Historical romance review of Captain Easterday's Bargain by Kathleen Buckley

Title: Captain Easterday's Bargain 

Author: Kathleen Buckley 

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Historical romance

Reviewed by: Laurie

Rating: 3 

Sexual rating: Clean romance  

London's cutthroat shipping trade is no place for a lady, although Olivia Cantarell has secretly acted as her father's assistant for years. Now she has inherited his company, she has no mind to give up control over it—and herself—by marrying, however flattering it is to be sought after for the first time in her life. In spite of threats and intimidation, she will fight to keep her business. 

Careful, responsible, and twice jilted, Captain Marcus Easterday has no heart to attempt marriage a third time. But he cannot stand by and see a woman cheated of her livelihood by Ambrose Hawkins, rumored to be a former pirate, a man whose name is known and feared in ports from the West Indies to China. 

Courted by the ruthless Hawkins while relying on the scrupulous Easterday's help, Olivia must conceal the identity of one of her clerks and protect her company and employees. Who can she trust?

The first several chapters in this book had me totally confused, but I pressed on and by the end when I finally caught up to the story I started enjoying it. 

My biggest enjoyment in the story was Olivia, I loved her courage and how she stood up to the men, which is unheard of in this time and kept her father’s business running with Captian Easterday help.

Now, let’s get back to my confusion. The first few chapters are of Marcus Easterday and his betrothal  Mariah, which I assume it was to help get a backdrop but it ended up being too confusing and I almost quit, but I am glad I didn’t.

If you can press on several chapters until you really get into Olivia’s story and finally the romantic connection between her and Easterday, you just might enjoy this story. 

Cozy mystery review of A Literal Mess (Allie Cobb Mystery #1) by J.C. Kenney

Title: A Literal Mess (Allie Cobb Mystery #1)  

Author: J.C. Kenney 

Source: Netgalley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: Novel 

Rating: 3

Reviewed by: Laurie 

The first book in a new series featuring Allie Cobb brings the New York literary agent back to her Hoosier home town where a mysterious death keeps everyone on spoiler alert . . .

Allie Cobb left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. Now his death brings her and her rescue cat Ursula back to the southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek, population: 3,216. But a tragic new chapter hits the presses when the body of her father’s hard-drinking, #1 bestselling client is found under the historic town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend.

Determined to clear her beastie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode while trying to ignore the usual rumormongers. Those with means, motive, and opportunity include the vic's ex-wife, his rejected girlfriend, the mayor, and a rival agent trying to mooch clients. With a rugged genealogist distracting her and the imminent Fall Festival about to send tourists descending on their once-peaceful hamlet, Allie needs to stay alive long enough to get a read on a killer ready to close the book on a new victim: Allie . . .

I really liked the storyline, the setting and I loved the clues the author places for you along the story, what I didn’t like was Allie character seemed to be a bit stuck up from time to time and there are times when she goes to questions suspects that he is a bit out of sorts with them. Allie is also instructed to a bit of romance so you get a bit of romantic dialog too, which was great for the first book in the series. If you have never given thought about what goes on behind the scenes of writing a book this story will take you into some of the things that take place during writing. 

I recommend this book for any cozy mystery lover that wants a light read. 

Dump Cake Magic: The No-Bowl, No-Mess Method of Fuss-Free Baking by Anne Schaeffer

Dump Cake Magic: The No-Bowl, No-Mess Method of Fuss-Free Baking 

Author: Anne Schaeffer

Source: NetGalley 

Genre: Cookbook

Length: 128 Pages 

Reviewed by: Laurie 

Rating 3 

Short on time or just looking for a quick and easy dessert? With no dirty bowls and no tedious mixing time, you can toss together a delicious dessert in just minutes. No wonder dump cakes have skyrocketed in popularity lately--they're perfect for busy bakers. All you have to do is layer your ingredients right in the pan that you are going to use to bake, and pop it in the oven. What comes out is a delicious treat! Dump Cake Magic offers more than 75 creative recipes for tarts, pies, cookies, bars, cakes, and more. Perfect for spur-of-the-moment baking, moist dense cakes like Lemon Blueberry, cobbler-type desserts like Peachy Butter Pecan, or rich brownie creations like Orange Chocolate Truffle are a "piece of cake." Layer upon delightful layer, desserts have never been easier. And clean-up? It's a snap!

