REVIEW: Star Knight Errant: Thrust by A.K. Shelley
Tabs’ review of Star Knight Errant: Thrust by A.K. Shelley
Science Fiction Romance published by The Wild Rose Press, Inc 26 Aug 19
In the past, I’ve been a major contemporary reader, but I have been leaning hard into speculative romance this year. I have also been reading shorter books, which can be a good low-commitment way to try a new author. So this SFR novella hit the sweet spot between two of my current interests. When the blurb seemed to indicate the plot involved a sex-robot situation go awry, I decided to give it a try.
read more…
REVIEW: Captive Hearts by L.M. Connolly
Stevie‘s review of Captive Hearts (Hearts on Fire, Book 2) by L.M. Connolly
Contemporary Romance published by Tule Publishing 01 Jul 19
I greatly enjoyed the first book in this new series, and while I was initially a little apprehensive that this novel’s plot also involved a surprise pregnancy, I liked the idea of a hotelier heroine. So I set my fears to one side and gave this the best chance possible. Which was definitely the best thing I could have done. Our protagonists are at opposite ends of the scale when it comes to the hospitality business. Scarlett Woodward is struggling to keep her family’s relic of a city centre hotel operational, whereas Ethan Black is CEO of an international chain of top-of-the-range conference venues. Ethan is also working on a side project to renovate more niche properties into unusual and exclusive venues for a specific class of clientele, and that’s what propels him into Scarlett’s orbit.
REVIEW: Beware the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
Veena’s review of Beware the Darkness (Guardians Of Eternity, Book 14) by Alexandra Ivy
Paranormal Romance published by Lyrical Press 20 Aug 19
Fans of the series who thought the series ended may be surprised to learn the stories continue. This is the second book in a new story arc where Ms. Ivy introduces us to a host of new characters, while keeping a few favorites from the original story arc. For those of you who are fans of a miniature gargoyle, he’s back with his mixed metaphors and magic with its usual unexpected consequences. In keeping with the current interest in things aquatic, the author has set this story in the undersea world. read more…
EXCERPT & CONTEST: Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day
Today is the day! Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day hits the shelves. We have a teaser for you, one of the first fun scenes in the book.
Have fun! Because I know this will only whet your appetite for more of Garrett and Teagan…
REVIEW: Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day
Sandy M’s review of Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day
Contemporary Romance novella published by Montlake Romance 27 Aug 19
It’s been a while for romance readers to read something by Sylvia Day. I believe, though I’m not 100% sure, this is her first release since the last Crossfire book, One With You. Looks that way, though. Which is unfortunate, because Ms. Day is a damned good author. At least for me. So you can imagine I was anxiously awaiting this book after I found out about it, and, of course, hoping it would be great, wonderful, terrific, and every other adjective out there I’d come to associate with one of my favorite authors. Well…
REVIEW: The Warehouse by Rob Hart
Stevie‘s review of The Warehouse by Rob Hart
Dystopian Thriller published by Crown 20 Aug 19
Most people are of the opinion that near monopolies in any type of business are a bad idea, although that seemingly stops few from taking advantage of the perceived positive combination of lower prices and greater convenience offered by certain big retailers over small stores. Fortunately, from my point of view, we’re not yet in a position where our choices are too severely limited in what we buy from where. There’s always the worry that the balance might tip until we all suffer in (mostly) unforeseen ways, and that’s what has happened in this near-future dystopia, where one company provides the solutions to all consumers’ needs and is also the only source of employment and affordable accommodation for a vast number of ordinary workers. Against their better judgement, Paxton and Zinnia are about to become two of those workers, assuming they can survive the selection process at Cloud.
REVIEW REVISIT: Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard
Alicia Thomas’s review of Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard
Romantic Suspense published by Ballantine 17 Jul 07
Original Review posted 30 Dec 07
Warning, bad blurb ahead:
A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless – and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.
Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters – and then fails.
Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Sure enough, upon her return to civilization Bailey’s suspicions mount: Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Trusting her life – and heart – to Cam, Bailey must outwit a killer who will stop at nothing to finish the job.
Sexy, suspenseful, and lightning fast, Up Close and Dangerous showcases a beloved author at her dazzling best.
Read an excerpt.
This blurb is misleading to the point it makes me mad. I saw Amazon reviews where people were disappointed with the book because they were expecting what the blurb promised. Have you ever taken a drink of tea when you were expecting soda? It totally ruins the taste of the tea.
First, the “deadly cat and mouse game” doesn’t exist. The main adversary they face, for the vast majority of the book, is meeting their physical needs. It is mainly a survival situation plot. Why make it sound like they are being chased?
Second, it says, “Sure enough, upon her return to civilization Bailey’s suspicions mount…”. This makes no sense. The story is about over when they get back. To start the book expecting a lot to happen when they get back almost guarantees a feeling that the ending is too abrupt. “Trusting her life – and heart – to Cam, Bailey must outwit a killer who will stop at nothing to finish the job.”…?! I wonder if the person who wrote this even read the book. This just isn’t there.
Happily, I didn’t read the blurb until after I read the book. That’s a habit of mine with my auto-read authors. Cam is a great hero. He’s smart enough to admit his limitations but he’s also in control and does all he can in the situation. Bailey is strong enough to push herself, but she doesn’t bluster about how tough she is. She just does what she has to do.
This book isn’t thrilling or exciting, at least after the plane crash. I’d call it a comfort read. It’s never boring and the characters are appealing. At times I’d giggle out loud. I closed the book with a smile, believing they’d have a happy marriage.
Grade: B
REVIEW: The Best of Friends by Susan Mallery
Sandy M’s review of The Best of Friends by Susan Mallery
Contemporary Romance Audiobook pubished by Brilliance Audio 28 Sep 10
For a number of years now I’ve listened to audiobooks in the car, instead of my country music radio. As much as I like music, right now I like being able to “read” while on the move. Luck was with me one day a while back when I found quite a few of Susan Mallery’s audiobooks at a local Goodwill. I mix romance with mystery and thrillers when it comes to audiobooks, only because sometimes the narrators in romance don’t always work for me. This time, however, the whole package was one job well done.
REVIEW: Blood Truth by J.R. Ward
Sammy’s review of Blood Truth (The Black Dagger Legacy, Book 4) by J.R. Ward
Paranormal Romance published by Gallery Books 13 August 19
I just finished listening to Blood Fury, which is Book 3 in this spin-off series, and, OMG, I loved that book hard. It’s definitely going on my best-of books of all time. I loved everything about that story. I was looking forward to see how Boone would play out, considering how things left off in The Savior. Boone had to go to Wrath and tell him his father was about to do something against the King’s laws. If you read The Savior, you would also know how things turned out. In Blood Truth, it picks right up where The Savior ended. If you haven’t read The Savior, there will be spoilers going forward in this review. Unfortunately, there is no way around that.
REVIEW: One Year Home by Marie Force
Sandy M’s review of One Year Home by Marie Force
Contemporary Romance published by HTJB, Inc 6 Aug 19
Every Marie Force fan has been anxiously awaiting John’s story after meeting him in Five Years Gone. He and Ava, after having a wonderful couple of years together, suddenly had fate conspiring against them at every turn, once John returned home after his military stint. This is the follow-up story that gives readers the closure they so needed after finishing FYG.
