A CHANCE TO HEAL
Jarrett Ross's freewheeling lifestyle nearly cost his family everything. So he's sworn off the rodeo and women, and not a moment too soon. When he hires stunning redhead Sierra Bailey to be his sister's physical therapist, he knows she's off-limits…and yet somehow twice as hard to ignore. City gal Sierra dreads small-town life and insists her new job in Cupid's Bow, Texas, is only temporary, although being around a sexy cowboy is an unexpected perk. There are so many reasons Sierra should keep her distance from Jarrett. But as they work together to help his sister heal, it's obvious they're a great team. Will Sierra and Jarrett follow their hearts and make this temporary arrangement permanent?
When a charmer meets a feisty redhead, and the sparks fly...
Typically, I wouldn't say that a ladies man is my favorite type of a hero, but Jarrett is so much more than that. First, since the accident, he has corrected his ways with the ladies, he has seen redemption on that field, in my book, as he falls head over heals for Sierra, and can't help it for a minute. The flowers he picks for her, the cute notes, riding lessons, support, humor, and funny moments are all so swoon worthy. And then when they kiss the first time, it just rocks the foundation.. The chemistry is incredible between them, and they create some serious heat. But is it all just temporary, a fling, or is there more to the feelings they are so hard fighting against? Sierra is an amazing lady, her strength, perseverance, and energy are only to be admired. I love her attitude, how she goes after what she wants, and is getting things done. And the healing powers her presence only is providing at the ranch. Not only to the Ross siblings, but to herself as well. The supportive cast and crew are fun, entertaining town folks, and bringing their own salt into the tale. It is a story that made me swoon several times, smile and cheer, just a great feel good story, despite the tragic accident, that brought it all to be. ~ Four Spoons
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Fighting for Devlin
Lost Boys #1 By: Jessica Lemmon Released November 24th, 2015 Loveswept
Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Katy Evans, Jessica Lemmon’s irresistible Lost Boys series kicks off with the story of a good girl who plays by the rules—and the bad boy who brings out her wild side.
Devlin Calvary makes his own luck. Orphaned as a young child, he was taken in by a crew of bookies and gamblers—and they became his family. They’re the reason Dev’s running a trendy bistro, living in a high rise, and enjoying the good life with a string of women who never ask for too much. Until, one night, he finds out how much it hurts to trust the wrong people. . . . Rena Lewis sticks to the straight and narrow, determined not to slip up again . . . like the terrible night of partying four years ago that ended in tragedy. A waitress at Oak & Sage, she knows that sleeping with her boss is not a smart move. But when Dev shows up on her doorstep, beat up and clearly shaken, Rena’s not about to turn him down . . . or kick him out of bed. Dev reawakens something primal within her—a need to go wild. And Rena soon finds out that the heart she’d sealed away years ago still has the power to fight for love.
A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Ready, player one…
Quinn Dellinger is supposed to be having fun at an industry party for gamers. Instead, all she can think about is the promotion she just got passed over for at her security firm. Then she spots him. Tall? Check. Dark? Check. Dangerously sexy? Check. Hell, yes—this is the guy who'll help her forget all her worries and give her one wickedly naughty night. The next morning she discovers her one-night stand was the guy who took her job. Oh, hell no. But Aiden Odell is not just a security specialist, he's ex-FBI, and Quinn is expected to work with him—very closely—on a major assignment. He may be tall, dark and dangerously sexy, but this is one game Quinn is determined to win…
What a fun story, with endearing characters.
You take your nerdy geek and a former FBI agent, put them together and mix in little kinky sexy times and a drizzle of suspense, and there's a story that is hard to put down. I liked the energy and chemistry between Aiden and Quinn, there was a little bit of competition, a lot of attraction, but also common interests and true caring. They were completely enamored with each other, the thoughts of each other taking over. Yet, they were both in a difficult situation with their careers, and the relationship in between them puts them in an awkward position. Even with Aidan's physical presence being so strong, I liked that he wasn't 'perfect', and that he was able to share that with Quinn. Quinn's issues with her ex, and the events that took place were touching, and difficult, but I liked to see, how she worked on the trust issues, and made an effort, and took her responsibility in the conflict that later happen. The story is well written, has a lovely flow in it, and it is easy to get lost in the story. I enjoyed the humor, the game references, and the magnetism between Aidan and Quinn. The workplace matters, the favoritism, and surviving and making it happen on your own, as well as the suspense elements, all brought more spice into the tale, making it solid, satisfying entertainment ~ Four Spoons
Dishonor Thy Wife
By: Belinda Austin Releasing June 13, 2016 Self-Published
A Sexless Marriage. A Dangerous Game. A Suspenseful Thriller. A Hot Romance.
After six years of a sexless forced marriage, Ronni finds she enjoys her husband spying through the keyhole of her bedroom door. She begins to perform for him, even remembering his past violent outbursts, because Brad returned home to Austin from a Philadelphia business trip a changed man. Once Ronni has a taste of forbidden passion, she is addicted until Brad begins acting like a Jekyll-Hyde. She believes Brad may be bipolar, never realizing that something far more sinister is going on. What happened at a Philly medical convention sets off a chain of events that begs the question, does a woman really know the cracks beneath her husband's skin?
Belinda is a former Software Engineer and Web Developer. She is a Zumbaholic. Belinda loves to create novels with twists and turns, and love stories that will squeeze your heart. Her goal is to entertain and touch you by making you laugh, cry, get angry: go through the emotional experience that makes us all human and by doing so humanize her characters.
Her aim with her books is to grab the reader by the shirt collar and drag him or her into the novel, and not let go until the end. She hopes that the reader will not just read her story, but experience it, with chills, blood pounding, brain bursting, etc. Belinda was born in the Los Angeles area and lives in Texas. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The Carsons of Mustang Creek: three men who embody the West and define what it means to be a rancher, a cowboy and a hero in this brand-new series from the queen of Western romance.
