Review: Let's Pretend

Let's Pretend by River Laurent
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book started out with an interesting premise: two daughters confronting the stereotypical evil stepmother at the reading of their father's will. Stepmother gets the family home and property even though it was promised to the oldest daughter, Scarlett, and plans to sell it at the first opportunity. Scarlett does not have the money to purchase it and thinks all is lost until her attorney tells her she may have a chance to get the house - marrying the majority shareholder.

Zach Black met Scarlett several years earlier when her father sold him the majority ownership in his company. He was always attracted to her so when she comes to him with a proposal to pretend to be engaged, he jumps at the chance.

At this point, I had to suspend all pretense of realism and just go with the story. He immediately has her move into his mansion and expects her to sleep with him, which she eagerly does despite being a virgin. Even though she is portrayed as "naive in the ways of pleasure" she doesn't hesitate to be-bop her newly de-flowered self into the nearest adult shop and go on a shopping spree buying everything from lube to vibes to bondage items. Scarlett must be a super-fast learner who has let go of all inhibitions!

All things considered, Zach ends up being to buy Scarlett's childhood home for her by a backdoor plan with a company he decided to save rather than take over and sell off. Then they decide that they no longer want to pretend but want to make their marriage official.

Not really interested in reading more by this author. So much more could have been done with this story simply by giving the characters some depth.

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Review: Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis

Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first venture into Heartbreaker Bay and it did not disappoint.

Ivy has been on her own since she was sixteen supporting herself by working various kitchens and bars and honing her culinary skills. She now owns a taco truck in San Francisco and has found a small circle of friends. One morning, as she is prepping for her day in the food truck, a couple of her friends stop by after a morning jog bringing a stranger with them. She fixes them breakfast tacos and dates the stranger to take a walk on the wild side by fixing him an extra spicy taco.

Kel is in town on leave after a near-fatal on-the-job accident in Idaho. He takes one look at Ivy and sparks fly. He feels very protective towards Ivy and, after learning her past, it endears her to him even more.

They have many bumps in the relationship road as Ivy's need to do things herself because she has always had to do so conflicts with Kel's need to be the protector of those he cares about. Family members from both of their last create additional tension for the couple.

But, they inevitably find a way to overcome all of the many obstacles thrown in their path and find happiness with each other.

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My rating:  💖💖💖💖

Review: The Warrior: DERRICK by Lisa B Kamps

The Warrior: DERRICK by Lisa B. Kamps
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was the first book in this series that I have read. I honestly don't feel compelled to read any of the others. I find it extremely frustrating when the heroine, whose life is in mortal peril, doesn't believe that she should share all pertinent information regarding her imminent danger with the ONE person who she trusts to keep her safe.

Derrick and Lidiya (aka Lee) are literally running for their lives and Lee won't give him full information regarding the reason people want her dead until it's almost too late.

The dialogue was stilted: "You need to tell me why people are hunting for you and want you dead." "No, I can't tell anyone. " "Okay, let's go to my super secret getaway house that even my closest friends aren't aware of." I'm paraphrasing here, but that's the way most of the dialogue seemed to me.

I wanted to like this one, but I just could not.

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My rating:  😐😐😐

House of Payne: Styx by Stacy Gail available now

Title - House of Payne: Styx

Author: Stacy Gail

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult Romance, Urban Romance, Alpha Male Romance, Sassy Heroine Romance

Release Date: September 19, 2019

Sydney used to make plans. All her life she’d trained to be a ballerina, but that “plan” had turned out to be nothing more than a pipe dream. Reality now consisted of hunting down petty thieves and refusing to make any more pie-in-the-sky plans for her life. That’s why she’s never approached the sexiest man she’s ever laid eyes on. Never again would she be crushed by pointless dreams.

Fate, however, has plans for her.

Styx Hardwick isn’t big on plans. As a tattooist at House Of Payne, he’s the black sheep in a family full of pragmatic cops. Now that his twin brother’s getting hitched, all eyes turn to him, the last of the single Hardwick siblings. Getting through his twin’s wedding is gonna be hell.

Or so he thinks.

