REVIEW: I Want You Back by Lorelei James
Veena’s review of I Want You Back (Want You Series, Book 1) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 02 Apr 19
Jax and Lucy have been supporting characters in the Need You series, while their daughter Mimi is a family favorite. I really like the fact that Ms. James has kicked off this new series with the most colorful and controversial characters in the family. What truly happened between Jax and Lucy that left her pregnant, alone and destitute, has been a mystery to date. But as their back story is revealed, so is the need for Jax to find redemption and a way to fit in with his family as a son, brother, cousin, and nephew, but most importantly as a father to his daughter. Can he and Lucy find a way to bridge the past and find a loving relationship? read more…
REVIEW: The Parisian by Isabella Hammad
Stevie‘s review of The Parisian by Isabella Hammad
Historical Literary Fiction published by Grove Press 09 Apr 19
I’m always keen to read history told from different points of view, particularly those we don’t often get to hear in the mainstream history books, and so this book about a Palestinian in Paris during the First World War definitely appealed. Midhat Kamal grew up in the town of Nablus, under the Ottoman occupation, the son of a successful textile merchant, who was rarely at home, preferring to travel on business or to spend time with his second wife and their children. Midhat’s mother died when he was young, and so he has been mostly brought up by his grandmother. Following the outbreak of war in Europe, Midhat leaves his family and travels across the Mediterranean to France, in order to study medicine in Montpelier.
REVIEW: Hold On by Samantha Young
Sandy M’s review of Hold On (Play On, Book 2.5) by Samantha Young
Contemporary Romance published by Evil Eye Concepts 12 Mar 19
I was very happy to see another book in the Play On series. I didn’t know Autumn O’Dea was going to be featured in her own story, but I’m glad Ms. Young decided to write it. I’ve enjoyed this series a lot, so any books she wants to continue to add to it, I will definitely read.
REVIEW: When a Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrows
Veena’s review of When a Duchess Says I Do (From Rogues To Riches, Book 2) by Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance published by Forever 02 Apr 19
I have read and enjoyed books by Grace Burrowes previously and really enjoyed Book 1 in this series with the banker turned prisoner turned duke story line. So I was eagerly anticipating this one. While the characters are deep and fully fleshed out with their needs, desires, and frailties, I found the romance a bit understated and the story a bit overstated. read more…
REVIEW: The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis-Graves
Sandy M’s review of The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis-Graves
Contemporary Romance published by St Martin’s Press 2 Apr 19
When I receive early copies of books to review, I always try to wait to begin reading so I can post my review as close to the publication date as possible. In the case of Tracey Garvis-Graves books, that idea always goes by the wayside. She has become a favorite of mine over the last several years, and I can no longer wait to read her when I finally have her newest book in hand. At least there’s more happiness for me down the road, because I get to read it all again when it’s time to write my review.
REVIEW REVISIT: A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James
C2’s review of A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James.
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 July 10
Original review posted 27 Jul 10
The story of Cinderella is the jumping-off point for Eloisa James’ latest book, A Kiss at Midnight. All the elements are there, if slightly altered. We have a girl whose circumstances were drastically changed by her stepmother after the death of her father, a handsome prince in a castle, a godmother, a ball, glass slippers, and even some rats…although not the rodent kind. read more…
REVIEW: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
Stevie‘s review of The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
Contemporary Military Romance published by Entangled: Amara 26 Feb 19
I’m a great fan of epistolary relationships in fiction, whether romantic or platonic, and am always intrigued to see how they might develop once the writers meet in person. In this case I was a little irked that one protagonist concealed aspects of their character and background – previously revealed in their letters – back from the other when they were thrown together in the real world, although I could empathise for the reasons why this came about. On the other hand, I did like the concept of two people, each alone in spite of being surrounded by others, being able to reveal their true feelings to each other if not to their geographically closer companions.
REVIEW: At the Mountain’s Edge by Genevieve Graham
Sandy M’s review of At the Mountain’s Edge by Genevieve Graham
Historical Romance published by Simon & Schuster 2 Apr 19
On top of her genius idea of taking her country’s history and weaving a romance into it for readers, Genevieve Graham pulls no punches when it comes to the reality of Canadian historical events. I always wonder if this time we’ll get a love story instead of a romance, because she skates against the edge of survival and loss with hope and longing, and you never know what’s going to happen next with her characters, and that includes Canada’s vast and rich history as a character in and of itself.
REVIEW: Listen by Kris Bryant
Stevie‘s review of Listen by Kris Bryant
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 12 Feb 19
Having noted that I hadn’t read any rock star romances lately, I came across two books featuring relationships between musicians in as many months. This, the second of the pair to be released doesn’t feature a rock star as such, although one of the protagonists was a famous musician and composer in her youth, before anxiety issues forced her to seek a new career away from the public eye. Since her breakdown, Lily Croft has avoided music altogether, finding comfort in numbers and doing as much of her actuarial work as possible from home in order to minimise her contact with other people. While on secondment to a purely office-based job, Lily hears a pianist practising, and is soon drawn into the world of the Leading Note Music Center, a non-profit organisation providing music therapy, and music lessons to children who would otherwise miss out on such opportunities. When Lily meets the pianist herself, she is attracted to the woman’s looks and personality as much as she was to her talent.
REVIEW: Toxic Game by Christine Feehan
Veena’s review of Toxic Game (Ghostwalkers, Book 15) by Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 12 Mar 19
I remember when Ms. Feehan first released this series, and I, like many of her readers, was enthralled by the power of her imagination. Now fifteen books later, clearly there have been lots of ups and downs as she has stretched her imagination to create different types of Ghostwalkers and the women who are fated to be the one for them. The one thing that seems to have stayed constant is the flower names for the girls taken out of orphanages who lead a hard life, chemically modified until they meet the one warrior who is their perfect complement. I know there is an end game here somewhere, but my imagination has failed me to what it is. But, in the meantime, settle in and get ready for a new ride.