Slater Carson might be a businessman by trade, but he’s a cowboy at heart—and he knows the value of a hard day’s work under the hot Wyoming sun. So when he sees troubled teen Ryder heading down a dangerous path, he offers the boy a job on the ranch he shares with his two younger brothers. And since Ryder’s temporary guardian is the gorgeous new resort manager, Grace Emery, Slater figures it can’t hurt to keep a closer eye on her as well… Grace Emery doesn’t have time for romance. Between settling in to her new job and caring for her ex-husband’s rebellious son, her attraction to larger-than-life Slater is a distraction she can’t afford. But when the past catches up to her in Mustang Creek, she’ll discover just how far Slater will go to protect what matters most—and that love is always worth fighting for.
Refreshingly original, entertaining family saga, or at least the first part of it.
I honestly love this story, for many reasons, but any story that gets me to smile and laugh out loud, and tear up within the same page, has me so engaged with the tale and characters, that I have a hard time putting the book down, that story will get my vote. I love the Carson family. The extended Carson family. And Mrs A. I have a feeling we would have a lot in common. The brothers are just crazy, adorable, annoying, and lovable, all at the same time. And Harry, I really want to spend a week in the kitchen with her. Slater and Grace have amazing chemistry sizzling between them. And there's no such thing as 'formula', when it comes to this romantic story, no way. They fall head over the heels for each other, even though they try to fight it, at least for a week. Everything happens SO fast, it is insta everything, but it is also genuine, real, and certain. They are just oozing out joy, happiness, protectiveness, love, caring and understanding each other. They talk about things, when they get a minute in their busy lives, they see each other's weaknesses and strengths, but celebrate them, instead of making them a problem. They get each other, and are perfect, for each other, not as a person. The family unit they make, is a unique, but tells more about them as people, than anything else, how they form a bond of acceptance in a heart, and make them family. There are interesting, intriguing details in the story, that paint the picture of the events, in the least fact. The history of the area, the respect of the past, is imbedded into the story in a clever way. Just like the clever parenting advice, and life lessons are. This is one of those stories that I wanted to savor, while relishing it down. I adore the characters, they are all people I would love to get to know and hang out with, so real, positive, and filled with enthusiasm. The tale had some amazing one liners in it, things that I wrote down, and want to think about, words that made an impact, in the midst of all the romance and family disarray. I really hope the next instalment comes out quickly, since I already miss the cast and crew! ~ Five Spoons
Cuff Me
New York's Finest #3 By: Lauren Layne Releasing March 29, 2016 Forever
Vincent knows he's not the most charming of the Moretti brothers. He prefers brooding to flirting, reading to talking, and he sure as hell isn't about to give into his mother's insistence that he 'settle down with a nice girl.' Luckily, Vincent's gig as one of the NYPD's top homicide detectives keeps him busy. As does his long-time partner, Jill Henley–a tough-as-nails cop with the face of an angel and smart mouth that makes Vincent crazy in all the worst ways.
After six years of working the homicide beat with the tight-lipped Vincent Moretti, Jill figure she knows him better than anyone. Which is not at all. But when their most recent case points to a potential serial-killer situation, the higher-ups send them on a rare undercover mission to a place no NYPD officer dares go: the Upper Eastside. Now the bureau's most antagonistic set of partners is posing as Mr. and Mrs. Brooks of Park Avenue. Spending 24/7 in the suspect's territory brings them closer and closer to their killer . . . and closer to each other. Soon Vincent and Jill are playing good cop/bad cop in and out of bed, and Jill's falling hard. But can she convince Vincent to give her a shot as partner in life, as well as at the bureau?
Emotionally charged, addictive reading experience, that made me want to rush into Amazon, and buy everything the author has ever written. I love that feeling, to find an author, that you seemed to get from the first page of the book, doesn't happen too often to me!
There's so much I adored about this story, and Vincent and Jill. The respect and appreciation they have for each other as partners is palpable, and I also think, a part of the reason why they had not acted upon their feelings for each other. But they really get each other, in the level, that no one else does. After six years, they really do know each other, or at least, so they thought. I love Vincent, I'm not the 'book boyfriend' type of reader, but I truly fell in love with Vincent. There's so much going on in his mind, in his life, with his insecurities, that he hides so well, him feeling a bit outsider, even in his big loving family, his feelings towards Jill. He is a mess. But such a caring, loving mess. And as much as it hurt, he still just wants Jane to be happy. And Jill, that's what she wants too, just to be loved. And maybe she is settling for Tom, but six years is a long time to wait for someone to open up. The loud, loving, meddling Moretti family! And even though they give each other a hard time, and are always making jokes, when it is needed, they are there for you, they support you, and have your back. The heart to heart talks between the family members are endearing. There are some of the funniest one liners in the story, that made me laugh out loud, even though I was in a middle of an emotional breakdown, because of the constant yo-yo roll-a-coaster relationship Vincent and Jill have with each other. Yes, I wanted to shake them at times, and say, talk to each other, but they did what they needed to do, took the time they needed to take (regardless of my feelings and the time of the night), and it was so perfect at the end. Absolutely fantastic story, filled with emotions, deep feelings, affection, passion, intensity and joy. A celebration of friends, family, the forever kind of love, and the long road it sometimes takes, to get in each others arms ~ Five Spoons
Vincent was damn good at his job. It was why he’d been assigned a trainee during Jill’s leave of absence despite the fact that his lack of people skills was as legendary as his ability to sniff out even the most clever of murderers.
