✱✱Book Review✱✱ The Truth of Us by Renea Porter

The Truth of Us

by Renea Porter 

Seven years ago, leaving home was easy for Ellie Carlisle. With her business steadily growing in New York she was ready to take it to the next level. But a routine trip to the bank turns into the worst day of her life. No longer feeling safe, Ellie decides to pack up with her son and heads back home, out west.

Ever since he was young Dell has always worked on the Carlisle's Farm. Everyday he regrets not telling Ellie how he felt before she left town. Dell now the small town's sheriff still manages to find time to help out on the Carlisle's farm.

When Ellie returns she and Dell connect again and its as if she never left. Ellie's son Ben takes a liking to Dell and the three become inseparable. When feelings become involved Ellie's faced with a decision to either go back to New York or stay in Kansas to make a new life for her and her son. But someone is coming to even a score putting her life in danger once again.

Will Dell be able to get to her in time? Will Ellie stay or go back to the city that welcomed her seven years ago?

https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Us-Renea-Porter-ebook/dp/B01BSUG4SW

Momma Says: 2 stars⭐⭐

The blurb for this one sounded interesting with a second chance romance and some suspense to boot. Unfortunately, the book didn't come through on that for me. Oh, there is a romance, and it's impossible not to like Dell. What's not to like? He's a sexy sheriff, determined to win the one who got away. Ellie was likable enough, I suppose, but her wishy-washy, back and forth about everything became tedious. That aside, other than some super sweet moments between them and an adorable little boy, this one just didn't hold my interest. It's slow and so full of the mundane that at times it's rather boring. Then, there are hints at something more, some conflict between them, but nothing comes of it. In one instance, Dell forbids Ellie to do something, as in 'I forbid you,' and she seems to have a problem with that, but then it's just kind of dropped like it was nothing. On the suspense side, we know someone is after Ellie and a couple of things happen, then there's what I assume was meant to be a twist, but it's so rushed that it felt like it was thrown in to revive the suspense. It could've worked, but it was all settled so quickly that it just didn't make much sense. In the end, this one was just too slow for my taste and was way too easy to set aside.

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✱✱Book Review✱✱ Night Owl (The Complete Serial) by M.C. Cerny

Night Owl 

The Complete Serial

by M.C. Cerny

Hi there -
I’m Casey Cole. I’m the host for Philly’s Z107FM late night radio show, Casey’s Confessions. 
I’m trying really hard to do my job without my tempting boss James interfering. 
He’s rich, good looking, and over-protective. 
Life has taught me the curvy girl from South Philly doesn’t get the guy.
Unfortunately, James isn’t convinced and I’ve been putting him off for as long as I can…
It probably doesn’t help that there is this little issue of a stalker after me. 

Pardon me - I’d like to share my side of the story - 
I’m James Austin. Yes, I own Austin Communications and Z107FM. I’m also Casey’s boss, but did she tell you what a tease she’s been the past eighteen months? Sure, I’ve got money. Yeah, I’m over-protective, but who wouldn’t be with some weirdo sending her hate mail? 
She makes courting her attentions difficult to say the least. I just want one chance to prove to her that she’s already gotten the guy before this stalker ruins it. 

Jack and Casey can't keep their hands off each other... The Night Owl Serials have been re-edited to include more content and enhance the reader experience. These shorts were originally published as separate serials - now combined into a full length book. 

Pick up the complete set including volumes 1-5 and save!

Night Owl - Vol. 1
On Air - Vol. 2
Radio Silent - Vol. 3
Song Bird - Vol. 4
Wicked Games - Vol. 5

*** This complete set is a standalone HEA, although someone from "The Reed Series" does make a cameo appearance. Due to the mature content including strong language, explicit sexual content, it is not recommended for readers under 18. ***

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Complete-Serial-M-C-Cerny-ebook/dp/B01N5UTYFW

