A Widow’s Guilty Secret By Marie Ferrarella Review

A Widow’s Guilty Secret

By Marie Ferrarella

★★

Suzie Burris is waiting for her husband to get home so she can ask for a divorce. Having agreed to have a child to try to connect with each other she is now the new mother of a two month old baby and has had enough of her philandering husband. As Suzie is anxiously waiting for her husband Detective Nick Jeffries shows up to inform her that her husband has been murdered.

I usually like what Harlequin releases, this is one of those instances where it was a miss for me. Granted Marie Ferrerella is a great author, she does a wonderful job in bringing her story fully to life. The problem is the story itself. First off you have a woman who has just given birth and whose husband has just been murdered but she is constantly taking off and leaving her two month old son with her sister. Then you take into account that this is a romance novel and she will inevitably fall in love with the detective, again I see what the author is trying to say that the marriage has been over for a while but her husband died what a few hours ago and she is falling for someone else? I think that if the author had switched Suzie and her sister Lori characters with each other she would have had a much better novel. The third problem I have follows the not so subtle:

**Spoiler Alert**

The absolutely biggest problem I had was when as you may have predicted her son and sister are kidnapped. And what does a grieving widow whose child is in danger do? You guessed it, have passionate sex with the man who is supposed to be working on her husband’s case.  Wait what?

**End Spoiler Alert**

Unfortunately I did not like this book which is rare from me as I said I usually like what Harlequin puts out there, this one was just too much. There’s drama then there is “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane Review

Trouble in Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas Book Four

By Katie Lane

★★★★★

Brant Crates is searching for answers to what happened to his great-granddaddy; however he doesn’t expect to run into three old ladies who leave him drugged and tied to a bed. Elizabeth Murphy has just inherited Miss Hattie’s Henhouse, for an uptight and proper librarian all she wants to do is get rid of it one day she finds a man tied to a bed and soon her life takes an unexpected twist.

When I first started this book I kept getting angry, let me explain. I am from West Texas where Brant is traveling to Miss Hattie’s, there actually is a Miss Hattie’s in West Texas so when the author was describing the fallen down mansion I knew she was way off the mark. Miss Hattie’s is in San Angelo, Texas and has actually been made into a museum; it is located above a jewelry store in downtown San Angelo. Finally I came to the part where the author says “Bramble, Texas” and I was completely relieved that she did not mean the actual Miss Hattie’s. Once I was over that little hurdle I actually loved the book. The three old “Hens” who still live in Miss Hattie’s were my absolute favorite as they always seemed to be getting into trouble one way or another. These ladies may have been my favorite characters but Katie Lane created some absolutely fabulous characters including Brant and Elizabeth, but also a wide range of supporting characters that truly add new dimensions to an already fun read. Katie Lane has created an amazing romance, fantastic characters, and a storyline that is completely captivating. This is definitely worth the read.

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Invisible By Carla Buckley Review

Invisible

By Carla Buckley

★★★★

Dana Carlson is demolishing a building when her niece calls telling her that her sister is sick and needs her. Dana Carlson rushes to Black Bear Minnesota only to find out she is a few hours late. The longer Dana stays, the more she realizes her niece and brother in law need her and what killed her sister may take the rest of her family if she doesn’t put a stop to it.

There are not a lot of surprises with this novel; it is more a play on the emotions. The revelations are a bit predictable but this is still a great read as the author creates a dramatic novel worthy of the best soap opera. The only problem I had was in the ending. I am starting to see a pattern with really good dramatic novels; most of them have horrible endings. I always want more, what happened to Dana, or Peyton, or even Peyton’s fish? This is why I am a huge fan of the epilogue. Other than that it is a beautiful read, and if Carla Buckley had not created such wonderful characters I wouldn’t want to find out what happens so badly.

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Persephone By Kaitlin Bevis Review

Persephone

By Kaitlin Bevis

★★★★★

Persephone has just found out that she is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter making her a Goddess. Yep that’s right, if this isn’t enough to turn your entire world upside down how about having the God of Winter, Boreas, try to kidnap you. Still not enough? When Persephone is rescued by Hades the God of the Underworld he has to take her as his bride to keep her safe. Oh yeah Nothing will ever be the same for Persephone again.

 

I had so much fun reading this book. This is actually an amazing take on a classical Greek Myth. Though you may think you know the characters that take part in this book the author completely surprises you as she takes each character and makes them her own, Hades for instance is nothing like I have ever imagined. Each character is absolutely unique and combining refreshing originality with excellent writing Kaitlin Bevis has created a story that is captivating with characters that come to life among the pages of this book. This is definitely a great read and I cannot wait to find out what happens next in the series.

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Romancing the Holiday an Anthology Review

Romancing the Holiday

Includes:

We’ll Be Home for Christmas by HelenKay Dimon

Ask Her at Christmas by Christi Barth

The Best Thing by Jaci Burton

 

We’ll be Home For Christmas

By HelenKay Dimon:

-Four Stars-

Lila spent three days wanting nothing more to wallow in the failure of her marriage when she ends up having an affair with a man. A few months later she is now sitting in front of Austin, and though he has the same name as the man who consumed her for three glorious days and nights he is not the man she knew so intimately. That is when Spence walks in, the man she knows as Austin.