In truth, Vincent had been dreading his three months with the near-rookie, but it had been less painful than expected. Dansen was a good cop. A little green, but when Dansen was assigned his new partner tomorrow, Vin had no doubts that the guy would be able to handle whatever came his way. And then Vincent’s life would finally get back to normal. Not that these three months without Jill had been abnormal, precisely. He still worked the same backbreaking schedule. Still saw death more days than not. Still went to breakfast with his family after Mass every Sunday, and argued with his brothers and occasionally with his sister during said breakfast. He still watched sports most evenings, still worked out most mornings. So really, his life wasn’t different without Jill at all. Except that it was. Wildly, horribly different. He glanced at his watch. Two hours until her plane landed. Three hours, maybe four until he’d see her again. Not that he was counting. “So you’re good from here?” Vincent asked. “If you need anything, I’ll be ...” “Yeah, yeah, I’ll call ya. You never did tell me where you were going.” “Probably because it’s none of your Goddamn business.” Dansen put a hand to his chest. “I’ve come to love these heart-to-hearts of ours. The way we count on each other. Confide in each other—” “My cue to leave,” Vincent grumbled. He started to get in the car, when Dansen called his name again. Vin shot him an impatient look and was surprised when the usually confident Dansen looked away briefly before meeting his eyes. “Hey, I just wanted to say.. .” Dansen cleared his throat from across the hood of the car, and Vin tensed, knowing what was coming. God, he hated shit like this. “You can drop the detective,” Vincent said roughly. “Just call me Moretti. Or Vin. Whatever.” Dansen’s smile flashed white across his dark face. “Do you know how many cops dream of the day when they’re given permission to call one of the members of the royal family by their first name?” “Oh Jesus. Don’t start that again.” For the most part, Dansen had done a remarkable job of not irritating Vincent to the extreme over the past three months. But Dansen’s ridiculous hero worship of Vincent’s last name grated on his nerves. Yet another reason he couldn’t wait for Jill to get back. Jill, who’d never cared that Vincent’s father was the recently retired police commissioner. Or that his older brother was a captain. Or that his younger brother was the NYPD’s most famous officer. Or that his grandfather had been a cop and his mother had been a police dispatcher.. . Okay, so maybe Vincent could sort of understand where Dansen was coming from. The Morettis were kind of NYPD royalty. And Vincent was proud to be a part of it. Proud to carry on the legacy. He just got damn tired of the ass kissing. “Seriously though, thanks,” Dansen said. “Couldn’t have asked for a better detective to show me the ropes. A nicer one, sure. A better-looking one, definitely. And you can be a real—” “Asshole, I know,” Vincent said. Dansen held up a finger. “Not what I was going to say. I think that’s the first time you’ve tried to finish my sentence and gotten it wrong.” “I’m never wrong,” Vin said out of habit. “Fine.” Dansen rolled his eyes. “You’re an asshole. Happy?” Vin didn’t bother responding, just lifted his hand in a final farewell to Dansen before the younger man could say whatever it was he’d wanted to say, and lowered himself into the car. Vincent slid on his aviator sunglasses as he fastened his seat belt. Vin kept his face perfectly blank until he’d pulled away from the curb and merged into traffic. Only then, only out of sight of prying eyes, did he let a smile overtake his face. A smile that quickly became a grin as he headed toward his longtime barber for a very overdue haircut. He told himself that his decision to get his hair cut after weeks of putting it off had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he’d be seeing Jill in a few short hours. Vincent had never really given two thoughts to what Jill Henley thought of his looks. But then, he and Jill had never spent three months apart. He’d never had a chance to realize just how much he’d . .. missed her. Not that he’d be telling her that.
Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels.
Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. A year after moving from Seattle to NYC to pursue a writing career, she had a fabulous agent and multiple New York publishing deals. Lauren currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and plus-sized Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll likely find her running (rarely), reading (sometimes), or at happy hour (often). Author Links Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads| Instagram | Pinterest
More Than a Feeling
Heart of the Rockies #3 By: Sara Richardson Releasing March 29, 2016 Forever
STOP RUNNING . . .AND START FALLING
For Ruby James the Walker Mountain Ranch is her safe haven. Here in Aspen, Colorado, she can finally build a quiet life for herself without fear of her old one rearing its ugly head. Or so Ruby thinks. Any single woman would be happy to indulge a tall, dark, and curious cop-but the closer Ruby gets to him, the closer she gets to losing her newfound peace. Police officer Sawyer Hawkins is no stranger to secrets. He's ready to leave town for good until a security threat brings him back to Walker Ranch, and Ruby's gorgeous green eyes soon have him second-guessing his decision to go. Her kindness and quiet strength awaken feelings he'd thought long buried, even as her reluctance to talk about her past worries him. The cop in Sawyer only wants the truth-but the man in him wants Ruby in his arms forever . . .
The emotional turmoil at the beginning of the story pulled me in, and the story continued to enchant me, until the very end.
It was so easy to feel connected to the characters, to their struggles, burdens from the past, and triumphs of the present. All the characters, including the supportive cast, were well described, with deep characteristics, and attributes that were easy to admire. They were the kind of people you want to spend time with, the ranch sounding like a place for fun, enjoyable times. Sawyer and Ruby have amazing connections. The attraction is powerful, easy for even children to notice it. They are both in a crossroads in their lives, going in opposite directions, but there's just something that keeps pulling them together. I wept with Ruby, with the wounds and scars of her past. But she turned out to be a strong, powerful, loving woman. Sawyer is lovable, loyal, and law abiding. Honesty, truth, and rules are important for him, but he learns to be flexible. I loved the growth in both of them through the story. How they find their inner strength to face the demons of the past, and how they stand by each other, at the moment of need, when the cornerstone of their lives are being shifted. The character development was done in a superb, natural way through the tale. But the story is not all angst, agony and pain, there are many fun, sweet, adorable moments, often in the kitchen, or with the kids visiting the ranch. And the passionate moments between Ruby and Sawyer, when the heat takes over, and they can't keep their hands, or mouths, off each other. When you have a story with elements of deep personal growth, fun, and joy, mixed with life lessons, danger, and even some suspense, romance that is sure to swoon you, and passion that takes your breath away, you have a winner in your hands! ~ Five Spoons
“Sawyer…” There was so much she couldn’t tell him. So many reasons she should ask him to leave, to leave her alone. But the ache tightening inside of her would never go away if she didn’t touch him, if she didn’t feel the generous hunger of his lips against hers, the thrilling sensation of his hands reading every curve of her body. So instead of saying anything, instead of casting him out of her life, she scooted to her knees so she could reach his lips, first touching them lightly with her fingers. “You’re a good man, Sawyer Hawkins,” she whispered. And though she knew he couldn’t have her forever, she could give herself to him now. He could have her for this one moment.
