ARC Review: Fall ~ Karina Bliss

Fall
Karina Bliss
Contemporary Romance
Rock Solid Series/Book 2
Karina Bliss/November 15, 2016

Keep Rage together at all costs...

Powerhouse PA Dimity Graham is off her game. Her career is everything to her and she never lets anything personal mess that up. So how can she explain getting busy between the sheets with Rage's nice-guy drummer Seth Curran? She's supposed to be keeping this band out of trouble, not getting into it.

But before she can put everything back where it belongs, Seth needs her help.Faking a relationship seemed like a good idea that night, right before they fell into bed together. But standing on New Zealand soil, facing the people he disappointed to pursue his dream, Seth doubts he and Dimity will convince anyone they're hot and crazy for each other. To his surprise, Dimity is working her magic on everyone and they're all convinced this is the real deal. The problem is, he's almost convinced, too.

After reading and loving RISE, the first book in the series, I was thrilled to get my hands on FALL, Seth and Dimity book. Seth and Dimity at first glance may come across and fire and water but there is so much more to them as we find out.

Dimity Graham is a whirlwind who can kick ass without breaking a sweat. She may come across as aloof and all business, but in her heart, she is all about taking care of the people she loves. Those people are the family she has found in the band members of Rage. The ability to bring this rock band back to life and achieve world wide popularity is not just due to the band members but to Dimity's ability to manage all aspects of their lives as rock gods.

I loved how we see Dimity as the intelligent, tough business woman and then see how she does so much for the band not only because she wants them, and her, to be successful but because she truly cares about them. It's not a persona most of the people she interacts with ever get to see. Only a select few, and even then she would most likely deny it. She's a strong, gutsy heroine who works as a perfect match for Seth.

Seth Curran is the easy going drummer of Rage. Drummer's keep the beat and Seth is, in a way, the heart beat of the band. While the other members tend to act more erratic, more like rock stars, Seth is down to earth and makes himself easily approachable to his fans. He doesn't go for the diva attitude but when he does take a hard stand on something, you know it's important to him. I liked him a lot and thought his easy going personality is just what Dimity needed in her life.

The other members of the band are present and it was interesting to see not only how they all interact but how they support each other and have formed not only a band but a family in the short time they have been together. We get more insight to what makes both Dimity and Seth reach for their goals and we see it's not all about the fame and fortune. Their families, as many families do, had a great impact on them. I also enjoyed seeing a little more other the other band members, Jared and Moss. Jared's story is in the anthology You Had Me at Christmas (loved it!) and Moss' story I hope is next. I'm extremely curious to find out more about him and his backstory.  And I can't forget catching up with Zander Freedman. We get to see how he and Elizabeth are doing. Loved seeing them again!

Ms. Bliss keeps the plot moving along at a good pace. The romance between Dimity and Seth has that friends to lovers quality I love! It was obvious from the beginning that they cared for each other and the writing made it easy to believe that friendship could and did lead to a more intimate relationship. If you love rock and roll, romance and great friendships, you'll love this series.

Rating: A

Rock Solid Series ~

Rise
Play (novella in You Had Me at Christmas)
Fall

ARC Review: Sunrise Crossing

Sunrise Crossing
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary Romance
Ransom Canyon/Book 4
Harlequin/August 30, 2016

Yancy Grey is slowly putting his life back together after serving time for petty theft. As he rebuilds an old house, he finally has a sense of stability, but he can't stop thinking of himself as just an ex-con. Until one night, he finds a mysterious dark-haired beauty hiding in his loft. But who is she, and what secret is she protecting? 

The art gallery Parker Lacey manages is her life—she has no time for friends, and certainly not lovers. But when her star artist begs Parker for help, she finds herself in a pickup truck, headed for the sleepy town of Crossroads. A truck driven by a strong, silent cowboy… 

Gabe Snow has been a drifter since he left Crossroads at seventeen after a violent incident. When he accepts a job in his hometown, he'll have to decide whether he can put the worst night of his life behind him and build a future in the community that raised him.

I love this series! Every time I visit Crossroads, Texas it's like going home. It is that welcoming feeling you get when you know you can simply relax and enjoy yourself. No stress, no worries, just sitting back and taking in the goings on. That is how Ms. Thomas' stories make me feel. 

Yancey Grey has been a character since the first book. I was pleased to see he was getting his own story since I have been curious about him and his background. More as the series progressed. He is a different hero, having been in prison and now trying to live his life so he can be proud of himself. He's become a familiar face in Crossroads and has many friends. He's an easy character to like and Ms. Thomas did well in creating his backstory. His romance is a slow burn beginning with friendship, companionship and then leading to romance. I loved it!

Parker Lacey is in love with her life but she also feels there is something missing. She can't figure out what, then she travels to Crossroads and meets a grumpy, sexy cowboy who seems to be her complete opposite. But it turns out in their case opposites do attract. Parker and her cowboy have a romance of physical attraction but it leads to a more deeper friendship and love. It was fun to see the quiet, sometimes cranky cowboy come around to not only enjoying spending time with Parker but needing to spend time with her. This was a romance between two people who have lived through some hard times and are used to depending on themselves. You could say they were both loners in a way. I liked seeing how they turned that into a couple who learned to depend on each other. 