 I was really looking forward to this book, but it just didn’t hit the spot for me. I did enjoy that each recipe had images and that they walked you through each step, but I didn’t care for the complete image of the featured recipe being at the end of the recipe. I guess I am used to the standard all images of the full recipe being at the beginning of the recipe.  

The majority of the recipes you have to use store-bought cake and cookie mixes and with times being like that are now, I along with many others have quit buying all of the processed foods so I was again left disappointed.

When I review a cookbook or baking book I always at least make one or two recipes. I chose to make the Chocolate Mocha Cake and wasn’t impressed with the taste or texture.

I am sure this book is great for a lot of cooks out there, but it’s just not something I would keep on my cookbook shelf to grab every day. 

Cookbook review of Thinner in an Instant Cookbook: Great-Tasting Dinners with 350 Calories or Less from the Instant Pot or Other Electric Pressure Cooker by Nancy S. Hughes

Title: Thinner in an Instant Cookbook: Great-Tasting Dinners with 350 Calories or Less from the Instant Pot or Other Electric Pressure Cooker 

Author: Nancy S. Hughes

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cookbook

Review by Laurie 

Rating: 3

Team up with your Instant Pot (or any other brand of electric pressure cooker) to control or lose weight with the quick, delicious, and waist-conscious recipes of Thinner in an Instant.

There are loads of Instant Pot cookbooks. However, almost all are filled with rich recipes that taste decent but deliver a nasty caloric punch right to your waistline.

Here's a tasty and good-for-you alternative. In Thinner in an Instant, Nancy S. Hughes, one of the most-respected and best-selling cookbook authors in the US on health-related topics, offers up the first and only book that will help you watch or lose weight by cooking with an electric pressure cooker.

Each recipe maxes out at 350 calories per serving and comes with a complete nutritional analysis, including calories, fats, cholesterol, salt, and other information that is important to you if you are a health-savvy or weight-conscious cook—or if someone you cook for needs help losing a few pounds.

These are soul-satisfying dinners that won’t leave you hungry: Beef Burgundy on Sweet Potato Mash, Seafood Gumbo, and Greek Lemon Chicken with Asparagus, to name just a few. Plus, there are delectable, yet lo-cal, desserts, like Upside Down Chocolate Crusted Cheesecake and Lemon-Berry Bread Pudding, to round out the meal.

At last, weight-watching and calorie-conscious cooks and eaters can enjoy the speed, convenience, and ease-of-use of the Instant Pot and its cousins

** spoiler alert **
The nutrition facts for each recipe is great, the recipes are very easy to follow and I also like the tips in the front of the cookbook, but there are only 50 recipes and none of the recipes have images. 

Now, my biggest problem is the sodium content in each recipe, a lot of the recipes has over 500 milligrams of sodium and for someone wanting to watch their sodium intake this something, you’ll have to consider before buying.
If you are new to pressure cooking and you are just concerned about cutting a few calories than this cookbook would really work for you, there are quite a few great recipes from Sandwiches and Wraps, One-Dish Suppers, Main-Courses, Sweets and Desserts and more. 

If you are like me and have way too many cookbooks on hand now and are really watching your sodium intake, I would suggest looking at more cookbooks like this one before you decide to get this one, even if you have to pay a bit more for it. 

Romance Book Review of Scandal with a Sinful Scot (Men of Wollstonecraft Hall #2) by Karyn Gerrard

Title: Scandal with a Sinful Scot (Men of Wollstonecraft Hall #2)  Karyn Gerrard 
Author: Karyn Gerrard 

Source: NetGalley

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Lenght: Novel

Reviewed by: Laurie

Rating: 3
Sexual: 3

“You must lock away your heart at all costs.”

Falling in love was the darkest moment of Garrett Wollstonecraft’s privileged youth, even as he and Abigail Hughes shared a blissful summer of passionate promise. Sworn to keep Abigail safe from the curse plaguing generations of Wollstonecraft men, Garrett sacrificed his future happiness. Now, fourteen years after he lost his heart, Abigail reenters his life. But the woman who arrives unannounced at his ancestral manor is very different from the sheltered girl Garrett once knew.

