Leaving Yesterday (Laurel Falls #1) by Zoe Dawson

Blurb...

Rafferty Hamilton doesn’t plan on putting down roots anytime soon. With her divorce final, the hotel heiress has left Manhattan behind to scout new locations for her family’s chain of resorts. Which is why it’s so frustrating to be stranded in Laurel Falls while a good-looking, slow-talking, Stetson-wearing mechanic takes his sweet time with her overheated coupe.

A decorated vet who paid his dues in Afghanistan, Trace Black can fix anything with an engine and get it revving—even Rafferty’s ridiculous sports car. He couldn’t say the same for the knockout driver, who looks like she’s never gripped a gear shaft in her life. Women like Rafferty don’t usually stick around in Laurel Falls, but Trace finds himself showing her everything his hometown has to offer before she cruises on down the road.

As the days pass, Rafferty finds herself charmed by the pace of life and the openhearted warmth of the residents. She’s even tempted to trust again—and it’s all thanks to Trace. He’s not the kind of guy she’s used to falling for, but he just might be the man she needs.

Leaving Yesterday is the first book in Zoe Dawson's new Laurel Falls series, and it's everything I love about small town contemporary romance. The people of Laurel Falls are down-to-earth, hard working, and loyal. They've got hopes and dreams, trials and triumphs and, no matter what, they will always have your back! All this makes them people I can't help but cheer for and care about.

One of the things I most enjoyed about the story - and there are many things to enjoy - is Trace's unshakable devotion to his family, especially his youngest brother, Harley, who suffers with PTSD, the result of his time in the Marines and a mission gone very wrong. Trace feels the guilt of of Harley's illness, blaming himself because Harley was following in Trace's footsteps when he enlisted, wanting to be like his big brother. There's a lot of poignancy throughout the book, but this... this really tugged at my heart.

Another person to love is Rafferty. Sure, she's a product of her upbringing, but she is - without a doubt - her own person. This becomes crystal clear when she sets aside her 'assignment' and opens her eyes to the beauty of the people and the town she found herself stranded in. She might be a wealthy, big city girl, but she's not ostentatious, nor is she foolish enough to let a good thing pass her by!

The bottom line... Leaving Yesterday is a wonderful start to this series, which promises to be an amazing one. If you love Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, or Rachel Gibson, you won't want to miss out on the romantic, passionate, captivating world and people of Laurel Falls.

An ARC was generously provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

About the book:

Print Length: 268 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: February 9, 2016

Click here to purchase Leaving Yesterday: A Laurel Falls Novel, from Amazon

Witches Be Burned (Magic & Mayhem #2) by Stacey Kennedy

Witches be Burned is the second book is Stacey Kennedy’s Magic & Mayhem series. Even though I didn’t read the first book, Werewolves Be Damned, I had no problem following the plot and was sucked in right from the start!

Blurb…

In Stacey Kennedy’s steamy paranormal romance novel, a rookie guardian sworn to combat the undead risks life and love in a world of violence, witchcraft, and seduction.

Nexi Jones has lost her family, she’s been stripped of her guardian duties, and she’s still learning the ins and outs of white magic. At least she has Kyden, the smoldering hot elite guardian who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi completes her training, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Ready or not, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.

Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the Black Witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed Nexi’s blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock who covets Nexi’s heart. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.

My thoughts…

Anyone who knows me knows that the Fantasy genre isn’t one of my favorites, but these books are more than just Fantasy. Yes, there’s magic. Yes, there are witches. But there are also vampires, werewolves, guardians, territories, councils… and all of these combined make this an amazing Paranormal Romance series.

Witches Be Burned picks up 4 months after Werewolves Be Damned ends, and we’re given a prologue which tells about the important things that transpired in WBD, and I'm glad for that because this is a complex world. 

