Tag Archives: review

December 21, 2016 · 5:00 am

Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne (Book Review)

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There’s no place like Haven Point for the holidays, where the snow conspires to bring two wary hearts together for a Christmas to remember 

It’s been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie’s friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who’s recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother. 

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie’s gentle nature is a salve, and her kids’ excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want—each other—their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

 

 

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Snowfall on Haven Point is more than meets the eye. It’s not just about Marshall’s frozen heart or who hit him with their car causing a compound fracture of his leg. It’s not about Andrea swallowing her fears and opening up her heart to new possibilities… for new love. It’s not about a troubled young man, Christopher, and the troubles plaguing his young heart.  

No, it’s not about just ONE of those things…. It’s about ALL of them.  

It’s also about the power of love. How love, in all shapes and sizes, can impact a person.

In Snowfall on Haven Point, two small children (Will and Chloe) bring holiday cheer with their homemade ornaments, kind words, warm smiles, and genuine goodness. Through their actions, they opened up Marshall and Andrea’s eyes to many things which brought about happily ever afters for themselves and for others.

Will, Chloe, and Christopher all suffered from traumatic events in their lives so I was happy to see they all receive a Christmas miracle. 

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including four RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews magazine. RaeAnne loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com

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December 17, 2016 · 5:00 am

Dangerous in a Kilt by Anna Durand (Book Review)

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Good-girl Erica Teague is out on bail, charged with a crime her ex-lover committed. Her desperate bid to experience one wild night of sizzling sex, before her trial and certain conviction, lands her in the arms of Lachlan MacTaggart, a hot Scot with a secret past. She can’t resist his offer to enjoy one month of sex and companionship with no strings. But when their hot fling gets personal, can their passion free their imprisoned hearts?

 

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

From the moment Erica and Lachlan meet, you know this couple is going to be entertaining to read. Neither set out to have more than a casual fling but you don’t need to be psychic to see this casual set-up turning serious rather quickly. Anna kept tossing the “rules” at us so it was only a matter of time before following them became a hinderance to what was building between them. 

Really, how could Erica not fall for the Scottish sex god. He was sweet, charming, romantic, thoughtful, had a voice that could make you weak in the knees and HE WORE A BLOODY KILT. Hello, I’m surprised she lasted as long as she did before hopping on his mighty sword. (Joke within the book) 

With all the romantic gestures and surprises he planned for her, his most thoughtful gift was helping clear her name from the embezzlement charges. Money may not buy love but, in this case, it helped set his love free. 

Now with all the positives I had regarding Dangerous in a Kilt, there was one black spot that I couldn’t shake. It’s what made me drop my rating score a smidgen. On page 106, Erica seemed to to think being a nerd is a bad thing. Lachlan says, “Never call yourself a nerd again. Never.” Then on page 167, Lachlan (Anna Durand) spoke as if being nerdy was a negative trait to possess. He said to Erica, “I told you never to call yourself that again. You are a stunning, sensual woman.” Did I miss something here? Is he, Lachlan, (and the author, Anna Durand) insinuating a woman can’t be nerdy and sensual at the same time? If so, I whole-heartedly disagree. I happen to be a nerdy chick and very pleased with my sex life. 

What Lachlan should’ve said was something like this…..

Embrace your nerdiness, woman, as much as you embrace your naughtiness. Now, show me how naughty my nerdy woman can get.

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤

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 Anna Duraadnd is an award-winning writer, a freelance librarian, and an audiobook addict. She specializes in steamy romances featuring spunky heroines and hunky heroes, in settings as diverse as modern Chicago and the fairy realm. Her romances have to date won eight awards and her novel Intuition was a 2016 RONE Award nominee, while her short story Tempted by a Kiss was a finalist in The Romance Reviews 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. In her previous life as a librarian, she haunted the stacks of public libraries but never met any hot vampires hunting for magical books.

Check out the Upcoming Books page for details on what she’s working on now.

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ Google+ ~ Amazon

 

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December 15, 2016 · 5:00 am

Three Christmas Wishes by Sheila Roberts (Book Review)

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Three friends, three wishes—one Christmas! 

When three friends visit a shopping-mall Santa on a lark, the jolly old elf is full of mysterious predictions about the thing they’re all wishing for: the perfect man. Or at least men who are perfect for them. 

Riley Erickson’s fiancé turned out to be a dud, dumping her for her bridesmaid three weeks before the wedding. But Santa says that she’s soon going to meet her ideal man in a memorable way. 

And he predicts that a new man is about to come into Jo’s life. What on earth does that mean? She’s pregnant and already has her hands full with the perfectly stubborn husband she’s got. 

Noel has given up completely on ever finding her perfect match. But apparently Noel is going to get a good man to go with that house she’s trying desperately to buy. 

These friends are about to discover that Christmas wishes can come true, because in spite of romantic setbacks and derailed dreams, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

 

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REVIEW 

Christmas is the time of year where we wish, hope, and dream that the impossible becomes possible. Young, old, man, woman, adult, child, rich or poor, we all have a wish or have had a wish you’d like see come true.

Some children dream of a puppy, pony, a toy, or for a parent to be there on Christmas morning. Some adults long for a spouse to be home for the holidays, more financial security, a Christmas miracle, or finding love at last.

In the case of the three women in Three Christmas Wishes, they all went to see Santa for their own personal reasons. Basically, they need Santa to perform a miracle pertaining to man issues.

Jo wanted her Navy husband to be home permanently so he could watch their child grow up. Riley’s engagement recently ended when her fiancé fell out of love with her and into love with her bridesmaid. And Noel, she was unsure if she’d ever achieve her happily ever after.