The widow of a country doctor, Abigail can’t forgive Garrett for his cruel rejection. Yet she can no longer keep the truth from him—a secret that could have resulted in her ruin. But as the embers of desire reignite, and Abigail and Garrett slowly rebuild trust, a malicious enemy plots against them. Is their love strong enough to break free from the sins of the past—and to end the tragic cycle that consigns Garrett to a life of loneliness?

I enjoyed the first two books in Karyn Garrard Men of Wollstonecraft Hall series, but this one fell short for me, but again you can’t love them all.

I am just going to pull the bandage right off and get right into this books drawback. The first and biggest drawback for me was both Garrett and Abigail cannot seem to forgive each other and so this means these two keep bring up the same thing that broke them up so many years ago and it got to be dreadful reading it time and time again. The other drawback for me was, I felt like these two never really rekindled that spark to reconnect. After years of separation she brings herself to face him and then before you know it, they were hopping like rabbits I just didn’t feel the connection that would bring them together after all of the years, especially with the fact both Garrett and Abigail, has such a hard time getting over the fact of Garrett just dumping and that she never came running to him all those years ago. The last downside for me is I really wished this series would focus a bit more on the curse that is on the family, and how they are going to find out how to solve the curse for these men.

This story does give you a glimpse into future books with other characters in the story so, you have something to look forward to, I know I am looking forward to the next book. 

Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor by Hebby Roman

Title: Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor (Snowbirds #2)

Author: Hebby Roman

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 189 pages

Publisher: Estrella Publishing

Release Date: March 12, 2016

Reviewed by: Jasmyn

What’s a forty-year-old virgin doing in a predicament like this? Looking for a husband because her late father’s will decrees she must marry or forfeit her orchard, her only means of support. Hank McCall, as a perspective husband, leaves a great deal to be desired—he’s twice divorced and older than Esmeralda. Scarred by their pasts and challenged by the gap in their ages, Esmeralda and Hank struggle with their new-found relationship. But when Hank is faced with losing Esmeralda or surrendering to her yearning to have a real family, their fates hang in the balance. 

**********

Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor was a cute story. At times a little unbelievable, but other times incredibly down to earth. It was also quite refreshing to see an older couple portrayed as....asn older couple. I know, crazy right? Esmeralda and Hank are both over 40 and living real life with real life problems. Divorce, paying bills, meeting people, family drama, and wondering if it's even worth looking anymore.

Esmeralda was a bit on the unbelievable side for me. A little too much of her character seemed to be determined by what would help the story work better. She's a virgin - which I know can still happen - but let's be honest. It isn't very likely anymore. She can only have her inheritance if she's married - because her father is a chauvanistic jerk - which I am more inclined to believe, but it still seems far-fetched. Especially to have all these things fall on one person's shoulders.

Hank is a divorced, fighting to keep enough from his recent ex so that he can retire in peace, and is really and truly going through what seems to be a mid-life crisis. Flying south to spend some time away from it all, he meets Esmerelda, and they are both faced with some serious adult-like problems (such a refreshing prospect).

This book dealt with real-life people facing real-life issues that would (mostly) affect any one of us that is no longer hovering in that 20-something age group. I really enjoyed seeing an older couple than I usually see in a romance with experiences and personalities that fit them well. 

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Darkness Seduced by Stephanie Rowe ~ Review

Title: Darkness Seduced (Order of the Blade #2)

Author: Stephanie Rowe
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 384 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: September 6, 2015
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Immortal warrior Gideon Roarke made an oath five hundred years ago to the woman who died for him. The ancient Calydon is ruthless in his quest to honor that promise, even if it means risking everything by teaming up with the one woman who will either destroy him, or finally bring redemption to his blackened, hardened soul. After escaping from a two-year imprisonment at the hands of a madman, the only thing Lily Davenport wants is to go home and reclaim her life. Unfortunately for Lily, standing between her and that goal is a sensual, demanding protector whose dangerous seduction threatens to claim her life...and her soul. The Calydons Destiny: The Calydons are a race of ancient immortals cursed with a dark side. Each Calydon is destined to meet his soul mate, to be so drawn to her that he is unable to resist bonding with her through the rituals of his race, but their destiny is to destroy each other and all they care about the moment their bond is complete.