Momma Says: 3 stars⭐⭐⭐

I finished this one with mixed feelings. I loved James and Casey. They have good chemistry and their banter is great. They also have some steamy fun that's hot enough to peel the paint off the walls. Then, we get to the suspense portion of this tale, which was way too easy to figure out - as in almost from the first time the antagonist is mentioned. That left the only mystery to be what the person was going to do next. The storyline is James and Casey's romance for the most part, but if there's going to be a mystery, at least make it somewhat mysterious. Finally, we have the reading experience overall. I have to say, this author certainly has a way with words. In fact, there were some lines that were the type that grab a reader and stick with them. On the other side of that, there were also several grammatical issues and typos, which was disappointing since the blurb tells us the story has been re-edited. Most of these were small issues, and I knew what should've been there, but it still creates a distraction and pulls the reader out of the story. This is an entertaining and scorching hot romance that could easily be a five-star read with a bit of polish. 

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✱✱Book Review ✱✱ Longing for You by Kelli McCracken

Longing for You: Steamy Second Chance Romance 

Touched by Magic Book 1

by Kelli McCracken 

Music isn’t his only desire

Theo McCabe’s teenage years were consumed by his fascination with music and Cassie Clarke. After a fight cost him both, he was forced to move out of state, leaving Cassie clueless to the truth. Now he’s back in Savannah, recording his first album. Six years hasn’t diminished his need for her, but with a deadline looming, he only has one shot to make things right.

Cassie doesn’t believe in fairytales or the myth surrounding her new antique hair comb. Legend says the owner will find its soul’s counterpart, but Cassie isn’t ready to fall in love. She’s eager to debunk the myth until she and Theo reconnect. Toned, tatted, and tenacious, he’s making it difficult to focus on her job or the fact that he’s her client.

Though Cassie doesn't want to fall for Theo, when he enlists her help in reuniting two of their friends, Cassie can’t refuse him or the chemistry between them. Theo is desperate to have one night with Cassie, but doing so means exposing his heart to the only woman who could break it. After all, he's not the only man in Cassie's life.

https://www.amazon.com/Longing-You-Steamy-Romance-Touched-ebook/dp/B015IF44GW

Momma Says: 3 stars⭐⭐⭐

A little bit rocker romance, and a little bit second chance romance, except it's not really a second chance in terms of this couple getting back together since they were never actually a couple. Instead, it's a second chance at what Theo once thought unattainable - a chance to be with Cassie. The story is a good mix of sweet and sexy, and I liked the added element of possible magic. The angst comes by way of miscommunication and misunderstandings, and wasn't over the top, just a bit predictable. My problem lay in the couple Theo and Cassie are trying to fix up. There's a lot of talk about Jonah and Ally breaking up up with hints at what caused it, but no real answers. As this one is labeled as book one in the series, I didn't realize there was a prequel with Jonah and Ally's story, which might've cleared up some of those unanswered questions. In the end, the story was interesting enough, it just didn't have that wow factor for me. 

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✱✱ Book Review ✱✱ Biting Holiday Honeymoons by Mary Hughes

Biting Holiday Honeymoons

Two Laugh Out Loud Steamy Vampire Romps 

Biting Love Short Bites Book 1

by Mary Hughes 

Honeymoons should be romantic. My special night with my master vampire will be all champagne and hot tubs—just as soon as hubby and I kick some evil vampire butt. Warning: explicit! Intended for 18+ 

Two fast, sexy reads by USA Today bestselling author Mary Hughes. 

Biting Halloween—Detective Elena and master vampire Bo's honeymoon is derailed when they get run off the road by a vampire. They chase him, only to find out Dracula—the real Dracula—is on the loose. 

Biting Christmas—Punk rock musician Nixie and master vampire Julian slide into a hot-tub honeymoon, but things turn nasty when Santa Vamp shows up.

If you love the pace of urban fantasy, the sexiness of dark vampire stories, and the zing of laughs, these are the stories for you. Never tried them all together? Blended like peanut butter and chocolate, it's an unexpected delight :)

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❃❃At the time of this post Biting Holiday Honeymoons is Free❃❃

Momma Says: 3.5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

I haven't read the Biting Love series - yet, so these characters and their history were unfamiliar to me. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed these two quick reads with their wit and funny situations. Both stories are very short, more like scenes than full stories, and the whole book takes about an hour tops to finish. Packed into those few pages are plenty of steam, a lot of funny, and some interesting characters. All in all, what I found here was entertaining and enough to pique my interest in the series. 