When a pocket-sized goddess crashes into him with terror in her eyes, Styx’s world turns upside-down. Even scared out of her mind, Sydney is still the hottest thing to have ever graced his life. He offers her a deal—pretend to be his girlfriend until the wedding, while he does his damnedest to protect her from the danger closing in.

As a plan, it’s almost foolproof.

Almost.

97,000 words

***This standalone contemporary romance contains mild violence, a dash of instalove, and multiple sex scenes in lots of fun and possibly gravity-defying positions. No cheating, no love triangles, no cliffhangers. HEA guaranteed. Due to adult language and sexual content, this book is not intended for people under the age of eighteen***

A competitive figure skater from the age of eight, Stacy Gail began writing stories in between events to pass the time. By fourteen, she told her parents she was either going to be a figure skating coach who was also a published romance author, or a romance author who was also a figure skating pro. Now, with a day job of playing on the ice with her students, and writing everything from steampunk to cyberpunk, contemporary to paranormal at night, both dreams have come true.

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Review: The Billionaire's Secret by Nana Malone

The Billionaire's Secret by Nana Malone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The companion book to Bodyguard for the Billionaire did not disappoint. Secrets and deceptions were revealed from the beginning of the first chapter that threaten to tear apart the fragile relationship that Theo and Zia had started to build.

Once it is discovered that Derrick is not only alive but Theo's twin, Zia is reassigned to Derrick's detail so as to not allow her emotions to cloud her thinking and cause her to lose focus.

The person that I had pegged as the villain actually turned out to not have been the mastermind behind the disappearance of Derrick. That person still was guilty of illegal activities and ended up with appropriate punishment. The true villain was a plot twist that I had briefly speculated on and dismissed but it actually ended up surprising me!

I would definitely recommend this book. Unfortunately, though, it's probably not one that I would go out of my way to read again because the mystery arc has been revealed and the romance/relationship arc just didn't hold my attention.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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My rating:  💖💖💖💖

The entire 7 Brides For 7 Blackthornes series now available!

The entire 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes Series is available now!

Check out every book in the series!
Click here → http://bit.ly/7Bridesfor7Blackthornes

Don’t miss these sexy, heartwarming, emotion-filled books by bestselling authors: Barbara Freethy, Julia London, Lynn Raye Harris, Cristin Harber, Roxanne St. Claire, Samantha Chase and Christie Ridgway.

Meet the Blackthorne men, each one as hot, fast, and smooth as the whisky that built the family fortune, and yachts and race cars that bear their name. From proud Scottish stock, Blackthornes never lose. But, one by one, the seven sexy men in this family are about to risk everything when they fall for strong and beautiful women who test their mettle in life…and love.

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Breakaway by Elise Faber is now available!

It was hate at first sight...

Breakaway by Elise Faber is available now!

 

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It was hate at first sight.

Just not for Blue. He’d loved what he’d seen. Tall and thin with long blond hair and gorgeous blue eyes, Anna Hayes was absolutely beautiful.

She also wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.

As a professional hockey player, that was a rare thing for Blue Anderson. He was young, rich, good looking, and in the best shape of his life. He wouldn’t say he had to beat women off with a stick, but . . . maybe he had to brush them off with a broom. Still, bad puns aside, the truth was Blue didn’t have any trouble finding someone—or someones—to share his bed.

Except Anna.

Never beautiful Anna with the razor-sharp wit and seriously dirty mouth.

Despite his appreciation for her model good looks, Blue knew when to stay away. And his plan was to remain far far away from the woman who never failed to roast him within an inch of his life.

He wanted someone nice, not a woman who’d barbecue his balls off.

But then Blue did something stupid—something that felt incredible, but was also incredibly stupid.

He kissed prickly, gorgeous Anna Hayes.

And every one of his carefully laid plans went right out the window.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team -- the Sharks! -- are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise is the mom to two exuberant boys and lives in Northern California. Connect with her in her Facebook group, the Fabinators or find more information about her books at www.elisefaber.com.

Connect with Elise!

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Review: Trey by Christie Ridgway

Trey by Christie Ridgway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Christie Ridgway's Trey was the perfect ending to the 7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes series.