It's been awhile since I read the first book in the Order of the Blade series, and I was quite happy to see that I was able to jump into Darkness Seduced without having to re-read it. There is an overall stroy arc, but the high points were covered in a way that didn't seem like a re-cap, and the romance was definitely a hot stand-alone affair.

Lily is mentioned in book one and the Calydons are out to find and rescue this woman that has been held by the bad guys (rogue Calydons) for years......yes years! But Gideon is quite surprised when they find her and it seems like she may be his mate. Why? Because he already lost his, and he isn't supposed to have another. So, our story begins with them denying the truth in front of them - but at least they have a good reason to.

Calydons aren't supposed to mate, it turns them into termpermental a-holes that like to kill everyone around them. But in the first book, our couple defies fate and manages  to avoid what was thought to be inevitable. Gideon and Lily will now have to do the same.

There is tons of action in this story, and the pacing was reminescent of an urban fantasy - so I think people who just want a good paranormal adventure will enjoy this book right along with the paranormal romance crowd.

However, with the Calydons playing with destiny, and their sanity, we don't quite have a HEA - but more of a "well, at least we haven't killed anyone yet so we can stay together" type of ending. The evil still lurks out there and they still need to destroy it. There were a few times that it seemed like the action overtook everything else - it was quite violent at times. I enjoy a good fight between good and evil, but the hop betwee down-time and action happened a little suddenly at times.

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Freakn' Cougar by Eve Langlais ~ Review

Title: Freakn’ Cougar (Freakn’ Shifters #6)

Author: Eve Langlais
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 221 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: January 29, 2014
Source: Purchase
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Forget taming their cougar. These young studs want her as is, even if she scratches.

Someone's killing shifters in prison, and Patricia needs help catching the culprit. The cougar enlists the help of Stu and Ricky, a techno geek and a reformed criminal, a mismatched pair, who turn out to also be her mates. But Patricia's already loved and lost one man. Does she dare allow herself to care again?

Older isn't just wiser, it's sexier, or at least that's what a socially challenged wolf and a bad boy panther think. Forced to work together to catch a killer, Stu and Ricky soon find out they'll have to learn to do more than tolerate each other when they realize a hot, almost forty cougar is their mate. Can they find a way to work together and make their cougar purr?

Ok, so yes our heroine is a cougar - as in she turns into one - but I never really pictured as a cougar in the older woman type of way. She just didn't seem that much older than the guys, unless someone was specifically mentioning it (which was kind of awkward). The image on the cover also makes her look much older than she is in the book.

The awkward reminders of the age difference aside, this was a pretty exciting story. A mismatched group of shifters sent undercover to a prison to try and catch a killer. There are lots of opportunities for craziness, and Eve Langlais takes advantage of most of them. I wish she had left a few out, it got to be a tad overdone at times, especially when paired with three over the top personalities.

The bad guy was great. Super creepy and I was surprised when I found out who it was - so kudos to Eve Langlais because I usually figure a good chunk of it out before I'm supposed to. This was a fun trip back to the Freakn' Shifters series, but I feel like some of the characters are starting to be copies of each other. I'll keep with it though because they are hilarious and hope it goes back to the inventive beginning that first drew me in.

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Freakn' Shifters

Delicate Freakn' Flower #1

Jealous and Freakn' #2

Already Freakn' Mated #3

Jungle Freakn' Bride #5

Come Undone by Gabi Moore ~ Review

Title: Come Undone (Bad Boys After Dark #3)

Author: Gabi Moore
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 252 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: January 5, 2017
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

WARNING: This book contains dark and disturbing themes, strong language and over the top sexiness that may be uncomfortable for some readers!

Kat Lilith is confident, successful, and supremely organized.

Newly divorced, she’s soon proposed to by a man who ticks all the same boxes she does. He’s everything she knows she should want in a man… so why does she find herself yearning for the first time in her life for something a little …different?

Mark Cane is... different .

Not only does he not tick any of her boxes, he blusters into Kat’s life and tears up her whole list. When she discovers that he runs a successful business, constructing intricate BDSM furniture for his devoted clients, she can no longer contain her curiosity.

Soon, Kat learns that although it’s fun to have control, it’s way more fun to lose it.

