Why I write reviews

The best way I know how to say thank you to an author after I've read their book is to leave a review.   Leaving a review (positive or negative) brings attention to the author's work and hopefully gets them more sales.  

So Thank You Authors

How to Keep A Secret by Sarah Morgan ARC review

How to Keep a Secret by Sarah Morgan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


How to Keep a Secret is written in a different style than we normally see from Sarah Morgan. As with all her other novels, this one flows story to story without hesitation blending all 4 women’s stories into one overall story. Not leaving you feel like you are reading separate stories, another 5 star, well done for Ms. Morgan.

How to Keep a Secret follows the stories of Mom Nancy, a painter who barely had time for her daughters while they grew up. Sisters Jenna, who longs for a baby with her husband (maybe too much), Lauren, who’s husband unexpectedly dies leaving her in chaos with her teenage daughter Mack, who isn’t much into supporting her mother right now. They each are well versed in secret keeping, will they come together as one to tackle them head on.

Each woman has her own story to tell and each is told with passion, compassion, dignity and grace from both their own perspectives and as seen from those around them. Once again Ms. Morgan uses her pen and paper to draw us into this world, surrounding us with new friends who we fight for, care about and are sad when they leave us.

Nancy’s story could be a mother’s story from any age or perspective. She is the breadwinner and leaves the care of the girls up to their dad, “the fun one”. She feels like she has neglected them their whole lives and has no clue how to be there for them now. Having lost her husband 5 years ago she has become a shell of her former self. She has to do some major life adjustments and clean outs to get back to being herself again. Maybe even find love again.

Lauren is dealing with the loss of her husband as well, though in the present not the past as her mother is. She has lost the close connection with her teenage daughter Mack, and has absolutely no idea what happened to cause the rift. At her husbands funeral she finally finds out the reason behind Mack’s sudden departure. As she packs and moves back home to Martha’s Vineyard, can she find peace with her daughter once again?

Jenna has suffered her own personal losses as of late she can’t get pregnant. She has no idea why or how come, she just knows she wants a baby more than anything isn’t being afforded the opportunity. If one more well-meaning person tells her how great a mom she’d be when she finally decided to have a baby, she would spit nails. She’s decided the universe has not. Can her marriage to Greg withstand the constant pressure that comes from trying to make a baby and failing?

Mack is a confused, upset, lonely and borderline angry teenage girl. She just lost her dad Ed and is now having to move across the pond with her mother into her grandmother’s house on Martha’s Vineyard. Nothing about life is fair at this moment. Can she start over in a new place, with new friends and new family?

Ms. Morgan once again tells a beautiful story that has you so wrapped up in the lives of the characters you are quite upset that it has ended. I received a copy of the novel in advance without any expectations for review. Any and all opinions expressed are solely my own. I would advise you to run, not walk, to the nearest place that sells Ms. Morgan’s books and pick up a copy today.




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Bossing my Fake Fiance by Suzanne Hart ARC review

Bossing My Fake Fiance: A Brothers' Competition Romance by Suzanne Hart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Bossing my Fake Fiancé by Suzanne Hart is a 4 star read for me.

Nothing brings 2 people together like a little revenge. Revenge sex is better. Revenge relationship the best yet. Gordon, Clark’s brother and Tessa’s ex boyfriend, has burned both Clark and Tessa. When Gordon falls for Clark’s ex wife, Clark gets the idea to lead Gordon and Celine to believe his has fallen for Tessa. What neither of them count on is them actually falling for each other.

Clark Webber is a divorced dad to 5-year-old Alfie. He picks up and moves them across the pond from England to Chicago to start a new life. He opens up a branch of his company in Chicago and his first order of business is to hire Tessa Munro. Hire her for a job she doesn’t know she is 100% uniquely qualified for.

Tessa Munro is just muddling through day to day. Life hit her hard about a year ago and she has slowly made her way forward. When a random call from a top company comes looking to interview her she can’t say no. She just doesn’t realize the position she is interviewing for.

Tessa and Clark agree to set up a fake relationship to get back at Gordon and Celine. She moves into his apartment and they start a life together. When Gordon and Celine show up early though, it throws a slight wrench into their plans.

Clark, Tessa and Alfie start to develop a closer family atmosphere while the adults try to maintain their charade to fool the masses. Clark’s ex wife Celine and brother Gordon do all they can to convince both Clark and Tessa that they are wrong for each other. Gordon believing Tessa still loves him and Celine convince both brothers will fight for her. Tessa thinks Clark still loves Celine so she gives up her claim and moves back home only to find Gordon waiting for her. When he attacks her again, Clark saves her once again.