His gaze fused with hers, the mesmerizing blue of his eyes smoldering like the center of a flame. His large hands settled on her hips and tugged them until she straddled him. The swing pitched forward and she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from losing her balance. “This isn’t why I came here,” he informed her hoarsely. “That’s disappointing,” she breathed against his neck. The stubble made her lips tingle. Sawyer sighed in a helplessly delicious way and took her chin in his hand, bringing her lips to meet his, brushing them lightly in teasing preview. Oh, lordy, lordy, lordy…the man could kiss. He pulled back to look at her, but what good was that? She wanted to feel him against her, solid and safe and warm. So she wrapped her legs all the way around his waist cinching them tighter until the hard bulge of his desire for her pulsed between her legs. It was blinding the way he made her lungs pound, the way he sent her dizzy heart twirling in circles. His touch brought her somewhere else, made her feel like someone else. Someone whole and unbreakable. The person she’d always wanted to be.
Sara Richardson grew up chasing adventure in Colorado's rugged mountains. She's climbed to the top of a 14,000 foot peak at midnight, swum through Class IV rapids, completed her wilderness first-aid certification, and spent seven days at a time tromping through the wilderness with a thirty-pound backpack strapped to her shoulders.
Eventually Sara did the responsible thing and got an education in writing and journalism. After a brief stint in the corporate writing world, she stopped ignoring the voices in her head and started writing fiction. Now she uses her experience as a mountain adventure guide to write stories that incorporate adventure with romance. Still indulging her adventurous spirit, Sara lives and plays in Colorado with her saint of a husband and two young sons. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Maggie wants to bury her past and move on.
Josh has other plans, and moving on without her isn't one of them. Maggie Mitchell returns to her hometown of Silver Bay expecting to bury her father, her past, and move on. But when Josh Harden, her high school sweetheart, shows up, her world gets turned around. Drawn to Josh, but afraid of their history, Maggie’s head tells her she can handle things alone, but her heart says otherwise. Recognizing a second chance when he sees one, Josh is determined to win Maggie’s heart once more and show her that she can trust love and begin again.
One woman's journey to find her past, her true history, her place in the world, and the love of her life.
The story is filled with compassionate people, in tender scenes, while Maggie is on the journey of her lifetime, to discover who she really is, and where she came from. There are lots of secrets, not only in Maggie's family. And as she is cleaning her parents' house, she is discovering evidence, that show, nothing in her past was quite what it looked like. At the same time, she is rekindling the romance she once had with her high school boyfriend. Things ended up between them in an awkward way, and to see him again, is like no time has past. Josh is a very gentle soul, kind, and patience. He doesn't hide his feelings towards Maggie from anyone, and is willing to stand by her, and wait for her, to be ready for them. I enjoyed the story. It is heartening and uplifting, the characters are filled with kindness and understanding. There's something very gentle about the story, that flows so smoothly without any angst or conflict. The story has a great opportunity for deep, stormy emotions and struggles, even friction between the friends. I think some of that could have been beneficial for the tale, giving the story some spice and depth. Because, as it is now, it has a lot of potential, but there's not much that stands out, to make it memorable. But, if you are looking for a lovely, sweet, and clean story of a woman's journey in life, with loving and supportive friends, and a man who wants to make her his, this story is perfect for you ~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
PERSON OF INTEREST
When rookie K-9 officer Shane West and his German shepherd partner find the lead police dog trainer murdered, he's determined to bring the killer to justice. But then he discovers Gina Perry hiding nearby - a pretty junior trainer who had the motive, means and opportunity to kill her boss. Gina insists her troubled brother is the real murderer... and this isn't the first time he's killed. And when Gina's brother comes after her, Shane is assigned to protect her and uncover the truth. Suddenly, Shane - a cop who always hoped to join a big-city force - vows to stay by Gina's side as a murderer lurks in the small-town shadows. Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.
Intense suspense brought on my intriguing mysteries, murder, and a twin brother out for revenge, mixed with heart melting romance, and furry little rookies as well.
The murder mystery seems to be just a case to catch Gina's twin brother, Tim, and bring him to justice after a couple years on the run. The new batch of K-9 officers with their newly trained partners, are ready to help in the case, and protect Gina in the process. But nothing goes as it was planned. Things escalate, suspense, fear, and frustration get palpable, as Tim is not as easy to find, as they thought. In the process, many others face the possible turmoil and tragedy, and accusations are flying around at the police headquarters. Gina has felt the attraction to Shane since the beginning of the K-9 training started. But knowing he will be gone in twelve weeks, she had been holding off. Now, Shane is guarding her life, protecting her night and day, and it is so difficult to keep the growing feelings in control, especially since his kisses melt her inside out, and his protective arms feel like home to her. During the long hours of protection, they have a chance to get to know each other better, share their stories, and support each other in their faith, as it seems they both are tested during the investigation. I enjoyed the story, it had so many different interesting elements in it. I loved how the author had built the love for the Lord, and their faith in Him into the story. It was inspiring, and uplifting at the same time. The suspense was very well implemented as well. The fear and danger were constant, the events of the story held the tension high, and separating the different crimes happening in the small town was clever. The main murders were left unresolved, as the story continues in the following books of the series. The furry partners, all of them, were commendable, I love how they all were given their own personality, and development, just like the human characters were as well. Well written, clean, enjoyable romance, mysteries, that were not open and shut case, and characters that were a delight. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Everyone goes to Finnegan's…
It's a pub in lower Manhattan, run by the Finnegan family for generations and now owned by Kieran and her three brothers. Kieran Finnegan, who still works there whenever she can, has become a criminal psychologist—a fitting reaction, perhaps, to her less-than-lawful past. Meanwhile, New York's Diamond District has been hit by a rash of thefts. No one's been killed—until now. FBI agent Craig Frasier is brought in to investigate; he and Kieran meet at a jewelry store in the middle of a heist. She's there to "unsteal" a flawless stone taken by her light-fingered youngest brother as an act of vengeance. He's there to stop the gang. But the police and FBI soon discover that there are two gangs of diamond thieves, the original and a copycat group of killers. And the second group seems to think their scheme is as flawless as the stones they steal. Thrown together by circumstance, drawn together by attraction, Kieran and Craig both end up working on the case. Unfortunately, there's more and more evidence that, somehow, the pub is involved. Because everyone goes to Finnegan's…
An Irish family owned pub in the middle of New York City, seems to be the center stage on a series of crimes happening around the diamond district. Is the family involved?