Mark is a little wild, a little dangerous… and very good at unraveling her world. But maybe that’s just exactly what she needs…

First, I'd like to note that the warning on this one is a little off. Is there some kinky stuff, yes. Is it what I could call dark and disturbing - definitely not. There's some power play and a little 'daddy' going on, but not to the extent the warning portrays.

That being said, this was a pretty fun book. I liked how straight-laced Kat was.  She seemed to have her new life mapped out, and it was going to be perfect. But she found out that she was wrong - in a big way. The man of her dreams has no spark, no lust, no excitement.

But once she meets Mark, things are very different. I loved how Gabi Moore was able to contrast these two men - from the way they looked, they way they spoke, and what they wanted from Kat. I thought Kat's indecision was very real. Her ideas conflicting with her desires. What she thought was "right" conflicting with her curiosity.

This is a romance - so we can guess how it ends. But along the way, there are grown-up issues brought to light. Dating as a single mom - when to introduce your child to your new boyfriend? How do you handle meeting your girlfriend's kid? This was all written very well, with a good mixture of fear and hope.

I didn't care for the daddy game they played at times. It just wasn't my style. I also had some problems with the way Kat's daughter was written at times. Her age seemed to fluctuate - I couldn't figure out just how old she was supposed to be, and when an age was given, it didn't seem to match her level of development.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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Fashionably Dead by Robyn Peterman ~ Review

Title: Fashionably Dead (Hot Damned #1)

Author: Robyn Peterman
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Length: 323 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: September 2, 2013
Source: Purchase
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Vampyres don’t exist. They absolutely do not exist.

At least I didn’t think they did ‘til I tried to quit smoking and ended up Undead. Who in the hell did I screw over in a former life that my getting healthy equates with dead?

Now I’m a Vampyre. Yes, we exist whether we want to or not. However, I have to admit, the perks aren’t bad. My girls no longer jiggle, my ass is higher than a kite and the latest Prada keeps finding its way to my wardrobe. On the downside, I’m stuck with an obscenely profane Guardian Angel who looks like Oprah and a Fairy Fighting Coach who’s teaching me to annihilate like the Terminator.

To complicate matters, my libido has increased to Vampyric proportions and my attraction to a hotter than Satan’s underpants killer rogue Vampyre is not only dangerous . . . it’s possibly deadly. For real dead. Permanent death isn’t on my agenda. Avoiding him is my only option. Of course, since he thinks I’m his, it’s easier said than done. Like THAT’S not enough to deal with, all the other Vampyres think I’m some sort of Chosen One.

Holy Hell, if I’m in charge of saving an entire race of blood suckers, the Undead are in for one hell of a ride.

Before diving into a Robyn Peterman story a reader must know a few things:
1. Her humor is crude, but lovely - and way over the top in all the best ways
2. Her heroine will have a dirty mouth and a dirty mind
3. Things will get a bit ridiculous - but they are supposed to

So, if that sounds like something up your alley, then you will love these books.  When Astrid goes to be hypnotized to stop smoking and is turned into a vampyre instead, she isn't sure the amazing body she ended up with was worth not being able to eat her favorite ice cream. When she's paired with a potty-mouth guardian angel and a fairy warrior that channels his inner Schwarzenegger, things start getting really good.

Astrid has a lot of decisions ahead of her - which vampyre house to join (read sorority) and whether or not she should fall for the handsome Ethan - or one of the many other beyond gorgeous vampyre men around her.

Lots of laughs, lots of action (in every possible way), and a good dose of raunchy humor. The only drawback was that I really disliked some of the side characters. And I think I was supposed to like them. Hopefully they'll work out in the long run because I really love the rest of the story.

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The Holiday Gift by RaeAnne Thayne ~ Review

Title: The Holiday Gift (Cowboys of Cold Creek #15)
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: November 22, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS

With two kids and an active life, widow Faith Dustin only wants peace and quiet for Christmas. But her snowy Pine Gulch ranch is nothing but chaotic. All that keeps Faith going is her helpful neighbor, cowboy Chase Brannon. He's always been "good ol' Chase," her faithful friend. Until he kisses her under the mistletoe…

Years ago Chase blew his chance with the woman he's loved since childhood. Now he's determined to step out of the friend zone…and into the role of husband. But the scared and stubborn Faith won't let herself fall. With Christmas just days away, Chase will need all the magic of the season—and the help of her two matchmaking children—to unwrap a second chance at love.

The Holiday Gift was a sweet second chance, friends to lovers style romance. There wasn't anything overly dramatic or exciting, it was just a really solid and down to earth story. Faith is determined to prove that she can make it on her own after her husband's death a couple years ago. She's raising her kids and running the ranch, and things seem to be perfect.

Then, her best friend has to go and ruin everything by asking her out on a date. Like a real date. She's not sure if she's ready for that, and she's definitely not ready to risk her friendship with Chase if things don't work out. But Chase has other ideas, he doesn't want to miss this second chance to be with the girl he's loved since they were young.

A fun and beautiful romance. I loved the connection that Chase and Faith had already built through the years and the community that surrounded them. I just had a hard time finding something that stood out and make this one something special.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward ~ Audiobook Review

Title: Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood #5)

Author: JR Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 502 pages - Audio
Publisher: Signet Books
Release Date: October 1, 2007
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

In Caldwell, New York, war rages between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now the cold heart of a cunning predator will be warmed against its will...

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous, son of the Bloodletter, possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time—until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her...

I had a hard time buying some of this one. Vishous is quite a cold hearted vampire. His history was a rough one, and I did enjoy seeing how it shaped him and his personality. A lot more about him made sense after reading this book. I felt a little sorry for him to be honest.  Although I still don't quite understand how this odd relationship with Butch fits into the whole thing.

Vishous is feeling a little sorry for himself now that his bromance has found a mate of his own. He puts himself at risk needlessly and ends up in a human hospital - this is one of the worst things that can happen. Human doctors can quickly see the difference between vampire and human anatomy (and I found some of the differences to be fascinating).

Enter Dr. Jane Whitcomb. We get a ton of history about her - some of it was a bit confusing. I kept waiting for her sister to pop up again in the story and she never did. Maybe she does later? There were some pretty heavy hints dropped that I kept waiting for her to appear.

Jane quickly realizes Vishous is different than any patient she's ever seen before. And when she's kidnapped to keep watch over her patient after he's rescued the "I love her - but she's human - but I love her - but she's human" begins and never seems to end.

Well, eventually it does, and I think JR Ward wrote herself into a corner again. There are a few times now that she's really broken the rules of her own world again. I think this was my biggest pet peeve of the series so far. She finds a way to sort of make it work, but it's not quite within the rules either.

There are some pretty big reveals about some of the brotherhood, which I like. And I enjoy seeing all them in each story. Revisiting past favorites is always fun - but I wish the women had a stronger appearance as well.

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Black Dagger Brotherhood

Dark Lover #1
Lover Eternal #2
Lover Awakened #3
Lover Revealed #4

Lover Mine #8

Christmas with an Angel by Debbie Mason ~ Review

Title: Christmas with an Angel (Harmony Harbor #1.5)

Author: Debbie Mason
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: Short story
Publisher: Forever Yours
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

It's been eight long years since Michael Gallagher has laid eyes on Shay Angel, back when he was a boy from the most prominent family in town and she was a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. But he hadn't cared about their differences - until one bad decision landed her in jail.

That was years ago and now he's back in Harmony Harbor for the holidays. So when Shay goes missing, Michael is intent on finding her - and finding out if their sizzling attraction is still there. But he's now a district attorney, and it looks like Shay is once again on the wrong side of the law.

A cute and very suspenseful Christmas story. I would recommend reading book one first, while the story stands alone, there was obviously some back story that I had missed going into it that I missed out on.

Michael's long lost love, Shay, is back in town and seems to be in trouble. So, like any good romance hero, he sets off to save the day. But none of it goes as planned. He ends up in trouble himself and there are some really good secrets that come out at the end of the story. Debbie Mason drops just enough hints that I wasn't completely surprised, but it was still a great reveal when it happened.

Almost too short to get a lot of romance in, but the characters already have a history, so the connection was in place. They just needed to reconnect. They don't quite do that (just warning you), but I think it might be something that happens in a future book at some point.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of the book**

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Feral by Laxmi Hariharan ~ Review

Title: Feral (Many Lives Spinoff #1)

Author: Laxmi Hariharan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 57 Pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: May 29, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

He was her destination. She just didn't know it.

When Maya leaves Luke to go in search of her blood family, nothing prepares her for the secrets she uncovers about herself.

