Tag Archives: Top Read

ARC Review: Wolf with Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

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Shelly Laurenston

Kensington Books

Pub Date   Mar 26 2013

Description

There’s nothing like a good-‘ol-boy wolf. And ace security expert Ricky Lee Reed serves, seduces, and protects with all the right moves…

Sure, Toni Jean-Louis Parker has to be the responsible oldest sister to a crazy-brilliant clan of jackal siblings. But now she’s cutting loose for some hot, sweaty, no-commitments fun—and the sexy, slow-talking, swift-moving predator assigned to keep her family safe is just the right thing to shapeshift her love life into overdrive. Trouble is, he’s starting to get all obsessive wolf on her every time he looks in her direction…

Getting serious about anyone isn’t in Ricky Lee Reed’s plans. Hell, even now he doesn’t really have a plan—outside of catching whomever is threatening this dangerously brilliant family. But the more he gets of Toni, the more he’s howling for her. And whatever it takes to convince her what they have is everything, well, this wily wolf is down for the sizzling chase…

My Thoughts

I’m pretty sure my rib was broken with all the laughter in this book. I’ve loved this whole series and OMG this is my new favorite. Toni and Ricky’s romance was off the charts and everything around them was amazing.

Amazing.

Like will all of this series, this book was filled with humor, heat, sarcasm, awesome world building, and suspense. I love seeing characters from past books making their parts known—a reason you should read the whole series in order so you can love it as much as I do.

Toni and Ricky were the stars of this romance. They were so different, yet perfect for each other. Toni’s family was hilarious and we’ve already met and loved most of Ricky’s. I can’t really say much more because I don’t want to spoil anything about this, but READ THIS BOOK.

Go out and read this series. I beg you.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

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ARC Review: Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

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Susan Mallery

Harlequin

Pub Date   Feb 26 2013

Description

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s prose has been called “gritty and magical” and “luscious and provocative” (Publishers Weekly). Now she returns to Blackberry Island with the story of three women whose friendship will change their lives forever.

After Andi Gordon is jilted at the altar, she makes the most impetuous decision of her life—buying one of the famed Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on Blackberry Island. Now the proud-ish owner of the ugly duckling of the trio, she plans to open her own pediatric office on the first floor, just as soon as her hunky contractor completes the work. Andi’s new future may be coming together, but the truth is she’s just as badly in need of a major renovation as her house.

When Deanna Phillips confronts her husband about a suspected affair, she opens up a Pandora’s box of unhappiness. And he claims that she is the problem. The terrible thing is, he’s right. In her quest to be the perfect woman, she’s lost herself, and she’s in danger of losing her entire family if things don’t change.

Next door, artist Boston King thought she and her college sweetheart would be married forever. Their passion for one another has always seemed indestructible. But after tragedy tears them apart, she’s not so sure. Now it’s time for them to move forward, with or without one another.

Thrown together by fate and geography, and bound by the strongest of friendships, these three women will discover what they’re really made of: laughter, tears, love and all.

My Thoughts

Three Sisters is an emotional rollercoaster that holds you close and never lets go. Susan Mallery is famous for her light romance that brings in the emotion. But her Blackberry Island series isn’t about the ending, but the journey. Each heroine has been through hell and is still going through it. It then takes everything they have to find each other and the men and families they love.

I won’t get into each woman because I feel you need to read them yourselves. But I will say I loved all three. Even Deanna, who people thought was a bitch. I saw through that and saw the fragileness that threatened to break.

This isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s something that takes you down deep and makes you cry. But honestly, I loved it.

Loved it.

I rooted for all these woman and I will say the journey is worth the end.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

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ARC Review: Thrill Ride by Julie Ann Walker

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Julie Ann Walker

Sourcebooks

Pub Date   Apr 2 2013

Description

HE’S GONE ROGUE

Ex-Navy SEAL Rock Babineaux’s job is to get information, and he’s one of the best in the business. Until something goes horribly wrong and he’s being hunted by his own government. Even his best friends at the covert special-ops organization Black Knights Inc. aren’t sure they can trust him. He thinks he can outrun them all, but his former partner—a curvy bombshell who knows just how to drive him wild—refuses to cut him loose.

