A Touch of Lilly by Nina Pierce

This was an interesting twist. I thought that the seraphelium aspect was unique and well thought out. I liked that Lilly had her own agenda and that she was savvy enough to use her skills to keep herself alive.
I have to say that in the midst of everything the conversations were a bit hard to follow as Thaegan and Dallas are arguing, and then how they switch sides of the argument.  I think that it took a bit too long to actually state the reason that Dallas wasn't affected by her gift. It was pretty clear fairly early on.

It did of course seem like it was a bit thin in some areas of the story, the actual get the bad guy plot was a bit too convenient for my tastes.

All in all it was entertaining and given the glossary at the end of the book I can see that there will be more installments to this series.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

The Lighthouse Brides Collection- Various Authors

The Lighthouse Brides Collection: 6 Romances Develop at Historic Light Stations by Andrea Boeshaar

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I liked the stories in this compilation. Normally when I pick up a book with multiple stories I expect them to be at least partially related. That is not the case here, which is mentioned in the complete title...

Anyway, I love lighthouses and that is part of the reason I wanted to read this one. The men and women who tended lighthouses were made from some strong stuff. I think that the second story was my favorite. It was interesting to see how Lynette dealt with her grief, and the mystery of the "ghost" was unexpected.

Each couple had a strong enough connection as to be believable which can be difficult given the short story format. I found something to love about each story and was happy to have read this collection.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.



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Moan for Him by Terry Towers

Let me start by saying that I was a little nervous as I read the introduction to this book. I am definitely not one for books that push past my "ick factor" line. That said, kudos to the author for writing for those who don't share my feelings. 

Once I realized that the relationship between Grant and Nikki was not truly incestuous I relaxed.  The story is a bit thin in areas. But the parts that were completely "out there" were few and bearable.
I thought that Nikki seemed to have been sexualized fairly early to have been lusting after Grant for such a long time.

I am so happy that I was able to review the complete (so far) collection of the story. I am not a fan of the serialized story movement.I probably will not seek out the next installment, mainly because I can live with where the story ended and I am just not invested enough in the story to go further.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

A Simple Change by Judith Miller

A Simple Change by Judith McCoy Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a good read. Jancey had a lot of decisions to make and while they seemed to be fairly straight forward. I appreciated the fact that she thought things through. It was obvious from the beginning that she was not, nor would be falling in love with Nathan. In fact it seemed as though he had some serious control issues.

I liked Ritt. He loved Jancey, but he wisely sought to protect his heart when he wasn't sure things were going to work out.

Like any story there are always instances where things would have worked out so much more smoothly if the characters simply talked to each other. But, then again we don't do that in real life either so....

This wasn't the first in the series I have read and I will probably read any future installments to this series.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.




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Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

I really enjoyed this read as it was quite a bit different. It was the first book I have read involving MMA fighting. I thought that added a lot. The chemistry between Torment/Max and Makayla was striking. I thought her confusion over liking the restraints he wanted to put on her was very well done. Not everyone can simply slide into such a submissive role without a qualm.  The one thing that really stuck out and caused me problems was her complete aversion to violence and blood and her choice of occupation. I can see her having a problem with violence in a general sense but if she is going to be an EMT she is going to see blood. That just didn’t jive and annoyed me each time I read references to it.

 The whole debt collector aspect also bugged it really didn’t fit in the story and was never fully realized. I totally thought that the second debt collector was the one who hit Dr Drake because he thought that he could get the money that way, but to find out that it was Big Doris, that was a letdown especially since the jealousy wasn’t super apparent. The other thing that really bothered me is how all of Mac’s roommates and Mac herself just blindly accept the change in living arrangements without question… I mean come on, moving from a complete dump to one of the nicest places in the city?? Wouldn’t that seem a bit off?

All in all, I liked it and will read Ms. Castille again in the future.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Other good reads

Most of the reviews posted here are just the books that I read as ARC’s. One day I will review all the books that I read, but below is a list of some of the books I have read in the past 2 weeks.

Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Married by Mistake by Abby Gaines

Falling for Her Fiance by Cindi Madsen

The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden

Fiance by Friday by Catherine Bybee

The Temporary Wife by Jeannie Moon

The Perfect Score by Julie Kenner

The Guardian by Margaret Mallory

The Sinner by Margaret Mallory

The Warrior by Margaret Mallory

The Chieftain by Margaret Mallory

The Border Vixen by Bertrice Small

Forbidden Obsessions by Jodie Griffin

I liked this one, from the first time I read the description I was interested in finding out what was going to happen. I thought the whole idea of a B&B that provided a safe place to explore was great!

I enjoyed the believability of the way that Gabe and Olivia's relationship unfolded. She was there with no clear view of what she wanted and where she was going to go after her injury. She was pushing too hard and really did need someone to step in for her and help her to take care of herself without causing more harm. The fact that Gabe could really relate to her on that level, given his own injuries allowed them to have a common ground from which to build.

I also liked that he gave her space when she needed it, so that she could make up her own mind about what she wanted. It is always the hardest thing to do, when all you want is to take over and make things happen.

I also enjoyed the fact that Gabe was conflicted as well about whether or not he would reopen. He had his own demons to face and was strong enough to let her in.

Now that I have read this one, I am really going to have to read the rest!

Her Wish, His Command by Malia Mallory

I think the most interesting aspect of the story was how she wanted to pursue the D/s aspect with him, and that it wasn't something he brought to the table to start with. Most stories have the guy portrayed as a competent, confident and commanding Dom from the get go, which is nice but I am sure not realistic. I mean in my admittedly limited experience I don't know many guys who would take that kind of leap in the sexual realm.

The rest of the story was fine and the mystery surrounding the break ins at the lab was intriguing. However seeing as how the book has been broken up, I am not sure that I am invested enough in the story to go on and find out what happens.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Love Letters 4: Travel to Temptation

Similar to the previous installment in the series that I read, the stories were quick reads. This set focuses on finding love while traveling, or traveling to find love.  I would have to say that the first two are by far my favorites.  Although to be fair, as I am not a fan of reading M/M, it wasn't that the story was bad, I just don't enjoy those.

Of course, as is expected, the stories are short on development of characters and the time frame from meet cute to head over heels in love is SUPER short!. However since that is understood from the outset it doesn't hinder the stories overmuch, you just have to use your own imagination to fill in the rest.

So many times I read short stories like this and wonder if the author had a higher word count, where the story would go and if I would like it as well. Most of the time I think that I would and this collection is the same.

Quick and dirty, just the way to spend an hour or two!

The Brides of Chance Collection by Cathy Marie Hake

The Brides of Chance Collection: The Chance Brothers Journey into Romance in Six Historical Novels by Cathy Marie Hake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this collection. I like the family sagas because once I find characters that I like, I always wonder what happens to them and their families.  The stories are  all very sweet, and I did like that some of the women had realistic issues with both childbearing and infertility.  There were emotional connections between each of the couples and the interactions between brothers and sisters was fun to read. One of my favorite parts, that reoccurred in several stories, was how the rest of the men in the area were rather put out that the Chance brothers were getting all of the women! I would definitely read this author again in the future.



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Her Wicked Sin by Sarah Ballance

As far as this book goes, I think that the thing that I liked best was the historical detail about the Salem witch trials. They were a true demonstration of the lengths people will go to persecute those who are different. As we look at it, it is hard to believe that such death and hysteria was brought about by simple superstition and an inability to think clearly about what was going on.
Back to the book, I thought that  Lydia was an interesting character, but the story was a bit predictable. That said, I did like it. It was an entertaining read, with a background that is very atypical. I think that the very rarely used setting of Puritan New England was the thing that set the book apart.  The ending, was a bit strange though, I know that both Lydia and Henry aren't truly of the Puritan beliefs, but I find it very hard to believe that they could just decide that she wasn't really married to Robert and that the handfast and declarations that they were married would be enough for them. In that era, that just doesn't fit.

My rating 2 out of 5

Montana Bride by Joan Johnston

I really enjoyed this book. The story was a nice change from the traditional mail order bride scenario. I think it is a testament to the creativity of an author to take a trope that has been so well used and well loved by many, and create something new, and different.