Desperate Gordon and Celine grab Alfie and head to the airport to take him back to England. Thankfully they are stopped and Alfie is returned to his dad. Epilogue 1 and 2 show the couple professing their love and making weekend trips across the pond to each other.

This was a pretty quick read for me, but surprisingly didn’t feel overly rushed. I felt like the character development was ok, of course it didn’t dive too deep into pasts etc just enough to get a sense of the characters. I received an advance copy without any expectations for review. Any and all opinions are my own, and my opinion is to pick up a copy today. This is the third “Bossing” book I’ve ready by Ms. Hart and I’m more than satisfied with each.




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Charmed at First Sight by Sharla Lovelace ARC review

Charmed at First Sight by Sharla Lovelace

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Micah is all of us. Charmed at First Sight is the first book I’ve read by Sharla Lovelace. And can I just say, I want to move to Charmed, Texas sooooo badly.

Micah Roman is running, running in a wedding gown and stupid stiletto shoes, she’s a runaway bride. She doesn’t know what finally triggered her need for fight or flight but she needs to get as far away from Jeremy Blankenship and Cherrydale. She has somehow lost herself in the past almost decade of being with Jeremy and his controlling ways and needs to find herself, right now. Running from the church up Main Street, she sees a man on a motorcycle stop right in front of her. He seems to have a magnetic pull on her to go toward him and the motorcycle. She makes a split second decision to jump on the bike and head wherever the man is headed.

Leo McKane is headed to Charmed to start a new job and start over, hopefully, with someone from his past. When he drives through Cherrydale and is stopped at a light, a woman in a wedding dress makes eye contact with him. Crazy as it sounds he offers her a ride. Even stranger is the immediate chemistry he feels with her. What was he doing? He wasn’t looking for a relationship right now, too much was up in the air.

Micah is alone in a new town, with no money, no car, no house and meets some women who quickly befriend her. She hasn’t had true friends in a very long time. Leo doesn’t have as good of luck as she does though as the person he was looking forward to seeing isn’t excited to see him.
Micah and Leo have to navigate their way through a new town, new friends and new situations without losing their focus for their futures. Too bad they want to lose focus, and with each other. They find out in the course of one very, very long week that they have a friend in common, and they’re a few fries short of a happy meal as the saying goes. What exactly will this little tidbit of nostalgia mean for them moving forward? Or for the town of Charmed, Texas and her residents?

Micah is my new favor person, as is the phrase holy shitwaffles. I think this is the book I’ve been waiting for my whole life. Micah is quirky, Micah is honest, Micah is a hot mess. She is all of us. She speaks a common truth that most authors shy away from writing. Morning breath is not ok……..

I received an advance copy of this novel without any expectations for review. All opinions expressed are my own. I would HIGHLY advise you to one click, order, ship, drive to bookstore to get a copy of Charmed at First Sight today. My only regret is how my bank account is going to suffer having to purchase all the other works by Ms. Lovelace. Not a bad problem to have I’d guess.




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Light as Air by Mari Carr and Jayne Rylon ARC review

Light as Air by Mari Carr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Light as Air by Mari Carr and Jayne Rylon is the 4th and apparently final book in the Compass Boys series. The Compass Ranch series has had 12 books since 2010 and this final one wraps up the storyline. This is the first book I’ve read by either author and it was a good one to start with. Note: Light as Air is a MMF read so if that isn’t your thing don’t one click haha. 4.25/5 for this read and these new to me authors.

Doug Compton has known what he wanted to be when he grew up his whole life. One short, stupid second when he was 16 years old changes that forever. He also realizes at that same time he may want something he may not be able to have.

Thornton Joshua Nicholas III “TJ” lost his mom at age 11 and has been trying to live up to the promise he made on her deathbed. Doug is his best friend and he wants to be there for him no matter what. Is friendship all he feels though? When Doug invites him on the job of a lifetime he sees his way out of the hell his life has become.

Rosalia is a tough storm chaser from a big Italian family. Up until recently, or maybe even still, classified herself as a nerd. Doug had been flirting for months, she jokingly called him her “work husband”. She likes him but has a strict no mixing work and pleasure rule, so she is shocked to find herself attracted to TJ as well.

Doug, TJ and Rosalia take a slow journey together to discover not only their true selves but what each other longs to experience. It is a wonderful love story, not only about lovers but friends with a deep caring for each other. Love is Love, it is as simple as that.
I received an advance copy from Netgalley without any expectation for review. I’m only sorry I’ve come so late to the Compass Ranch party. Now comes the task of ordering all the previous novels. A readers work is never done!!!