The mystery and suspense have a lot of different theories and possibilities, making it sound chaotic and messy. There are as many different levels of law enforcement involved, and somehow the Finnegan family seems guilty, and Kieran is the center of the attention again and again, against her wishes. The beginning of the mystery was a mess, the mayhem around everything that was happening just seems chaotic. And just as it starts to look like things are getting under control, and there is some logic in the crimes happening around them, the end solution comes from the left, and is just, well, it doesn't feel right, and it sounds like hurried solution. The attraction between Kieran and Craig is the insta kind. And they act upon it fast with furious passion, and no thought about the consequences. Something that seems out of character for both of them. Also, if you write a very detailed sex scene, make sure to include some kind of information about contraception, or it will seem that it wasn't considered at all. Craig and Kieran have a connection, they are attracted to each other, but I didn't really get that they had any kind of deeper feelings for each other. Craig seemed suspicious of her, she had some serious issues with paranoid behavior, that were very prominent at the beginning, and suddenly just vanished all together. I would have wanted to get a little deeper into the characters, get to know them better, see them develop, grow as a person and in the relationship. Of course, when there are as many characters as in this novel, it can be difficult to achieve. With the disarray of the investigation, the mystery will most likely stay that way to the reader, until the end revelation, the romance has a steamy, detailed scenes of love making, and a possibility of future romance for Craig and Kieran. I just felt the story was a bit dry, or lacking of juice, and too much spread out, and lost a lot of intensity and energy in the process ~ Three Spoons
The One Who Got Away
An Alpha Billionaire Romance By: Ava Claire Released January 27, 2016. Self-Published
It was supposed to be the best day. I was marrying the love of my life--and nothing would ever be the same.
And then he left me at the altar. Five years later, I get a job offer I can't refuse. The trouble is, the boss just so happens to be the one who got away...
Even from behind, he was something to behold. He had on a black leather jacket with a charcoal gray hoodie. On anyone else, it would have looked juvenile, hipster even. Like someone emulating ‘rugged’ based on what they saw in a magazine or on some TV show. This guy was all man, all testosterone with his broad shoulders and jeans that gripped an ass that I was dying to grip.
Realizing that I was staring at some stranger’s behind, my eyes shot up to tamer territory, but his dark wavy hair was even more dangerous. It was just long enough that he could do that man-bun thing that was all the rage. But nothing about this man was forced. He didn’t follow trends; he made his own. His dark locks were wild and free. I hadn’t even seen his face, but I knew he was trouble. With a capital T. Which meant I was in trouble, because if I wasn’t sure I was gonna take the job before, well, I was positive now. “Oh! Mr. Carraway, I didn’t know you were on site today.” I gasped. No. NO. The allure, that instant draw...I should have known. It had only happened once before when I was partnered with the hottest guy at Rhoades High in Advanced Chem. He turned from the espresso machine and I stopped breathing. Lincoln Carraway smiled at me like a wolf about to rip out the throat of its prey. “Welcome to Make a Change, Catherine.”
Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her Kindle, Ava likes road tripping, watching an unhealthy amount of Netflix, karaoke and vintage fashion.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
The Smallest Mistake
Three went in; one came out. For five years, no trace has been found of two high-school friends who went hiking in the woods near Nashville. The third teen, Amber Ryder, was discovered at the bottom of a ravine with a broken arm, head trauma--and zero memory of the horror that put her there. Will Put You What started as a cold case has become a fresh hell for forensic technician Georgia Morgan. Another woman's body is found in the woods, and it leads to the missing teens' remains. But while Georgia works with Amber to try and reawaken her memories, her gut tells her the worst is yet to come. At A Killer's Mercy Homicide Detective Jake Bishop can't be sure whether Amber is an expert manipulator or the killer's next target. Either way, he's determined to protect Georgia. Because the deeper she digs into the past, the deadlier the secrets that emerge, and a nightmare years in the making is about to come to a bloody, terrifying end…
Intriguing, arresting and analytical story about the police investigation during a multiple murder case.
This is the book four in the series, and in the bright lights is now Georgia Morgan, the adopted daughter of the family. The tale is told from several different points of views, giving a good rounded picture of the event escalating around the murders. To be able to handle the constant crime, devastation, and injustice of their jobs, the law enforcement holds their feelings close to their hearts, not letting them show at the job site. This cold, emotionless, facts only attitude carries through the book, also to the reader, making it hard to connect with the characters. Georgia was supposed to be the fire-cracker of the family, but her manners, temper, and behavior were very much in check at all times. The crimes committed themselves are interesting, the whodunit question is in the air, and the answers are not that clear. I wish there would have been more closure for the crime as well at the end of the story. The romance was more on of an afterthought, a shadow at the back of the story. There are a couple of sex scenes in the book, some between other characters in the story, as well as between Georgia and Jake. Those scenes didn't seem to fit well into the story, the flow, or the tune. Might be added just because of it, came to mind. I have read one of the previous books of the series, and enjoyed it immensely. This story is good, it is well written, and the crimes are hideous, gruesome, and grim. The investigation is very organized, with gripping details. But it is missing the spark, the deep emotions the characters have to be feeling, faced with the situation they are in, the depth of a story, that will lure the reader into the tale, and keep the hold tight. I think it was a good story, but it had the potential to be great ~ Three Spoons
Unexpectedly Yours
By: Coleen Kwan Releasing March 14, 2016 Entangled Bliss
He wasn’t what she was expecting...
Derek Carmichael has harbored a secret crush on his best friend’s older sister for years, but she’s always been out of his reach. Now that Hannah is back in their hometown and newly single, suddenly the five-year age gap doesn’t seem so huge. But convincing her to see him as more than just the kid she used to know is another story. Hannah Willmett can’t believe how grown-up Derek Carmichael has become. The troubled kid from her youth has turned into a sexy, successful TV celebrity, but Hannah’s wary of his player past and the rampant rumors connecting him to beautiful socialites. Still, she can’t help but give in when their attraction reaches a boiling point. Trying to keep their fling a secret from her overprotective brother is one thing, but when Hannah finds herself unexpectedly expecting, her life is thrown upside down. She and Derek may be becoming parents together, but that’s no basis for a happily-ever-after.
