Review For MISTER TENDER'S GIRL By Carter Wilson-4 *

Title: Mister Tender's Girl

Author: Carter Wilson

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: Sourcebooks Landmark

(Feb 13, 2018)

Paperback: 400 pages

ISBN: 978-1492656500

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by Jellybooks

Copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of providing an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book.

How far are you willing to go for Mister Tender?

At fourteen, Alice Hill was viciously attacked by two of her classmates and left to die. The teens claim she was a sacrifice for a man called Mister Tender, but that could never be true: Mister Tender doesn’t exist. His sinister character is pop-culture fiction, nothing more.

Over a decade later, Alice has changed her name and is trying to heal. But someone is watching her. They know more about Alice than any stranger: her scars, her fears, and the secrets she keeps locked away. She can try to escape her past, but he is never far behind.

Addictive and chillingly surprising, this ripped-from-the-headlines thriller will have you transfixed until the very last page.

If you like a good twisty tale then this book will be right up your alley. I was really surprised to see that this book was 400 pages long. It definitely did not seem that long while reading.  It pretty much grabs your attention and keeps you reading till you can't keep your eyes open. The first night I only got to read about an hour as my Ipad wasn't fully charged when I started but tonight I stayed up till 3 AM. I was determined to read till the very end. While this book wasn't the type that will keep me thinking on it long after it was  finished, it did keep my attention while reading it. Some of it I figured out before the big reveal but not enough to ruin it. It was a bit chilling but also a bit unbelievable (my reason for 4* instead of 5*). I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.

USA Today bestselling author Carter Wilson explores the depths of psychological tension and paranoia in his dark, domestic thrillers. Carter is a two-time winner of both the Colorado Book Award and the International Book Award, and his novels have received critical acclaim―including multiple starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Carter lives in Erie, Colorado in a spooky Victorian house. Visit him at www.carterwilson.com.

Review For CHAIN REACTION By Tara Wyatt-4*

Title: Chain Reaction

Series: Bodyguard #3 

Author: Tara Wyatt

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: Forever

(Feb 28, 2017)

Paperback: 336 pages

ISBN: 978-1455590315

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

SHE NEEDS A LOVER AND A FIGHTER
Blonde. Beautiful. Talented. Alexa Fairfax is practically Hollywood royalty. But growing up in a family of legendary movie stars also puts her in the spotlight for danger. And after she discovers a plot more deadly than any movie script, Alexa desperately needs a bodyguard. A man like Zack De Luca. A true friend with a good heart, a protective nature--and the hard, chiseled muscles to back it up.
Zack has always been wildly attracted to Alexa. But since he's training day and night to be an MMA fighter, he's afraid his gorgeous friend will only distract him from his goal. Indescribably sweet and irresistibly sexy, Alexa needs Zack to pretend to be her boyfriend after her life is threatened. Now this fighter-in-training will have to fight his own intense feelings--to keep their little charade from turning into a major disaster . . .

Bodyguard
1. Necessary Risk (2016)
2. Primal Instinct (2016)
3. Chain Reaction (2017)

I love romantic suspense and though I haven't read the earlier books in this series, I had no problem keeping up. This was a fun read and mixing in suspense with romance really upped the ante. I'm not overly fond of books told from multiple POVs as I find this jars me out of my reading bubble but managed to adjust.

I love the Fake Couple Trope, it's probably my favorite plot device that authors use in a romance novel. It was a lot of fun watching Zack and Alexa's romance develop for real. The chemistry between these two was explosive. Now to go back and read the earlier books in this series.

Review: A HUNTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Addison Fox; Karen Whiddon- * * * *

Title: A Hunter Under the Mistletoe

Series: All Is Bright\Heat of a Helios

Author:  Addison Fox; Karen Whiddon

Genre: Holiday Romance

Rating: * * * * 

Publishers: Harlequin 

(Nov 8, 2016)

Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN: 978-0373009886

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Passion is ablaze under the Las Vegas sun this holiday season 

All Is Bright by Addison Fox 

But all is certainly not calm. Not with his employee, Evangeline Kennedy, posing an impossible temptation for Rafael Stavros. Not when all signs suggest Evangeline could put the whole race of Helios—a very sexy race of supernatural phoenixes—in danger. But Rafe knows not to trust appearances in Vegas. Especially when his heart tells him otherwise! 