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Anything for Love by Melissa Foster ARC review

Anything for Love by Melissa Foster

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Full disclosure: While I have a bunch of Melissa Foster novels on my TBR shelf, Anything for Love is the first I’ve been able to read. First I must say I love the “A Note to Readers” section at the beginning of this novel. This short section not only explains how we’ve met these characters in previous books but reading series applicable or standalone, quick history of the people involved and more. I don’t know if she does this in all her books but bravo. Ok on to the review of Anything for Love which earned a 4.5/5 from this reader.

Beau Braden is just looking to get away, away from the yearly reminder that he failed. His hometown gets too “remembery” during this time of year and feels the need to comfort him way too often. A chance to head out of town to help refurbish an old home for family and friends comes at the perfect opportunity.

Charlotte Sterling is a well-known writer in a creative slump. She can’t figure out a way to get the creative juices flowing again. That is until Beau shows up on her doorstep. This is interactive research to the fullest and Charlotte is taking every opportunity to have first hand knowledge of her newest research aide.

Charlotte and all the quirkiness she exudes confuses Beau. He can’t quite figure her out and is not sure if she is actually interested in him or just playing some game with his feelings. Not willing to go down some pretend road with her, even as sexy as she is, leads him to keep her at a distance (which is easy given her constant writing in her office). Nighttime dreams are an entirely different matter though, darn subconscious.

Charlotte loves looking at Beau and gaining all she can for her research. She hasn’t felt the words flow this easily in a long time, if not forever. Having Beau around is great for her work production, and also great for her lady parts. She can’t remember the last time she was so attracted to someone.

Charlotte and Beau are both coming from a place of pain and failure. While they both feel like they let someone important to them down, they are both dealing with this feeling of failure in different ways. Charlotte, hiding behind her writing, keeps memories close to her residing in her grandfathers home while Beau keeps his own shield up to protect himself from getting involved again and fleas memories before they take hold. Together they may be able to find a way to help each other move past their past mistakes and find something as beautiful as the acres of land that Charlotte is living on.

The author gives great descriptions throughout the book, about the landscape, houses, rooms and Charlotte’s writing process. I can clearly picture those blow up dolls and other toys and tools. I felt like a part of the book, not just like I was reading it alone. I received an advance copy of this novel without any expectation for review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. I will however now need to find extra time in the day to get reading all the other novels I own by Ms. Foster.





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Welcome

Hi and welcome to all the new views and followers I've gained recently. I appreciate you stopping by. I started this blog about 9 years ago and it has been a venting board over the years for just about everything. Most recently I started using it as a place to post my book reviews. I love to read and over the past few years I have been lucky enough to be chosen to review advance copies of books (books not yet published) by a bunch of authors and some that are really high profile. To say it is a dream come true is a huge understatement. I was recently able to attend a author/reader event in Ohio and I am so grateful. Now that my kids are getting older it gives me more time during the day to read and review, and thankfully they love to read too. They are both hard at work writing stories for me daily, it is adorable. Anyway, welcome and I hope you enjoy and stick around for the ride!!!
Carma

Bad Reputation by Stefanie London ARC review

Bad Reputation by Stefanie London

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Bad Reputation by Stefanie London is the first book I’ve read by this author after meeting her briefly at a reader event in June 2018. Bad Reputation is the 2nd book in this series but not having read the first one before diving into this one hasn’t really affected my enjoyment of this novel. The theme of the first 2 books centers around an app called Bad Bachelor, which essentially allows people to rate and review dates online. The first book set the stage for this continuation of story with Wes being the target of reviews online.

Wes is the son of famous dance parents. He has lived in the world of ballet and dance his entire life. He wants to break free of his family name and legacy and start something on his own, he leaves the family business much to the chagrin of his very opinionated mother. He comes up with an idea for an off-off broadway show that will engage the audience right into the middle of the show. Now all he needs are investors and a star dancer for the female lead. With a website posting reviews about his “manhood” threatening to derail any hope of funding he needs to find a way to get his show off the ground.

Remi is an ex ballerina currently living in New York teaching ballet class at her friends studio. She has dream of opening her own studio now that her career in the dance world looks to be over. A chance meeting at one of her parent/kid classes has her reconsidering giving up on her dream. But can she put her past mistakes behind her and not head down the same ruining road of disaster.

I really enjoyed the dynamic of Wes and his mother, his father was pretty much talked about not actually to during this novel. Wes was trying his hardest to show his mother that he can make it on his own, without being a disappointment to the family name, while waiting for her to dish out an “I told you so”.