A sweet, sexy, and endearing tale, that has to deal with some realities of life, when the fun and games gets consequences.
Hannah has moved back home, after her marriage ended up in divorce. She is dreaming about going back to school, while working part time, and living with her dad and his wife. Not an ideal situation, but has to do right now, as she is trying to get her life back in order. Derek has made a successful life in Los Angeles, now back trying to take care of his grandfather, after an accident. His teenage crush for Hannah gets all kinds of adult ratings, when the attraction they feel for each other, ends up with a supposed one night stand. The dynamics between Derek and Hannah seems a little awkward. They have a connection, and it is as solid as the attraction. But neither of them expected the feelings to get deeper than that. And then there's the pregnancy. And so life gets messy, and tension is high, fear towards the future, and responsibility, and the parenthood, it all gets tangled up, and in the heat of the moment acted upon, and things are said, people's feelings are really hurt, and the feelings of rejection just hits hard, deep, and gutting you out. So, the fun, light, and sensual tale, takes a turn into the deep muddled waters, and I was as much of a mess as the characters were. I connected with them, I felt the pain, the fear, and devastation. The characters are developed, Derek has to accept that he deserves to be loved, and Hannah has to learn to trust again after the divorce, to be able to build something together. But they work on things, they face the hard things, they are there for each other when the world seems dark and unforgiving. I love it when a story gives you a positive surprise, and digs deeper into the emotions and problems than you expected, when you find that emotional common ground with the characters, and you and up reading the ending several times over, with a big goofy smile on your face. Life gets hard and messy, but Hannah and Derek find something extraordinary with each other, when they face their biggest fears, and open up their hearts and lives for each other. ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
“Hey, pecan pie.” Derek beamed as he lifted the pie dish from the cooler. “You made it for me?”
“Just my way of saying thanks.” “There are other ways of saying thanks.” His gaze drifted to her lips, leaving her in no doubt what he had in mind. “Ways just as sweet and tasty as pecan pie.” Her trigger-happy desire surged again as she imagined his lips on hers. “God, Derek, I thought we were keeping things platonic.” “I thought so too, but you brought pecan pie.” “Pecan pie? That’s a turn on?” “Well, yeah. That, and those shorts you’re wearing.” His gaze lowered to the denim cutoffs hugging her hips. “I think you put on those itty-bitty shorts on purpose just to torture me, didn’t you?” She gulped. “It’s a hot day, and they were the only shorts I had.” Liar. She had other, more modest shorts, but for some reason she’d chosen these tight-fitting cutoffs with the frayed hem. Again, she blamed her subconscious. He snickered at her, and she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone. “You’re right. It is a hot day. In fact, it’s so hot I think I need to do this.” He stretched his arm behind his neck, gripped his T-shirt, and pulled it off in one swoop. Tossing aside the T-shirt, he stretched out in the sun. “Ah, yeah. That feels so much better.” Her mouth fell open, and she might have made a choking sound. Her eyeballs felt like they were on stalks as she gawked at Derek’s naked torso. What a magnificent sight. Sunlight bounced off his smooth pecs and bulging biceps. He didn’t have an ounce of fat on him. Hard, broad shoulders narrowed to lean hips showcased by his low-slung jeans. He rubbed his chest, drawing her attention to the trail of fine, dark hair that tracked down the center of his body. “What’s the matter, babe?” Babe. Heat seeped through her pores. Just one “babe” from him, and she was already melting. “Uh, n-nothing,” she managed to stutter. For the life of her, she still couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. “See something you like?” She was almost panting now. Dammit, he was so devilishly tempting, but she was not going to cave in. “Yes, I do.” She leaned toward him, slow and deliberate, until his eyes widened and he licked his lips in anticipation. Then she stretched her arm across him, brushing against his naked chest, and grabbed a bottle of iced tea. “This is what I’d like.” She twisted the cap off and tipped a deep gulp of liquid down her throat. When she lowered the bottle, Derek was grinning at her. “Nice move. You play hard.” Her blood fizzed like she’d drunk champagne. It was such fun teasing and flirting with Derek. It made her realize she wasn’t old after all and that Derek brought something out of her that no one else did. “You didn’t think I’d swoon at your feet just because you bared your chest, did you?” “A guy can hope.”
Coleen Kwan has been a bookworm all her life. At school English was her favorite subject, but for some reason she decided on a career in IT. After many years of programming, she wondered what else there was in life — and discovered writing. She loves writing contemporary romance and steampunk romance.
Coleen lives in Sydney, Australia with her partner and two children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys avoiding housework, eating chocolate, and watching TV shows like Criminal Minds and Masterchef. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Once Burned
Firehouse Fourteen #1 By: Lisa B. Kamps Releasing March 21, 2016. Self-Published
Michaela Donaldson had her whole life planned out: college, music, and a happy-ever-after with her first true love. One reckless night changed all that, setting Michaela on a new path. Gone are her dreams of pursuing music in college, replaced by what she thinks is a more rewarding life. She's a firefighter now, getting down and dirty while doing her job. So what if she's a little rough around the edges, a little too careless, a little too detached? She's happy, living life on her own terms--until Nicky Lansing shows back up.
Nick Lansing was the stereotypical leather-clad bad boy, needing nothing but his fast car, his guitar, his never-ending partying, and his long-time girlfriend--until one bad decision changed the course of two lives forever. He's on the straight-and-narrow now, living life as a respected teacher and doing his best to be a positive role model. Yes, he still has his music. But gone are his days of partying. And gone is the one girl who always held his heart. Or is she? One freak accident brings these two opposites back together. Is ten years long enough to heal the physical and emotional wounds from the past? Can they reconcile who they were with who they've become--or will it be a case of Once Burned is enough?
"Oh shit," Mike repeated under her breath, too horrified to do anything more than force herself to breathe. Not an easy task, considering she was literally frozen to the spot. The air was thick with heated tension and the buzzing in her ears made it impossible for her to hear anything. She willed herself to move, to do something.
