Tag Archives: Reviews

~☆Review☆~ Devil In Tartan by Julia London

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From New York Times bestselling author Julia London, comes DEVIL IN TARTAN—the fourth novel in her Highland Grooms Series!

 

DEVIL IN TARTAN Synopsis:

Lottie Livingstone bears the weight of an island on her shoulders. Under threat of losing their home, she and her clan take to the seas to sell a shipload of illegal whiskey. When an attack leaves them vulnerable, she transforms from a maiden daughter to a clever warrior. For survival, she orchestrates the siege of a rival’s ship and now holds the devilish Scottish captain Aulay Mackenzie under her command.

Tied, captive and forced to watch a stunning siren commandeer the Mackenzie ship, Aulay burns with the desire to seize control—of the ship and Lottie. He has resigned himself to a life of solitude on the open seas, but her beauty tantalizes him like nothing has before. As authorities and enemies close in, he is torn between surrendering her to justice and defending her from assailants. He’ll lose her forever, unless he’s willing to sacrifice the unimaginable…

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☆¸.•*¨*★☆Review☆★*¨*•.¸☆

It took me a few chapters to get into this book. I was initially confused since the POV of the first chapter was neither the heroine nor the hero. The first couple of chapters also felt more like a Cliff Notes history lesson than the introduction to a romance novel.

However, once I got passed the first few chapters I really sank into the story (no pun intended… you’ll understand…). I can’t really say I connected with either of the characters, but I enjoyed the journey they went on together. 

This is a good enemies-to-lovers romance filled with heartache and redemption.

 

 

☆¸.•*¨*★☆Excerpt☆★*¨*•.¸☆

The wind out of the west was light, but brought with it heavy clouds. Nevertheless, the Reulag Balhaire was sailing along just as she ought to be, the sedative dip and rise of the ship’s bow into the rolling waves a steady reminder that all was right.

Captain Aulay Mackenzie listened to the sound of his crew calling out to each other as they manned the sails. He closed his eyes and felt the mist of the sea on his face, the wind ruffling the queue of his hair. It was days like this—well, he preferred those glorious, sun-filled days—days at sea, when he felt most himself. When he was most at home. He was in command of his ship, of his spirit, of his world. It was, perhaps, the only place in his life that was so.

It had been too long since he’d been at sea—a few months, but to him, a lifetime. Aulay chafed at life at his family’s home of Balhaire. He had lived his entire adult life at sea, and every day away from his ship was a day something was missing. He was useless at Balhaire. His father was chief of the Mackenzie clan. His older brother, Cailen, was his father’s agent, his face to the world. Rabbie, Aulay’s younger brother, managed the day-to-day business of the sprawling estate of Balhaire, along with his youngest sister, Catriona. His mother was engaged in the social aspects, as was his sister Vivienne. And Aulay? He had no useful purpose there. Nothing worthwhile to occupy his days. He was merely an observer on land.

 

 

About Julia London:

Julia London is the New York Times and USA TODAY best-selling author of more than thirty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular Cabot Sisters historical romance series, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch and The Perfect Homecoming. She has over 100,000+ Facebook followers, is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. You can visit her website JuliaLondon.com. She lives in Austin, Texas.

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~☆Review☆~ The Wonder of You by Harper Kincaid

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The Wonder of You by Harper Kincaid

Modern Alice in Wonderland Re-telling
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Available for FREE on KindleUnlimited, or purchase for $1.99 during release week only!

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Price goes up after release week!

~☆Synopsis☆~

What if Alice didn’t fall down the rabbit hole, but instead, traveled through Lincoln Tunnel into another kind of Wonderland: New York City.

The best day of twenty-five year old Alice Leighton’s life was the day she got to put her nothing special, lil Southern town in her rear-view mirror. Good-bye to phony ‘bless your hearts’ and ‘I’ll pray for you’ crap, all while talking trash behind her back. She’s New York City’s latest addition and she’s going to work her ass off proving she earned her spot in the country’s top grad program.

Never again will she let some jerk derail her future and break her heart. Oh, and no more players. She’s D.O.N.E with the ‘cool guys’.

Getting caught up in Dare Grangeworth, the art world’s resident bad boy, was not part of her Alice 2.0 plan, even if he is just her type, with his beard, tats sleeves and intense green eyes. When he’s not dodging the press or his cultish fan base, Dare’s making art that makes a statement. Women seem to lose their heads around him – all the more reason why he finds Alice’s candor refreshing. He’s used to women giving in – not giving attitude.

He has to get to know this girl, even if it means allowing himself to be the subject of her research. Before too long, he becomes more than a simple outlier she can explain away. And for him everything starts to feel larger than life and upside down, like a heady rush, all while desperately trying not to lose his heart.

Become lost and found in this re-imagined story of Alice and her cast of characters, in a world where Wonderland meets Sex-and-the-City.


~☆Review☆~

The worst thing about this book, is that it ended.

I love the homage to Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland. It’s so easy to see how the characters in TWoY related Carol’s characters. Partly because of the obviousness of the names, but also because of the characteristics of the supporting cast. 

Each chapter begins with a Lewis Carol quote that correlates to what happens in the chapter – whether that’s Alice finding her way in a new and strange place, wondering what role she has to play, or trying to figure out which way is up or down.

Alice and Dare are nicely developed and, while they both have their backstories that affect how they react to the other, they aren’t so over blown that as a reader you think, “Well, that’s just ridiculous.”