A trip to Crossroads wouldn't be complete with a some suspense, danger and a little mystery. Ms. Thomas knows how to blend all these things together, along with the romance, to make a beautiful story that draws the reader in and makes you believe these people and this place truly exists. 

Rating: A

Ransom Canyon Series 

Winter's Camp (novella)
Ransom Canyon
Rustler's Moon
Lone Heart Pass
Sunrise Crossing

This Week's New Releases

August is almost over and it is going out with a bang! So many new releases this week - how on earth will I ever catch up on my reading? Well, I'm ready if the Zombie Apocalypse ever happens. I can survive with my Gardetto's and my TBR pile. :)

I've been looking forward to this one. I've truly enjoyed the previous books in this series (can't believe I'm actually current!) Can't wait to see how Denys and Lola find their Happy Ever After.

No Mistress of Mine
Laura Lee Gurhke
Historical Romance
An American Heiress in London/Book 4

After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before.

Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys’s sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy them both?

I have not read anything by Emma Cane but I like the blurb and the hero is a professor and an author. Not the most common of hero occupations. Could be interesting!

At Fairfield Orchard
Emma Cane
Contemporary Romance
Fairfield Orchard Series/Book 1

For Amy Fairfield, the family orchard is more than a business. With its blossom-scented air and rows of trees framed by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s her heritage and her future. But right now, it’s also a headache. Putting a painful breakup behind her, Amy has come home to help revitalize Fairfield Orchard. She doesn’t have time for the handsome—distracting—professor who wants to dig into her family’s history for his research.

Jonathan Gebhart knows he needs the Fairfields’ cooperation to make his new book a success. As for Amy—nothing in his years of academia could have prepared him for their sudden and intense attraction. He doesn’t want to complicate her life further, especially since she seems uneasy about his poking around in the past and he knows he’s not the sort of man built for forever. But some sparks can’t help but grow, and Jonathan and Amy may just learn that unexpected love can be the sweetest of all.

I couldn't help but laugh after reading the first sentence of the blurb. It sounds like something that might happen to me, except I'd go into anaphylactic shock since I'm allergic to almost everything. I do like the cover - it has a festive look to it. I imagine this will be a "feel good" romance. Something we can all use.

Run to You
Rachel Lacey
Contemporary Romance
Risking it All Series/Book 1

ONE LITTLE LIE. A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE.

Moments after meeting the most gorgeous guy ever, Gabby Winters promptly gets stung by a zillion yellowjackets and falls-not gracefully-into a stream. Yup, Ethan Hunter is trouble with a capital "hot," and Gabby definitely needs to keep her distance. Except in the small town of Haven, there's nowhere to hide from Ethan's sexy, infectious grin . . . and all the residents are conspiring against her.

At the center of the town's matchmaking is Ethan's grandmother, who's convinced their relationship is a done deal. Rather than break her heart, Gabby and Ethan find themselves cornered into pretending to be falling in love. The problem: there's serious sizzling attraction between them. And if this charade continues, they won't fool just the entire town - they might fool themselves too . . .

I've been enjoying this series from the beginning and eagerly waiting for Yancy's story. The wait is over! And the cover - like this one too! It's so pretty!

Sunrise Crossing
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary Romance
Ransom Canyon Series/Book 4

Yancy Grey is slowly putting his life back together after serving time for petty theft. As he rebuilds an old house, he finally has a sense of stability, but he can't stop thinking of himself as just an ex-con. Until one night, he finds a mysterious dark-haired beauty hiding in his loft. But who is she, and what secret is she protecting?

The art gallery Parker Lacey manages is her life—she has no time for friends, and certainly not lovers. But when her star artist begs Parker for help, she finds herself in a pickup truck, headed for the sleepy town of Crossroads. A truck driven by a strong, silent cowboy…

Gabe Snow has been a drifter since he left Crossroads at seventeen after a violent incident. When he accepts a job in his hometown, he'll have to decide whether he can put the worst night of his life behind him and build a future in the community that raised him.

I've read the first book, which is a novella, have the first complete book on the TBR pile so of course I'll be getting this one. I like this author's writing style -funny, sexy and with just the right amount of snarky humor!

For Better or Worse
Lauren Layne
Contemporary Romance
Wedding Belles Series/Book 2

When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she’s determined to make it as one of Manhattan’s elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza…in five months’ time. Heather’s days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she’s really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor’s apartment all night.

Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it’s Heather’s turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love.

New-to-me author with the first in a series. Small town romance between a former NFL player and a high school physical therapist. Didn't know high school football teams had physical therapists. Interesting...

Winner Takes All
Erin Kern
Contemporary Romance
Champion Valley Series/Book 1

THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Money. Fame. Endorsements. Blake Carpenter had it all—before his professional football career spiraled out of control. Determined to rebuild his life, he takes on coaching the high school team in his Colorado hometown. Despite a few fumbles, Blake knows he can lead these boys to victory. As long as he can keep his eyes on the prize and off the team's distractingly gorgeous physical therapist.