Heat of a Helios by Karen Whiddon 

This Christmas, all pop star Meghan Frost wants is Gabriel Stavros. But little does she know that the hunk who runs the Archangel casino is really a Helios. Or that he's her age-old enemy. Dare she believe in some holiday magic that could unite the unlikeliest of allies?

AMAZON      GOODREADS

The first paranormal that I've read that was about phoenixes! I always love that first paranormal book about a new (to me) species. I love learning about this new world and the "rules" of this world. On that aspect I was sorely disappointed. Yes, these are novellas, so of necessity, brief. But seriously, there needed to be more world building for these new "supes". We basically learn about 4 or 5 things (which I'm not going to spoil by spilling), and one of those was tossed out in maybe the last 10 pages. If these authors don't do more books for what has the potential of being a world as fascinating and exciting as any vampire world I've read, I for one am going to be sooo PO! The storyline, takes place in Las Vegas which is second only to New Orleans (IMHO) as THE place for "supes" to live, so that they go undetected. So we'll see if they take this potential and run with it.

Now, the great things about these books- Smoking hot dudes and ladies with attitudes! My favorite combination of heros and heroines! Eve is a landscaping professional and Meghan is a pop star. Neither of these ladies take any crap from their billionaire casino owning lovers. The romance was quick, again a novella so though I'm not a fan of insta-love, it worked so well. 

This was a great little holiday romance and I hope these authors don't leave me crying in my beer and prowling the internet to see if they have additional full length stories coming out in "phoenix world" .

 I've signed up for both's newsletter so I can keep abreast of their new releases.

Addison Fox can’t remember a time when words weren’t a part of her life. An avid reader, her love of the written word started at the tender age of 1 with “The Owl and the Pussycat” by Edward Lear (a poem she could recite by heart to any family member who would listen). 

Dr. Seuss, C.S. Lewis, Judy Blume and a host of others quickly followed until she discovered THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR by Jean M. Auel while writing a paper at the library in the 7th grade. Although not a classic romance, Ayla and Jondalar’s love story moved her firmly to the romance section of the bookstore and she hasn’t looked back! 

Addison has worked with St. Martins, Harlequin, Penguin/NAL and Entangled and is currently hard at work on two series, one with Harlequin’s Romantic Suspense line and a contemporary trilogy for St. Martins. 

Addison lives in New York. She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and several local chapters including DARA and RWA NYC. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com or on Facebook (facebook.com/addisonfoxauthor) and Twitter (@addisonfox).

Karen Whiddon spun fanciful tales for her younger brothers as early as the age of eleven.  Growing up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, then the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, she found enough magic in the rugged peaks to keep her imagination fueled for years. 

Now making her home in North Texas, she shares her life with her hero-like husband and three doting dogs. She writes paranormal tales for Harlequin Nocturne and romantic suspense stories for Silhouette Romantic Suspense.  She's also written Fae novels for Lovespell and a long time ago, she wrote five Precious Gem Romances for Kensington publishing.

You can email Karen at KWhiddon1@aol.com or write her at P.O. Box 820807, Ft. Worth, TX76182. 

Blog Tour/Review & Giveaway for THE FOURTH PIECE (Order's Last Play #1) by E. Ardell

The Fourth Piece 
(Order's Last Play #1)
by E. Ardell
Publication Date: Jul 18, 2016
Publisher: 48fourteen

Admitting what you are will end everything you know. Embracing who you are will start a war...

Life is great when you’re good-looking and popular…so long as no one knows you’re a vulatto. Being half-alien gets you labeled “loser” quicker than being a full vader. So it’s a good thing Devon, Lyle, and Lawrence can easily pass for human—until the night of the party. Nothing kills a good time faster than three brothers sharing a psychic vision of a fourth brother who’s off-world and going to die unless they do something. But when your brother’s emergency happens off-planet, calling 9-1-1 really isn’t an option. 
In their attempt to save a brother they barely remember, Devon, Lyle and Lawrence expose themselves to mortal danger and inherit a destiny that killed the last four guys cursed with it. In 2022, there are humans and aliens, heroes and monsters, choices and prophecies—and four brothers with the power to choose what’s left when the gods decide they’re through playing games.

