eARC Book review: The Hero (Sons of Texas #1) by Donna Grant

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THE HERO’S HOMECOMING

Owen Loughman is a highly-decorated Navy SEAL who has a thirst for action. But there’s one thing he hasn’t been able to forget – his high school sweetheart, Natalie. After over a decade away, Owen is returned home to the ranch in Texas for a dangerous new mission that puts him face-to-face with Natalie and an outside menace that threatens everything he holds dear. He’ll risk it all to keep Natalie safe – and win her heart. . . .

Natalie Dixon has had a lifetime of heartache since Owen was deployed. Fourteen years and one bad marriage later, she finds herself mixed up with the Loughman’s again. With her life on the line against an enemy she can’t fight alone, it’s Owen’s strong shoulders, smoldering eyes, and sensuous smile that she turns to. When danger closes in, she holds close to the only man she’s ever loved…

The first of a new series by Donna Grant. Three brothers in the military who have been disconnected from their father for years. Suddenly they are all brought home when their father disappears with secrets and their aunt and uncle are murdered on the family ranch. Suddenly they are caught up trying to find their dad and uncover secrets and learning more about each other than they knew.  Owen and Natalie were meant to be when they were kids then Owen graduated and headed into the Navy. Natalie eventually tried to move on but was never very successful. She swore off men but now Owen is back. Now they are thrown together to figure out what's going on with Owen's dad. Action packed this series starts off at a fast pace. We get introduced to everyone in this book and find out about Owen and Natalie and get a little of the other characters stories. Owen and Natalie are forced to work together and of course exam their feeling for each other along the way. I really liked the characters in this book and was excited to see where all the relationship would go. It started fast and exciting and was good most of the time although it did drag for me a few times. A good start to a new series. The heart of the story goes on from book to book but each book will have a brother and his significant other. Excited to see where the next book takes me!

Find out more about Donna Grant and this series here www.donnagrant.com

eARC Book review: James (7 Brides for 7 Brothers #6) by Roxanne St. Claire

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Running a billion-dollar hedge fund doesn’t leave a lot of time for fun in the sun, but that doesn’t bother James Brannigan. After spending his youth helping his widowed father raise six younger brothers, James took a cue from his workaholic dad and channeled all his energy into business. So when he learns that his father left him a tiny winery on the Amalfi Coast, he’s not thrilled. A trip to Italy is the last thing his busy schedule needs, but the winery has to go. Which means…he has to go to the winery.

Kyra Summers is the definition of a free-spirit. In her thirty years on earth, she’s never stayed in one place long enough to put down roots until she arrived in Positano and fell hard for the bold flavors, hot sun, warm people, and above all, the wonderful wine. Her job at a small, local winery is her first attempt to make a real home and the people who run the place start to become like family to her. Until the winery’s new owner, a devastatingly handsome, shockingly ruthless billionaire, arrives with plans to shut it all down. Kyra’s willing to do whatever it takes to save this place she loves—even if it means cozying up to a man who’s harder than granite and twice as cold.

But the Italian sunshine has a way of heating things up—with every fiery exchange, they strike sparks and draw irresistibly closer together. James is stunned by his attraction to a woman unlike any he’s met before, and Kyra discovers a simmering passion hidden behind his polished exterior. But passion won’t be enough to change James’s mind and his priorities, which is exactly why his late father sent him to Italy. Changing James is going to take a much bigger risk—it’s going to take love.

Book 6 of 7 about a group of brothers. James being the oldest is the most responsible. He follows in his dads footsteps as that's what he's always done. He took up for his mom when she passed away in a car accident when he and his brothers were just kids. He filled the gap as best he could and raised his younger brothers. Hi father passed away now too each of the boys received a inheritance of a sort. A envelope with something their father gave specifically to them. James gets a winery in Italy. When he goes there he gets knocked off his axis and everything he thought he knew when he finds himself with bubbly and spirited Kyra Summers. It's fun to watch James once ordered life fall to pieces and become something else. Something better even if he doesn't realize it. Both James and Kyra have things in common and some of those are not so good. There's something going on behind the romance if your not paying attention you might miss it like James did. Then it all comes crashing down on James and Kyra. A excellent read that can be read as a stand alone in the series.