Annabelle Turner knows all about the scandal that cost Blake his NFL career, and she'll be damned if she's going to let mistakes hurt her team. What she doesn't count on is the intense attraction that turns every heated run-in they have into a wildly erotic competition. Point by point, play by play, kiss by kiss, they try to keep things professional for the good of the team. But when the score is this close—and the passion this fierce—it's anybody's game...

Absolutely, positively LOVED the first book, An Ember in the Ashes and I've been waiting impatiently for this one! You must read the first book before this one.


***SPOILERS*** in the blurb if you have not read the first book.

A Torch Against the Night
Sabaa Tahir
Fantasy/Young Adult
An Ember in the Ashes Series/Book 2

Elias and Laia are running for their lives.
After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf - the Empire's most secure and dangerous prison - to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars' survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene - Elias's former friend and the Empire's newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus's will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own - one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape... and kill them both.

ARC Review: A Promise of Fire

A Promise of Fire
Amanda Bouchet
Romantic Fantasy
Sourcebooks Casablanca/August 2, 2016
The Kingmaker Chronicles/Book 1

Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice… 

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

The cover grabbed my attention right off. It's beautiful! I love the colors, the shading and the intense look on Cat's face. It gives the reader an idea of how vivid the action will be. It is action packed but it's also political with different royal families of power. And family plays an important role on both the traditional family represented by Griffin's and the rather non-traditional represented by Cat's circus family.

Cat is an anti-heroine and she is wonderful! She made me laugh so many times I lost count. She does not want anything to do with heroics. She's a real smartass in the best possible way. In fact, she almost seems to enjoy threatening people who piss her off. But when she truly needs to, she comes through for those she cares about. Even at the point of risking her life to save others. She is a heroine, whether she likes it or not.

This is a fantasy wrapped in political intrigue with noble families of both Magoi (magical) and Hoi Polloi(non-magical). Cat is from a powerful Magoi family which she keeps to herself for fear she will be found by her more-evil-than-Satan mother. But Cat is incredibly powerful and it is Griffin's luck and perseverance which places Cat in his arms.

Griffin and his merry band of men are soldiers searching for Cat and when they find her, they kidnap her. Not the best start to a romance but eventually Cat comes around once she gets to know Griffin and his men. They are placed in some epic battles, often with little hope of survival. But Cat is willing to use her considerable powers to save her new friends. I loved the battle scenes and how Griffin, his men and Cat all worked together to defeat overwhelming odds. The times between battles is when Cat learns more about Griffin and what his family hopes to accomplish now that they have won the war for Sinta. Although, they still have more wars to fight.

The powers Cat and others have are magical, gifts of the Gods. There are numerous references to various gods and Cat even talks to them and they seem to reply back, just not in the usual form. Think more of god-like reply with thunder and lightning. I liked this aspect of the story but also found it a little confusing between keeping up with who's who of the Magoi, Hoi Polloi, the armies, magical creatures and the gods.

This world Ms. Bouchet has created is complex and entertaining. I look forward to January's release of Breath of Fire and seeing what happens next in the lives of Cat, Griffin, their families and friends. Definitely a strong start to this new series.

Rating: B+

The Kingmaker Chronicles ~

A Promise of Fire
Breath of Fire (January 3, 2017)
Heart on Fire (Fall 2017)

Review: Signs of Attraction ~ Laura Brown

Signs of Attraction
Laura Brown
Contemporary Romance
Avon Impulse/June 14, 2016

Do you know what hearing loss sounds like? I do.

All my life I've tried to be like you. I've failed.

So I keep it hidden.

But on the day my world crashed down around me, Reed was there.

He showed me just how loud and vibrant silence can be, even when I struggled to understand.

He's unlike anyone I've ever known. His soulful eyes and strong hands pulled me in before I knew what was happening. 

And as I saw those hands sign, felt them sparking on me, I knew: imperfect could be perfect. 

Reed makes me feel things I've never felt. It's exciting... and terrifying. 

Because he sees me like no one else has, and I'm afraid of what he'll find if he looks too closely.

I'm so utterly happy for whatever fate lead me to this book! It's a romance about two people who are able to communicate through different means than those of us who can hear well. I wasn't sure what to expect but as I always do, I was hoping for a good story. I wasn't disappointed!

The heroine, Carli, is hearing disabled. She can hear some but also has some hearing loss as well as horrible headaches. She has always tried to hide her hearing loss, never asking or expecting special treatment. This can make things difficult as Carli is a college student so the noise in classrooms can make learning a challenge. I found it interesting to see how Carli compensates for her hearing loss in the college environment. Over the years she has developed coping mechanisms and you can't help but feel for her and what she's had to endure. So it is a wonderful moment when Reed comes into her life. He opens up a new world for her.

Reed is not a college student. In fact, he is a teacher and he is such a perfect fit for Carli.  He has the patience of a teacher but he's still a guy who notices Carli's beauty and makes her realize she is worth the attention he shows her. Reed is also deaf. While this fact plays a vital role Reed doesn't let his deafness define him. Reed is a hero who shows us that his deafness doesn't make him any less a man. In fact, I think it made him more of a hero for how he doesn't let it hold him back from doing what he loves and loving Carli.

