Tag Archives: review

May 10, 2016 · 5:00 am

Tempt Fortune by Hebby Roman (Book Review)

Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, Angelina Herrera flees from Cuba to Key West to start a new life and build her own business. But when her past catches up with her, she realizes the only way she can avoid the arranged marriage is to marry another … in name only.

Drawn to the fiercely independent beauty Angelina, Cuban revolutionary, Alejandro Estava marries her. Though outwardly he agrees to the platonic relationship because of his secret past, he cannot deny his powerful desire to possess her completely.

But tempestuous forces more powerful than the hurricane descending on their island home unleashes their mutual passion while threatening their yearning for a lifelong bond.

 
 


(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 


Angelina/Alejandro and Destiny/Nathan’s relationships once again prove that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and thank goodness Hebby touched on the fact that good looks DO NOT make for good bedfellows. Case in point: Both women found themselves at the hands of two scoundrels who’s nefarious intentions almost cost them everything. Yet, in true romance fashion, love prevailed and we saw two HEA’s. 
 
That’s good, right? 
 
I thought so, too. 
 
My only complaint was the journey to the HEA’s. Nathan fell in love after one date/kiss. Probably at first glance. His sudden mad love for Destiny caused him to propose on their first date and a few times later too. Most women would find this behavior too much, too fast. I sure would. Women like to be wooed, courted, asked at on more than one date before they allow a man to put a ring on their finger. 
 
On the flip side, Alejandro and Angelina just couldn’t get their ducks in a row. Now their love story seemed a bit more realistic and relatable. 
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
PURCHASE LINKS
 
 
 
 

Hebby Roman is the multi-published, Amazon best-selling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her first contemporary romance, SUMMER DREAMS, was the launch title for Encanto, a print line featuring Latino romances. And her re-published e-book, SUMMER DREAMS, was #1 in Amazon fiction and romance. Her medieval historical romance, THE PRINCESS AND THE TEMPLAR, was selected for the Amazon Encore program and was #1 in medieval fiction.
Hebby is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and the past president of her local chapter, North Texas Romance Writers. She was selected for the Romantic Times “Texas Author” award, and she won a national Harlequin contest. Her book, BORDER HEAT, was a Los Angeles Times Book Festival selection.
 

Hebbyroman.com|Facebook
Catalina and the Winter Texan | SUMMER DREAMS | TEMPT FORTUNE

 
 

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May 8, 2016 · 5:00 am

At This Stage by K. K. Weil (Book Review)

 

The attractive man sleeping on her couch was never like a father to her. That would’ve been much easier… Outspoken seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn Fowler loses her mother, gets taken in by a gorgeous family friend, and discovers her mysterious biological father has always known she existed. All within a few months. At twenty-three, Jackson Wall lives without a single obligation. That is, until the daughter of his late public relations manager and dear friend is threatened with foster care. Shocking even himself, the rising playwright volunteers to become her guardian. Eloquent and incredibly talented, Kaitlyn comes to mean more to Jackson than he ever imagined. Or wanted. Jackson struggles with their friendship as it develops into something much more complex. While Kaitlyn can’t deny her feelings, she knows what will happen if she pushes him too far. As they search for Kaitlyn’s unknown father, she wonders if Jackson will reject her, too, or if she can convince him that something wrong to begin with can become right over time.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Losing a parent at any age is painful. For a time, you simple go through the motions. On the positive, you might have family to lend you a shoulder to cry on. In this case, Kaitlyn didn’t have the luxury of any relatives. No, she had Jackson — friend of her mothers and, in a way, a friend to her as well. 
 
This friendship remained platonic until she was almost 18. They shared one kiss but he stopped it. He needed to keep her in the friend zone due to her age and their situation. I can respect that.  
 
Now, when she’s a bit older, their friendship blossoms into something more (for both parties). However, they don’t actually consummate the relationship until she’s twenty. 
 
I think it was wise – the waiting. 
 
She needed to grow up. 
 
He needed her to grow up.
 
People seem to forget sex IS a big deal. Heck, sex at any age is a big deal but sometimes more so in teen years. 
 
Plus, for me, I don’t think this story would’ve had such an impact if Jackson or K would’ve overlooked the age factor and let hormones take hold.
 