Shit, it's Nicky. Shit, it's Nicky. The phrase kept spinning through her mind until she thought she'd be sick with the dizziness of it. Her chest heaved, like she was breathing water instead of air, and her pulse beat in a crazy tap dancer's rhythm. Did anyone else notice the sudden change in the room? Mike looked away from that face from her past and quickly glanced around. Four sets of eyes fixed on her with varying degrees of bewilderment. She could still feel his eyes on her, too, filled with stunned disbelief. Feeling like she was trapped in a nightmare where everything moved with the speed of molasses, Mike pushed away from the counter and walked across the room, straight past the frozen figure of Nicky Lansing and through the swinging door. She turned a corner and rushed through a second door that opened into the engine room, not stopping until she reached the engine on the far side, where she promptly collapsed on the back step. Heedless of the dirt and grime, she let her head drop against the back compartment door, ignoring the length of hose line in her way. Her breathing came in shallow gasps that did nothing to help the lightheadedness that caused black dots to dance across her closed lids. Hyperventilating. She was hyperventilating. The calm, rational part of her—she was surprised she still had one—told her to lean forward, to get a grip on herself and her breathing. Now bent over, sitting with her head between her knees, Mike grabbed the running board with both hands and concentrated on the feel of the diamond plate cutting into her palms. The spots faded away and her breathing slowed to something closer to normal. One last deep breath and she straightened, only to choke on a scream when she came face-to-face with Jay, his brows lowered in a frown as he studied her with concern. "Jesus! Don't scare me like that!" She pushed him away then stood, only to sit back down when she realized how bad her knees were shaking. "Scare you? What is wrong with you? Are you okay?" "I'm fine. I couldn't be better! Don't I look fine?" "You look like you're ready to pass out. What the hell is going on? Do you know that guy? He looks like he's seen a ghost!" "He probably thinks he has." Mike moved over and motioned for Jay to sit down, ignoring his scrutiny as he twisted sideways and continued staring at her. "Are you going to explain that?" "No." She ran her hands through her hair, muttering when she pulled a thick hank of it loose from the pony tail. Sighing, she reached back and pulled the elastic band loose, then quickly rearranged her hair into a more secure hold. Jay watched her intently then nudged her leg with his when she continued to ignore him. "Well?" "Well nothing. He's just somebody I used to know, that's all." Jay snorted. "Bull." "Okay, fine," she conceded grudgingly. "He's also somebody I never wanted to see again." Mike reached down and gingerly touched her right side, trying not to remember but unable to forget. If Jay noticed the motion, he didn't say anything. They sat in silence, the familiar background noises of the station virtually unnoticed. A few minutes went by before Jay spoke again. "You sure you don't want to talk about it?" Mike shook her head, ready to make a sarcastic reply when the sound of footsteps echoed through the engine room. The steps paused, then changed directions and hesitantly walked around the side of the engine. Mike knew without looking who it was: the steps were those of a stranger, someone who didn't know his way around. Nicky stopped at the back of the engine, not saying anything as Jay slowly stood and positioned himself slightly in front of Mike, shielding her. She touched his arm briefly, in a gesture both of thanks and of reassurance that she was alright. Jay looked back at her, one brow cocked in question, then reluctantly walked away at her nod. Mike didn't see where he went but knew that he would be close by in case he was needed. She stood slightly, leaning against the running board, then crossed her arms in front of her, covering the jagged scar that ran along her left forearm. The stance was as close to aloof and detached as she could manage considering her insides were making a milkshake of her early dinner. Too late, she remembered the sunglasses hanging around her neck and wished she would have thought to put them on to hide any emotion in her eyes. With an effort that took more strength than she wanted to admit, she let her eyes slowly, coolly rake the man in front of her from top to bottom. Dammit. The Nicky Lansing from her past had been ruggedly handsome with dark looks and boyish charm; this Nick Lansing was dangerously gorgeous. A little taller than she remembered, he stood just over six feet, and was definitely broader through the shoulders and chest. The boy she remembered had finally filled out, to all the best advantages. The long hair of his past was gone, cut to a length that brushed just past the collar of the light blue shirt he wore. Still too long to be squeaky clean, but short enough by today's standards to be rated as acceptable. His eyes were the same, though. A dark chocolate brown framed in long lashes, they invited a person to swim in their depths and lose their soul without a second thought. She would know, since she had done just that.
Lisa B. Kamps is the author of the best-selling series The Baltimore Banners, featuring "hard-hitting, heart-melting hockey players" (USA Today), on and off the ice. ONCE BURNED is the launch title of her much-anticipated new series, Firehouse Fourteen, featuring hot and heroic firefighters.
Lisa grew up with an overactive imagination, strong encouragement from her parents, and an insatiable infatuation with the Peanuts gang. That infatuation—along with an impatience she has yet to outgrow—jump-started her love of writing. After all, why should she be forced to wait a whole week to read the stories of her favorite characters when she could create stories for them whenever she wanted? That love of writing continued to grow, along with all those voices in her head, even during her assorted careers: first as a firefighter with the Baltimore County Fire Department, then a very brief (and not very successful) stint at bartending in east Baltimore, and finally as the Director of Retail Operations for a busy Civil War non-profit. Lisa currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two sons, one very spoiled Border Collie, two cats with major attitude, several head of cattle, and entirely too many chickens to count. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Cuff Me
New York's Finest #3 By: Lauren Layne Releasing March 29, 2016 Forever
Vincent knows he's not the most charming of the Moretti brothers. He prefers brooding to flirting, reading to talking, and he sure as hell isn't about to give into his mother's insistence that he 'settle down with a nice girl.' Luckily, Vincent's gig as one of the NYPD's top homicide detectives keeps him busy. As does his long-time partner, Jill Henley–a tough-as-nails cop with the face of an angel and smart mouth that makes Vincent crazy in all the worst ways.