The romance was sometimes sweet, often hot both physical and emotional. There are tough situations both Reed and Carli have not only come through but are still dealing with. The author does well in depicting how Reed and Carli, as well as their families, deal with the emotionally trying situations. The look into their lives and how hearing loss affected not only Carli and Reed but the people around them is emotional and gives a reader who is unfamiliar with this a good idea of what it is like to not hear this world that can be so loud at times.

Rating: A

The Girl With All The Gifts

I read the book, now I want to see the movie. Here's the trailer.

The book is one that sticks with you long after you've finished. It is fantastically creepy and still has this wonderful story inside the creepiness. It's the story of the relationship between Melanie, the little girl and her teacher, Ms. Justineau. There were plenty of scenes that had my heart racing! I only wish I had reviewed it. I believe it's classified as horror, which I usually don't read but it came recommended so I decided to try it. So glad I did! It is tough reading at times as you might expect if you watched the trailer. Kids feature prominently in the plot and they are not always treated well.

Here's a brilliant review Hils wrote. It makes me want to re-read The Girl With All the Gifts. Even if you don't like horror, think of this as an often terrifying survivalist story and give it a try.

Scheduled release - September 23, 2016.

This Weeks New Releases

Running a little late this week. No clue how it got to be Wednesday already. I think I might have slept through a couple of days. Sorry about that. I'm sure you've all been waiting for this post before buying any books this week.  :)  We have some good looking releases - and not all are contemporary romances! As always, if you have any recs, please leave a comment.

A new series! It's cause for celebration since I seem to keep finding series that have already started. I like the siblings seeking vengeance theme. This sounds like a good start to romantic suspense series.

Ruthless
Lexi Blake
Contemporary Romance/Suspense

The Lawless siblings are bound by vengeance. Riley, Drew, Brandon, and Mia believe the CEO of StratCast orchestrated their parents’ murder twenty years ago to steal their father’s software program. And there’s only one way Riley can find some solid evidence...

Heir to the StratCast legacy, Ellie Stratton hires a new attorney to handle a delicate business matter—and she’s shocked by her attraction to him. Over the course of a few weeks, Riley becomes her lover, her friend, her everything. But when her life is threatened, Ellie discovers that Riley is more obsessed with settling an old score than in the love she thought they were building. And Riley must choose between a revenge he’s prepared for all his life and the woman he’s sure he can’t live without...

Susan Wiggs is an old favorite of mine. I've enjoyed some of her historical romance as well as her contemporary romances. This sounds like a heartbreaker with a happy ending. I hope!

Family Tree
Susan Wiggs
Contemporary Romance
or Women's Fiction

Sometimes the greatest dream starts with the smallest element. A single cell, joining with another. And then dividing. And just like that, the world changes.

Annie Harlow knows how lucky she is. The producer of a popular television cooking show, she loves her handsome husband and the beautiful Manhattan home they share. And now, she’s pregnant with their first child.

But in an instant, her life is shattered. And when Annie awakes from a year-long coma, she discovers that time isn’t the only thing she's lost.

Grieving and wounded, Annie retreats to her old family home in Switchback, Vermont, a maple farm generations old. There, surrounded by her free-spirited brother, their divorced mother, and four young nieces and nephews, Annie slowly emerges into a world she left behind years ago: the town where she grew up, the people she knew before, the high-school boyfriend turned ex-cop. And with the discovery if a cookbook her grandmother wrote int he distant past, Annie unearths an age-old mystery that might prove the salvation of the family farm.

Family Tree is the story of one woman's triumph over betrayal, and how she eventually comes to terms with the her past. It is the story of joys unrealized and opportunities regained. Complex, clear-eyed and big-hearted, funny, sad, and wise, it is a novel to cherish and to remember.

I've listened to the first book in this series. It's different from the usual romance. I still have the next book and will get this one too!

Burn Down the Night
M. O'Keefe aka Molly O'Keefe
Contemporary Romance
Everything I Left Unsaid/Book 3

The only thing that matters to me is rescuing my sister from the drug-cooking cult that once enslaved us both. I’ve run cons my whole life, and I’ll use my body to get whatever I need. Max Daniels is the last connection I have to that world, the one person reckless enough to get involved. Besides, now that his brothers have turned on him, he needs me too.

The deal was supposed to be simple: a place to hide in exchange for rescuing my sister. Now he’s my prisoner. Totally at my mercy. But I’m the one captivated. Enthralled. Doing everything he asks of me until I’m not sure who’s in control.

We both crave the heat. The more it hurts, the better. But what if Max wants a different life now, to leave the game . . . to love me? I thought I knew better than to get burned. Now I’m in too deep to pull away. And the crazy thing is . . . I don’t want to.

This debut from author Sally Thorne caught my attention with this humorous blurb. It's an office romance and who doesn't like those?

The Hating Game
Sally Thorne (link to Ms. Thorne's Facebook, could not find her website.)
Contemporary Romance

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
2) A person’s undoing
3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in a shared office together 40 (OK, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything—especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.

If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

This looks like a good murder mystery! Never read this author but want to give this one a try.

The Widower's Wife
Cate Holahan
Mystery

Ana Bacon, a young housewife, tumbles off a cruise ship into the dark and deadly waters, but did she take her secrets with her? Investigator Ryan Monahan is a numbers man. So when his company sends him the Bacon case, which could net a ten million dollar payout, Monahan doubts that her death is just a tragic accident. But the husband has a substantial alibi and a number of witnesses claim to have seen Ana fall. So the official ruling seems to be substantiated.