When Jackson does finally come clean regarding his love for her, the romantic gesture had a bigger effect on Kaitlyn than me. 1.) I saw it coming from a mile away. 2.) Am not one of K. K. fictional characters; therefore, she couldn’t write me as a weepy, shocked, and blissfully happy mess. Thank goodness, too, because I am an ugly crier. 
 
Also, there was no shock who was Kaitlyn’s father. With that in mind, I did love her backbone when she decided to confront him. 
 
Girl really had no fear. 🙂
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤1/2
 
GET YOUR COPY NOW AT AMAZON  
PAPERBACK  /  KINDLE
 
 
 
 
K.K. Weil grew up in Queens, but eventually moved to New York City, the inspiration for many of her stories. Weil, who attended SUNY Albany as an undergrad and NYU as a graduate student, is a former teacher. She now enjoys writing her own dramas and lives near the beach in New Jersey, where she is at work on her next novel.
 
Website: http://kkweil.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KKWeilAuthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KK_Weil
Blog: www.KKWeil.blogspot.com

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May 6, 2016 · 5:00 am

Divergent Bloodline by TJ Shaw (Book Review)

 

While tracking down a killer, clues lead homicide detective, Viviane Taylor to suspect, Julian DeMatteo. From the get-go, DeMatteo unsettles and irritates her. He’s a force she has never encountered, someone who excites her even though he’s forbidden. Her instincts warn that he’s hiding something and she is determined to uncover those secrets.

As king of the vampires, Julian DeMatteo protects the immortal clans. So, when the beautiful, bullheaded cop embroils herself within his world, he must choose between the woman who reminds him of the humanity he’s lost or his loyalty to his people.

As confusing emotions awaken inside her, Viviane can either accept her fate as the one chosen to save the immortal race or lose her soul to darkness. With Julian’s help, she fights an evil that would rip her apart in order to forge a new future with the homicide suspect who’s stolen her heart.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 

We are all familiar with the allure of vampires/immortals. Through television and movies, we have grown to love many: Angel and Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Bill and Eric (True Blood), Tom Cruise as Lestat de Lioncourt and Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac (Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice), and (not my favorite vamp but….) Edward (Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer). 

So, it is not surprising Viviane succumbed to temptation; otherwise known as Julian. He is strong, like her. Commands attention, like her. And demands obedience, like her. (No spoilers, sorry)

These two at the helm will be a force to reckon with but I’m sure someone will — again.

I had only one small ‘eh’ moment. It was when Viviane called him for help, screaming for it. He actually used mortal instead of immortal means of transportation to reach her. 

Ok, at first I was thinking…. he must abide by the Code (don’t draw attention to their kind). However, a few pages later, he threw the rulebook out the window when her body convulsed at the park.

You’d think he would’ve used his super speed earlier, but nope.

Besides that, nothing screamed at me saying WTBH.

All in all, a bloody good read. (pun intended)

  
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
KINDLE
PAPERBACK (AMAZON)
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Wild Rose Publishing
 
 
 
  
As a child, TJ thrived in the Arizona desert. By the age of five she was riding horses through cotton fields and by eleven bought her first motorcycle, a Honda 125cc dirt bike. Growing up with teachers as parents meant traveling during the summer. Hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, climbing pyramids, surviving earthquakes, and flying in hot air balloons were just some of her adventures. An avid day dreamer, she would lose herself in mystical worlds and far off places limited only by her imagination.
 
After choosing an academic scholarship over an athletic basketball scholarship, she graduated law school and accepted a position as a Deputy County Attorney. However, prosecuting felony crimes was not as exciting as she hoped, so she traded in her briefcase and the courtroom for a Glock and patrol car. She worked the road as a police officer for five years and now tells officers what to do as a policy writer for a police department.
 
TJ writes from her heart by incorporating her dreams and experiences to create strong, passionate characters who must overcome personal flaws to survive against the challenges of traversing through magical realms, undiscovered planets, and apocalyptic catastrophes.
 