Book I in the Order's Last Play series

My Review 4*

OMG! I love that this is told from a male POV, something we don't get very often. Though I'm not fond of multiple POVs. I'm found myself constantly going back to the beginning of the chapter to see who is talking. This takes me out of my reading nirvana bubble and was the main reason I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 star rating. I was hooked at the alien 9-1-1 psychic emergency call! Throw in some awesome world building and this recipe is cooking! The story is fast paced and will keep you reading. I'm already looking forward to her next foray into this marvelous world.

E. Ardell spent her childhood in Houston, Texas, obsessed with anything science fiction, fantastic, paranormal or just plain weird. She loves to write stories that feature young people with extraordinary talents thrown into strange and dangerous situations. She took her obsession to the next level, earning a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Southern Maine where she specialized in young adult genre fiction. She’s a big kid at heart and loves her job as a teen librarian at Monterey Public Library in Monterey, California, where she voluntarily shuts herself in rooms with hungry hordes of teenagers and runs crazy after-school programs for them. When she’s not working, she’s reading, writing, running writers critique groups, trying to keep up with a blog, and even writing fan fiction as her guilty pleasure.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest |Instagram | YouTube

Giveaway Information:  Contest ends Nov 10, 2016

• Three autographed book plates with a personalized message (the book plates have a unique design)
• Two autographed posters
• Two $10 Amazon gift cards

Review--THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION by Erica Ridley (Free on Amazon)

Title: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation
Series: Dukes of War #.05
Author: Erica Ridley
Genre:  Regency Romance

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: Intrepid Reads (Oct 22, 2014)

Paperback: 146 pages

ISBN: 978-1939713292

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Enjoy the laugh-out-loud first book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley’s fan-favorite Dukes of War regency romance series!

Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly, most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fete of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her!

When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family's annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia's guerrilla tactics, he's up to his cravat with tinsel... and tumbling head over heels in love.

Free Here on Amazon 

Also free on Kobo & B&N

A really sweet and funny read! Gotta admit, I didn't expect much after looking at the sad little cover. Glad I was wrong, or I'd have missed out on Amelia and Benedict's romance.  An excellent novella that will have you laughing at the two main characters trying to manipulate each other while discovering each other.

Regency Era Historical Romance Novella

The Dukes of War historical romance books in series order:

• The Viscount's Christmas Temptation
• The Earl's Defiant Wallflower
• The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress
• The Major's Faux Fiancee
• The Brigadier's Runaway Bride

Join the official readers' group on Facebook! facebook.com/groups/DukesOfWar 

Erica Ridley is a USA Today best-selling author 

of historical romance novels. 
Her latest series, The Dukes of War, features charming

 peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only

 to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England. 
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found 

riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in

 Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

The Drowning Girls by Paula Treick DeBoard-4*

Title: The Drowning Girls
Author: Paula Treick DeBoard
Genre: Suspense

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: Mira

(Apr 26, 2016)

Paperback: 400  pages

ISBN: 978-0778318378

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the 

publisher via Netgalley

Critically acclaimed author of The Mourning Hours and The Fragile World, Paula Treick DeBoard returns with a tale of dark secrets, shocking lies and a dangerous obsession that will change one neighborhood forever 
Liz McGinnis never imagined herself living in a luxurious gated community like The Palms. Ever since she and her family moved in, she's felt like an outsider amongst the Stepford-like wives and their obnoxiously spoiled children. Still, she's determined to make it work—if not for herself, then for her husband, Phil, who landed them this lavish home in the first place, and for her daughter, Danielle, who's about to enter high school. 
Yet underneath the glossy veneer of The Palms, life is far from idyllic. In a place where reputation is everything, Liz soon discovers that even the friendliest residents can't be trusted. So when the gorgeous girl next door befriends Danielle, Liz can't help but find sophisticated Kelsey's interest in her shy and slightly nerdy daughter a bit suspicious. 
But while Kelsey quickly becomes a fixture in the McGinnis home, Liz's relationships with both Danielle and Phil grow strained. Now even her own family seems to be hiding things, and it's not long before their dream of living the high life quickly spirals out of control…