Still, the more Monahan uncovers about Ana’s life, the more he realizes how many people would kill to keep her secrets hidden. And the closer he gets to the truth, the greater the odds grow that he, too, will take a fatal fall. 

Cate Holahan looks at the dark underbelly of a marriage from the perspectives of the detective and the victim in her tense and enthralling page-turner, The Widower's Wife.

China Miéville - Yes Please! It sounds kind of crazy but who doesn't like to go crazy sometimes?

China Miéville
The Last Days of New Paris
Historical Fantasy

THE LAST DAYS OF NEW PARIS is an intense and gripping tale set in an alternative universe: June 1940 following Paris’ fall to the Germans, the villa of Air-Bel in Marsailles, is filled with Trotskyists, anti-fascists, exiled artists, and surrealists.

One Air-Bel dissident decides the best way to fight the Nazis is to construct a surrealist bomb. When the bomb is accidentally detonated, surrealist Cataclysm sweeps Paris and transforms it according to a violent, weaponized dream logic.

Review: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me ~ Mariana Zapata

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
Mariana Zapata
Contemporary Romance
February 29, 2016

Vanessa Mazur knows she's doing the right thing. She shouldn't feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.

But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she's beyond shocked.

For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn't find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He's asking for the unthinkable.

What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?

I just finished listening to the audio book, narrated by the talented Callie Dalton. I'm in shock at how much I loved this romance! It's a long book; 16 hours in audio format, 673 per Amazon listing. But it was so good I didn't want it to end! But it did end and left me utterly happy, complete with a smile on my face. : )

Vanessa has a dream that she is determined to follow. That dream does not include working as an all-around assistant for the demanding Aiden Graves. So when she leaves to follow that dream, Aiden has his own plans. As much as Vanessa wants to say no to Aiden, he makes a compelling argument and convinces her to say yes to his plans. The story is told from Vanessa's POV and her internal dialogue is both honest and amusing. She is a smart and witty heroine and I found her thoroughly enjoyable.

This is not a typical romance. The romance is subtle. It has a slow build-up with Vanessa and Aiden's relationship moving from boss/employee to friends to lovers. You see what both Vanessa and Aiden do for each other rather than saying words filled with hearts and flowers. They take their time about admitting their feelings first to themselves, then to each other and neither seem to be in a hurry to take that final step. There is also some miscommunication on both Vanessa and Aiden parts. Vanessa admits to herself her feelings for Aiden, unfortunately we don't get Aiden's POV so his feels are not as well know until he admits them out loud. Although Aiden is so closed-mouth that he knew how he felt about Vanessa long before he told her. Vanessa, while physically attracted to Aiden, because she has a pulse, talks herself out of thinking there could be anything more because he just annoys the heck out of her!

This is a funny, sweet romance even though Aiden does not seem overly romantic. When he does something that seems out of character to Vanessa, you can see it's really his way of showing her how much he cares for her. Vanessa too notices but thinks it's rather odd behavior since it conflicts with her previous experiences with him. Aiden is extremely driven when it comes to his career. He is so incredibly focused on being the best football player that he can come off as self-centered and egotistical. When in fact he is being honest but sometimes to the point of coming off rude at times. Aiden has no use for wasting time being tactful. He simply says what he thinks needs to be said. He also expects this from others which I liked. If he were a real person and asked if he thought he was a hero, I think he'd say no. And most likely think it a ridiculous question. And yes, he would tell you so!

The interactions between Vanessa and Aiden continued to take me by surprise. Just when I thought Aiden would start wooing Vanessa in a more traditional way... he didn't. But that would have been out of character and he didn't need to change because he was perfect for her just the way he was. I also liked that Vanessa didn't change who she was. Her actions towards Aiden changed as she began to have more romantic feels about him but her core values didn't change. And she didn't need to either. They completed each other.

Rating: A-

This Week's New Releases

What the heck! How did it become August??? It's still incredibly hot here but my kids go back to school on Wednesday. Yes, this Wednesday, August 3rd. Crazy right?

Do you make to-do lists? I making book lists. Books to buy. Books to read. Books to review. Books I'm wishing for. I make other to-do lists too but those are work not fun.

Here are some books to add to your list!

Julie Cross made me a fan with her novel Letters to Nowhere. I have yet to read anything by Mark Perini so this should be interesting to see how they collaborate.

You Before Anyone Else
Julie Cross/Mark Perini
Young Adult/Contemporary

Model Finley needs someone to help her shed her "good girl" persona, so she'll try Eddie on for size.

New York City model Finley is fed up with hearing the same feedback at castings: she needs to take some serious action to wipe the "good girl" stamp from her resume if she wants to launch to stardom.

Enter Eddie Wells. He's shallow, predictable…and just as lost as Finley feels. Deep down, Finley is drawn to Eddie's bravado, his intensity. Except Eddie is hiding something. A big something. And when it surfaces, both loving and leaving Finley will become so much harder.

Lorelei James has written some sexy cowboy romances. She switches to a more urban setting with this series about the Lund siblings.