I was a bit taken aback by the sudden death in the very beginning of the book, but it of course made sense and was the only real way to get the 'real' bride out of the way for our heroine.  Lies are the easiest things to tell and the hardest to explain. There was a lot of lying in the book, along with half truths and lies of omission. I am really glad that in fiction land, people can work things out after so much dishonesty because in the real world, I just don't know that people could be that understanding. I thought that the book really illustrated the effort that it takes to create a family. You don't always love or even like the family that you have, but you can always create a family if you are willing to work at it.

My rating 4 out of 5

All He Wants by C.C. Gibbs

Very Intense! There was so much happening in a very short amount of time. I enjoyed reading this because it was a bit more rounded in the sense that you understood more about what was driving each character, unlike some of the similar books that have been written.  I liked that Kate had a backbone and wasn't just diving into bed with him just because he was a good looking rich guy.   She may have wanted to, and did of course eventually give in, but the waiting certainly did enhance the story. There was definitely a connection between Nick and Kate that was electric.



Of course there is still the attitude of "I am so rich I can have whatever and whoever I want no matter what", that gets a bit old when you are reading it, but honestly it fits the character and the story well enough that I can deal with it.

I wasn't a fan of how he just up and left at the end, but kudos for Kate for not taking his money to get home!

I look forward to seeing where this goes and will be reading the rest of the series.

My Rating 4 out of 5

Destiny Brides by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Destiny Brides: Two Historical Romances Under One Cover by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I always like getting a bargain, and this is definitely a good one. I find that is difficult to find a good clean love story lately.  Both stories are fun and lighthearted all the while dealing with some pretty weighty topics. You have characters who have endured the loss of multiple loved ones, some who are running from their past and all of them are searching for the future and hoping it will be brighter.

Of the two my favorite was the second story. The danger of the gang, the secret mole, the hidden identity and the loving sacrifices that are made really let you feel right along with the characters.

The first story  I liked because neither of the women were weak. Angel couldn't see, and yet she kept trying to prove herself to her sister. Heaven just wouldn't give up on the idea of home.

This was a nice easy read that just left you with a good feeling.



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Can't Let Go by Jessica Lemmon

First of all, let me say that I did like the story.  I wasn't aware that there was a first part of the story when I started reading so there were some gaps, but I was still able to follow what was going on.  Both Aiden and Sadie have a ton of hang ups, but they seem willing for the most part to take on the baggage and make a go of the relationship.  Aiden's refusal to tell his family that he is now divorced made sense, but I didn't like it. It doesn't fit in with the grownup version of the world that exists in my head. I have to believe that someone in his family would have cared enough to know that something was going on with him and asked him about it. I was not a fan of the ending where he disappears off to Oregon to take care of his mom and doesn't really make enough of (in my opinion) an effort to explain.

I have to say that this is an example of a trend in publishing that I really don't like. When I read a book, whether I buy it, borrow it, or whatever I have the expectation that unless it is part of a series of some kind that it will be complete and long enough to justify the expense. Even then, a series in my mind is about different characters that are connected together, not buying one book a few chapters at a time. When I start a book  only to find that after a few chapters the story ends and I have to buy another book to find out what happens next ... it frustrates me. It makes me feel as though the only motivation for doing so is to milk the consumer for every penny. We all know that profits on ebooks is not the same as print publishing, but still.

My rating: 1 out of 5

Echo Prophecy by Lindsey Fairleigh

Echo Prophecy by Lindsey Fairleigh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book was a pleasant surprise. I love reading stories that make me think and that captivate the imagination. The background information and the conflict setup really draws you in. Even though we are dealing with a world that is slightly different the supernatural elements are not so off the charts that you can't accept them.

Lex is a young woman who as far as she knows is completely normal. I enjoyed her character because she was strong and knew what she wanted and was going after it. She rolled with the discovery that she was something more than normal quite well.

Marcus, oh man was he an arrogant jerk at times!! He too was very well written and I think he was even better because he was so flawed. The chemistry between Marcus and Lex is amazing. They flirt and fight their attraction, and his determination not to give in makes their interactions so much stronger and believable.

The emotions that are woven throughout the book just suck you in. I live to find books that tug at your heartstrings and make you cry then turn around and make you want to fist pump in the middle of your lunch break.

I truly enjoyed reading this story and cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

I received an ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.




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