Review For WINNAWARRA By Elizabeth M. Darcy-3 1/2*

Title: Winnawarra

Series: Red Skies #1

Author: Elizabeth M Darcy

Genre: Mystery/suspense Romance

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Luminosity Publishing LLP

(Dec 8, 2017)

Paperback: 266 pages

ISBN: 978-0995689886

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

Heart pounding suspense and feel good romance set in the Australian Outback

Emily Perkins is over the moon to learn Jock Macgregor has left her a share in Winnawarra Station in the magnificent Kimberly region of Outback Australia. The bonus comes when she realises, his handsome grandson, Doug is the man of her dreams. She loves working beside him and every day is an adventure.

After receiving a letter from Jock, she discovers he was convinced the accident that killed his son and daughter-in-law was actually murder, and he included her in his will to investigate the deaths.

When accidents start happening to Emily, and she hears footsteps outside her room at night, she is convinced someone is stalking her.

Is she next on the killer’s list?

Isolated on an Outback cattle ranch, will strong, dependable Doug be able to keep her safe?

A murderer is loose at Winnawarra Station, and she must race against time to identify the killer before he strikes again.

While I loved the mystery/suspense aspect of the story, I thought the romance was lacking a bit of punch. It seemed more forced than natural on the part of the characters. It just didn't flow for me.
I loved the author's descriptive voice of the Outback and her mystery kept me reading. In general I love a story set in Australia and this author was great at her world building. This was a pretty quick read for me and I'll probably check out future books in this series.

Review For GUNSLINGER GIRL By Lyndsay Ely- 3 1/2*

Title: Gunslinger Girl

Series: (at this point a standalone)

Author: Lyndsay Ely

Genre: YA Dystopian

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: James Patterson Presents

(Jan 2, 2018)

Hardback: 432 pages

ISBN: 098-0316555104

FTC Disclosure: My copy

James Patterson presents a bold new heroine--a cross between Katniss Everdeen and Annie Oakley: Serendipity Jones, the fastest sharpshooter in tomorrow's West. 
Seventeen-year-old Serendipity "Pity" Jones inherited two things from her mother: a pair of six shooters and perfect aim. She's been offered a life of fame and fortune in Cessation, a glittering city where lawlessness is a way of life. But the price she pays for her freedom may be too great....

In this extraordinary debut from Lyndsay Ely, the West is once again wild after a Second Civil War fractures the U.S. into a broken, dangerous land. Pity's struggle against the dark and twisted underbelly of a corrupt city will haunt you long after the final bullet is shot.

This was an okay read. It didn't blow me away but I did manage to read it pretty quickly. Serendipity is not even close to being in the same category as Katniss Everdeen, however. I think marketers really make a huge mistake when they compare a new book to the incomparable-IE Hunger Games or Harry Potter. They hold up an example that can rarely be met and readers go away disappointed with what was a good read just not the next great read. 

That said I did enjoy the trip just wish there had been a bit more Western feel to it given the cover, the very awesome cover! I also wish there had been a bit more backstory of the Second Civil War. I feel like this was an area that was so lacking and could have added a lot more oomph to the story. I liked that this didn't have the typical love triangle (thank you so much, Lyndsay) in so many YA books and loved the theater aspect of it. Several reviewers compared it to a carnivale type but it actually gave me a Moulin Rouge feel. This book had a good strong start to it but it dragged a bit in the middle before it's grand finale. There is definitely a possibility of another book in this series with the way it ends and the author says "We'll see" when questioned on this. 

Lyndsay Ely (pronounced “eel-y”, as in those eels are looking very eel-y today) is a writer who currently calls Boston home. She is a geek, a foodie, a feminist, and has never met an antique shop she didn’t like. Her favorite color is crimson, and her favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.

Gunslinger Girl is her debut novel.

