Lost in Her by Sandra Owens

Book Description

It’s been a year since Ryan O’Connor buried his wife. He was in Afghanistan as a SEAL medic when the call came in that she’d been killed during a robbery. In that time, he returned home, nursed his grief, and joined his former brothers-in-arms in the K2 Special Services.

After a bad breakup with her ex, Charlene “Charlie” Morgan finds happiness only when flying the friendly skies—as an aerobatic stunt pilot. But the skies aren’t so friendly when her plane troubles turn out to be the work of sabotage.

Looking to forget their worries, Charlie and Ryan run into each other at a bar. The chemistry is instant and intense. It’s only supposed to be a one-night stand. But the memory of their passionate kiss lingers, and when Ryan shows up at Charlie’s flight school, their romance takes off. Yet the route to love has its own turbulence—secrets, lies, and danger. Can one night lead to something lasting?

AVAILABLE: February 9, 2016

K2 TEAM NOVELS

Crazy for Her (Book 1)

Someone Like Her (Book 2)

Falling for Her (Book 3)

Lost in Her (Book 4)

I don't even know where to start with this review.  To be honest, I ALMOST didn't even bother wasting my time.  But I figured I actually wasted my time reading this, so I might as well type out my review.

Leaving bad reviews isn't fun for me.  I know there was a lot of time and effort spent writing this book...  But for the life of me... WHYYYYYYY!?!??!?!  I don't think I liked anything about this book.  I've read all the other K2 Team books in the series and it was like someone COMPLETELY different decided to write Ryan's story.  I can't recall reading a book with such insecurities in both lead characters.  Their conversations where cringe-worthy to read.  It almost physically hurt me to finish this book.  I think the only reason why I did was just to see if I was right in who was messing with Charlie's plane.  (FYI, I was... it wasn't that hard to figure out...)

To say this book was a disappointment would be a HUGE understatement.

Sorry. =/

Rating: 1 out of 5

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

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Betting on the Wrong Brother by Cathryn Fox

Book Description

He may be at a romance readers’ convention, but a naked woman in the elevator is not what horror writer Ryan Wheeler expects. Now he can’t take his eyes off of her—and not just because he saw her naked, though her luscious curves certainly aren’t helping the matter. She’s beautiful, funny, snarky…and a complication he doesn’t need.

Running into her teen heartthrob while naked wasn’t exactly part of romance novelist Andi Palmer’s weekend plans. Worse, he doesn’t recognize her and gives her a fake name­. Years ago, he shot her down in the worst possible way, and now this? It’s time for a little down-and-dirty revenge.

Ryan’s more than a little turned on by this good girl who wants to be bad. But things aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re keeping from one another might just end this sexy little rendezvous before it ever begins…

AVAILABLE: February 8, 2016

Betting on the Wrong Brother by Cathyrn Fox is a light-hearted, quick read perfect for a lazy day. 

Romance novelist Andi Palmer is running late for a meeting while at a Romance convention in Vegas when the elevator she is in breaks down.  In order to save time, she begins to change from her travel clothes to her business outfit with her publisher when the elevator begins to move and in walks her childhood crush, Nolan Wheeler.  

Or so she thinks...

Horror writer Ryan Wheeler is at the same hotel to research the "hauntings" of his hotel room for his next book.  He "bumps" into a half-naked Andi in the elevator he is instantly attracted to her, but Ryan has the feeling he has seen her before.  Ryan doesn't realize, at first, that Andi thinks he is his younger brother, Nolan.  What happens next is a case of revenge (on Andi's part) and trying to learn more about Andi (Ryan's part).  But after a week of playing a game, real feelings begin to emerge and Ryan still hasn't told Andi who he really is...

Will Andi forgive Ryan...??