Find out more about this series and Roxanne St Claire here www.roxannestclaire.com

eARC Book review: Beyond Surrender (Beyond #9) by Kit Rocha

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She’s the heart of O’Kane liquor.

For years, Nessa has been focused on work. She keeps the whiskey—and the money—flowing, and life is sweet. Sure, she’s tired of being everyone’s baby sister, and she longs for a man who can stand up to her overprotective O’Kane brothers. But she never thought she’d meet him in the middle of a war.

He’s the brains of the revolution.

War is all Ryder knows. He was raised with one goal: to ensure the sectors’ successful rebellion against Eden. His father and his mentor both died for freedom, and nothing will stop him from securing their legacies with victory. He doesn’t have time for distractions—especially beautiful, impulsive ones like Nessa.

Opposites don’t just attract, they combust. Together, Nessa and Ryder have a chance for something more than the lives they’ve always known. But this is war—deadly, bloody war—and the only way to happily-ever-after is straight through Eden.

The final book in the bestselling, award-winning series...

She's the heart of O'Kane liquor.

He's the brains of the revolution.

They're facing a war that could end their world. Again.

On December 13th, the Beyond series comes to its climactic conclusion with Nessa and Ryder's story--and the final battle between the sectors and Eden.

Nessa and Ryder finally get their story. Nessa has been around for the entire Beyond series but she's always kind of hung out in the background but no more. She's the brains behind O'Kane liquor. Always protected by all the O'Kane's. A little sister to every guy in gang until Ryder shows up. Ryder does not look at her like a brother. Oh no. Ryder is all about war. It's was he was taught since he was a kid. Now it's time for that war he's been preparing for when the battle between the sectors and Eden heats up and things get deadly. This is a wrap up to the Beyond series. War has been inevitable since the beginning of the series and Kit Rocha has slowly been bring us to that while telling us stories about many of the O'Kane's. Ryder is this amazing guy who seems to be able to do anything but finding Nessa he finds out many things he didn't know. She brings out things in him he never realized were there. Nessa has always been protected by the O'Kane's but when war finally comes she's going to be facing some hard realities. Character's die in this book and some are hard to take when it happens. This book was action packed and fully emotional if you have been following the series. I found myself wondering on bated breath for who would not make it to the end. A plus writing from this author as always. This series is over but the author has promised this is not the end. A new series is starting in another sector next year. Gideon's Riders will be featured there but we are promised to see characters from Sector 4 still. Hang on for the ride!

Find out more about this series and Kit Rocha here www.kitrocha.com

eARC Book review: A Cowboy's Christmas Eve (Malloys of Montana #2.5) by R.C. Ryan

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Silent Night, Snowy Night . . . Colin Malloy enjoys spending Christmas with his family at the Malloy ranch. But this holiday, what he really wants to do is to get closer to the alluring Dr. Anita Cross. So when a blizzard conspires to keep her from joining the Malloy family's festivities, neither snow, sleet, nor spun-out cars will prevent Colin from reaching her side. As the new doctor in town, Anita is wholeheartedly devoted to her patients. So when a little boy needs her on this snowy night, she doesn't hesitate to care for him and send him home in time to spend Christmas with his family. An evening with a certain sexy cowboy will have to wait-or so she thinks. When a breathless Colin Malloy shows up at her clinic, Anita finds her cold, lonely night quickly heating up. And no crisis or well-meaning relative will stop them from making this a Christmas to remember . . . 

I love Colin. He's kind of been in the background in the other books in this series. He gave up a lot to help care for his three nephews. Now that they are grown he's 40 and wondering if it's finally time for him to have a life to find love. Just so happens Dr. Anita Cross moved to town and he can't help himself around here. He's drawn to her. When a snowstorm keeps her at the clinic to care for patients he volunteers to pick her up and bring her to the ranch. The snowstorm isn't going to make it easy and instead he gets stuck with her in town with blizzard conditions and no power. Totally sigh worthy novella. You know a novella is good when you wish it was a longer. This one made me wish for more and more and more. More Colin and Anita. Hopefully it we will get to see more of their relationship in the next book in this series.  The Malloy's are such big and caring family that look out for everyone. A feel good Christmas story for sure!