Book Blitz & Review & Giveaway For ETHAN'S DAUGHTER By Rachel Brimble

Title: Ethan's Daughter

Series: Templeton Cove #7

Author: Rachel Brimble

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Harlequin Superromance

(Aug 8, 2017)

Paperback: 384 pages

ISBN: 978-0373640393

FTC Disclosure: My copy

There's safety in solitude isn't there? Single dad and best-selling thriller writer Ethan James has no problem being Templeton Cove's most famous recluse until a surprise visit from the past plunges him into a real-life crime drama just as feisty nurse Leah Dixon barges her way into his world. Ethan's first priority is to protect his daughter. His second priority is to keep Leah out of this dark web and that means out of his bed. Except Leah isn't going anywhere; she's afraid little Daisy is in danger. Ethan couldn't live with himself if anything happened to Leah but pushing her away may be even harder!

Amazon: US | UK | AU | CA

Barnes & Noble | Kobo

GR

     EXCERPT

Review For A FAMILY MADE AT CHRISTMAS by Scarlet Wilson 3 1/2*

Title: A Family Made At Christmas 
Author: Scarlet Wilson
Genre: Medical Romance

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Harlequin

(Oct 17, 2017)

Paperback: 256 pages

ISBN: 978-0373215669

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

A family to heal her heart… For physiotherapist April Henderson, gorgeous army doc Riley Callaghan is off-limits. With her life-altering surgery looming, she can't afford to consider anyone else right now. But when Riley is given the biggest news of his life—a son he knew nothing about—April can't help but offer him support.Spending time with Riley and his adorable son, Finn, at Christmas gives April a glimpse of the life she's always wanted. But can she risk her heart when her future is so uncertain?

Look for 6 new titles from Harlequin Medical Romance every month!

Harlequin Medical Romance: Stories about dedicated (and delectable) professionals who navigate the high stakes of falling in love in the high-pressure world of medicine.

Though this book was a bit on the sad side, it also gives you a lot of hope. I throughly enjoyed the characters and Finn was adorable. A great Christmas read!

Review For THIRD BASE by Heidi McLaughlin-3 1/2*

Title: THIRD BASE

Series: The Boys of Summer, #1

Author: Heidi McLaughlin

Genre: New Adult Sports  Romance

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Forever

(Apr 4, 2017)

Originally Published Nov 4, 2015

Paperback: 272 pages

ISBN: 978-1455598236 

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Ethan Davenport is already Boston's most eligible bachelor. In his second season with the Boston Renegades he has set his eyes on the girl behind the visitors' dugout.

That girl is Daisy Robinson, a journalism student at the University of Boston and a die-hard Renegades fan.

But with new found love comes challenges and Ethan and Daisy have to deal with his crazy schedule, school finals and his presence on her campus for some much needed media training.

For Ethan nothing can come between him and Daisy, until a secret that she's been keeping threatens to destroy them both.

I love a good sports romance. As an avid follower of the San Francisco Giants, their top pitcher, Madison Bumgarner (MadBum) grew up in our hometown and went to school with my youngest, I'm always looking for this type of book. I especially like that the book is from Ethan's POV as most romances are from the female's POV, even though I didn't much like him. He was a jerk most of the time but he was funny. I can't imagine being attracted to someone like this even in my early dumb twenties and I loved someone who could make you laugh. Because of this it took me awhile to get into this book. 
The sports story more than the romance is what kept me reading. One other thing I didn't like as a reader was finding out that this book had been previously released in 2015. In my opinion, all reprints should have to mention this on the front cover. Nothing pisses me off more than to buy a book and find out half way through it, that I've already read it and paid for it again. 
This was a quick read but really just an okay read- nothing special.