Rating: 4 out of 5

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

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Wrecked by Sherilee Gray

Book Description

Piper West is finally on her own, and it's time to get crazy. Except that her overprotective big bro has enlisted his ex-cop best friend to keep an eye on his baby sister. With every move monitored and reported back, Piper's life has gone from “going crazy” to “being driven crazy.” But a searing-hot kiss with her sexy and scarred watchdog is just the game-changer she needs…

Cole Black owes Piper's brother big-time, but there's nothing easy about his new assignment. Piper is all feisty sexiness and curves meant to tempt a man beyond reason, and Cole can't stop himself. Now he's caught up in a hunger like nothing he's ever known, and he can't get enough…

Even if Piper's the one girl he's not allowed to have.

AVAILABLE: February 8, 2016

AXLE ALLEY VIPERS
Crashed (Book 1) Review HERE
Revved (Book 2)
Wrecked (Book 3)

Wrecked is the third and final book of Sherilee Gray's Axle Alley Vipers series.  Each book can be read as a standalone book since each focuses on a different couple.   Wrecked focuses on the third and youngest woman from West Restoration.  

Piper West is FINALLY on her own and she is looking forward to not having someone constantly watching over her.  With both Alex and Rusty out of the house, Piper is living alone is the cottage close to their garage and looking forward to living alone.  But her big brother, Deke, is not happy about her living alone and sends his best friend, Cole, to live in the apartment above the garage to keep an eye on her.  Piper has had a crush on Cole for as long as she can remember, but he has never seen her as more than his best friend's little sister.

Cole Black recently moved back to Miami after having to leave the NYPD.  He is still struggling with the car accident that ended his career, leaving him permanently scarred and injured and killed his partner.  His best friend (and Piper's big brother) makes Cole the manager of his new security firm, West Security, hoping to help him get back on his feet and move on with his life.  But Cole still feels that since his partner left behind a wife and son, he doesn't deserve to be happy in his life, especially with Piper, the girl he has loved for YEARS.  So what is he supposed to do when his best friend asks him to move close to Piper and keep an eye on her?  It is torture for Cole to be this close to her and not allowing himself to have her.  He believes that Piper deserves a whole man that can give her the world, and Cole doesn't believe he is that man anymore.      

But when ONE kiss shows them that they both want more, will Piper be able to break through Cole's internal scars and show him that he deserves to be happy and whole.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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

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Borrowing Trouble by Stacy Finz

Book Description

In the beautiful mountain town of Nugget, California, staying out of the limelight is easy, but staying out of love is a bit more challenging…

Back in Los Angeles, Sloane McBride was a great police detective, but after she uncovered corruption on her own squad, the job became nearly impossible. In the bucolic hills of Nugget, she can start to imagine a life after all that, where she keeps her head down, does her work, and doesn't bother anyone. But her delicious next door neighbor isn't going to make it easy to keep to herself…

Brady Benson's wildest dreams came true in LA—but they were paired with a living nightmare. As executive chef of a searing-hot restaurant, he was lauded, adored… and then found himself caught in the sights of a lovelorn stalker. Now, laying low in Nugget, he finds his own heart ensnared by the beautiful new cop with her own reasons to start over. 

Neither Sloane nor Brady came to town looking for love, but it seems to have found them. Trouble is, so have their pasts. And they'll have to stop hiding from both if they hope to come out the other side together…

AVAILABLE: February 2, 2016

Nugget

Going Home (Book 1)

Finding Hope (Book 2)

Second Chances (Book 3)

Starting Over (Book 4) Review HERE

Getting Lucky (Book 5) *read, but only left short review on Goodreads and Netgalley 

Borrowing Trouble (Book 6)

Borrowing Trouble is the sixth book in Stacy Finz's Nugget series.  You do not have to read this in order to enjoy Sloane and Brady's story.  As readers, you get glimpses of previous couples and get to catch up with their happily-ever-afters.  I enjoyed Borrowing Trouble SOOO much more than Getting Lucky (I DID NOT like Lucky at all!!) and was excited to read more about Brady Benson and what he was hiding from.    