I wasn’t sure I liked the gossip articles, review blurbs etc that were at the beginning of each new chapter. At the beginning they were very distracting, but as the story went on they really added to and became part of the story. I received an advance copy from the publishers without any expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are solely my own. I can’t wait to read many more books from Stefanie London, starting with Bad Bachelor (Book 1 in this series)




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The Army Ranger's Surprise by Donna Michaels ARC review

The Army Ranger's Surprise by Donna Michaels

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Army Ranger’s Surprise is part of the At-Ease Ranch series by Donna Michaels, but according to the blurb it can be read as a standalone. I have not read any other titles in this series and I can agree that this read pretty well as a standalone. There is some reference as well as interaction with previous characters and I only felt a little lacking in knowing Leo’s past actions getting him to the point he was currently.

Leo Reed is a restless former soldier dealing with PTSD. With the help of his friends he was finally able to get therapy to deal with his tragic past. He still has trouble feeling worthy enough to fit in and make his friends proud, he has trouble accepting that they don’t need to carry him through life. When he agrees to keep an eye on his grandmother while his Mom is out of town helping his sister, he quickly realizes he has an even better motivation to visit Grams, in the form of neighbor Kaydee Wagner. He is attracted to Kaydee but getting involved means talking about the past and he knows if she ever finds out about his past she would leave him faster than anything.

Kaydee Wagner gave up her home to move with her grandfather into a duplex in the small town of his choosing. She promised her parents she would take good care of him until they could get back home in 2 years, after her father’s time was up in the army. Restless is Kaydee’s middle name, rarely staying in one place very long, but she knows she needs to do this for her family. And having Leo Reed visit his grandmother every week just adds to the appeal. He helped them move into the house and she was enamored from the word Hi. But getting involved means getting out of her comfort zone, could she actually be able to be someone’s girlfriend. She was horrible at it, but for Leo she would give it a good shot. But she can tell he is holding back, can she get him to let go?

Leo and Kaydee both suffer from a restless energy inside them and it will take a lot for them to let go of that feeling and be free to stay together. When they find themselves in an unexpected situation they both realize they need to let that edge go so they both can move forward in life. I enjoyed Grandma Ava and Grandpa Nate as secondary characters. As well as Fiona and all the At-Ease boys and the girls that love them. Even Lula Belle the cow has a good storyline haha. I’m glad I ended up receiving an advance copy of this novel, I will definitely be looking up the other titles to add those to my bookshelf. Any opinions expressed are my own; no expectation for review was ever expressed or required.



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Cowboy SEAL Christmas by Nicole Helm ARC review

Cowboy SEAL Christmas by Nicole Helm

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Love and a Llama, how can a book get any better than this?! Cowboy Seal Christmas is the 3rd book in the Navy Seal Cowboy series (a sort of spin off of Helm’s Big Sky Cowboy series). I have not read the first 2 books in this series (time constraints and a overwhelming TBR pile but I did read all the books in the Big Sky Cowboy series). This book has all the elements I loved from those books and more. Nicole Helm has a way of getting you right into the moment as if you were standing right there alongside the characters. 5/5 for Grouchy Gabe!!!

Gabe Cortez is a grouchy, ex Navy SEAL who hates Christmas. He hates most things actually and is more than happy to tell you how much it all sucks. He had a horrible childhood that led to him entering the military and losing a good friend in one horrifying instance. He comes to Revival ranch with his 2 friends, Jack and Alex, to help start a new program for injured military servicemen and women to get back on their feet. Jack and Alex both find love (spoiler for the first 2 books haha) and he is once again the odd man out. Then he meets the new ranch therapist Monica Finley and hope starts to rise in him again.

Monica Finley is looking forward to working with all the men and women headed to Revival Ranch for therapy and help getting back to civilian life. Growing up with a Marine father suffering from PTSD has helped her understand some of the struggles men and women face upon returning home. She has a 10 year old son named Colin, with her late Air Force husband Dex, who is her entire world. She protects him, well overprotects, as well as she can as a single mother and is hoping the closeness of the ranch will help them all start a new life. Gabe has been the only one to deny needing therapy and keeps his distance from her both literally and figuratively. She has to find a way to crack his shell. Can Gabe help her understand not only his struggles but some of her own struggles since her husband died?

This story flows really well from start to finish. I was able to get a great idea of where Monica and Gabe are in their lives as well as some past situations that have molded their current state of mind. Throw in great friends (who meddle), a Montana snowstorm, being snowed in for days without heat (snuggle alert), past secrets, daily questions (1 for her, 2 for him) and a llama and you have pretty much the perfect love story. Nicole Helm once again draws me into her cowboy world and makes me sad to leave when the story ends.




