Thursday, November 20, 2014

ARC book review :Merry Christmas, Baby (Lucky Harbor #12.5) by Jill Shalvis





eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley
Available Dec 2nd 2014



New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis brings you a heartwarming tale that could only happen in Lucky Harbor . . .

SEASON'S KISSES

Wild child Chloe Thompson can't believe how much things have changed. She still can't get enough of her sexy husband Sawyer, but he seems to prefer working to thinking about impending fatherhood. So tonight, a very pregnant Chloe is escaping her troubles at the town Christmas party.

Sheriff Sawyer Thompson hopes surprising Chloe at the party will give him a chance to set things right. But as the snow begins to fall and the wind rages, he wonders whether he can make it back in time. While mother nature conspires to keep Sawyer and Chloe apart, an unexpected arrival will require them to kiss and make up . . . and ring in the happiest holiday Lucky Harbor has ever seen.




If you are a fan of the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis you know the series has ended with her last book last month. Lucky for us we are getting a bonus short story about Chloe and Sawyer. Chloe is pregnant and with her asthma  problems it could be a dangerous thing. Coming close to her due date and Christmas right around the corner there is a lot going on to top it off Chloe feels like she is not connecting with Sawyer and is having  doubts about how he feels about her and the baby. I loved this story. We get glances of some of the original characters from the beginning of course but also some in the middle and end of the series. Sawyer and Chloe were one of my favorite couples so it was exciting to take a peek at what's up with them. If you need a little warm fuzzy, mixed with the sass that Chloe always has you will enjoy this story. Love that Jill Shalvis gave us this little gift.


Find out more about the series and author Jill Shalvis here jillshalvis.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

ARC Book review: The Hitwoman and the Poisoned Apple (Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman #8) by J.B. Lynn



eARC Provided by author
Available now!

How do you solve a murder when the victim is still alive?

Maggie Lee’s murder mentor (and almost lover) Patrick Mulligan wants her to find out who poisoned him before it’s too late. Keeping the man she loves alive would be hard enough if all she had to worry about was not getting caught, but nothing’s ever that simple.

In between dealing with her strung out cat, searching for Patrick’s poisoner, meeting a deadline to deliver a mysterious gift for her mobster boss and keeping a curious reporter on his toes, she finds herself entangled in the complicated (and potentially dangerous) romantic affairs of her Aunt Susan and her semi-psychic friend Armani.

Hearts and lives are in peril.

Can the kooky, klutzy assassin save them?
 


Can i just say OMG! OMG!! If you haven't read this series you should. You have to be ok with a cliffhanger ending but the author doesn't make you wait to long for the next book in the series. I have read all the books in this series and it takes usually the first chapter to suck me in. The main character Maggie Lee has been drawn into the world of being a assassin of sorts to pay for the care her orphaned niece healthcare needs. That's how the series starts. Since then she's been in all kinds of crazy situations and this book isn't any different. In the last book Patrick her murder mentor and the married man she is in love with is poisoned. This book she is tasked with finding out who poisoned him, deliver a package to a lady in the same mental hospital her mother is in per her mobster boss and dealing with her friend Armani and her new boyfriend who rubs her the wrong way. The woman should be a excellent juggler dealing with all the craziness around her. JB Lynn knows how to draw you into her stories. Although there are some serious situations going on she twists it around to add humor as well. Even as a i am bracing for what might be coming more times than not i end up smiling or laughing and then she grabs be by the throat with her almost climactic cliffhanger endings. At that point there might be a curse or two from me. Possibly, Ok probably! As always i am looking forward to the next book!

Find out more about this series and JB Lynn here www.jblynn.com/

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

ARC Book review: Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey




eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley
Available Nov 2 ( now!)

Christina Forrester is starting over. After a financial scandal sent her ex-husband to prison, she's left raising her young son without any of the comforts of their old life. Budgets, coupons, lawn care—you name it, she's learning to do it all on her own. Well, almost on her own—she'd be lost without Gail Broughton, the kind widow across the street. But when Gail's son comes home, Christina's vow to never trust a man again is put to the test.

Will Broughton left town because he was tired of being "that poor man" who lost his wife and unborn child in a tragic accident. But years have passed and, with his dad gone and his mom alone, it's time to go home. Only his mother's not alone. She's taken Christina under her wing, and the beautiful and determined single mother awakens something in Will he thought was buried forever.

As Will and Christina are forced to spend more time together, feelings that are more than neighborly grow between them. And with Christmas coming and a child filling both houses with holiday cheer, it becomes nearly impossible not to embrace the joy—and the love—in their lives.