Brady Benson was a hot chef back in LA, but that all changed when he developed a stalker.  At the advise of the cops, Brady decided that it would be best to lay low for a while.  He ends up in Nugget and gets a job at the local B&B, Lumber Baron.  But even with distance between him and his stalker, he keeps looking over his shoulder waiting for the other show to drop.  And then the beautiful Sloane McBride moves in next door.

Sloane McBride loves being a cop in LA and being in a position to help people.  But after discovering and speaking out against a group of corrupt cops, her days as a member of the LAPD are numbered.  Deciding to leave LA behind, Sloane makes her way to Nugget with the hope that she can make a difference on their police force and escape the threats back in LA.  

Sloane and Brady become fast friends and begin fighting an attraction to each other.  Each have their reasons, but soon they can no longer fight the pull they feel for each other.

But all to soon, each of their pasts come back to haunt them.  Will their new relationship able to survive them?            

Rating: 4 out of 5

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

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Playing Hard by Melanie Scott

Book Description

HIS GAME NEVER FAILS...

Baseball star Oliver Shields has always lived for the game-and now the New York Saints have finally made the play offs. The season isn't over yet, but meeting gorgeous Amelia Graham seems like a bonus grand slam-until one night of partying threatens to take Oliver out of the game for good...

UNTIL SHE puts his heart in play...

All work and no play has always been Amelia's motto, earning her a coveted job on Wall Street and the freedom she's always longed for. Oliver is a real player-in more ways than one-and a distraction she doesn't need, especially when she's trying to win a chance at her dream assignment at work . When flirtation turns to attraction so fierce neither one of them can say good-bye, will Oliver and Amelia step up to the plate-and give love a chance?

AVAILABLE: February 2, 2016

New York Saints Series
The Devil in Denim (Book 1)
Angel in Armani (Book 2)
Lawless in Leather (Book 3)
Playing Hard (Book 4)

Playing Hard is the forth book in Melanie Scott's New York Saints series.  This is the first book that I have read by this author and it won't be my last.  Each book can be read as a standalone. 

1st baseman Oliver Shields has played with the New York Saints for 15 years when he was drafted right out of high school at 17.  Oliver eats, sleeps, and dreams baseball.  And although he knows that he can't play the game that he loves forever, he would like the chance for a few more good years before he has to hang up his glove forever.  And under the new Saints management, this season is a very promising one.  The Saints have FINALLY made it to the post season and the team is all celebrating together when FATE gives Oliver a visit. 

While tasked with driving a drunk teammate (and making sure he gets home), Oliver is in a car accident that leaves him with a potentially career-ending injury. 

Amelia Graham knows that she isn't responsible for her pseudo-brother's, Finn Castro, poor behavior at the Saints' party or the accident that happened when a teammate was taking him home.  But when Finn doesn't feel the need to check on Oliver in the hospital, Amelia goes to see how his teammate it doing.  Come to find out, Oliver is the man that she had a flirting-session with at the party.  The two begin a relationship around 'Words with Friends' and spend more and more time with each other learning each other's dreams and that life can be more than just baseball.  

But as Oliver and Amelia get closer and closer, loyalties are tested and not everyone is destined to walk away a winner.

Here was the problem I had with this book, and the reason I gave it a below 4 star review: the Castros.  All of them, but Finn and Em especially.  I thought they were HORRIBLE people.  I don't think I've disliked a group of secondary characters as much as these people.  I thought they were elitist, cruel and manipulative.  Ugh.  And the problem is that Finn is the next book in this series and I have absolutely have NO interest in his story.  To me, nothing he nor his sister, Em, can do to make me like them.  I think they treated Amelia like a servant and/or a waste of space.  I mean, Oliver has a career-ending injury and the whole Castro family acts as though he got a little boo-boo.  These people were unreal to me...

Other than those jerk-offs, I LOVED the just about everything else in this book.  I thought Amelia and Oliver were perfect for each other and really liked the way their relationship progressed throughout the book.  

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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

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I Wish You Were Mine by Lauren Layne

Book Description

A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he's retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he's starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can't stop thinking about the one person who's always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.

Mollie Carrington can't say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie's just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson's mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can't win if she doesn't play the game.