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✱✱ Book Review ✱✱ Moments of Joy by Ysa Arcangel

Moments of Joy 

Moments to Remember Book 1

by Ysa Arcangel

With her family history of Alzheimer's and at great risk of acquiring the disease, Brandy Curtis always plays safe. She had always avoided commitments like the plague. 

However, everything changed when she met Ivo, a gorgeous doctor with irresistible charm. He was just supposed to be another hookup, but he quickly became so much more. 

It started as a one night stand which was followed by another, and another. The more nights they spent together, the more Brandy felt that life had given her something to live for.

The timing couldn't be worse. As her heart gets closer to Ivo, her memories begin to fade.

Will Brandy be able to actually have moments of joy with Ivo against the odds of losing herself into the recesses of her tangled brain? 

https://www.amazon.com/Moments-Joy-Remember-Book-ebook/dp/B06XDCR53Y

❃❃As of this post, Moments of Joy is Free❃❃

Momma Says: 3 stars⭐⭐⭐

After reading the blurb, I expected an emotional story and I certainly found that here with Brandy's struggle with early onset Alzheimer's. I was happy to find the moments of levity throughout. On the whole, the book is a bit reminiscent of The Notebook with the magnetic connection between Ivo and Brandy and the journal entries. The pair does have good chemistry and Ivo's devotion to Brandy is obvious. However, as much as those things pulled me into the story, their intimate scenes pulled me out. They just didn't quite work for me. They felt almost forced or detached. And, be prepared because this one doesn't really end. I realize that this is the first in a continuing story, but it just kind of stops on the last page. Not so much a cliffhanger, but it certainly has an unfinished feeling to it. So, in the end, I finished this one with a middle of the road feeling. There were some things I really liked and others, not so much.

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✱✱ Book Review ✱✱ The Bridges Before Us by Christine Ardigo

The Bridges Before Us 

by Christine Ardigo 

Haven’t we all made mistakes? Even good people make bad choices.

When Samantha finds herself surrounded by a wall of self-absorbed employees at her job at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, she realizes her people-pleasing nature is getting her nowhere. Longing for the dynamic lifestyle of her coworker Cara, Samantha decides a walk on the wild side might do her some good. But, when she learns Cara's been leading a secret life, not the one she portrays at work, Samantha realizes she’s made a mistake. 

When her life goes from boring to appalling, Samantha looks for someone to steer her in the right direction, and it’s someone she least expects. Can Samantha trust the newly hired employee in her toxic department? Or, is he the only one that can teach her to embrace who she really is? Sometimes we need a stranger to tell us the truths we don’t want to hear. 

The Bridges Before Us teaches us to love ourselves, embrace who we are, and never change for the sake of pleasing others. A captivating, roller coaster ride of drama, humor, and love, guaranteed to make you wonder if you have everything figured out in your life. 

**Can be read as a Stand Alone or part of The Fix It or Get Out Series**

https://www.amazon.com/Bridges-Before-Us-Adult-Book-ebook/dp/B01B75DDNW

Momma Says: 2 stars⭐⭐

While I get the idea of this story, and it's a good one, so much of it was a struggle for me to get through. I realize that it's young adult and the story comes with all the mistakes of that age of growing into your own skin, but nothing goes right for this character. Seriously, nothing. Maybe I'm a little too far past that age to appreciate Samantha's journey, but I became so frustrated with her that I considered not finishing the book more than once. I did push through in hopes that Samantha would eventually learn from her many mistakes, but she continues to move from one bad decision to the next. Granted, some things that happen to her are beyond her control and her low self-esteem is understandable, but this girl seemed to be a magnet for users who treated her like a doormat. I think the thing that pushed it over the top for me lay in the number of coworkers who were just toxic to be around. It started to feel like Samantha was the only person working in that department with any redeemable qualities and it's like they all had it in for her. Even Cooper, who does eventually redeem himself, had his moments of treating Samantha badly. While there are always some in any workplace who work harder at making someone else miserable than actually doing their job, to think that everybody this woman worked closely with was that way is just ridiculous. Even worse is the fact that Samantha realizes that she's making bad choices on more than one occasion, but continues down the same path. What it boils down to is our main character is a follower and continuously chooses the wrong people to follow. In the end, while we do get some satisfaction in the conclusion, most of this one was just frustrating for me. 