Just What I Needed
Lorelei James
Need You Series/Book 2
Contemporary Romance

Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life.

Walker Lund never expected that a chance at love would hit him right on the mouth. Since the moment his brother decided to settle down, Walker has been dodging his family’s hopes that he’ll do the same.  He’s never been interested in following in anyone’s footsteps. 

But when he discovers his sexy assailant has given him a fake name and number he suddenly finds himself in the mood for a little hot pursuit...

Colleen Hoover. Have I read anything by her I didn't like? Don't think so. :)

It Ends With Us
Colleen Hoover
Contemporary Romance

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

Book #26 in the series and I'm still enjoying it. There are similarity with the heroes and the snarky banter is always present but the series is still entertaining and the extensive character descriptions on Kenyon's website help immensely!

Dragonmark
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dark-Hunter Series/Book 26
Paranormal Romance

Centuries ago, Illarion was betrayed– a dragon made human against his will, then forced to serve humanity as a dragonmount in their army, and to fight for them in barbaric wars, even while he hated everything about them. Enslaved and separated from everyone he knew and from his own dragon brothers, he was forced into exile in a fey realm where he lost the only thing he ever really loved.

Now he has a chance to regain what’s been lost— to have the one thing he covets most. But only if he gives up his brothers and forsakes the oaths he holds most dear. Yet what terrifies him most isn’t the cost his happiness might incur, it’s the fact that there is just enough human in his dragon’s heart that he might actually be willing to pay it and betray everything and everyone– to see the entire world burn...

I'm reading this right now and have been caught up in the story from the beginning. Watch for the review shortly.

A Promise of Fire
Amanda Bouchet
The Kingmaker Chronicles/Book 1
Fantasy

Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her... even if that means falling in love with her. 

TBR Challenge: Catch of the Day ~ Kristan Higgins

This month's suggested theme is appropriately about the RITA Awards. Last Saturday this year's awards were presented but the TBR Challenge has to do with past winners and nominees. Wendy was kind enough to post links to past RITA winners because, while I might be particular as to how my books are shelved, I don't have a clue which ones were RITA winners.

When I spotted the Kristan Higgins win in 2008, I knew I had Kristan Higgins books on the TBR pile and luckily found my winner for this month's challenge.

Catch of the Day
Kristan Higgins
Contemporary Romance
Gideon's Cover Series/Book 1
Harlequin/October 1, 2007

First date à la Maggie: Take one lovelorn diner owner (me), a generous helping of nosy local gossips, a dollop of envy at married sister's perfect life, a splash of divine intervention (my matchmaking priest). Combine ingredients with one adorable puppy, add a strong but silent lobsterman with a hidden heart of gold and watch the sparks fly.

This is a cute romance set in a small Maine town where everyone not only knows everyone, but they know everyone's business. No need for Facebook in Gideon's Cove!

Maggie doesn't exactly help things when it comes to the gossip. She is a talker. There are times when she doesn't seem to have control over her mouth. She is funny, with her babbling as well as her internal dialogue showing her insecurities as well as her love for her family, friends and the town itself. Maggie made the mistake of having an insta-crush on the new priest. I do have to give her some slack since she didn't know he was the new priest and he is young, handsome and Irish with a beautiful Irish brogue. The problem is Maggie continues her crush, not too obvious but still... it's a small town and everyone knows. Maggie's dating woes continue with her family and Father Tim (her insta-crush) setting her up on blind dates. It's funny and sad at the same time. I couldn't help but laugh at Maggie's dating experiences and didn't blame her for feeling she had the worst luck in blind dates because she really did!

Then Malone comes along and he is such an anti-hero it's almost adorable. He is a mono-syllabic, grumpy loner who doesn't let anyone one in. He frustrates and infuriates the hell out of Maggie but she doesn't seem to be able to give up on him. The reality is that he is a true friend and can keep a secret probably better than Father Tim. (Malone's mono-syllabic nature helps!) Malone doesn't come anywhere near looking like a GQ model. He's a lobsterman who works hard and it shows in his choice of practical clothing and general scruffiness. He's also stingy with his smiles, but when he does bestow one on Maggie, she feels like she's been given a gift because it's genuine. I loved Malone!

The town is small, Maggie tends to walk or ride her bike everywhere. I'd love to live somewhere like that except for the big drawback - the gossip. Maggie is the owner of the local diner plus she grew up in Gideon's Cove so she knows everyone. And they know her and her history with men. I felt sorry for her because she is a good person, always willing to help anyone in need. Thankfully, Malone was in need. But Maggie also needed someone too and while I can't say Malone exactly went after Maggie, he doesn't completely give up on her either. Instead he gives her space and time to figure things out. Some readers might have preferred Malone go after Maggie but I liked his style of leaving Maggie alone for a while and letting her make the decisions she needed to make before they could be a couple.

Kristan Higgins lets readers use their imagination when it comes to the bedroom scenes. There is plenty of sexual tension and implications making it clear what happens with Maggie and Malone behind closed doors but no detailed description of body parts, etc. I was actually fine with that and focused on the emotional part of the story rather than the more physical.

The story is fairly predictable but cute and sweet. Catch of the Day turned out to be a quick, enjoyable read and I look forward to returning to Gideon's Cove.

