Review: The Haunting of Maddy Clare

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Deadly Fear

Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Sweetest Scoundrel

Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Pine Lake

Pine Lake by Amanda Stevens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5*

As a teenager, Jack was accused of his girlfriend's murder.  Even after someone else was caught and found guilty, his small town still treated him differently.  As soon as he could, he left.  Olive moved in with her uncle after her dad was killed in a car accident.  As a result of the trauma of that, Olive sleepwalks.  Due to her sleepwalking, she may have witnessed 2 murders.  Jack comes back to town after his uncle dies to both decide what to do with his uncle's home and to clear his name.

Nice mystery and a decent amount of suspense and setup.  Romance is light in this one.  No insta-love or I love yous.  Just a HFN which I thought realistic given the length of time Jack and Olivia get reacquainted.  I would have liked more about Mona and Beth (and what they knew).  Ending was a little rushed.  

View all my reviews

Review: Devil in Spring

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5* rounded up
My favorite so far of the Ravenels. This is Pandora's and Gabriel's story. Devil in Winter was another Kleypas favorite of mine, so it was wonderful to "see" Evie and Sebastian. Gabriel is their oldest son. The Challons are a loving family. Pandora's parents were not and she and her sisters had an isolated upbringing.
Pandora is a character I really grew to like. And Gabriel. He was so perfect. What made this book work so much for me was this: Pandora and Gabriel love each other just as they are. There is nothing sexier or romantic than that. No big misunderstanding. They communicate their wants, desires, what doesn't work, etc.
Nice setup for the next (Dr Garrett Gibson and Ethan- a detective who might be related to the Ravenels).

View all my reviews

Review: Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Graphic novel
Excellent collection of a mix of some well known women and others I had not heard of. I learned something about all of the women, even those I had heard of. The illustrations are spot on. Recommended even for those who aren't a big fan of the graphic novel (full disclosure- I can count on one hand the number I've read).
View all my reviews

Review: Destiny's Captive

Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is Noah's story, the youngest Yates brother. Noah was shanghaied at 18. He spent months in a prison camp before he signed a 2 year conscription as a sailor. The captain was the individual responsible. He did things to survive and had things done to him during that time in prison. The trauma continues to follow him around.
Pilar joined the army for fight the Spanish when she was 15. She's fighting for Cuba's independence. Her uncles and father were all killed by the Spanish. She needs a boat to run some guns. Noah's is not too big/not too small.
Things happen. They meet again through some interesting connections. Noah decides he can't live without Pilar. They fall for each other gradually. No insta-love here! I liked the snippets from history that you don't often see in romance (Cuba's fight, segregation, inability for a woman to run a business b/c of gender). This was a nice wrap-up to this series; Alanza/Max, Drew/Billie, and Mariah/Logan are all in this one too.
My only complaint is this touched on Noah's trauma (and PTSD) too lightly. 
View all my reviews

Review: A Study in Scandal

A Study in Scandal by Caroline Linden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



While Benedict and Penelope's story was disappointing, I enjoyed Samantha's. If you've read the series to this point, this is not a spoiler (but if you haven't this is). Samantha confesses her theft to her father (who is emotionally and verbally abusive to his children and spouse, and physically abusive to his son). As punishment, he arranged her betrothal to the 2nd son of one of the peerage who has a nasty, cruel reputation. On an impulse, Samantha takes runs away to London. Things happen, she meets Gray.
I really like Samantha and thought she found her voice. This also shows women's lack of rights and limitations. She was helped/saved because a man stepped up to help. Gray was an awesome hero. His family was supportive and I would have liked more page time with them. Brief mention of Clarey in this one (he was the villain in previous) with preview of what happens to him in the next book.

Review: Undead Sublet

Undead Sublet by Molly Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Tess is a chef. She's good at her job and a workaholic. When she's not working, she's working. This forces a break down and she is forced on leave. She elects to go to Half Moon Hallow because her mentor lives there now and would be some support. Unknowingly to her, the house she rents already has an occupant in the basement.
She quickly makes friends and finds a base of support. She and Sam (the roommate) go from enemies to friends to lovers. This was a fun read with the MH certified snark in the Half Moon Hallow universe.

Review: Captivated

Captivated by Lauren Dane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This picks up where the last book left off (after Hannah's rescue). Addie and Roman have a little page time; they are happy and she's had her baby. Generally not a big fan of ménage, but this one was well done. Vincenz and Julian are already in a relationship when Hannah enters the picture. There is no jealousy or one-upmanship. While there is plenty of sexy time, this was a little more serious with Hannah's trauma, the war. Things do come to a satisfying conclusion.

Review: Stay My Fantasy

Stay My Fantasy by Alisha Rai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This picks right up from book 1. Luca goes to great length to prove his trust. Through his actions he does. I really like his parents; there were loving and unjudgmental. I thought his actions were justified and necessary to prove it that her family name didn't matter. Also to remove any chance that they could possibility influence any decisions down the road. Well done Luca!
The epilogue was nice and gave the reader an idea of how they were doing 1 year later.

View all my reviews

Review: Be My Fantasy

Be My Fantasy by Alisha Rai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elizabeth's father is an ex-Senator, her family has has a lot of money, and can trace their linage to the Mayflower. Her parents have certain opinions of what is "proper" for a woman to do. She was raised to be a perfect hostess and to make her husband life easier. Nice, right? Well, she doesn't want to do that and has found ways to get what she needs. She is the secret part owner of an exclusive club that caters to sexual desires. She had a room built to her specifications.
Luca works for the family business. He is the right hand man in the company. He also briefly dated Elizabeth a few years ago before she broke things off because she felt he was only interested in her for her name and connections. He secretly lusts after her for years.
They reconnect after Luca sees her leaving her club. I could understand her reluctance to trust based on her history and shaming she got from a past partner. Story is incomplete and continues in the next book.

View all my reviews