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✱✱ Book Review ✱✱ Alpha at Home by DJ Bryce

Alpha at Home 

Brothers of the Heart Book 1

by DJ Bryce 

Maximus has always known two things: He was destined to be the Bravo of his Pack and he's in love with Gillian Matthews. The problem is, Gillian was raised knowing she was destined to be mated to the Alpha, who is Maximus's best friend. 

Although they've kept each other at arms length, you can't escape fate. When it becomes clear that Gilly is Max's mate, and not Mateo's, they will all have to come to terms with the way this will impact, not just their lives, but the pack's future. 

Alpha at Home is the first in an all new series about men who may not be brothers by blood, but are brothers of the heart. And the realization that, regardless of how the Matthews siblings have been raised, sometimes you have to follow your heart, even if it's leading you down the hardest path.

https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Home-Brothers-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B072M1W2GL

Momma Says: 3 stars⭐⭐⭐

I finished this one with mixed feelings. It's a quick read, coming in at less than two hours read time, so it's easily read in one sitting. It's fast-paced and and introduces the key players for the series without a lot of info dumps, which is something I always appreciate. While I'm not a big fan of instalove, it somehow works for shifter romances with fated mates. We have that with Max and Gilly, but once they touch, things move fast even for a fated mates story. They go from a touch, to a passionate kiss, to sealing the deal and exchanging vows of love in a handful of pages. Even so, the characters are likable enough, but I would've liked a bit more depth on their romance. That part moves so quickly that a lot of the book was more about pack business than a love story. Granted, some of that business include clearing up some intentional misconceptions so Max and Gilly can announce that they're mates. We do have an interesting underlying story and some strong hints at future couples for the series. So, while we do get a somewhat satisfactory conclusion for out couple, the other parts of the story remain unresolved. In the end, the story is enjoyable, but I would've liked more development.

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✱✱ Book Review ✱✱ I Remember You Collection by Sammi Starlight

I Remember You Collection 

by Sammi Starlight 

I Remember You
Lance never got over his teenage love despite years of trying to forget her with alcohol, music, and other women. 

Samantha dated lots of different guys after Lance, guys most girls would love to have even a chance with. No one can make her happy though; she compares them all to Lance. Fate brings them together when Lance is in town for some family business. 

They end up spending a passionate night together but can they be more? Can they finally find their happily ever after?

Home Sweet Home
Things for Lance and Samantha have been picture perfect since they reunited four years ago. They are happily married with a little girl and another baby on the way. Lance's career with the Forbidden Gods is stronger than ever. Samantha has some best selling books to her name and her writing career is taking off.

In just a few short months, that perfect world starts to shatter. Lance has to go on tour without Sam. He has creative differences with management over the band's latest album that have left him frustrated. He suffers loss after loss, not knowing if he can take much more. He turns to alcohol to numb the pain just like he did all those years ago when Sam left him.

Sam tries to be strong for her family when tragedy threatens to pull them apart but when Lance isn't there for her when she needs him the most, she questions everything she ever believed about them and their love.

Lance is lost and hanging by a thread. Can Sam save him? Or is it too late? Will Lance be able to find his way back home?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079C62H3N

Momma Says: 3.5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sometimes you have to take the bitter with the sweet, and Lance and Samantha get plenty of both in this duet. The story moves at a fast pace and while there is a lot of angst, each bit is resolved quickly, sometimes so quickly that you don't really get to feel the emotion involved before moving on to the next thing. While that's a good thing given the length of the book, it is a little far-fetched. This pair is good together, despite the many obstacles they face, and they have good chemistry. I was curious about this being a duet. The first book felt more like a short story, but it felt complete. There are a few grammatical errors that stood out, but overall, it's still an engaging read with a good mix of sweet and sexy. 

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