After six years of working the homicide beat with the tight-lipped Vincent Moretti, Jill figure she knows him better than anyone. Which is not at all. But when their most recent case points to a potential serial-killer situation, the higher-ups send them on a rare undercover mission to a place no NYPD officer dares go: the Upper Eastside. Now the bureau's most antagonistic set of partners is posing as Mr. and Mrs. Brooks of Park Avenue. Spending 24/7 in the suspect's territory brings them closer and closer to their killer . . . and closer to each other. Soon Vincent and Jill are playing good cop/bad cop in and out of bed, and Jill's falling hard. But can she convince Vincent to give her a shot as partner in life, as well as at the bureau?
Emotionally charged, addictive reading experience, that made me want to rush into Amazon, and buy everything the author has ever written. I love that feeling, to find an author, that you seemed to get from the first page of the book, doesn't happen too often to me!
There's so much I adored about this story, and Vincent and Jill. The respect and appreciation they have for each other as partners is palpable, and I also think, a part of the reason why they had not acted upon their feelings for each other. But they really get each other, in the level, that no one else does. After six years, they really do know each other, or at least, so they thought. I love Vincent, I'm not the 'book boyfriend' type of reader, but I truly fell in love with Vincent. There's so much going on in his mind, in his life, with his insecurities, that he hides so well, him feeling a bit outsider, even in his big loving family, his feelings towards Jill. He is a mess. But such a caring, loving mess. And as much as it hurt, he still just wants Jane to be happy. And Jill, that's what she wants too, just to be loved. And maybe she is settling for Tom, but six years is a long time to wait for someone to open up. The loud, loving, meddling Moretti family! And even though they give each other a hard time, and are always making jokes, when it is needed, they are there for you, they support you, and have your back. The heart to heart talks between the family members are endearing. There are some of the funniest one liners in the story, that made me laugh out loud, even though I was in a middle of an emotional breakdown, because of the constant yo-yo roll-a-coaster relationship Vincent and Jill have with each other. Yes, I wanted to shake them at times, and say, talk to each other, but they did what they needed to do, took the time they needed to take (regardless of my feelings and the time of the night), and it was so perfect at the end. Absolutely fantastic story, filled with emotions, deep feelings, affection, passion, intensity and joy. A celebration of friends, family, the forever kind of love, and the long road it sometimes takes, to get in each others arms ~ Five Spoons
Vincent was damn good at his job. It was why he’d been assigned a trainee during Jill’s leave of absence despite the fact that his lack of people skills was as legendary as his ability to sniff out even the most clever of murderers.
In truth, Vincent had been dreading his three months with the near-rookie, but it had been less painful than expected. Dansen was a good cop. A little green, but when Dansen was assigned his new partner tomorrow, Vin had no doubts that the guy would be able to handle whatever came his way. And then Vincent’s life would finally get back to normal. Not that these three months without Jill had been abnormal, precisely. He still worked the same backbreaking schedule. Still saw death more days than not. Still went to breakfast with his family after Mass every Sunday, and argued with his brothers and occasionally with his sister during said breakfast. He still watched sports most evenings, still worked out most mornings. So really, his life wasn’t different without Jill at all. Except that it was. Wildly, horribly different. He glanced at his watch. Two hours until her plane landed. Three hours, maybe four until he’d see her again. Not that he was counting. “So you’re good from here?” Vincent asked. “If you need anything, I’ll be ...” “Yeah, yeah, I’ll call ya. You never did tell me where you were going.” “Probably because it’s none of your Goddamn business.” Dansen put a hand to his chest. “I’ve come to love these heart-to-hearts of ours. The way we count on each other. Confide in each other—” “My cue to leave,” Vincent grumbled. He started to get in the car, when Dansen called his name again. Vin shot him an impatient look and was surprised when the usually confident Dansen looked away briefly before meeting his eyes. “Hey, I just wanted to say.. .” Dansen cleared his throat from across the hood of the car, and Vin tensed, knowing what was coming. God, he hated shit like this. “You can drop the detective,” Vincent said roughly. “Just call me Moretti. Or Vin. Whatever.” Dansen’s smile flashed white across his dark face. “Do you know how many cops dream of the day when they’re given permission to call one of the members of the royal family by their first name?” “Oh Jesus. Don’t start that again.” For the most part, Dansen had done a remarkable job of not irritating Vincent to the extreme over the past three months. But Dansen’s ridiculous hero worship of Vincent’s last name grated on his nerves. Yet another reason he couldn’t wait for Jill to get back. Jill, who’d never cared that Vincent’s father was the recently retired police commissioner. Or that his older brother was a captain. Or that his younger brother was the NYPD’s most famous officer. Or that his grandfather had been a cop and his mother had been a police dispatcher.. . Okay, so maybe Vincent could sort of understand where Dansen was coming from. The Morettis were kind of NYPD royalty. And Vincent was proud to be a part of it. Proud to carry on the legacy. He just got damn tired of the ass kissing. “Seriously though, thanks,” Dansen said. “Couldn’t have asked for a better detective to show me the ropes. A nicer one, sure. A better-looking one, definitely. And you can be a real—” “Asshole, I know,” Vincent said. Dansen held up a finger. “Not what I was going to say. I think that’s the first time you’ve tried to finish my sentence and gotten it wrong.” “I’m never wrong,” Vin said out of habit. “Fine.” Dansen rolled his eyes. “You’re an asshole. Happy?” Vin didn’t bother responding, just lifted his hand in a final farewell to Dansen before the younger man could say whatever it was he’d wanted to say, and lowered himself into the car. Vincent slid on his aviator sunglasses as he fastened his seat belt. Vin kept his face perfectly blank until he’d pulled away from the curb and merged into traffic. Only then, only out of sight of prying eyes, did he let a smile overtake his face. A smile that quickly became a grin as he headed toward his longtime barber for a very overdue haircut. He told himself that his decision to get his hair cut after weeks of putting it off had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he’d be seeing Jill in a few short hours. Vincent had never really given two thoughts to what Jill Henley thought of his looks. But then, he and Jill had never spent three months apart. He’d never had a chance to realize just how much he’d . .. missed her. Not that he’d be telling her that.
Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels.
Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. A year after moving from Seattle to NYC to pursue a writing career, she had a fabulous agent and multiple New York publishing deals. Lauren currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and plus-sized Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll likely find her running (rarely), reading (sometimes), or at happy hour (often). Author Links Website | Facebook| Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest |