eARC Book review:That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant

 

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Is he an enemy?

Dillon Young is proud that she inherited her aunt’s ranch. The problem: someone is trying to run her off and is willing to do whatever it takes. Strange, dangerous things keep happening. Dillion suspects her no-good neighbor and fellow wealthy rancher Hank Stephens. Never a man to get his hands dirty, he sends others to get the job done. So, when the irresistible Cal Bennett is found passed out drunk on her property, Dillion is on high alert. Until someone takes a shot at her and Cal springs to her rescue. When the hard-bodied, no-nonsense-talking cowboy points out that she may need some help, Dillion is inclined to reluctantly agree.

Or a lover?

Waking up on a stranger’s property with a shotgun in his face is not Cal Bennett’s idea of a good time. Never mind that the woman on the other end of the barrel is one of the most fiercely beautiful women he has ever seen. Things get more interesting when he finds himself shielding her from flying bullets. It’s clear that this smart, savvy woman could use a hand and he is all too happy to lend any part of his body she requires. His proposal: pose as lovers until they find out who is after her ranch. As the danger rises and secrets are revealed, the passion explodes between them. There is no turning back. 

Dillon Young finds Cal Bennnett passed out on her ranch and her newly purchased prized horse missing. Cal looks guilty until he saves her life. Someone is out to kill Dillon. Cal feels a instant connection to her but until he can sort out how he ended up passed out on her land with no memory how he got there. We kind of know who the bad guys are in this book pretty quick but we don't know who all the bad guys are. For a bit there are started wondering if every man in the story was a bad guy. Lot's of suspense but not a lot of romance. For me the ending was kind of weird. I enjoyed the book but would not read it again.

Find out more about Donna Grant and this book here Donnagrant.com

eARC Book review: When the Lights Go Out...: A workplace romance set in a blackout by Jules Bennett

 

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What happens in the dark won’t stay in the dark—

when business partners cross the line…

Distillery executive Elise Hawthorne always puts business first. No way she’ll gamble a lucrative partnership for one night of pleasure. But when a storm outage strands her with VIP client Antonio Rodriguez, he awakens a passion Elise can’t ignore. Continuing their clandestine affair when the lights come back on puts everything she’s worked for at risk. And now a family secret could blow up her life and cost her the most priceless merger of all…

Three sisters running a successful distillery in Kentucky about to go to the next level. Antonio Rodriguez arrived to check out what sisters have to offer and comes face to face with his destiny. Neither Elise or Antonio thought they were in a place in their lives for commitment. Both Elise and Antonio are dealing with loss and big decisions in their lives. Somehow they click but they live on different continents. If it could work how would they do it. This was a quick read. Great beach read for sure. It's faced paced. The author gives you bit and pieces of the three sisters lives while giving you what seems like a impossible love story between Elise and Antonio. Looking forward to reading the other two sisters stories. 

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

Check out The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar/Dana Marton. Available July 19th

Available July 19th 

The Secret Life of Sunflowers Blurb:

When Hollywood auctioneer Emsley Wilson finds her famous grandmother's diary while cleaning out her New York brownstone, the pages are full of surprises. The first surprise is, the diary isn't her grandmother's. It belongs to Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law.

Johanna inherited Vincent van Gogh's paintings. They were all she had, and they weren't worth anything. She was a 28 year old widow with a baby in the 1800s, without any means of supporting herself, living in Paris where she barely spoke the language. Yet she managed to introduce Vincent's legacy to the world.

The inspiration couldn't come at a better time for Emsley. With her business failing, an unexpected love turning up in her life, and family secrets unraveling, can she find answers in the past?

Links:

Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5G1KKCZ?tag=sunflower3-20

Amazon CA:  https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B5G1KKCZ?tag=sunflower3-20

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B5G1KKCZ?tag=sunflower3-20

Amazon AU:  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0B5G1KKCZ?tag=sunflower3-20

Nook:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-life-of-sunflowers-marta-molnar/1141711923

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-secret-life-of-sunflowers

iBooks:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-secret-life-of-sunflowers/id6443046729

About The Author:

Marta Molnar is the author of the dual-timeline women's fiction novel THE LIFE OF SUNFLOWERS about Vincent van Gogh's inspirational sister-in-law Johanna Bonger. Marta is an avid art history enthusiast and a self-taught artist. She studied writing at Seton Hill University and Harvard University, lived around the world, then settled down in the Northeast United States where she currently writes in her version of Monet's garden.

(The Secret Life of Marta Molnar: Marta is also the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels of suspense, romance, and epic fantasy under the pen name Dana Marton. Writing as Dana Marton, she's the recipient of the Rita Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and was a quarter finalist for the BookLife Prize.)