Review For SEDUCTION by Calista Fox- 3 1/2*

Title: Seduction

Series: Bayfront Billionaires Novella

Author: Calista Fox

Genre: MFM

Rating: 3 1/2*

Publishers: St Martin's Press/Macmillan 

(Jan 10, 2017)

Ebook: 114  pages

ISBN: 978-1250129093

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

100 Shades of Sin...

Delicious and hot, the seductive Bayfront Billionaires need one thing, and one thing only: the woman made for them, the one woman on earth who can complete their trio of passion and desire.
Lily Hart has taken a temporary position as a live-in butler for billionaire musicians Jackson Sterling and Lexington Alexander. She expected to be on call day and night. But what she did not plan for was that these two billionaires would be as handsome as sin and hell-bent on having her in their bed. Entirely skilled at the art of seduction, they make Lily burn for pleasure in ways she never knew she could.Jax and Lex have been waiting for a muse, and when breathtaking, sensuous Lily arrives on their doorstep, they know she’s the woman to join them in the seductive web the three of them weave. But passion between three can end in flames, and Lily, Jax, and Lex must decide—is opening their hearts worth the risk?

I gotta admit, I'm about sick of the millionaire/billionaire plot in romances. However, I throughly enjoyed the peek behind the curtain of professional classical musicians. I also throughly loved the look at a butler's life (that wasn't Downton Abbey influenced). I guess you would get use to having someone anticipate your needs and be semi-invisible while going about daily activities but as a middle class American, it feels creepy and stalkerish. But it was a fun look.

I'm not really fond of menage romance but I'm constantly reading stuff out of my comfort zone to expand my reading horizon. I'm not sure I could ever fathom the depth of emotion needed to be sexually involved with two men at one time (and believe me I'm not a prude when it comes to sex and several times I've dated two guys at the same time) but for me sex equals feelings not just the act. I loved that it was a novella as it's a great way to test drive a genre or new author for a reader. I felt like it was pretty slow going for the first third of the book and any book for me needs to move along at a fast pace early on or I won't finish it. I'm not talking about inst-love or sex as that puts me off too but the story was just a bit slow for me.   

I felt that the story could have benefited from a bit more dialogue as I think this is a great way to get to know the characters. I want to see them not be told about them.  It just didn't have enough meat (no pun here) to it. It might have helped if I'd read the earlier book in the series and I'll definitely  pursue more by this writer. And I just went back and bumped up my rating to 3 1/2* from 3* cause I realized I liked it a bit more than I realized.

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

POSSESSION

(BOOK 1: BAYFRONT BILLIONAIRES)

Sylvia Carter’s hot hookup with sexy Seth Lofton—billionaire owner of the Aspen-esque Bliss Mountain Ski Resort in Northern California—is only meant to be a one-night stand. But their explosive chemistry has them continually tangled up in each other. And when Seth’s best friend, hotel magnate Noah Donovan, comes to town, he and Sylvia spark just as passionately.

Noah plans to build a luxury hotel with an award-winning spa in the neighboring coastal town of Bayfront, which threatens Sylvia’s new day spa. Their personal agendas create plenty of friction—but a fiery love triangle is a temptation none of them can resist. The emotional intensity is just as strong as the sexual burn, though they’re still at a crossroads with their business dilemmas—until Seth and Noah make a pact to give the woman they’re falling in love with everything her heart desires… But can Sylvia afford to take the bait?

Calista is a former PR professional, now writing fast-paced, steamy

 books to set your pulse racing! She writes for St. Martin's Press and Grand Central Publishing. Calista has won many Reviewer’s and Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as Best Book Awards, and is an Amazon bestselling author. Calista has crossed the country many times over by corporate jet and travels internationally, always with her laptop in tow to capture intriguing story elements and exotic locales! She is also a member of Romance Writers of America and a Past President/Advisor of the Phoenix chapter. Visit her at: www.facebook.com/calistafox,
www.twitter.com/calistafoxbooks.  

Review For ALL THE MISSING GIRLS by Megan Miranda 3 1/2*

Title: All The Missing Girls 

Author: Megan Miranda

Genre: Mystery & Suspense

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Simon & Schuster

(Jun 28, 2016)

Hardback: 384  pages

ISBN: 978-1501107962

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Like the spellbinding psychological suspense in The Girl on the Train and Luckiest Girl Alive, Megan Miranda’s novel is a nail-biting, breathtaking story about the disappearances of two young women—a decade apart—told in reverse.

