundaries with them all.  One client that pushes her boundaries and actually makes her FEEL while they cuddle is MMA fighter Ryland "The Savage" Cole.  

Ryland is heading into his last year of competitive MMA fighting and wants to go out on a high note.  He has worked hard to reach the level of success he has.  He is the type to know what he wants and set a plan on how to get it.  And he has his sights set on Jade.  His "plan" on how to get Jade is a little... unorthodox, but I understood where it was coming from.

By the end of the book, you understand more of the "professional cuddler" aspect of the book.  Want was a good romantic read with some pretty steamy scenes.  I hope Emma Rider writes Jase and Jules story!!

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

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Friendly Arrangement by Christie Warner

Book Description

What happens when your plus one becomes "the one"?

Holly Haggerty and Roth Esterly are two besties with everything in common--they're neighbors, career-driven, and commitment-phobes. Tired of always being set up on dates by well-meaning friends and family, they take matters into their own hands: they will be the other's plus one--a little friendly arrangement between friends.

Easy…until a steamy night where they cross the line. But that's okay, they'll add an addendum--one that includes a little action between the sheets…on top of the sheets…and without the sheets. But there are rules. Dating and sex are exclusive until one of them decides to terminate the agreement. No slumber parties. And if either party becomes emotionally involved they will break things off with no hard feelings.

When unexpected news changes their plans and turns their fun arrangement into something more serious, Holly and Roth must come to terms with what's more important--what they thought they wanted, or what they really need.

AVAILABLE: October 26, 2015

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

Holly and Roth have been "besties" ever since they started living across the hall from each other about two years ago.  They have many things in common.  They are career-driven, commitment-phobe (even though I don't really think Holly is so much a commitment-phobe rather than just not ready for a committed relationship at this time in her life) people with friends and family always trying to set them up with the PERFECT person.  So in order to avoid the dreaded set-ups, they decide to become each other's "plus one" when needed.  

When they add a "benefit" to their plus-one arrangement, feelings change and develop for both, but they don't talk to each other about them until something happens where it can no longer be avoided.

To me, these two didn't come off as true "besties".  I had a hard time understanding what made them best friends.  They didn't know much about each other other than they didn't want a committed relationship.  Roth didn't know that Holly had a friend that died from domestic violence and that is why she volunteered so much at a women's shelter. And Holly didn't know that Roth had family issues.  My best friends know pretty much EVERYTHING about me (good, bad, and indifferent).  It was also hard to take these two seriously as adults for some reason.  Maybe it was their inner dialogue with themselves.  I don't know, something was just off. 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5