REVIEW: Racing Hearts by Dena Blake
Stevie‘s review of Racing Hearts by Dena Blake
Contemporary Lesbian and Bisexual Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 11 Sep 18
I’m always on the lookout for good motor sports romances, particularly those with women as drivers or crew, but I’m also very picky about the details within the stories. While I don’t know as much about the US-based championships as I do about UK and international formats, it’s still an issue if characters act in ways that don’t gel with my knowledge of how things work, without good reason at any rate. Then again that’s an equally big problem for me in any subgenre: plots set in our world have to run, for the most part, according to real-life rules if I’m to accept any minor fantastical, or unlikely, elements required for the story to work.
REVIEW: Judgment Road by Christine Feehan
Sammy’s review of Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink, Book 1) by Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 23 Jan 18
I really love the Sea Haven series. Some of those books are still comfort reads for me. I wasn’t as enthusiastic about the spin-off series. I started Book 1 and never finished. Flash forward to the spin-off to Torpedo Ink. I’d been on a paranormal romance kick and decided to give it a go. I was actually hooked from the first page. Color me surprised, because, one, I am not a fan of motorcycle gang books and, two, I knew going in that Feehan writes some seriously tortured characters. Considering the political fires of late and the amount of press coverage about sexual assault, I wasn’t too sure. I will say if you are triggered in any way, please back out now. This story deals with rape as well as physical and emotional abuse. It wasn’t easy to read, but the story was in the hands of one of the most talented writers within the romance genre. The book doesn’t gloss over or use the circumstances as a crutch. It was well written and extremely respectful. I don’t say that lightly. I figured out really fast that I missed their club president Czar’s book. I will, however, remedy that. With that said, I was not lost and the sprinkle of older characters from Sea Haven was a great walk down memory lane.
REVIEW: Why Not Tonight by Susan Mallery
Veena’s review of Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc, Book 3) by Susan Mallery
Contemporary Romance published by HQN 18 Sep 18
I am so very much enjoying this spin-off from Fool’s Gold. These are sweet, uncomplicated romances that are a nice escape from the day-to-day humdrum. It’s also nice to stay in touch with some of the characters from the previous series, who make occasional guest appearances while we read about a whole new cast of characters.
REVIEW: Hard to Kill by Christina Dodd
Stevie‘s review of Hard to Kill (Cape Charade Short Story, Book 1) by Christina Dodd
Contemporary Crime Thriller published by HQN Books 01 Aug 18
I really enjoyed the first Cape Charade book and was keen to see more of Kellen Adams, so I was very glad to receive this prequel short story to fill in a few gaps while I was waiting for the next novel. Set immediately after her discharge from the military, and before the start of her job at Cape Charade, this story follows Kellen’s recovery from her injuries and showcases some of the skills readers of the novel will have already observed her using. Although this is a prequel, it’s probably best read after the first book to fully understand who Kellen was before her military service, since none of that’s covered in this episode.
REVIEW: Adam by Chris Keniston
Dinca’s review of Adam (Farraday Country, Book 1) by Chris Keniston
Contemporary Romance Indie House Publishing 24 Oct 16
If you like small-town happily ever afters with a sense of community, this book is for you. It’s very well written with charming characters. Not once did I have to go back and reread a part to figure out something because of an editing error. Hats off to Ms. Keniston and her editor.
REVIEW: Falling for Jordan by Liz Durano
Kristie J’s review of Falling for Jordan (A Different Kind of Love, Book 2) by Liz Durano
Contemporary Romance published by Madrid Velvet 3 Nov 17
I enjoyed the first book in this series, Everything She Ever Wanted, so I dove into this next one right after that. I didn’t enjoy this book as much, Falling For Jordan gets the dreaded “It’s ok.”
REVIEW: Cross Breed by Lora Leigh
Veena’s review of Cross Breed (Breeds, Book 32) by Lora Leigh
Urban Fantasy published by Berkley 25 Sep 18
Elizabeth’s Wolf, Book 3 in the Breed series, first introduced an enchanting little girl named Cassie. Since then we’ve watched her grow up into a formidable person, an expert in Breed law and a symbol for Breeds worldwide. Ms. Leigh has tantalized us with notions of who Cassie’s mate might be, dropping hints along the way but keeping his identity well hidden. Even as my interest in the series overall has waned, I still wanted to see how her romance played out.
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REVIEW: Consumed by J.R. Ward
Sammy’s review of Consumed by J.R. Ward
Contemporary Romance published by Gallery Books 02 Oct 18
I have a serious love of firefighters. When I saw that J.R. Ward was coming out with a new series about them, I was very excited. Then she released the prequel stories and I was on board. The chemistry between Anne and Danny is off the charts. I begged, borrowed, and pretty much harassed the head ducky until I finally got that email. Hence my frustration when the book does not live up to the prequel. Wow. I was good to go on this book up until around the fifth chapter when things went south quickly. Or to keep it punny, went from sizzle to fizzle for me. My biggest problem with her books lately are deeply seated in the fact that I do not feel invested in the characters. I’m a character reader, you can have plot holes and a nonsensical story line and I can forgive everything if I am invested in the characters. I find this to be a problem in her Black Dagger books as well. What kept me going back for more were the characters. I didn’t care where the story was going, because I would have went anywhere the characters went. Without the investment, I honestly don’t care. This is what happened for me in this book. Glossing over major developments with the main characters. The main characters not being together for a long time on the page. While I love her writing style and it most definitely can be it’s me not you, I feel like this book and the last (The Thief) are being phoned in. Harsh, I know, but I’m tired of investing my time and money as a reader. If I could have titled this review anything other than the book title, I would have titled it “Opinions Are Like Assholes.”
REVIEW: The Makings of a Lady by Catherine Tinley
Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Makings of a Lady (Chadcome Marriages, Book 3) by Catherine Tinley
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 01 Oct 18
While attending RWA this summer, I watched as Catherine Tinley won the RITA for Historical Romance: Short for Waltzing with the Earl. I was over the moon with her win, because she writes for Harlequin Historical, probably my favorite line in the Harlequin universe and the one of the few go-to places where I can still find “history” in my historical romance reading. So when I saw The Makings of a Lady, part of the same series, posted on NetGalley, I one-clicked the heck out of that baby.
REVIEW: The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher
Stevie‘s review of The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher
Biographical Historical Fiction published by Berkley 02 Oct 18
I’ve had a sneaking fascination with Kick Kennedy for a good while, mainly because of the Chatsworth connection than any particular interest in her birth family; however, while I’ve placed daisy chains on her grave in Edensor churchyard, I’ve not read any of the full-length biographies about her up until now. This latest addition to the few already out there is a novelisation of Kick’s life, rather than the more factual or academic studies waiting on various bookshelves for me to pick up, so I was hoping it would ease me into the topic ahead of more weighty tomes (in tone, if not in actual size).