With the different beings fighting for peace, there’s never a dull moment, and the ‘Good vs. Evil’ power-struggle kept me on the edge of my seat. To say the universe Ms. Kennedy has created is exciting and unique would be putting it mildly. The Magic and Mayhem world is filled with page turning intrigue. There’s also a fantastic supporting cast of characters, and a hero and heroine who are made for each other. Nexi is a strong leading lady and Kyden is an alpha male who loves her enough to let her be who she’s meant to be - though he often reminds her that he’s still the boss - and she loves him enough to let him go on believing it. And their sexual chemistry? Yeah, it burns hot and wild! See? A perfect match! 

The bottom line… 

To the point… If you’re like me and not a huge fantasy fan, you really ought to give this series a go. I’m so excited to have read this story, and am looking forward to finding out what’s to come for Nexi and Kyden! 

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept,  for providing me with a copy of this book. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review! 

Worth the Risk (The McKinney Brothers #2) by Claudia Connor

You know, the billionaire playboy / struggling naïve woman trope doesn’t usually go over well with me…but wow. WOW! There’s just something about the way Claudia Connor tells a story that grabs my heart from the start and doesn’t let go!

Blurb…

When a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind.

Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.

Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.

Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.

My thoughts…

Worth the Risk is the second book in the McKinney Brothers series and every bit as wonderful as the first. I wasn’t too sure about the billionaire playboy angle…falling for a woman who is so far from his usual type it isn’t even funny. But Stephen is a great guy who’s struggling with a tragic loss, and when Hannah crosses his path, he knows… there’s something about her that draws him in and he can’t deny the need to be with her.

Hannah has a tragic past of her own… horrific, in fact. But it’s that experience – and the almost stifling protectiveness of her brothers – that has made her an amazing woman… the perfect woman for Stephen.

Honestly, start to finish this is a poignant story about letting go of the past so you can hold on to the one person in the world who can free you from your demons. It’s at times heartbreaking, and at times uplifting. At times laugh out loud funny, and at times had me in tears. Worth the Risk has everything I love in contemporary romance, including some burn up the pages sexiness. Hannah and Stephen’s romance is beautiful, and is one of the most hard fought and deserved happily ever afters I’ve read.

The bottom line…

The short and sweet of it - I absolutely loved this story! Loved it! Every deeply poignant, deliciously sexy, beautifully romantic bit of it!

An ARC was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept. To show my appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.   

Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

Description…

Though he plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed military leaders will prove that opposites attract . . . even under fire.

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. Since that brief lapse in judgment, Evan has been at odds with her. But when he is asked to train a combat team alongside Claire, battle-hardened Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to achieve her high military rank. In Evan Loehr, Claire sees a spoiled commander who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. Army orders force them together and Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye. He too has dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

Opposites definite attract!

Until There Was You is the second book in Jessica Scott’s Coming Home series and another great story. The characters, the plot, everything about this book drew me in and didn't let me go.

My Review…

One of the things I most enjoy about this author’s way of telling a story is the unique, candid look we get into the behind-the-scenes, decision making process. These stories are not just blow 'em up, shoot 'em dead military romantic melees, though sure, there's some of that, too. But I really appreciate seeing the things that go into preparing our troops to go off to war.

Now, don't misunderstand, this isn't a politically driven storyline, rather a first hand look at what happens before, during, and after deployment, told the way only someone who has been there and done that can tell it, and Jessica Scott, a career Army officer, has been there and done that. The stories feel real, the characters genuine, and the relationships take time to develop, meaning the romances are believable... comfortable.

Evan and Claire's ongoing struggle to deny the attraction they feel for one another was at times heartbreaking, at times very sexy, but with more coitus interruptus than you can shake a stick at, it was also, at times, a bit frustrating. But their personal struggles, their intense need to always do the right thing made them people I cared deeply about and people I couldn't help but want to see work through their seemingly insurmountable issues to find the happily ever after they were both so deserving of.

The bottom line…

Each book in this series is a reading adventure, a truly entertaining experience. I love the characters, the plot, the way everything feels so real! I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!