I read The Wonder of You in about a day and a half. It immediately sucked me in and made me late for work. 

Somewhat related: You’d think after 35+ years of reading I’d have it figured out that I can’t just “read a few pages”. But no, not so much.

I loved Alice’s big moment at the end (you’ll know it when you get to it) and was cheering right along with the crowd. Even though TWoY takes inspiration from a fairytale, it is so relevant to what is going on today. I loved the way that was incorporated into the story in such a seamless way without being preachy or lecturey (yes, that’s a word). 

If you sign up for the author’s newsletter, you’ll get a bonus epilogue. I haven’t received it yet since I read the ARC, so I’m a little miffed. She’s also looking for reader input on what characters you’d like to see next: Rayna, the Red Queen; Lulu, the White Rabbit; or Caroline: the big sister. Make sure you reach out and let know. I want them all at the same time. Apparently that’s not possible, so someone is going to have to choose for me.

————–

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on her head ever since. For years, she was a jill of all trades and a master of none, but is now tickled hot pink to pen stories that break and mend people’s hearts for a living. Kincaid believes seduction occurs from the neck up, which is why her characters are smart, sexy, and slightly quirky – and definitely worthy to be your next hard-core book crush.

When not writing, she adores listening to indie, lo-fi, complaint rock played on vinyl,  the theater, well-informed optimism, happy endings (both kinds), and making those close to her laugh ’til they snort. She is a self-admitted change junkie, loving new experiences and places, but has now happily settled in the cutest lil’ town, Vienna, Virginia.

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~☆Review & Excerpt☆~ Noah by Cristin Harber

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Cristin Harber’s 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers novel, NOAH, is available now!

Noah - 1450

About NOAH

Navy SEAL Noah Coleman knows how to do two things well: underwater demolition and hand-to-hand combat. So renewing his enlistment is a no-brainer until he receives a message about his cousin’s aggressive terminal cancer. A quick trip home confirms the worst, which means his niece Bella will become his responsibility.

Elementary school guidance counselor Teagan Shaw has known Bella since her son announced the two were best friends. The shy little girl is also on Teagan’s radar because of Bella’s early signs of gifted aptitude. But Teagan is more concerned about the military man thrust into the role of single parent.

While Noah adjusts to civilian life and Eagle’s Ridge, he and Teagan begin forging a friendship. But Teagan has a secret, a shadowy figure from her past who is intent on returning to torment her.

Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won’t want to miss a single one!

Read a sneak peek below and grab your copy today!

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✫★REVIEW★✫

It took me a couple of chapters to figure out who was who in Noah, as far as the secondary characters. Likely because Noah is book #6 in the collaboration, but once I settled into the story it all flowed smoothly in that can’t-put-it-down way. 

I loved that Noah and Teagan develop a friendship before they dove into a relationship. For Cristin’s Titan fans, it’s a slight departure from her usual style. There’s no imminent danger to throw the couple together. Unless you count the color pink, tutus, and glitter as imminent danger to a former Navy SEAL, then yes, there’s lots of that. But Noah and Teagan’s relationship builds like a slow burn before it finally rages to life.

When the threat did make an appearance it was a tad unbelievable, but whatever. It’s a romance book, I read it for the fairytale. 

I loved Bella and Will. If only my own kids got along that well. *Sighs wistfully* Like I said, I read it for the fairytale.

Although I’ve only read this one book in the collaboration, I’m very intrigued by the rest of them and they’ve been added to my TBR stack. Loved this concept. Loved the book.

 

✫★EXCERPT★✫

Noah drew in a slow breath, searching for the right words. But they didn’t come. Who knew what those were supposed to be when they’d gone through the heartache that had pitched them together.

“Teagan.” He pressed them forward until her back met the cedar wood wall. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Her chin tilted up, her lips parting with tiny breaths he wanted to capture with a kiss.

“And that’s foreign to me.” He towered over her, but he gave her enough space that she could roll away, plenty of room so he could take in more than just her face. But she smelled like flowers. Not sweet but strong and wild. Noah ducked his cheek to hers, brushing his lips close to her ear.

Her palms smoothed the front of his Henley. Not pushing away, not grabbing for more.

Together they were back at the same line as in the kitchen earlier. The one they’d both eased away from. But this time they toed the line, savoring and wondering, testing whether the Do Not Cross was a figment of their imagination, a simple cautionary tale that they’d concocted for no good reason, or if hormones and arousal were calling the shots.

Teagan slid her cheek against his mouth, and he stifled a groan.

“Neither do I,” she whispered. “No clue.”

He chuckled quietly, leaning his weight against her. “It’d be easier if one of us knew.”

Pressed between them, her fingernails scratched down his stomach, and he nuzzled his nose against her neck, breathing against her skin and memorizing how she smelled. Teagan’s soft murmurs made the hairs on the back of his neck stand, and he let his lips drift to her cheek.

“I’m going to kiss you on one condition,” he whispered.

“What’s that?” Teagan’s breathlessness made his heart pound harder.

He let the rush roll through him then teased her lips with his, not making contact, keeping them a breath apart. “That neither of us will be sorry.”

“Promise.” Teagan’s fingers tightened against his chest. “I won’t be.”

 

About Cristin Harber

Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy, steamy romantic suspense and military romance. Readers voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller.

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