This is a pull your heart strings  stand alone story set at Christmas time. Christina and her young son are living across the street from Gail Broughton. Thankful for Gail's help Christina views her as a friend and as a surrogate mom. Gail  on the other hand has lost her husband in the past year  and having Christina and her son around helps sooth that loss and gives her something to do and look forward to. Then Gail's son Will comes home and he instantly feels a connection with Christina and isn't exactly happy about it. Having lost his wife and baby is a car accident years ago he became a wanderer until his dad's passing finally brings him home. Thinking he would be helping his mom he is surprised to find his mom is doing ok and she is helping Christina and her son. He's wary of Christina at first thinking she might be using his mom it doesn't take long to figure out she is genuine. Although this story had it's sad points,considering the all the characters histories Shannon Stacey makes it easily into one of those soft fuzzy reads by the end. I loved the characters and how they interacted and the ending that shows the reader what happens after. Love those kinds of endings myself. A real joy to relax and read this book.


Find out more about this book and Shannon Stacey here www.shannonstacey.com



Wednesday, November 12, 2014

ARC Book review: Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch #7) by Vivian Arend



Available now!
earc provided by author

Second chances are the sweetest—and the hottest.

It took a spectacularly embarrassing break-up to knock Steve Moonshine Coleman off his lazy butt. In the ten months since that night, he’s changed his ways, and now that Melody’s back in town, it’s time for this sweet-talking cowboy to convince her to get back in the saddle with him.

A return to her veterinary position in Rocky Mountain House was always in the cards for Melody Langley. Getting back together with Steve? Never part of the plan. He had lots of potential but zero ambition, and there’s no way she’ll accept anything less than a man who can keep up with her, in and out of bed.

But the new-and-improved cowboy is impossible to resist, so Melody issues a challenge. Three months to prove he’s reformed. Three months of Steve orchestrating one sexual indulgence after another—wicked distractions from the old boys’ club Melody faces at work and Steve’s growing responsibilities.

He’s got one shot to prove with more than words what’s in his heart and soul.

This is a great series and even if you haven't read all the books and i haven't, you can still enjoy each one on it's own. It's been a while since i read book 6 in this series so it took me a minute to remember why I should've remembered Steve and Melody. Once i got into this book i remembered the whole pitcher of beer dumped on Steve's head that's talked about. Poor Melody has to deal with the old men's club in her chosen profession as a veterinarian even though she is probably the most educated and ambitious vet in the area. Then there is Steve. Getting beer dumped on his head might have been the best thing that ever happened to him. It finally made him stop and think about his life and what he wanted and he decided what he wanted was Melody. Now he's got to find a way to show her he wants her for keeps and prove he can be trusted with her heart. I love this. Melody is tough but still can show her softer side and Steve shows her he can and will protect her when he's needed but to let her take the lead. This is a sexy quick read filled with cowboy cousins and and their equally fun girlfriends/ wives in the backdrop to help Steve and Melody find their way back to each other. This has always been a great series where you can just read a book and enjoy it. Vivian Arend makes that happen in every book. Can't wait to see what happens with the twins Jesse and Joel!!


Find out more about Vivian Arend and this series on her website here www.vivianarend.com

Thursday, November 6, 2014

ARC Book review: New Year's in Napa (West Coast Holiday #2) by Elisabeth Barrett



Available now!

ebook provided by publisher through Netgalley

Driven by guilt, biotechnology researcher Amanda Aligheri spends every waking moment in her Silicon Valley laboratory. Desperate for a change, she makes a New Year’s resolution: go to Napa, relax, and achieve some balance. The problem? There’s no chance to soul-search while tempting-as-sin winemaker Liam Flynn is around. Mandy and Liam have history together, and one glance at his easy smile reminds her exactly why she fell for him the first time.

A software engineer at heart, Liam Flynn left a lucrative position at a San Francisco tech company in order to help his dad manage their third-generation family winery, and he’s done his best to take the business to the next level. Two years ago, sparks flew between Liam and Mandy, but the moment he mentioned commitment, she turned and fled back to the safety of her lab. When Mandy shows up at his winery, she’s just as beautiful, intelligent, and stubborn as he remembers…but this time Liam isn’t giving up without a fight.

Will one romantic, wintery week in Napa be enough for Liam to convince Mandy he’s the one for her, or when the new year comes will she forget about her resolution and return to Silicon Valley—and her research—without him?



This is the second book is the West Coast Holiday series.  Amanda  heads back Napa to find some balance in her life. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately Liam Flynn is there as well. Of course he lives there so it was bound to happen. Liam wants to try again with Amanda. They have a history together and he is still attracted to her. He has one week to see if they have a chance. This 2nd chance at love story is fun and interesting. The characters are interesting. I especially like Liam's sister. I sense her story coming in a future book.  Liam and Amanda have to learn what's important in their lives and if they have a chance at working out this time. Quick enjoyable read with a small town feel. 

Find out more about this series and Elisabeth Barrett here www.elisabethbarrett.com/