My thanks to Ms. Scott for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Flirting With Disaster by Ruthie Knox

Description: In the latest eBook original novel in Ruthie Knox’s scorching-hot Camelot series, a no-strings fling looks an awful lot like falling in love—or flirting with disaster.

Fresh out of a fiasco of a marriage, Katie Clark has retreated to her hometown to start over. The new Katie is sophisticated, cavalier, and hell-bent on kicking butt at her job in her brother’s security firm. But on her first assignment—digging up the truth about the stalker threatening a world-famous singer-songwriter—Katie must endure the silent treatment from a stern but sexy partner who doesn’t want her help . . . or her company.

Sean Owens knows that if he opens his mouth around Katie, she’ll instantly remember him as the geeky kid who sat behind her in high school. Silence is golden, but he can’t keep quiet forever, not with Katie stampeding through their investigation. It’s time for Sean to step up and take control of the case, and his decade-old crush. If he can break through Katie’s newfound independence, they just might find they make a perfect team—on the road, on the job, and in bed.

*****

My Quickie Review: Funny, charming, romantic, sexy... Ruthie Knox is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in contemporary romance! I absolutely love Sean. So smart. So sexy. So solid. And yet, soooo vulnerable. Yep, I adore him! And Katie is a great match for Sean. She gives him the drive to step up and take charge and I love it! Apart they're awesome, together they're perfect!

Great characters, great story. Poignant in some places, witty in others. Such a wonderful, feel good read!

ARC provided by the publisher, Loveswept, via Netgalley.

Ride with Me by Ruthie Knox

When Lexie Marshall places an ad for a cycling companion, she hopes to find someone friendly and fun to cross the TransAmerica Trail with. Instead, she gets Tom Geiger—a lean, sexy loner whose bad attitude threatens to spoil the adventure she’s spent years planning.

Roped into the cycling equivalent of a blind date by his sister, Tom doesn’t want to ride with a chatty, go-by-the-map kind of woman, and he certainly doesn’t want to want her. Too bad the sight of Lexie with a bike between her thighs really turns his crank.

Even Tom’s stubborn determination to keep Lexie at a distance can’t stop a kiss from leading to endless nights of hotter-than-hot sex. But when the wild ride ends, where will they go next?

******

Sometimes I'll read a new-to-me author and wonder what the heck is wrong with me? Why did I wait sooooo long, when I've seen nothing but raves about their writing? Well, I'm doing that now - questioning and kicking myself - and this time the author is Ruthie Knox.

Start to finish, this is a great story. A bike ride across the United States? How fun is that! I love that Ms. Knox made me feel like I was included in the adventure, taking me places and showing me things I'll never have the chance to see. From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, and everything in between - mountains, deserts, plains, clear skies or torrential rains...instead of just reading words on a page, I wast there, riding right alongside Tom and Lexie. And. Loving. Every. Minute!

And speaking of Tom and Lexie...

Tom and Lexie are so awesome! Total opposites, but this is one of those cases where opposites not only attract, they're helplessly drawn together. I say helpless because even when they didn't want to give into their attraction, they couldn't help it. It was out of their control, almost as if destiny demanded it. I enjoyed their push and pull, their struggle to deny the obvious, because when they finally give in, they did so with a vengeance!

It was also fun to spend time with the people they met along the way. Such interesting, quirky people!

The Bottom Line - I've seen review after review praising Ms. Knox's storytelling, and now I understand why. Ride with Me is one of those stories that, start to finish, grabs hold and doesn't let go. It's fun, sexy, romantic, poignant... the perfect feel-good read.

This spot is normally reserved for thanking authors or publishers for providing me with a copy of their book in exchange for an honest review, but since I bought this one for pleasure, I'll thank all the wonderful people on Goodreads whose reviews tempted me beyond reason, until I could no longer control myself and just had to buy this book! Loved it! Thank you!