A great suspense that I enjoyed that makes me glad that I live in a middle class world and not in the uber rich communities of the rich and crazy. I can't imagine working or living amongst people that seem so entitled, kids and adults who have never learned the meaning of the word NO! Got to admit that the ending totally surprised the heck out of me. Never saw it coming for a minute and can't say anything else without spoiling it. 

Sweet Haven by Shirlee McCoy- 4 *

Title: Sweet Haven
Series: Home Sweet Home
Author: Shirlee McCoy
Genre: Clean Romance

Rating: * * * *

Publishers: Zebra  

(Mar 4, 2016)

Paperback: 336  pages

ISBN: 978-1420139273

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

In Benevolence, Washington, the Lamont family's irresistible handmade chocolates are a cherished tradition--and always a reason to celebrate. And now they're giving the three Lamont sisters, one by one, delicious chances to start again, make a change, and have their sweetest dreams come true...

Neighbors who care, a peaceful routine--accountant Adeline Lamont is glad some things about her beloved hometown never change. But when her grandfather is injured, she has to run the family store, Chocolate Haven, and make its legendary fudge. Trouble is, she can't get the recipe right to save her life--or Chocolate Haven. And she doesn't need her ornery new tenant, Sinclair Jefferson, stirring up the pot with his help--and daring Addie to taste her wild side…

Once Sinclair gets his hapless brother back on track, he's leaving Benevolence for good this time. He's made his life far away from his irresponsible family and their scandals. Trouble is, he can't quite stay away from Addie's optimism, enticing plus-size curves, and kindness to those who need it most. But they don't seem to have a thing in common--except that Addie's passion for chocolate, and for Benevolence, is just as contagious as Sinclair's passion for her. Maybe small-town life has its charms after all…

This book had all the things I love in a small 

town romance, a sometimes feisty character 

who could make me laugh, a little suspense

 and mystery, and a hunky guy. 

Benevolence, Wash so reminded me 
of my small southern town, 
that I instantly fell in love with it. 
I, like Addie, love living and working 
in a small town, so I could relate 
to this side of her. I especially 
loved Sinclair and his sweet/pushy 
way of getting Addie to see that she 
could stand up for herself without eing disloyal to her family. There's nothing so 
sad as seeing a smart, 

intelligent, hard working person 
unable to say "NO" 

to family members and friends. This 
is probably the main thing that 
kept me from totally enjoying 

the book. I pretty much read 
this book from cover 

to cover in one sitting during our 
first really big snow. 

One warning though, make sure you are not  

hungry while reading this book as the 

chocolate descriptions alone will put on 10 pounds. 

One addition that I think would have added  

to this book would have been some chocolate 

recipes at the end. Saw on Shirlee's blog that 

she and her girls had been working on some family 

recipes and this would have been an awesome 

place to share. 

Home Sweet Home
1. Sweet Haven (2016)

 2. Sweet Surprises (Aug 2016)
3. Bittersweet (2017)

While http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ 
(my go to site for checking the correct sequence of series books)
 lists Sweet Surprises and Sweet Haven as two separate series, 
they contain the same town and family members, so  I'm putting 
them together. As a reader, I'm always wanting to know 
when the next book in a series is due out. If I discover
 later that this info (based on my suppositions) is incorrect,

  I will correct it.

About the Author

Shirlee McCoy spent her childhood making up stories and acting them out with her sister. It wasn't long before she discovered Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, her mother's gothic romances . . . and became an ardent fan of romantic suspense. She still enjoys losing herself in a good book. And she still loves making up stories. Shirlee and her husband live in Washington and have five children. 

(I can see the ND/HB and gothic romance subtle influence in McCoy's writing and love that the books I cut my teeth on were important in her life, too!)