AVAILABLE: February 2, 2016

An Oxford Novel

Irresistibly Yours (Book 1) Review HERE

I Wish You Were Mine (Book 2)

Someone Like You (Book 3) *Available Dec. 2016

I Wish You Were Mine is the second novel in Lauren Layne's Oxford series.  Each book can be read as a standalone, but I think these books are so great that you should read them in order.  You also get a sense of the all the characters (past and future books) and their relationship as a group.  If you have read Irresistibly Yours then you probably remember "meeting" Jackson Burke in the epilogue of Cole and Pen's story.  Fast forward about 8(ish) months and Jackson is now living in New York City and is working for Oxford Magazine as their fitness editor.  

Jackson Burke is living in the past.  All he wants is his old life back.  He wants to be back in Texas being the Superbowl winning Quarterback for the Texan Redhawks.  But a car accident ruined this throwing shoulder, taking everything with it... including his wife.  Although losing Madison wasn't necessarily a bad thing, since she checked out of the marriage shortly after their vows were exchanged.  But here his is, stuck in a city he hates and in a job that isn't his job-of-choice, feeling sorry for himself.  He has even been dodging the one person who he could ALWAYS talk to, his ex-wife's little sister Mollie, who also lives in NYC.

After months of avoiding all her attempts of contacting him, Jackson finally agrees to have dinner with Mollie.  But he didn't quite expect this Mollie to walk into the door or to be instantly attracted to his ex sister-in-law.  And when dinner turns into having a new roommate, Jackson KNOWS that he is in trouble.      

It takes a while for both Jackson and Mollie to acknowledge their attraction for each other, but by then, Madison has been trying to weasel her way back into Jackson's life (at the expense of her sister).  Madison is a complete nightmare that wouldn't end.  I REALLY wanted Mollie to stand up for herself with Maddie (or maybe just give her a good swift kick to the ass, either one...).

And just as Jackson is coming to accept and enjoy with his new life and that his feelings for Mollie are long term, he gets a opportunity to go back to his old life comes calling.
Will Jackson and Mollie be able to leave the past behind them, especially when Jackson wanting his old life back?  Or will they let their share past drive them apart?

Next up is Lincoln Mathis.  You get a lllliiiittttttle glimpse into Lincoln and it looks like his story going to be good!!  His book is coming in December!! WHY SO FAR AWAY!?!?!?!?

Rating: 4 out of 5

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

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Bringing Delaney Home by Lee Kilraine

Book Description

In the sleepy town of Climax, North Carolina, all five Cates brothers are known for being tall, dark, and delicious. But each has his own incomparable love story...Quinn Cates has known Delaney Lyons forever. But after years away from home, Delaney's a changed woman. A mysterious accident she refuses to talk about has left her hurting—in body and soul—and acting out in dangerous, and occasionally entertaining, ways.

Quinn's on the local police force, so he's used to dealing with troublemakers. This one's pretty incorrigible—but he suspects her flippant exterior is hiding something softer and deeper inside. Every time he has to rescue Delaney from herself, his heart and his hormones both go into overdrive. But he owes it to Delaney's sister to keep an eye on her. He's got some experience with that after spending so much time at it back in high school...

Delaney just wants to fend off the gossips, fight off the pain of her past, and make her escape once again. But Officer Cates is ordering her not to leave town, and his interrogation techniques can be very persuasive...

AVAILABLE: February 2, 2016

I tried with this book.  I really did.  But it was a STRUGGLE to finish.  At about 54%, I just started skimming/skipping pages at a time.  I just couldn't get into it.  I couldn't connect with the story at all.  I didn't feel ANY connection (friendship or romantic) between Quinn and Delaney.  And I didn't particularity like Quinn and his "effort" to help Delaney.  It didn't feel authentic or genuine to me as an outsider.

I was just bored.  

The highlight for me was Quinn's mother.  I really liked her and her take-no-prisoners attitude (which helps with her 5 boys).  

Rating: 2 out of 5

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

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