It’s been ten years since Nicolette Farrell left her rural hometown after her best friend, Corinne, disappeared from Cooley Ridge without a trace. Back again to tie up loose ends and care for her ailing father, Nic is soon plunged into a shocking drama that reawakens Corinne’s case and breaks open old wounds long since stitched.
The decade-old investigation focused on Nic, her brother Daniel, boyfriend Tyler, and Corinne’s boyfriend Jackson. Since then, only Nic has left Cooley Ridge. Daniel and his wife, Laura, are expecting a baby; Jackson works at the town bar; and Tyler is dating Annaleise Carter, Nic’s younger neighbor and the group’s alibi the night Corinne disappeared. Then, within days of Nic’s return, Annaleise goes missing.
Told backwards—Day 15 to Day 1—from the time Annaleise goes missing, Nic works to unravel the truth about her younger neighbor’s disappearance, revealing shocking truths about her friends, her family, and what really happened to Corinne that night ten years ago.
Like nothing you’ve ever read before, All the Missing Girls delivers in all the right ways. With twists and turns that lead down dark alleys and dead ends, you may think you’re walking a familiar path, but then Megan Miranda turns it all upside down and inside out and leaves us wondering just how far we would be willing to go to protect those we love.

While the story was a fun and easy read it was only semi-suspenseful. 

I like a good twisty turny thriller and this just missed the mark. To familiar to "gone girl" and "girl on a train" to totally captivate me. I also felt like it had more of a YA or NA leaning and I was really looking forward to a good thriller that would leave you thinking about it afterwards. Unfortunately, it was too easy to lay it down and rather a job to finish.

Megan Miranda is the author of the young adult novels FRACTURE, HYSTERIA, VENGEANCE, SOULPRINT, and THE SAFEST LIES. Her first novel for adults, ALL THE MISSING GIRLS, will be published by Simon & Schuster in June, 2016. Megan has a degree in Biology from MIT and currently lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and two children.
Follow @MeganLMiranda on Twitter, or visit www.meganmiranda.com

Review- Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts- 3 1/2 *

Title: Stars of Fortune
Series: Guardians Trilogy
Author: Nora Roberts
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Berkley

(Nov 3, 2015)

Paperback: 336  pages

ISBN: 978-0425280102

FTC Disclosure: Bought from Amazon


First in the all-new Guardians Trilogy
 
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a trilogy about three couples who join together to create their own family and solve an ancient mystery through the powers of timeless love…
 
Sasha Riggs is a reclusive artist, haunted by dreams and nightmares that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Her visions lead her to the Greek island of Corfu, where five others have been lured to seek the legendary fire star, part of an ancient prophecy. Sasha recognizes them, because she has drawn them: a magician, an archaeologist, a wanderer, a fighter, a loner. All on a quest. All with secrets.
 
Sasha is the one who holds them together—the seer. And in the magician, Bran Killian, she sees a man of immense power and compassion. As Sasha struggles with her rare ability, Bran is there to support her, challenge her, and believe in her.
 
When a dark threat looms, the six must use their combined powers—including trust, unity, and love—to find the fire star and keep the world on course.

The best thing I can say about this book was that it was predictable. The worst thing I can say about this book is that it was predictable. Where's the twists and turns that NR is so famous for? I miss the old NR where she could keep me guessing till the end. Either she's slipping badly or I've read too many of her books. Thankfully her "In Death" series still keeps me entertained as I'd hate to think I'd read the last of her books. I've never been as fond of books that are Fantasy. I'm more of a paranormal, mystery, suspense lover so that could be some of my disappointment. I do however, have the second book in this series as an ARC to review (which was the main reason I read book one) so we'll see how it goes.