Find out more about this series and R.C. Ryan here www.ryanlangan.com

eARC Book review: Luke (Malloys of Montana #2) by R.C. Ryan

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Wild at Heart. . .

Wild. Reckless. Stubborn. That's Luke Malloy in a nutshell. The solitary life of a rancher and the untamed Montana wilderness make him feel alive-and nothing will ever change that. Not even being thrown from his horse and forced to accept a stranger's help. The fact that this stranger is a beautiful blonde with a passion for ranching that rivals his own doesn't hurt. But there's a secret she's hiding, and Luke won't rest until he uncovers it...

Ingrid Larsen doesn't need anyone's help. Not with managing her family's ranch. Not with raising her little sister. And certainly not with the mysterious incidents occurring on her property. When this too-sexy-for-his-own-good cowboy needs a place to recover, she hopes he'll be in and out in no time flat. But just as she's beginning to trust Luke's promise of protection, Ingrid's secret threatens to tear them apart.

Luke Malloy is the wild one of the Malloy brothers. He's always lived his life the way he wants and how he wants. Then he stumbles in to the life on Ingrid Larsen. Ingrid is struggling to keep her fathers ranch afloat after he passed away suddenly. After Ingrid helps him out Luke decides he wants to hang around her ranch and help her if he can. Love the Malloy clan. Luke is one of those guys who is always there for the underdog. Ingrid is a fighter though and she is made of some tough stuff. It was fun watching these two get close in between Luke's family and the drama around Ingrid's ranch troubles. The characters in this series make you wish you could be part of it all. Love how R.C. Ryan pulls you in and works her magic. Would everyone love to live on a fabulous sprawling ranch? This book makes you wish you could.

Find out more about this series and R.C. Ryan here www.ryanlangan.com

eARC Book review: Caught Up In You (The Monroes #2) by Jules Bennett

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The Monroe brothers have their differences, but one project unites them: turning an antebellum mansion in their Haven, Georgia, hometown into a peaceful spa. It was the dream of their late sister—and it’s about to set off a major renovation in the life of middle brother Braxton… 
 
Braxton Monroe’s taking a break from teaching to do some strenuous work on a Civil War–era house, and feeling the strain in every rock-hard muscle. Good thing he has to interview massage therapists for the spa—even if it’s embarrassing to meet a job candidate in his boxers. Cora Buchanan has hands so talented—and a voice so sultry—he wants to hire her before he even lifts his head from the table. But he’s shocked to meet her outside the massage room—with her seeing-eye dog, Heidi the yellow lab.   
 
Cora has left her family—and fiancé—in Atlanta to make her way in this small town. All her parents’ money can’t restore her sight, but it’s up to her to restore her independence. Though she bristles at Braxton’s protectiveness, she too feels lingering effects from their intimate touch. Now that he’s her boss, it’s strictly hands-off….Until a secret she’s keeping destroys his fragile trust, and they must find the courage to knock down the walls between them.

This is one of those series you just know you're probably going to like because the family is a mishmash of people who make themselves into a family instead of being born into one. The Monroe brothers and their sister lost to them now were adopted and came from different backgrounds but with plenty of baggage. Now grown they are making their sisters dream come true but also working through those piles of baggage. Braxton has a tragic past that brought him eventually to the Monroe's. Now as a adult his nursing the ache of the women he thought he loved cheating on him. Then he meets the women who knocks him right on his butt. Cora is the new massage therapist for the spa with some surprises of her own. The first of which is she's blind. She's trying to prove to herself and her family she can take care of herself  when her family thinks she needs a keeper. It was fun watching these two find their way to each other. It was fun and and exciting but by no means easy. I love watching the brothers interact with each other and when you throw the women in this series into the mix there's a laugh of two as well. Even though the guys can be gruff you can see the love between them. Jules Bennett writes a wonderful series and i can't wait to see what happens with the last brother Liam. Coming soon!

Find out more about Jules Bennett and this series here www.julesbennett.com