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May 4, 2016 · 5:00 am

Devious: A Jamie Richmond Mystery, Book 1 by Mark Love (Book Review)

Jamie Richmond, reporter turned author, is doing research for her next book. Attempting to capture the realism of a police officer’s duties while on patrol, she manages to tag along for a shift with a state police trooper. A few traffic stops and a high speed chase later, Jamie’s ride takes an unexpected turn when she witnesses the trooper being shot. Although it is not a fatal injury, Jamie becomes obsessed with unraveling the facts behind this violent act. While she is trying to sort out this puzzle, she becomes romantically involved with Malone, another trooper with a few mysteries of his own. Now Jamie’s attention is divided between a blooming romance and solving the crime which is haunting her. Jamie begins to question the events that took place and exactly who could be behind the shooting. It was a devious mind. But who?

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Just a heads up, this book DID NOT portray cops in a positive light at all. With that out of the way, let me address the plot. 

It was pretty easy to guess what the heck was going on and why. A real no-brainer (IMHO). 

I will say, I hope things like that (the plot) don’t occur in the real world. If they do….. I just don’t want to think about it. (Yes, I’m being vague on purpose to avoid issuing out spoilers.) 

 
Plot and deceit aside…. let me touch on what bothered me most about Devious. WHAT THE HECK IS MALONE’S FIRST NAME!?!
 
He won’t tell Jamie. Her police captain/stepdad Bert won’t tell her. A friend of Malone’s won’t tell her either. They all claim he is just Malone or Sergeant. Come on, really!! 
 
Even after they decide to move in together, he keeps this secret. Standard response to her inquiry, “What’s in a name?” 
 
If a man is gracing my bed repeatedly, moving into my place, then I deserve to know his full name. Heck, I would want to know more than just that but a first name would be top of the list. 

Don’t you agree?

I understand keeping things ‘close to the vest’ to add mystery to a relationship, but your name. Call me old fashion but my legs would’ve stayed closed until he fessed up. 

 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
GET YOUR COPY TODAY!! 
PAPERBACK / KINDLE
 

 

 
Mark Love lived for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption always prevalent. A former freelance reporter, Love honed his writing skills covering features and hard news. He is the author of five previous mysteries, Fade Away, Desperate Measures, WHY 319? and three Jamie Richmond romance mysteries, Devious, Vanishing Act and Fleeing Beauty.

Love resides in west Michigan with his wife, Kim. He enjoys a wide variety of music, books, travel, cooking and the great outdoors. Love is currently working on his next novel.

 

You can find him on Facebook, Amazon and his blog at the links below.

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009P7HVZQ

http://marklove024.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MarkLoveAuthor

 
 

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April 27, 2016 · 5:00 am

The Right Way To Be Wrong by Tracy A. Ball (Book Review)

Holden’s desire knew no limits. Holden’s family respected no boundaries. Not to worry, Cherry can fix that. Cherry can fix anything…except herself.

Being in love with Holden, one of the notorious Latche twins, has freed Cherry from her ghosts. Now, she wants to help everyone -with or without their consent. Her unyielding opinions influence every relationship on the Latche family farm. While her involvement may not always be welcome, at least her intentions are pure.

And that’s a problem.

Purity doesn’t work for Holden. Abstinence is not a part of his womanizing agenda. Besides, Cherry has two secrets too many as far as he is concerned. The lack of information about her family and her intimate exchanges with Eric– the other notorious Latche twin.

 
 
REVIEW 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
After I read this story, all I could think is “Wow, my life is so boring compared to these people and thank goodness for that.” In this family, both genders stepped out on each other. Some more than others. At one point, the stepping out caused a paternity test which would’ve made even Maury Povich shake his head and yell out WTF. Mia (town hussy) slept with ever man on the farm — back to back. Seriously, I read that and almost threw up in my mouth. Just ewwww! 
 
The drama didn’t end there. Then came the paternity results. SHOCKER!!
 
Did the excitement end there? NOPE. These people were made for Jerry Springer. 
 
However when things finally calmed down, we got the HEA. Cue the applause machine!! 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tracy’s family is blended from three distinct cultures. Over the years, she has opened her home to foster children, drug addicts, AIDS victims and anyone who needed an assist. She has an equal number of liberal and conservative friends. She knows people who have committed murder and she knows people who know the Pope.

Which is why she writes sweet stories about tough love.

tra3ball@gmail.com
tracyaball.wordpress.com

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