Guardians Trilogy 

1. Stars of Fortune (2015)

2. Bay of Sighs (June 14, 2016)

3. Island of Glass (Dec 16, 2016)

Review of Brighton Belle by Sara Sheridan- 3 1/2 *

Title: Brighton Belle
Author: Sara Sheridan

Series: Mirabelle Bevan Mystery
Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Kensington 

(Mar 29, 2016)

Paperback: 256 pages

ISBN: 978-1472122476

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

In post-World War II England, former Secret Service operative Mirabelle Bevan becomes embroiled in a new kind of intrigue…
1951: In the popular seaside town of Brighton, it's time for Mirabelle Bevan to move beyond her tumultuous wartime years and start anew. Accepting a job at a debt collection agency seems a step toward a more tranquil life. 
But as she follows up on a routine loan to Romana Laszlo, a pregnant Hungarian refugee who's recently come off the train from London, Mirabelle's instincts for spotting deception are stirred when the woman is reported dead, along with her unborn child. 
After encountering a social-climbing doctor with a sudden influx of wealth and Romana's sister, who seems far from bereaved and doesn't sound Hungarian, Mirabelle decides to dig deeper into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Aided by her feisty sidekick--a fellow office worker named Vesta Churchill ("no relation to Winston," as she explains)--Mirabelle unravels a web of evil that stretches from the Brighton beachfront to the darkest corners of Europe. Putting her own life at risk, she must navigate a lethal labyrinth of lies and danger to expose the truth.
First off, though I was pretty sure early  on what the mystery was, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading. One other aspect of the story that was rather annoying was the different POVs. I often found myself going back to see who was actually talking which is rather jolting when reading. This is a plot device that I've never been fond of even when done right. 
I'd hoped for a bit more of historical background. I love reading about the outfits and vehicles used during this time period. Mirabelle and her sidekick Vesta were charming and the mystery fast paced but I probably will not read any more in this series if alternating POVs are used.

Triplets Under the Tree by Kat Cantrell-3 1/2*

Title: Triplets Under the Tree
Series: Billionaires & Babies

Author: Kat Cantrell

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Harlequin

(Dec 1, 2015)

Paperback: 192  pages

ISBN: 978-0373734276

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

This Christmas, he'll meet his three babies for the first time…and desire their mother in a whole new way! 
After a plane crash robs him of his memory, billionaire fighter Antonio Cavallari comes home for the holidays to find triplets—and their "mother"—waiting. Antonio doesn't remember surrogate Caitlyn Hopewell, but he has triplets depending upon him. Who else can he turn to except the woman raising his children…and making him burn with desire? 
Caitlyn has longed for Antonio secretly for years. Now she's living in his home, loving his babies…living the life with him she's always wanted. But then Antonio's memory returns. And the secrets he's forgotten will change everything…
While the plot was unique-amnesia, MMA fights, triplets- I believe I've read just too many billionaire books recently. It was a quick fun read but nothing to go ga-ga about. I didn't feel like I really connected with Caitlyn and definitely not Antonio. Not real sure that I even really liked him. He was a bit off, kind of a cold person for most of the book.

Review- Eugenia Riley - The Great Baby Caper 3 1/2*

Title: The Great Baby Caper
Author: Eugenia Riley
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Amazon Digital Svcs

(Oct 1, 2015 reissued  )
Dec 2001 original date

Paperback: 395 pages

ASIN: B00O3USH62

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via The Book Machine

FIND A BRIDEGROOM . . . ON A SCAVENGER HUNT??? 

Oh, Baby! 

Courtney Kelly is determined to become the next CEO of Bootle’s Baby Bower. Then at her company’s annual convention in New Orleans, Courtney’s crazy boss, M. Billingham Bootle, sends her and the other CEO candidates out on a wild, zany scavenger hunt to determine the winner of the promotion. Courtney’s assigned mission: Find the most eligible bachelor in the French Quarter willing to marry her . . . by morning! 