She can be reached at: marta@martamolnar.com

Please follow on Facebook for extra tidbits about the story and how the book was born, photos, and just plain artsy fun.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Author-Marta-Molnar-105528932211127

Website:  https://www.martamolnar.com/

eARC Book review: The Hitwoman vs The Security Guard (Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman #32) by J.B. Lynn

 

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eARC Provided by author

THE HITWOMAN VS THE SECURITY GUARD

Even though they drive her crazy, Maggie Lee is all about family.

Now it seems her half-brother has gotten himself into trouble with someone known as The Security Guard.

Luckily (or not!) The Security Guard is now proving to be a problem for the mob boss she works for and he wants him taken out.

Maggie jumps at the chance to get rid of the danger to her brother and the thorn in her boss’s side.

But her assassination attempt doesn’t go as planned. (Do they ever?)

Now she's the target of The Security Guard’s wrath.

Can old friends, new allies and her loyal pets save her?

Maggie can't seem to stay out of trouble. Her life is a whirlwind of family, her animals and trouble. Nothing is ever simple. Her brother is is trouble. Delveccio wants her to kill someone and it's probably the most dangerous task she's ever had. Even Patrick her murder mentor can't handle this assignment. Add in Maggie's best friend is leaving town and her plate is more than full. Always more drama from her family to add to the confusion but Gino is there to support her. This fast paced story will keep you engaged to the end JB Lynn performs a miracle with every book in this series. I never see where the story is going and I am always completely entertained.

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

eARC The Friendship Pact (Sunrise Cove #2) by Jill Shalvis

 

Available June 14th 2022

eARC Provided by publisher

Alone in the world, Tae Holmes and her mother April pretty much raised each other, but as Tae starts asking questions about the father she's never met, April, for the first time in her life, goes silent. To make matters worse, Tae is dangerously close to broke and just manages to avoid financial meltdown when she lands a shiny new contract with an adventure company for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.

Her first big fundraiser event falls flat, but what starts out as a terrible, horrible, no-good night turns into something else entirely when Tae finds herself face-to-face with Riggs Copeland. She hasn't seen the former Marine since their brief fling in high school, and while still intensely drawn to him, she likes her past burned and buried, thank you very much. Hence their friendship pact.

But when April oddly refuses to help Tae track down her father, it's Riggs who unexpectedly comes to her aid. On a hunt to unlock the past, the two of them find themselves on a wild ride and learn a shocking truth, while also reluctantly bonding in a way neither had seen coming. Now Tae must decide whether she's going to choose love ... or walk away from her own happiness.

Tae and her mom are more like sisters than mother and daughter in some ways. April was 17 when she had Tae. April made a lot of bad decisions with men and Tae had to look out for her often. April never quit trying to be a better mother and has a lot of guilt for that. They are very close because they've only every had each other. Riggs Copeland was Tae's first love and then he left. Now Riggs is back to help his brother for a while until he's off to his new job. Riggs always considered Tae important to him. `Even though he's only back for a short while he want to connect with her again. Tae not so much. When they make a friendship pact they're both happy to be friends but is that all it is? Love this story. Poor Tae has serious trust issues and those issues make relationships hard. Riggs has his own hangups but he's there for Tae, Lots of drama and love of love in this story. You'll be invested in these characters in no time.

Find out more about Jill Shalvis here www.jillshalvis.com

eARC Book review: Kiss Hard (Hard Play #4) by Nalini Singh

 

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eARC Provided by publisher

Daniel Esera is a young god on the rugby field, a sexy and charming man who's got the world at his feet. There's just one problem: his sudden potent attraction to his number one nemesis--Catie River. No. Just no. Not happening.

Catie River is on her way to Paralympic gold, and she's not about to allow Danny "Hotshot" Esera to derail her plans. Too bad her body isn't cooperating. Even worse? Her heart might be coming along for the ride. No. Nope. Never.

The pair are united in their desire to remain enemies... until a stranger's reckless action threatens both their careers. Now, the only way out for Catie and Danny is to pretend to be in a relationship. How bad can it be? They're adults in full control of their hormones and their hearts. There will be no kissing. No PDA. And definitely no falling in love.

Let the games begin.

Danny and Catie have known each other since they were kids. Danny's brother and Catie's sister are married and since then in a lot of ways Catie's been a part of Danny's family.  They've always been frenemies but in a not mean way. More of a teasing way. There were rules. They might have teased or tormented each other but also always protected each other. Danny is the baby of his family and in some ways he wasn't seen the way his older brother's were. He's got some hang up there he's working out. Catie had a dad who for the most part was never available to her and a mom who had to schedule her daughter into her business life. Catie has a older sister that in most ways took care of her like a mom. If you're reading this series you know most of the characters. Danny's family is really tightknit and pull everyone who means something to them in. You really can't help but fall in love. Nalini Singh just has a way of weaving your attention right into the story. You want to just keep on reading and when it's done you wish there was 100 more pages. Enjoyment from page one on.