SHE WON’T BACK DOWN

Vanessa Cordera hasn’t been the team’s communication specialist very long, but she knows how to read people-no way is Rock guilty of murder. And she’ll go to hell and back to help him prove it. Sure, the sexy Cajun has his secrets, but there’s no one in the world she’d rather have by her side in a tight spot. Which is good, because they’re about to get very tight…

My Thoughts

Thrill Ride totally lived up to its name. OMG what a ride. I’m still shaking from the action, love, and heat. I don’t think the book ever slowed down and I’m happy it didn’t. I’ve been a fan of this series from day one and I’m so freaking happy there’s more to come.

OMG.

Okay, I’m better now.

Rock is one sexy male. Just…um…yeah. Even when he’s been hiding in a jungle for months, he’s still sexy as hell. Not only that, but he cares about his team…and Vanessa more than anything. The one part where he breaks down? Just yeah…he broke me too.

Vanessa is one hard woman who knows how to be soft. She always feels like she has to prove herself, even if she’s stronger than most. I loved that she loved Rock with all her heart, even if it meant hurting them both in the process.

I loved that we got to meet past characters and see a couple that’s coming next. Thrill Ride is my favorite book in one of my favorite series. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fast plots, hot action, even hotter guys on motorcycles, military romances, and suspense. It’s amazing!

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

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ARC Review: The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

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Robyn Carr

Harlequin

Pub Date   Mar 26 2013

Description

From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point-the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you’ll never forget.

Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land’s unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he’s been left an old friend’s entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community’s destiny in his hands.

Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful.

With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.

My Thoughts

I’m a huge fan of Robyn Carr’s other series and I was scared to start another one. I mean really, Virgin River was soooooo good. What if this one didn’t match up?

Well, hell, boy was I wrong.

This book was amazing! The small town setting along the cove along with the fantastic array of characters set up a series that’s sure to be a hit. Yes, it’s a slight spin off of her original series, but it’s a mind of its own with the familiar tone that Ms. Carr loves. Cooper and Sarah are the main couple, but there are many other characters, couples, and story lines that take hold and really show us readers what an amazing mind Ms. Carr has. She set up an amazing series in a town that I want to live in.

Cooper is a lost soul, one who after war has lived on his own without a set address. He’s come to Thunderpoint to say goodbye to an old friend and instead finds a woman, a friend, and a family in this small town. Sarah has come to Thunderpoint to start over after a horrible marriage and because she wants to take care of her teenage brother. I loved the chemistry between these two and the way they not only took care of each other, but the people around them.

I loved the side stories of the teenagers who I hope get their own book when they’re old enough. Ms. Carr has done it before, so I can’t wait. There was also and older couple who I loved and a few others that I know are coming up in the series.

The Wanderer showed us how much Ms. Carr can show us how a series can be a home for us. I am in love with it and I can’t wait for more.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

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ARC Review: Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

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Maya Banks

Random House Publishing Group

Pub Date: Mar 19th, 2013

Description

Maya Banks, the New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance, romantic suspense, and contemporary romance, has captivated readers with her steamy Scottish historical novels, perfect for fans of Julie Garwood. In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

My Thoughts

Yes! Yes! Yes! I love Maya Banks’ Highlanders and I’m so, so happy I got to read this book. I cried, screamed, yelled, laughed, and swooned while I read Highlander Most Wanted and I couldn’t have asked for more.

Genevieve broke my heart. She was the epitome of a tortured heroine. She’d been through so much in the past year that I wanted to just pull her in my arms and tell her we’d make it okay. Though she might have been broken over and over through what happened to her, she still had a backbone. And though she had to make a choice to save her life and the life of the clan that hated her, I didn’t fault her for it. No, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have done the same thing. I love that as time moved forward, she slowly healed and was able to show her face, able to grow to love.

Bowen was the perfect hero for me. He yelled, fought, loved, and proved loyal harder than most. He not only loved Genevieve, but he loved his family. He fought for what he believed in and proved that he could last as a Liard—even if that’s not what he’d been trained for. Like the heroine, he had to make tough choices, and it hurt to watch him have to do it.

I love the action, the suspense, the love, and the chemistry in this novel. I couldn’t put it down, even if I had to go to bed. The continuation in this series is just phenomenal and I can’t wait to see the rest of the Montgomery and Armstrongs. Highlander Most Wanted is a fantastic novel that blew my socks off. Maya Banks is on my auto-buy and her Highlanders are no exception.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

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