Workaholic Trey is the eldest of all of the Blackthorne brothers and cousins. As such, he is burdened with the task of flying to Paris in an attempt to convince his mother to come back home and men's her relationship with his father. Trey finds the apartment his mother is using in Paris to be empty and is informed by Mia, her downstairs neighbor, that she is not due back for several days. This doesn't sit well with Trey as he feels he is wasting valuable time away from his work in the Blackthorne business empire.

When Trey confesses that he has never really been to the tourist sights of Paris due to always spending all of his time in the business office there, Mia offers to be his tour guide while Trey is in Paris waiting for his mother return. Mia is on a quest of her own - to fulfill her best friend's bucket list. Trey goes along with Mia as she checks the Paris-specific items off the list and discovers a whole new world - one that includes laughter and romance.

Along the way, Trey slowly sheds the stiff business suit wearing persona he always shows the world and starts to let down his guard and become more aware of the thing he has been missing in the most - living life to the fullest. Trey starts to re-evaluate what is truly important and what fulfills him the most. Once his mother returns to Paris, the answers he finds to some mysteries rock him to the core and force him to decide exactly who and what he wants to be and be with.

This book answers the series-long arc of why Claire walked out on her husband and her own 60th birthday party. The reason is one that I never saw coming (besides the fact that her husband put the family name and business above all else.). stories

I truly enjoyed this entire series and the unique twist each author used for each brother and cousin. The stories flowed together well and had terrific continuity.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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My rating: 💖💖💖💖💖

Review: SEAL for Hire by Trish Loye

SEAL for Hire by Trish Loye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Entry number eleven in the Silver Seals series did not disappoint - but Trish Loye books rarely, if ever, do!

The story grips you from the beginning as CIA covert op Sutton is summoned to a fellow agent's home by a cryptic voicemail. Upon arrival, she is met by a shock and a life-threatening situation. As she chases the intruder/attacker out of her friend's apartment, she is somehow mistaken as the criminal. And then she discovers she is being hunted by a secret team of interdepartmental experts, led by former Navy Seal (and Sutton's former lover) Ryan, who believe she is selling information on double agents to other nations.

Ryan brings in his cousin, Dante (from Life's E.D.G.E. series), to assist him and the few members of his team that he trusts. They believe Sutton is innocent and are determined to both prove it and keep her alive.

Sutton and Ryan discover that feelings they thought they had buried are still surfacing and that a second chance at a relationship may just be possible - if they survive.

This was a great, edge-of-your-seat read that had several twists and turns. I hope there is a follow-up novel that focuses on the implied interest between Dante and FBI profiler (and human lie-detector) Mack.

I highly recommend this one!

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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My ratinf:  💖💖💖💖💖

Pre-order the new Jill Shalvis book now!

Wrapped Up in You, a brand new contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis, is available for pre-order!  September cannot get here fast enough!

Click here for a pre-order bonus scene ==> https://woobox.com/r7e64f

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It’s love. Trust me.

After a lifetime on the move, Ivy Snow is an expert in all things temporary—schools, friends, and way too many Mr. Wrongs. Now that she owns a successful taco truck in San Francisco and an apartment to call home, Ivy’s reinvented life is on solid ground. And she’s guarded against anything that can rock it. Like the realities of a past she’s worked hard to cover up. And especially Kel O’Donnell. Too hot not to set off alarms, he screams temporary. If only his whispers weren’t so delightfully naughty and irresistible.

Kel, an Idaho sheriff and ranch owner, is on vacay, but Ivy’s a spicy reason to give his short-terms plans a second thought. Best of all, she’s a tonic for his untrusting heart, burned once and still in repair. But when Ivy’s past intrudes on a perfect romance, Kel fears that everything she’s told him has been a perfect lie. Now, if only Ivy’s willing to share, Kel will fight for a true love story.

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Review: Logan by Samantha Chase

Logan by Samantha Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Logan, the youngest of all of the Blackthornes, always felt like he had the most to prove to the family. His secret desire, to run the Blackthorne business dynasty, has always seemed out of reach as Trey, the oldest of the seven Blackthornes, was second in command and heir-apparent to take over the reins once Graham Blackthorne stepped aside. In trying to be all things to all aspects of the Blackthorne businesses, Logan became the cliche "Jack of all trades but master of none.". One of his favorite places to be was running the Vault, the bar/restaurant next to the whisky distillery in Maine.