After a brief and odd encounter with a mall Santa, what they deemed impossible — a lost cause — didn’t seem so far fetched at all. After a few bumps, several tears, more than one spill, and a couple fender benders, these three did get what they most wanted for Christmas.

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPILY EVER AFTER! 

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2

 

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December 13, 2016 · 5:00 am

Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber (Book Review)

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Continuing in a festive annual tradition, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber returns with a new original holiday novel full of romance and cheer—and the magical prospect of finding love in the most unexpected places.
 
Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that’s the last straw. She’s going to break through Cain’s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.
 
To track her progress, Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her first attempts to humanize Cain are far from successful. Julia brings him homemade Christmas treats and the disagreeable grinch won’t even accept them. Meanwhile, Julie’s blog becomes an online sensation, as an astonishing number of people start following her adventures. Julia continues to find ways to express kindness and, little by little, chips away at Cain’s gruff façade to reveal the caring man underneath. Unbelievably, Julia feels herself falling for Cain—and she suspects that he may be falling for her as well. But as the popularity of her blog continues to grow, Julia must decide if telling Cain the truth about having chronicled their relationship to the rest of the world is worth risking their chance at love.

 

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No matter the time of year, whether it’s a special occasion, holiday or just an ordinary day, we ALL SHOULD show kindness, generosity, and a share a smile.

Positive actions cause positive reactions!!

Debbie was correct, one act (big or small) will cause a ripple effect and this world needs more light, more goodness. That’s why I love and embrace paying it forward mentality. It’s also why this book is a MUST READ for everyone. It would be a GREAT BOOK to give as a Christmas present or a just because gift.

It’s never too late to follow in Julia’s footsteps. Bake someone some cookies, pay for another person’s coffee, bring them soup when their sick or walk their dog when they can not, or just play a game with them and talk. In return, you might learn a thing or two…..like Julia, like Cain, like Julia’s followers, like myself. 

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤❤ (Deserves more than 5!!!) 

 

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December 9, 2016 · 5:00 am

Frozen by L.A. Casey (Book Review)

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Neala and Darcy have loved to hate each other since they were kids. Forced together, will they be naughty—or can they play nice?

There’s one must-have toy this Christmas, and Neala Clarke has told her niece Charli she’ll get it for her. Never mind that she’s got less than a week and it looks like everywhere is sold out. She’s promised Charli a Fire Princess doll—and Neala is a woman of her word.

Darcy Hart is a people-pleaser. So when his adorable six-year-old nephew, Dustin, asks for a particular doll at the last minute, he says yes. Luckily for Darcy, there’s one left in stock at the local toy store. Unluckily for Darcy, he’s not the only person who wants it—and his rival is the one woman who’s immune to his charms.

This can’t possibly end well for both of them…can it?

 

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I snarled, “Give me the doll. Now!”
Darcy had the doll box against his chest with both hands on it. His fingers tapped against the cardboard while a smug smile stretched across his face.
He glanced to the snowmen gathered around my feet and teased, “You’ve got to watch your step, sweetheart.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “I swear if you don’t give me that bloody doll I’ll-“
“You’ll what?” he cut me off, his smug smile still in place on his handsome face.
Damn him.
“I’ll shove me foot so far up your arse you’ll need a surgeon to remove it.”
Darcy’s eyes widened. “You’re a foot shorter than me, and at least fifty pounds lighter. You’re a tiny little thing, Neala Girl. I’m not scared of you. You can’t hurt me.”
Wrong.
He was so wrong.
“I can hurt you, and I will unless you give me the doll.”
Darcy raised an eyebrow and snorted. “How about… no.”
Bastard!
I curled my lip into a sadistic grin. “Okay, you asked for it.”
Darcy shook his head at me and moved forward so he could brush by me. “I don’t have time for – What the hell?”
When he was close enough to do so I manoeuvred my body behind his, hooked my arms around his chest and searched for his nipples with my hands. When I found them, I grabbed them between my index fingers and thumbs and pinched.
“Me nipples, let go of me nipples!” Darcy roared.
I growled and tweaked his nipples a little harder. 
“Let go of the doll, and I’ll let go of your nipples.”
There was a sentence I never thought I’d hear myself say.

 

 

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Neala and Darcy were once childhood friends –  the very best. Then, one day, their friendship ended and their feud began.

Thorough-out the years, they have made each other lives miserable because they can’t get pass one regrettable moment where he didn’t take her side during a childhood playground fight.

Their animosity carried over into adulthood and caused tension at family events. One event in particular ended with explosive results for Darcy. I mean, shit hit the fan.  😯  I’m not gonna lie, the prank Neala pulled on him was painfully funny to read. 🙂 However, the best prank of all wasn’t pulled off by either of them. (no spoilers)

Now back to the reason why they are at each other’s throats – this time. Cue this Christmas’ must have toy, the last Fire Princess doll. I can recall the frenzy I watched unfold on tv when Tickle Me Elmo first came onto the scene. People went batshit crazy for that overpriced toy. So, I CAN absolutely envision the wrestling match/battle over who gets to claim Fire Princess as theirs.

In the end though, everything worked out. Darcy and Neala realized they truly loved each other all these years. The revelation surprised no one but them. We also saw the magic of Christmas and young love spark to life. 

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2

 

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L.A. Casey is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who juggles her time between her mini-me and writing. She was born, raised and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland. She enjoys chatting with her readers, who love her humour and Irish accent as much as her books.

Casey’s first book, DOMINIC, was independently published in 2014 and became an instant success on Amazon. She is both traditionally and independently published and is represented by Mark Gottlieb from Trident Media Group. 

To read more about this author, visit her website at www.lacaseyauthor.com

Also, don’t forget to follow her on Twitter.

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