Find out more about Nalini Singh and this series here nalinisingh.com

eARC Book review:The Honeymoon Cottage (Cemetery, Indiana #1) by Lori Foster

eARC provided by publisher

Available May 24th 2022

 In The Honeymoon Cottage, locals of a quirky small town help an on-the-shelf wedding planner find her own happily-ever-after.

Wedding planner Yardley Belanger has resigned herself to spinsterhood while organizing other people’s happy endings. An all-new heartwarming story of second chances at life and love, with summer weddings, a lakeside cottage for honeymooners, best friends and a rescued dog. Set in the quirky small town of Cemetery, Indiana, population 827. 

 

This new series by author Lori Foster is set in Cemetery Indiana. First book introduces us to some of the towns people and a few of the main characters. Yardley is a wedding planner. She's also a person the businesses count on to help them out and well Yardley helps pretty much anyone in need of it.  When Travis comes into her life wanting to help his sister plan her wedding it opens up the flood gates of emotion for Yardley. While helping Travis Yardley finds courage to come out of her shell and be the person she's supposed to be. I really enjoyed this book. It's a pleasant read no suspenseful drama or anything but so heartwarming. The characters are all likable if not in the beginning then definitely by the end. Part of the story is spent on Yardley and Travis but some is also spent on Yardley's best friend Mimi and her husband Kevin. Part of what really got me is Yardley reminded a lot of me and I could relate to her. Definitely a great beach read. Looking forward to the next installment.

Find out more about Lori Foster and this series here lorifoster.com

eARC Book review: The Hitwoman’s getaway (Hitwoman #31) by J.B.Lynn

 

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eARC provided by author

A romantic room, gourmet meals, free booze, massages…that’s what Maggie is promised when she’s sent away on a pet-friendly romantic getaway.

Crazy fellow guests, a missing couple, a human skull, and someone trying to kill her is what she ends up getting.

With the help of the core members of her menagerie and a new furry friend, Maggie tries to figure out what’s going on while staying alive and how to salvage her romantic weekend.

But a killer has other plans…

This one seemed to put Maggie way our of her comfort zone if she actually has a comfort zone. Gino and Maggie get gifted a weekend away with a few of her animals for company. Maggie has no idea what do to on a weekend get away but things are weird at the place they go. Seems no matter where Maggie goes trouble follows. Gino deserves a medal for hanging in there with this one. Maggie was a bit of a pill but I get she's seriously struggling and overwhelmed with everything she's got going on with life. Really she's feels like she's not in a position to be in a serious relationship. I'm not sure she sees herself ever having a normal life. I really enjoyed this one.

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

eARC Book review:The Hitwoman's Girls' Night Out by JB Lynn,

 

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What could possibly go wrong when a girls’ night out is arranged by Armani Vasquez?

Maggie Lee is about to find out.

When Maggie humors her quirky, psychic friend and agrees to a long-delayed night of “fun” she has to deal with the uniquely challenging dynamics of her female friends and family, a roomful of people who could potentially reveal her secret life, and a distraught, emotional support guinea pig.

Not to mention that her mom, who’s out on a temporary pass from the nut house, claims to have witnessed a murder.

It’s going to be a memorable night for Maggie and the girls, but will it prove deadly?

Maggie is forced into a girls night out with her three aunts , mom and various other females in her orbit. What could go wrong. It's Maggie so plenty. This long running series has one great thing going for it. You never see where the author is going until she gets you there. The characters are fun and sometimes aggravating. I have to confess I'm a big Gino fan even though I used to be a big Patrick fan. He screwed that up so Gino it is. I'm rooting for him. Whatever Maggie needs Gino is there to support her. A fun and fabulous read!

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

eARC Book review:The Best Kept Secret (Smokejumper #3) by Tawna Fenske

 

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eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Nurse Nyla Franklin knows three things to be true. Taking care of others brings more joy than a basket full of kittens. A triple-fudge sundae can cure just about anything. And no good ever comes from keeping a secret… So when her best friend spills his biggest one ever, Nyla knows she’s not just holding a secret. She’s holding a ticking time bomb.

Mr. Always Does the Right Thing Leo Sayre knows three things to be true. Piloting smokejumpers over burning forests is the best job in the world. His best friend Nyla is the smartest, funniest, and okay, sexiest woman ever. And pain meds are apparently his truth serum. Now his post-surgery confession has everything flipped upside down and turned inside out… including his relationship with Nyla.