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Slate by Stella Marie Alden ARC review

Slate by Stella Marie Alden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


My dreams have finally come true, the stars and planets have aligned, Slate has his own book. I have been hoping and praying, reading the 3 previous releases by Stella Marie Alden having Slate as a secondary character, that he would get his own book and yay he does.

Slate is the bodyguard and head security officer for Grayson Patten, wife Isabelle and daughter Skye. He has been protecting Grayson, Izzy and Skye for at least the past year while keeping Xavier Cross off their tail. He took a bullet in the last novel, The CEO’s Redemption, saving everyone from Xavier and has been ordered to recuperate. And he begrudgingly does so until a dog shows up on his doorstep. He needs to find a dog walker as he can’t do anything with his healing shoulder and in walks Lilac.

Lilac is studying to be a doctor, her family has disowned her after “the incident” and she is struggling to make it both financially and academically. She gets a call about a live in dog walker position and jumps at the chance to not have to worry about where she will sleep next for a minute. She gets situated into her temporary cottage home and is surprised when Slate not only breaks into the house but is totally nude doing so.

Slate has suffered a loss in his past that makes him leery to find love again, and he is genuinely surprised at how quickly he develops feelings for Lila with a C. She feels the same way about Slate, after “the incident”, she doesn’t think she’ll be able to be with a man let alone envision a future with one.

Throw in a murder mystery, a cute rambunctious puppy and shady police officers and you have a great novel by Stella Marie Alden. I must confess, I enjoyed Slate about 100% more than I enjoyed the CEO series (featuring Grayson Patten and Isabella Harte). I feel like this book was written by a different author as it is a total different style than I had been used to with the 3 previous CEO books. I wish all the previous books had been written in this style, the others felt rushed and jumbled at time, just all around too confusing. This novel stayed the course, while it read quickly I didn’t feel like I read quickly.




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Cooper's Charm by Lori Foster ARC review

Cooper's Charm by Lori Foster

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Phoenix is a girl trying to start and new life and Cooper’s Charm looks to be just the place to make that happen. She pulls up for a job interview and her life changes for the better at first glance around the campground. She is confident she can forget all that life has thrown at her recently, be strong and confident again and move on with her life.

Cooper is basically hiding in his own campground. His life was drastically turned upside down and he doesn’t want to open himself up to that kind of pain and heartache again. Until he sees Phoenix and all his notions of bachelorhood fly out of his conscience.

Phoenix and Cooper are basically the same person in that they are both trying to start life over after a painful experience but are too shy/scared to let it happen. Once they both let down their guards a little and just let life happen they realize they make a pretty good team.

I loved the secondary characters in this book, from her sister coming to stay at the campground (think glamping at first) to the men hired to help around the campground chasing the ladies. Each has their own story and background woven in but never overwhelming the main storyline of Cooper and Phoenix.

I’m so happy to have read this story, another winner for Lori Foster. It was a quick summer read that reminds you why you appreciate Lori Foster and all she does to grab us and take us on an amazing ride with her characters each and every time she writes a book.




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Bossing my Dirty Enemy by Suzanne Hart ARC review

Bossing My Dirty Enemy by Suzanne Hart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Lisa is young, or so everyone keeps telling her. Her dad wants her to come into the family business with him so that one day she can take over and he can retire. All Lisa wants to do is travel the world and figure out how she wants to live her life. She tells her dad she is packed and ready to go overseas and he basically freezes her out. She head to Ireland where her whole life changes in an instant.

Julian has wanted payback on Mr. Since he was 15 years old. He vowed to make enough money that one day he could buy out Mr. Crowley, Crowley Holdings and take over anything he holds dear. Now is the time, Crowley Holdings is being offered as stock share sale and he wants to become majority owner. He heads to their offices to finally see his oldest nemesis face to face and give him the bad news that only Julian can save his company. Who he meets with instead throws him for a curve.

Julian is confused by Lisa meets with him instead and can’t get a straight answer as to where exactly her father is. He tries to fight his attraction to his enemy’s daughter but finds himself unable to deny his heart.

I enjoyed the interaction between Julian and Lisa. Even with the age difference she seems older in their interactions and that helps eliminate the difference in my head. Fighting their true desires once they find out the true past they share becomes quite a load to handle. In the end I’m glad Mr. Crowley sees the error of his ways and clears up some misunderstandings between all parties.

Another great read from Suzanne Hart for my collection. I received a copy without any expectation for review, all opinions expressed are my own. I would recommend you pick up a copy as soon as you can, it is a pretty quick read but not rushed by any means.






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