An intense, shifter romance, set in Bombay. A standalone novella in the Many Lives universe.

I would recommend reading the original Many Lives series before starting. I did not and there were a few times that I was a tad confused about the world in general. Laxmi Hariharan did a great job trying to fill in the blanks without going overlong for this novella, but there were still a couple holes for me.

Maya doesn't fit in with her pack. She doesn't even think she is pack, so she leaves to find out where she came from. Her search takes her into the main city of Bombay where life is much different. There are rules for everything and lives are planned out.

Her search reveals some unexpected things, and I'm not 100% sure I'd call this a romance even. There is a romantic element, but it's in the background for most of the story. I enjoyed watching Maya find her place and learn her history, but I think a little bit more overall would have been nice.

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Bearly Smitten by Misha Carver ~ Review

Title: Bearly Smitten (The Alpha’s Bride #1)

Author: Misha Carver
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: November 17, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Surrendering my lips to his was akin to selling my soul to the devil...

When bear shifter Jed Barton’s keynote speaker engagement and his role as pack alpha require him to have a wife, he does what any other tycoon would do – he hires one – the last thing he wanted to do was fall in love with her.

Carrie

Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn’t? Jed, my boss, is hot. I mean, smoking hot. But it gets worse. He’s also a womanizing jerk and a bit of a tyrant. He’d devour me if I let him. I know I should turn around and walk away, but I can’t. The heart wants what the heart wants, and it will do or endure anything to get it.

Jed

There are rules in business. Never hire a beautiful woman and never fall in love with her. Rule number one comes back to bite me in the ass every single time. You’d think a grizzly shifter of my stature could find a suitable mate without picking off his employees one by one.

Will Carrie meet Jed’s expectations to fill the role of a lifetime or will he have to pass on one of his engagements? Fur flies, stocks rise, and passion ignites in this paranormal shapeshifter romance.

A really fun office style romance. Carrie needs this job desperately, and Jed is determined to hire her even though he knows he won't be able to keep his hands off. I think what really made this memorable was the office drama. The receptionist was a riot and really had it in for Carrie - it was very well done and just added an element to help give this novella a little more depth.

Jed and Carrie are very sweet together, but Jed is denying his family legacy. When he's called home unexpectedly, he convinces Carrie to come with and pretend to be his girlfriend. I loved the reactions of the family and I really loved the book.

Why three stars?? I didn't get an ending. This is more of a serial style romance that a complete HEA of HFN ending and I wasn't expecting that at all! It really soured it for me because I was looking forward to that great ending moment and I didn't get it.

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A Night of Forever by Bronwen Evans ~ Review

Title: A Night of Forever (The Disgraced Lords #6)
Author: Bronwen Evans
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Release Date: October 26, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Distrust is no match for desire as a proper young miss and a self-professed rogue hunt down a murderer in this thrilling Disgraced Lords novel from the USA Today bestselling author of A Kiss of Lies and A Taste of Seduction.

Arend Aubury trusts no one besides his fellow Libertine Scholars. After his family escaped from France, penniless and persecuted, only the Scholars took him in. So when the stepdaughter of the villainess who has been plotting against them approaches Arend with allegations against their enemy, he suspects a double cross. Yet Isobel is a tantalizing prize, with lips as sweet as champagne and skin as creamy as Camembert. Is she a feast for the senses—or a bitter trap?

Lady Isobel Thompson dreams of marrying an honorable gentleman with a spotless reputation, a trait that Arend seems to lack completely. But Isobel believes that her stepmother is responsible for her father’s death, and only Arend has the skills to uncover the truth. As a cover, Arend suggests a fake betrothal—and soon Isobel finds herself forgetting that their courtship is a ploy. He’s so different from the man of her fantasies, and yet he’s so terribly handsome, so dangerously intoxicating—and all Isobel wants is more.

A Night of Forever takes us further into the events of Arend's kidnapping - which we see from others' perspectives in the previous book. It did take me a few moments to find my place in the timeline, but once I was settled I really enjoyed the story.  Although, knowing part of the outcome did make it a bit less suspenseful for me.

Lady Isabel is the step-daughter of the woman the Libertine Scholars believe is trying to ruin and kill them. How could she not know what is going on when she is right in the middle of it all? Arend is determined to prove her collusion and is willing to take some rather extreme measures to do so. But or course this backfires, and he finds himself deeply intrigued by the lady.