Daddy Darling! 

Daunted by her outrageous task, Courtney is prowling the French Quarter when she encounters suave, sexy Mark, a dashing Brit who quickly sweeps her off her feet and agrees to pose as her fiancé to help her win. But just as Courtney presents her “prize” to her boss, she learns she has been deceived, that the entire scavenger hunt was a stunt staged to get her to marry her boss’s grandson—who turns out to be none other than Mark! Although furious at him, Courtney can’t escape the consequences of an incredible night of passion she and Mark share. Soon the couple is immersed in a marriage of convenience, with a baby on the way. Mark and Courtney must juggle pending parenthood and a bi-continental marriage as they try to track down a wacky industrial saboteur at the baby products company. Can the expectant couple restore bliss to Bootle’s Baby Bower while finding love—and welcoming their own baby—along the way? 

First let me mention this was first released in Dec 2001 in paperback. I'm always pissed when I pick up a book that is a reprint and they don't mention it on the cover as there's a good chance I've already read it if it's by an author that's had as many great books published as Riley has. Most of which I've read. By the way, the cover is much cooler this time around so it's a shame that you don't get the full benefit as it's an eBook instead of print copy.
It was a fun read but I'm fairly sure I've read it before as I guessed way too soon who the saboteur was. Put aside your knowledge of the working world and enjoy the pure fun and romance of the story. It's about love at first sight and screwball comedy reminiscent of the I Love Lucy show. While the story-line was okay, it was a bit long (something you'll never hear me complaining about). It would have benefited by a rewrite to tighten up the story.

Review 0f Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep- 3 1/2*

Title: Poison Promise
Series: Elemental Assassin #11
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Rating: * * * 1/2

Publishers: Pocket Books 

(Jul 22, 2014)

Paperback: 416 pages

ISBN: 978-1476771502

FTC Disclosure: ARC from Net Galley followed by a purchase from Amazon

I specialize in making death wishes come true.
Pop quiz. Which do you think is deadlier: Burn, the nastiest drug ever to hit the mean streets of Ashland, or me, Gin Blanco, the assassin known as the Spider? Answer: Me—because I don’t kill you slowly.

Normally, drug dealers aren’t my department. But I’m turning up the heat on some relentless Burn-pushing thugs who won’t leave my friends alone. Pushers who have my cop sister beside herself with rage, so I’m stepping up to keep her from doing something stupid and getting herself killed. Once I’m in, I’m in, and these folks have picked their poison: the Spider’s venom. But even bad guys have their good days, and sometimes even my Ice and Stone magic isn’t enough. For behind the drug is a vicious vampire with a scientific eye for results. And behind him… trouble like I haven’t seen since I took down my legendary nemesis, Mab Monroe.

You would think that by now that I  would have lost some of the excitement I feel when I see that there is a new Elemental Assassin book out but not a bit. This series continues to pull me in and often keeps me reading way, way into the night. Even though murder is the word of the day, these books have an even flow that makes them an easy one day read. I do feel they are getting a bit repetitive in the action and hope that Estep mixes it up more as they are getting pretty predicable. I miss the twists that I had come to expect from this story and though we get a bit closer to solving the Mab Monroe mystery, it’s not near as exciting as it once was. The characters seemed a bit one dimensional this time around which was really disappointing. They just didn’t have the fire and depth that I have come to expect from Estep.

Elemental Assassin

1. Spider's Bite (2010)

2. Web of Lies (2010)

3. Venom (2010)

4. Tangled Threads (2011)

5. Spider's Revenge (2011)

5.5. Thread of Death (2012)

6. By a Thread (2012)

7. Widow's Web (2012)

8. Deadly Sting (2013)

8.5. Kiss of Venom (2013)

8.25. Parlor Tricks (2013)

9. Heart of Venom (2013)

10. The Spider (2013)

11. Poison Promise (2014)

12. Black Widow (2014)