Rating: B+

Gideon's Cover Series ~

Catch of the Day
The Next Best Thing
Somebody to Love

Review: An Ember in the Ashes ~ Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes
Sabaa Tahir
An Ember in the Ashes/Book 1
Young Adult/Fantasy
Razorbill/February 9, 2016

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

I find myself almost wishing I had waited to read this, at least until the second book is released. It was an incredible experience and with only one book, I'm addicted to the world Sabaa Tahir has created. I did in fact listen to the audio book, not once but twice! It was that good! Kudos goes to the narrators as well, Fiona Hardingham and Steve West.

From the beginning, I was drawn into the lives of Laia and Elias. They both live in different worlds. Laia is a scribe, one of the conquered, while Elias seems to live the life of privilege, the conqueror. But neither have much, if any, control over their lives. Laia is thrown out of her dismal home when her brother is arrested. She barely escapes the Empire's soldiers and seeks out the rebels, hoping they will help her rescue her brother. In exchange for the rebel's help, Laia must become a house slave to the Commandant of Blackthorne Academy. Laia is a teenager, seventeen, but her hard life has given her the determination to overcome horrendous odds in just surviving the Commandant.

The Academy is where the Martial Empire trains their soldiers. The training starts at age six. The children are brought to the academy and given training many adults would not survive. Sadly, many of the children do not survive the harsh environment of the Academy. The descriptions are brutal, conditions at the Academy are severe. The weak do not survive here. They are eliminated, mostly by the Commandant who takes sadistic pleasure in whipping the boys who disobey her rules. She killed a ten year old who tried to escape, was captured by the Masks and then punished by the Commandant. I absolutely hated her.

The Masks are the soldiers who have graduated from the Academy. They got their name from the masks they wear, which they are not allowed to remove. The soldiers received their masks while still in training and the masks slowing begin to "bond" to the soldiers' faces. The description is, disturbing, and I had the impression the masks are made out of some type of pliable metal. I don't remember if it was mentioned what exactly they are made of but they gradually attached the the face and head of each trainee until they become a part of the soldier.

The whole setting of the Academy is brilliantly developed from the grounds, the trainees' rooms, the kitchen and halls, and the Commandant's quarters. It felt like a real place with not only the physical description but the atmosphere. Everyone always ready to follow orders at a moments notice or be punished for the slightest infraction. This was not a happy place, but rather a prison camouflaged as a military academy where most of the inmates think they want to be there and are brainwashed into believing they are doing the right thing for the Empire.

The character of Laia is a magnificent heroine. She is terribly scared and out of her element when she leaves her home and searches out the rebels. You can feel her terror as she encounters the hostility of the rebels and later the soldiers and the Commandant. You can also feel her resolve to follow through on her mission in the face of the real fear she has for her life. I felt as if I was right there with Laia. The writing is extremely detailed not only the physical components but the emotional turmoil Laia and the other characters go through.

The secondary characters are well developed and fit like puzzle pieces into the story. There are the other soldiers, Elias' best friend Helene was a particular favorite of mine and will be featured more prominently in the second book. She is currently the only female cadet and worked her ass off to get as far as she has. She is confident in her abilities but holds dangerous secrets that could get her killed. I can not wait to learn more about Helene. There is also Marcus, the Commandant's protégé and Elias' enemy. Marcus is evil and has a sadistic streak that given time, will be on the same level as the Commandant's.

We also meet some of the rebels. Resistance fighters who have their own agenda and use Laia to get what they want. Then there is another favorite of mine - kitchen girl. She is a sweet, brave young girl who works in the kitchen at the academy and befriends Laia. Cook is also there and can be brisk and even rude but her heart is in the right place.

The story is told in alternating POV of Laia and Elias. It's interesting how closely their thoughts and feelings parallel each other. They have such different backgrounds and yet have similar moral codes. Laia is a young woman and a slave so you would think she is in the weaker position while Elias is a physically powerful young man, trained in warfare so he must be the more powerful of the two. When in fact, Elias wants desperately to run away from his responsibilities while Laia is embracing hers. Elias is afraid of what he will become if he stays and takes up his role as a Mask.

When I'm reading an incredibly good book, I get pictures in my head. Pictures of the characters and the setting. I'll also find my body tensing up and my heart will feel as if it's beating faster when the scene is reaching the point where I know something dreadful or shocking is about to happen. This book was like that. There are graphic fight scenes, tense situations, adventurous spying, daring escapes and the passion of friendships both new and old. I absolutely loved this book!

Rating: A+

An Ember in the Ashes Series ~

An Ember in the Ashes
A Torch Against the Night (August 30, 2016)
Untitled (Expected publication 2017)

This Week's New Releases

This week there are some new to me authors and some favorites, both longtime and recent. What new releases are you looking forward to?

Oh, boy. This is book four in the series and I have read... zero. So not only do I need to catch up on Ms. Singh's Guild Hunter series, I need to start this one. Who here has been reading this series? Like it?

Rock Wedding
Nalini Singh
Contemporary Romance

After a lifetime of longing for a real family, Sarah Smith thought she’d finally found her home with rock star Abe Bellamy, even if she knew Abe didn’t love her the way she loved him. But their brief relationship, filled with tragedy and heartache, nearly destroyed her. Alone, emotions in turmoil, and already shaky self-esteem shattered, Sarah struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of their divorce.