This was such a cute story I loved the characters and the family dynamic that takes place between HelenKay Dimon’s characters. She also managed to create some beautiful scenes from the resort that is falling down to the steamy love scenes, the author is able to capture each moment, each thought and feeling so vividly that this  is an amazing read.

Ask her at Christmas

By Christi Barth

-Three Stars-

Caitlin has been in love with Kyle for years but he is her best friend so she will not go into that territory. One day Kyle asks her to help him propose to his girlfriend.

Ok so this story is a miss for me. First off Kyle doesn’t love his girlfriend he just wants to marry her to make his dad happy. Then Caitlin just sits back and lets it happen. But it is cute and like all great fluffy romances has a happy ending. I did enjoy the scenes that Christi created; she truly brings Christmas to life. 

The Best Thing

By Jaci Burton

-Four Stars-

Brody is the town playboy at last year’s Christmas party Brody acted on his feelings and finally kissed Tori. Tori didn’t react the way he thought she would ever since she had given him the cold shoulder to cover up her feelings; she has had a crush on him for years but will never make a move on them because she knows he will just leave her with a broken heart.

The playboy and the good girl fall in love? I loved it this is a great romance novella Brody and Tori and two characters that are lovable and the romance between them is beautiful as each one has their own insecurities that they must overcome in order to be in a relationship. Not only does Jaci Burton create two amazing characters but she also manages to create an entire family that is fun to read about, and what is a Christmas story without family?

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Forward Passes by Jami Davenport Review

Forward Passes

Seattle Lumberjacks Book Two

By Jami Davenport

Quarterback for the Lumberjacks, Tyler Harris, has just inherited a rundown mansion from his great uncle with the stipulation that he must live there for nine months before he can sell it. But this is followed on the heels of an unfortunate accident involving a police officer and his big mouth creating media frenzy and his leaving in the midst of the uproar will only cause more speculation. But after Tyler meets his sassy redheaded neighbor he thinks the stay may not be so bad. Lavender Mead hates jocks with good reasons and when Tyler moves in next door she wants nothing to do with him even if he is drop dead gorgeous.

Sexy jock and the feisty girl next door could you get an even better scenario for a steamy romance novel? I loved the quips between the two as they both go through their own tumultuous side stories as they grow together and find a way to become a better person each in their own aspects. The only problem I had was that the author seems to use the word “rooster” (edited to keep this review rated g) so much that I began to wonder if she did indeed know a another word for it. Though this does happen sometimes in romance novels that an author will find one word they like and stick to it. Other than that Jami Davenport has created a wonderful story that is witty and beautiful, I had no idea that this book was a part of a series so now I am off to try to find the first one!  

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Special Offers By M.L. Ryan Review

Special Offers

By M.L. Ryan

Divorcee Hailey Parrish has been single for three years and has no interest in men, compulsive book hoarder she decides one day to buy a kindle; once she does she is bombarded by men. The kindle that she bought for a reduced price with “special offers” comes fully installed with a man who takes over residence inside her body until he can get back to his own.

This is such a funny book! I of course had to read it after the author approached me, I mean a man in a kindle what more could a bookworm such as myself ask for? Unfortunately my kindles have never come with one. Not only does this novel have a paranormal aspect but also a science fiction approach with Sebastian, the man trapped inside Hailey, and his business partner Alex being from another world altogether where their bodies never die but their spirits move on. What makes this novel so much fun is Sebastian and Hailey are complete opposites and must manage to cohabitate the same body. This is truly a fun a quirky book though the cover does need a bit of work, do not let it fool you, this book is definitely worth reading!

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

That Thing Called Love by Susan Andersen Review

That Thing Called Love

Razor Bay Book One

By Susan Andersen

When Jake Bradshaw was a teenager his girlfriend ended up pregnant, Jake tried to do right by the girl he loved and his unborn child by getting married and taking on a job that would help him support his new family and passing up on his scholarship and a chance to leave the small town he had come to loathe, when his wife dies and his mother and father in law offer to take his son so he can pursue his college education Jake jumps at the chance. Thirteen years later Austin’s grandparents have both passed away leaving him with Jenny Salazar who has been like an older sister to him since his grandparents took her into their home when she was sixteen. Jenny would love nothing more than to keep Austin with her, but Jake decides this is the chance he needs to make up to Austin for not being in his life and wants him to come be with him, but he soon gets more than he bargained for.

I wasn’t sure I would like this novel, I mean a dead beat dad doesn’t scream “read me” what I didn’t count on was that Susan Andersen is such an interesting composer that you will end up falling in love with Jake and his many flaws. Not only does the author make you feel for such an unlikely character she brings to life the full cast of characters in such a way that each one is intriguing from Jenny and the trials she has faced to Max, Jake’s half-brother, and even Harper who doesn’t come into the picture until later in the story, making you thoroughly anticipate the rest of the series. This is definitely an interesting concept and unlike anything I have read previously making it well worth the read.   

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/