Secrets have a way of piling up, and it’s just a matter of time before someone lights a match. Because while the truth can set you free, it can also burn completely out of control…

Leo and Nyla are attracted to each other. There's a couple problems with this. Leo's ex-wife is Nyla's older sister. The other problem is a secret Nyla finds out that could be explosive for everyone involved in their lives. Nyla is the type of person who doesn't lie but also can't keep a secret. It's only a matter of time before she spills it. This was a hard read for me. I didn't care for the fact that Leo was married to one sister then was hooking up with her sister. Talk about uncomfortable. Then Nyla's secret was a tough heart wrenching secret. I guess for me anyway it's not the kind of drama I like to see in a book I'm reading for enjoyment. It was just drama, drama drama.  It was just OK for me. I would not read it again and I would not recommend it to a friend unless this was the type of book they were looking for. There were some funny parts with Nyla and thank goodness for that. It kept me reading and hoping it would be OK by the end but so much just felt cringworthy to me. 

To find more about Tawna Fenske and this series here  www.tawnafenske.com

eARC Book review: From Feuding to Falling: An enemies to lovers, faking it romance (Texas Cattleman's Club: Fathers and Sons #4) by Jules Bennett

 

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eARC provided by author for review

Falling for his fake fiancée wasn’t part of the plan!

Securing the fortune owed to the Texas Cattleman’s Club is a top priority for its new president, Carson Wentworth. But to get there, he needs to win over rival Lana Langley and unify their feuding families. What better way than through a wedding…or at least a fake engagement? It might even be fun.

Lana has her doubts. They’ve been battling each other so long, how can they make their charade believable for one full month? Perhaps the key is the chemistry raging between them—which could also be their downfall!

Carson and Lana were supposed to be enemies. They were for a while when they both ran for President of the Texas Cattleman's club. Carson won that one but Lana is not done yet. She's determined to get a space at the club for the women ranchers to gather. Visiting Carson's great grandfather the opportunity arises to to settle the feud that's been going on for years and get the funding for Lana's project. They just have to pretend they're in love and fake a engagement. Sounds easy right. I enjoyed this quick read. Lana and Carson have preconceived notions about each other. Once they decide to team up for what will benefit them both and others they see they have more in common than they thought. This is a great evening of reading. Curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy.

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

eARC Book review: The Family You Make (Sunrise Cove #1) by Jill Shalvis

 

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eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst...but can't bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother's lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he's happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend--right before his phone dies.

But Levi and Jane do not.

Now Levi's family is desperate to meet "The One." Though Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, she's nervous. After a traumatic childhood, Jane isn't sure she knows how to be around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. She's terrified, and a little jealous. But an unexpected series of events and a host of new friends soon show Jane that perhaps this is the life she was always meant to have.

As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can't live without the man she's fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of.

Levi and Jane meet in one of the worst ways. On a gondola which may or may not fall hundreds of feet in a raging storm killing them both. Not your typical meet cute. Jane keeps herself cut off from most off relationships but Levi is someone she can't seem to cut out.  Their best friends Matteo and Charlotte are secondary characters and love interests in this story and we get their story as well. Love the friendship between Charlotte and Jane. Both had trauma in their past and were there for each other.  It took me about one chapter to fall in love with these characters. Great first book in the series. I look forward to more.

Find out more about Jill Shalvis and this series here www.jillshalvis.com

Watching Over You (McKenzies of Ridge Trail #3) by Lori Foster

 

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eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

Mysterious, unpredictable and most definitely scorching hot.

While investigating a criminal network, Detective Crosby Albertson keeps crossing paths with members of the highly trained, suspiciously well-informed McKenzie family. They’re always one step ahead of him—especially their alarmingly attractive intel specialist, Madison. And he needs to find out why.

Madison McKenzie is the tech and surveillance whiz of her family’s operation. A recent case introduced her to Detective Albertson. She finds herself irresistibly drawn to the sexy and mysterious cop. There’s just one problem. He’s a detective and her family’s work is secret. When Crosby starts digging for information about the McKenzies, Madison’s got to get him off the scent…while keeping him at a safe distance. 

Madison McKenzie is the baby of the family. She's as kick butt as her brothers but they still try to protect her. Crosby Albertson quit the police force and took a job with Madison's family. The McKenzie's are take charge people. When they are threatened and in turn Crosby's family as well they take action. As Madison and Crosby grow closer will the McKenzie's let him in? I love this kick butt family. Tough but squishy on the inside for anyone who needs help. Crosby is going to fit right in once he works through some things. Action packed with just the right amount of sweet this book has it all. Enjoyable from page one. 

Find out more about this series and Lori Foster here www.lorifoster.com