Abe knows he’s to blame for the end of his marriage. Caught in a web of painful memories, he pushed away the best thing in his life – the sexy, smart woman he adores – breaking them both in the process. Then fate throws him a second chance to get things right, to prove to Sarah that she means everything to him. Abe desperately wants that second chance at love...even if he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

But can he convince Sarah – now strong and independent without him – to risk her wounded heart one more time?

I've been enjoying Vi Keeland's writing lately and Bossman sounds like what I've come to expect from Ms. Keeland.

Bossman
Vi Keeland
Contemporary Romance

The first time I met Chase Parker, I didn’t exactly make a good impression.

I was hiding in the bathroom hallway of a restaurant, leaving a message for my best friend to save me from my awful date.

He overheard and told me I was a bitch, then proceeded to offer me some dating advice.

So I told him to mind his own damn business—his own tall, gorgeous, full-of-himself damn business—and went back to my miserable date.

When he walked by my table, he smirked, and I watched his arrogant, sexy ass walk back to his date.

I couldn’t help but sneak hidden glances at the condescending jerk on the other side of the room. Of course, he caught me on more than one occasion, and winked.

When the gorgeous stranger and his equally hot date suddenly appeared at our table, I thought he was going to rat me out.

But instead, he pretended we knew each other and joined us—telling elaborate, embarrassing stories about our fake childhood.

My date suddenly went from boring to bizarrely exciting.

When it was over and we parted ways, I thought about him more than I would ever admit, even though I knew I’d never see him again.

I mean, what were the chances I’d run into him again in a city with eight million people?
Then again…

What were the chances a month later he’d wind up being my new sexy boss?

A new Young Adult from a debut author is a reason to get happy. For me at least because 1) I enjoy finding new authors & 2) I like reading the YA genre, even though I'm no longer a "YA".

That is one of those things I don't understand when people are: shocked, surprised, confused, as to why I read YA. It seems acceptable for adults to enjoy G rated movies and TV shows whose target audiences are kids. So why shouldn't adults enjoy well written books regardless of the age of the MCs?

Signs of You
Emily France
Young Adult/Contemporary

Since sixteen-year-old Riley Strout lost her mother two years ago, her saving grace has been her quirky little family in the grief support group she joined as a freshman. Jay, Kate, and Noah understand her pain; each lost a loved one, and they’ve stuck together in spite of their differences, united by tragedies only they understand.

When Riley thinks she spots her mother shopping in a grocery store, she fears she is suffering some sort of post-traumatic stress. Then Jay and Kate report similar experiences. Only Noah hasn’t had some kind of vision, which is perhaps why he’s become so skeptical and distant.

When Noah disappears, Riley fears she’s lost another loved one. As they frantically search for him, she, Kate, and Jay are drawn into the mystery surrounding a relic that belonged to Jay’s dead father and contains clues about the afterlife. Riley finds herself wrestling with her feelings for both Noah and Jay—which have become clear only in Noah’s absence. If Riley is to help those she loves, and herself, she must set things right with the one she’s lost.

Best friends to lovers AND second chance at love? Yes, PLEASE! Two of my favorite tropes! Now if this was a historical and the heroine was a mail-order bride? Trifecta of romance tropes!

Until Harry
L. A. Casey
Contemporary Romance

He was my best friend, my best not-really-big-brother, and my best protector.

He was my best everything.

He was mine.

Coming home is hard for Lane. Hard because Harry, her beloved uncle, has died suddenly, but also because of him. Kale.

Kale Hunt has been her best friend since childhood. But it was never that simple. He was Lane’s reason for leaving home and moving to New York. Seeing him with someone else, in love with someone else, shouldn’t have hurt. But it did. It really, really did. So she upped sticks and left, started a new life and cut herself off from her past.

But now she’s back, and all the feelings are right there. As if she had never left.

Emotions are running high for everyone, and tragedy has a funny way of bringing people together. But is Lane reading the signs right? Are they still just friends, or is there something more? 

The blurb intrigues me and frankly scares me a little. I'm not sure what to make of it. My guess is that Bo and Sofia have mental health issues and the story is about how they survive their daily struggle. I'll have to read it to find out. 

A World Without You
Beth Revis
Young Adult/Contemporary

Seventeen-year-old Bo has always had delusions that he can travel through time. When he was ten, Bo claimed to have witnessed the Titanic hit an iceberg, and at fifteen, he found himself on a Civil War battlefield, horrified by the bodies surrounding him. So when his concerned parents send him to a school for troubled youth, Bo assumes he knows the truth: that he’s actually attending Berkshire Academy, a school for kids who, like Bo, have "superpowers."

At Berkshire, Bo falls in love with Sofia, a quiet girl with a tragic past and the superpower of invisibility. Sofia helps Bo open up in a way he never has before. In turn, Bo provides comfort to Sofia, who lost her mother and two sisters at a very young age.

But even the strength of their love isn’t enough to help Sofia escape her deep depression. After she commits suicide, Bo is convinced that she's not actually dead. He believes that she's stuck somewhere in time — that he somehow left her in the past, and now it's his job to save her.