The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers

Carrie West is happy with her life . . . isn’t she? But when she sees this provocative online ad, the thirtysomething librarian can’t help but be tempted. After all, the photo of the anonymous poster is far too attractive to ignore. And when Wednesday finally arrives, it brings a first kiss that’s hotter than any she’s ever imagined. Brian Newburgh is an attorney, but there’s more to his life . . . that he won't share with Carrie. Determined to have more than just Wednesdays, Carrie embarks on a quest to learn Brian’s story, certain that he will be worth the cost. But is she ready to gamble her heart on a man who just might be The One . . . even though she has no idea how their love story will end?

*****

I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only.

This isn't the kind of story I'd normally pick up, but there was something about the idea of two lonely souls meeting once a week to share stolen kisses in the park. I couldn't stop wondering what would compel Carrie and Brian to enter into such an arrangement. It sounded so tawdry, so shallow, and yet, so heartbreaking and hopeful.

Honestly, I simply couldn't resist finding out what brought them to this point in their lives.

My Thoughts -

It doesn't often happen that a book takes me completely by surprise, but The Story Guy is one that did. I had no idea where this relationship between Brian and Carrie was going - if it was going anywhere at all - but what starts out as a sexy, intriguing, quirky tale, soon becomes a poignant, impassioned love story that I couldn't put down. It's a fairly short read but what it lacks in page count it more than makes up for with complex characters, a deeply moving story, and the promise of a beautiful, destined, happily ever after.

I wish we had been given an epilogue of some sort, something to show us where Carrie and Brian will be 5, 10, 20 years down the road. And believe me, this not a criticism, but a testament to how much I came to care about them both.

I'm looking forward to reading more by Mary Ann Rivers, a very gifted writer.

My thanks to Loveswept and Netgalley for granting me a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.   

The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane

The daughter of a reformed jewel thief, Julianna Harte knows a thing or two about stealth. When the foundling home she provides for finds itself in dire financial straits, Julianna is forced to do the unthinkable. In a bit of misguided Robin Hood derring-do, she slips through the window of a wealthy rake to search for a treasure she knows is there: an invaluable pearl. But when the towering and very naked occupant of the moonlit bedroom ambushes her with a bargain—a night in his bed in exchange for the pearl—Julianna doesn’t know if it’s masculine heat or sheer desperation that makes his terms so tempting.

Alasdair Sharpe had no intention of keeping his end of the bargain. Planning to offer his little cat burglar carte blanche instead, he promptly loses himself in the delights of unexpected pleasure. But when he awakes the next morning to find his family heirloom gone, fury quickly replaces sensual languor. Of course, Alasdair is more than willing to use seduction to reclaim his stolen pearl—and find the key to Julianna’s heart.

 **********

The Devil’s Thief is the first book in Samantha Kane’s The Saint’s Devils series. It’s a fun, sexy, romantic story, opening in a most unusual way and grabbing my attention from the start. Right off the bat Ms. Kane gives us everything we need to know about Julianna’s late night break-in into Alasdair’s bedroom, and I enjoyed that because it left plenty of page time to getting to know the actual people involved in the story.

Alasdair and Julianna are our hero and heroine, and both are fun, intelligent, and romantic, and together, a very passionate couple. Julianna’s unconventional upbringing is really what sets the stage for this story and allows for the introduction of some likewise unconventional characters. The other members of The Saint’s Devils, Roger Templeton, and Sir Hilary St. John, their group’s namesake, are both truly interesting people whose stories are sure to be just as exciting and deliciously sexy as Alasdair and Julianna’s is.

One of my favorite people in the book turned out to be a seventeen year old pimp-and-fencer-of-stolen-goods whose mother of his two children is in prison for murder. But don’t let Wiley’s seedy business dealings and association with thieves and killers fool you - he’s got ethics! I can only hope he’ll get a story of his own!

The bottom line: Engaging, entertaining, fast paced and very, very sexy, The Devil's Thief is a great start to this series. Roger Templeton's story is up next and, based on the excerpt at the back of this book, promises to be another great read!

4 of 5 stars

My thanks to Novel Sidekick, Random House, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.