There is a lot of action, and even though I knew how it was going to end already, there were a couple surprises along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed Lady Isobel. She had a quick wit and was fiercely loyal once she deemed you worthy of her trust.

I wasn't as fond as Arend, he's never been my favorite of the Libertine Scholars. A bit too roguish for my tastes - and too much of a blackguard to really seem like the hero. In fact, he's the one in need of rescue a few times. I'm all for a damsel rescuing her hero, but that isn't the case. In fact, she's rescued by someone entirely different (I hope he finds love) that I liked much better than Arend.

A great addition to the story of the Libertine Scholars, and sort of an end. There's still more to come and I can't wait to read it. As a series, it is near the top of my list for great reads.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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The Disgraced Lords

Kiss of Lies #1
A Promise of More #2

A Touch of Passion #3
A Whisper of Desire #4
A Taste of Seduction #5

To Dance Again by Hebby Roman ~ Review

Title: To Dance Again

Author: Hebby Roman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 190 pages
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Release Date: December 11, 2015
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

They say a woman never forgets her first love, and Maricel Cardona hasn't forgotten Ramón Morales. She remembers dancing all night in Ramón's arms to the sensual beat of their homeland, Puerto Rico. When her family forced her to move to the States, she didn't know she was carrying Ramón's child.

A self-made multi-millionaire, Ramón hasn't forgotten Maricel and the passion he felt, dancing with her. Now, at the pinnacle of his success, he's withdrawn from the world to safeguard his own secret. A secret that, if revealed, would change his life forever. Reunited after twenty-seven years, will the high school sweethearts get a second chance at love or will their secrets tear them apart?

Loves reunited is one of my favorite tropes, and this one did a great job in that area. Maricel and Ramon were high school sweethearts when Maricel's family left Puerto Rico for United States, separating them. Both lived their separate lives for over twenty years, but Maricel is drawn back to Puerto Rico for a few reasons, and talking to Ramon is one of them.

I liked Maricel, and I didn't like Maricel. She kept her secret far too long. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to tell Ramon a secret like this, but there were so many opportunities that she let just pass her by. Once or twice I think I would have understood, but it was just too many times, and I was never a fan of secrets.

Ramon is just as guilty with his secret, the one he tries to keep from the entire world. But all secrets eventually come out, and when his does it just makes him seem a little silly and overly prideful. They did make an amazing couple together, and the ending was incredibly sweet and just what the story needed.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Her Heart's Desire by Linda Joyce ~ Review

Title: Her Heart’s Desire

Author: Linda Joyce
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 280 pages
Publisher: Word Works Press
Release Date: July 16, 2015
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Artist Amelia Britton battles her older brother for the right to remain on the family farm—their inheritance after their parents’ tragic deaths—she faces a looming mortgage, weather threatens to destroy her crops, and the man she secretly loves only sees her as Craig’s little sister.

After serving his country in Afghanistan, Lucas Dwyer expected to return home to his family’s farm, but the bank foreclosed. Undeterred, he begins combining-for-hire to support his younger sister in college. His best friend convinces him to discourage local guys from dating Amelia. Craig wants her back in the city, farming is too hard for a woman alone. Only one problem—Lucas has fallen in love with Amelia.

With family, the bank, and the weather conspiring against them, can Amelia and Lucas ever hope to grow the love blooming between them?

Well, the first thing I have to say about this one is that Craig is an a-hole. A big one. You're set up to dislike him, and it just keeps getting worse. He treats our star, Amelia, like she's five years old and needs to be taken care of in every way, incapable of making her own decision. But, Amelia isn't having any of it.

In fact, she's determined to get a boyfriend and have an amazing date. But of course we have complications. That complication comes in the form of her brother's best friend, Lucas. Who also happens to be the man she's had a crush on her entire life.

Thins sort of steamroll on Amelia, and I continue to wonder if her brother had anything to do with it. It seems like she just can't catch a break - it's actually a little too much. Instead of waiting for her and Lucas to get together, I started wondering what was going to wrong next.

The ending was quite abrupt. It seemed like it hit an HEA brick wall and suddenly it was over. I prefer to see a little bit more of a wind down, myself.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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