When taking over day-to-day management of the Vault while the manager is on vacation, a new server catches his eye. After an evening of sassy banter and flirtation, Logan realizes the new server is none other than Piper, the daughter of the housekeeper on the Blackthorne estate. Piper was younger than Logan, so they didn't run in the same circles growing up, and had moved away to college in West Virginia to become one of the few female gaming coders.

Piper has a job opportunity that will take her to Seattle and away from her widowed father indefinitely so she is very hesitant to start any kind of relationship with Logan. She highly respects his business skills and asks him to consult with two of her college friends that are thinking of starting a new company that she would be a part of. Piper's confidence in Logan plants the seed that maybe, instead of trying to run everything Blackthorne, he might be more satisfied venturing out into uncharted territory.

The author has stated that the movie "Sabrina" inspired her writing and there are glimpses of that influence throughout the book.

I highly recommend this book and truly enjoyed reading it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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My rating:  💖💖💖💖

Coming Soon! You Can Have Manhattan by P. Dangelico

You are cordially invited to the worst wedding of the century!

You Can Have Manhatten, an all new arranged marriage romance from P. Dangelico Author is coming September 10, 2019! 

Pre-order your copy today:

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Blurb:
Sydney Evans is no stranger to hard work. It’s the one constant in her life. And with no family or friends to speak of it’s been easy to pour everything she has into her career as general counsel for Blackstone Holdings.

She wants for nothing. Until her boss offers her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. All she has to do in return is marry his good-for-nothing son.

Scott Blackstone used be a party whore. Pardon, party animal. He hasn’t been that guy in a long time though. Not since he moved to Wyoming, bought a failing cattle ranch, and turned it into a profitable business.

All is good. Until a phone call from his father threatens the quiet, simple life Scott's built. Marry or lose everything. And to a woman who can’t stand him, no less. Well, Scott is not going down without a fight. He’s never going back to Manhattan. Not if he can help it.

Review: On the Line by Liz Lincoln

On the Line by Liz Lincoln
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

It has a sexy, super-hot football player, Seth, who is a single father to a 12 year old daughter. Think Chris Hemsworth, but with more muscles. He meets Carrie, an out of work science teacher who loves to cosplay as Batman villainess Poison Ivy, when she forgets her wallet at the grocery store and he pays for her groceries then asks her advice on feminine hygiene products for his daughter. There is instant insanely hot chemistry between them as they discuss the pros and cons of pads versus plugs.

Carrie's brother was Seth's college roommate and helps Seth find a nanny for his daughter - Carrie. Cue the constant longing and unrequited lust felt by Seth and Carrie as she manages his household, helps Maddie with her homework and takes care of her when he is on the road with the team.

Time passes and the lust between them is no longer unrequited. Believe me when I say that the bedroom scenes are about as hot and steamy as you can get. They were tastefully written and, even though their relationship began as sexual attraction, you can feel the feelings develop and come to the forefront.

I had never read any other books by Liz Lincoln but I highly recommend this one and look forward to reading more by this author.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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My ratinf: 💖💖💖💖💖

Review: Arrogant Boss by Olivia Hayle

Arrogant Boss by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was surprising on many levels. First, it had a beautifully developed portrayal of a young man who is high-functioning autistic. Second, the H, Julian, is the one of the couple who goes into the relationship thinking long-term. I enjoyed the verbal sparring between Julian and Emily, big sister to data coding prodigy Tanner.

Emily and Julian have a meet cute moment the night before Tanner is to interview with a company who could promise him a bright future. Emily, as his guardian (having taken the role after the death of their parents five years earlier), goes with him to the interview only to discover that the company is owned by Julian.

The banter between the two main characters was cute , funny, and steamy. Julian is extremely respectful of the boundaries placed on him by Emily.

I was curious as to whether or not the author was American, as she used tarmac instead of pavement and racing course in place of racecourse.

I would recommend this book to others and would definitely read more by this author.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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My rating:  💖💖💖💖