Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts

Sunday, November 10, 2024

✱✱Book Review✱✱ We Can Stay by Lenna Phoenix

 

You need to take it easy and reduce your stress.

Not the words any small business owner wants to hear—especially when said business is already struggling.

Felicity "Flick" Patel is determined to make her yarn dyeing endeavor a success, even if she has to fight her biggest enemy to do so...

Herself.

She doesn’t need anything else to get in the way of achieving her dream. Not the competition, not the economy, and especially not some little kitten she found and has no idea what to do with.

Working with animals has always been a passion for veterinarian Sebastian Blum.

When feisty Flick comes into his practice with a kitten in tow, he sees not one, but 
two wounded animals that he wants to help.
The kitten, he's sure, is going to be much easier. Because Flick is a walking mystery—inviting him in and pushing him away at the same time.

He wants her to trust him with her secrets...
can he show her the truth won't scare him away?


Amazon




Momma Says: 4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lenna Phoenix's Silent Journey series hits me on a personal level. As a fellow chronic pain sufferer, I find these ladies totally relatable. I also do a fair amount of crocheting, so there's another similarity with this group of strong women - and they are definitely strong, whether others see it or not.
We Can Stay is Flick's turn at romance, and Sebastian, the sexy veterinarian, is right there to save the day. He's also a little bit broken, and like Flick, he doesn't deal with all the emotions in a healthy way, so they're both just moving along without really dealing with the emotional baggage. One of my favorite things about this book is how they each come to terms with the sources of their angst and how they learn that communication is super important.
Lenna Phoenix does a fabulous job of showing the emotional side of chronic pain and the long list of things that pain causes us to miss. I feel like she kept it real. Life's not all sunshine and rainbows, and she shows us that without getting maudlin. We see the good that comes from facing things head-on and learning to trust someone else with our pain. 




Saturday, November 9, 2024

✱✱Book Review✱✱ The Invitation by Adriana Locke

 


hate Ripley Brewer.

So, why am I cuddling on his lap, peering into his ocean-blue eyes while cameras record our every move?

My best friend needs my help to save her career, and I would do anything for her. Besides, filming a reality show sounds fun … until Ripley shows up to play the role of my fake boyfriend.

As always, we nearly come to blows within minutes of seeing each other. The playboy billionaire accuses me of a setup, but I insist I’d rather live in a world without carbs than spend a minute with him.

At some point during the melee, we sign contracts. I can’t stand the look of his six feet two inches of chiseled abs and broad shoulders. And I loathe his arrogance. But now that he’s my pretend beau, I’m stuck acting like I’m falling in love with my biggest enemy.

It turns out that Ripley’s a good actor, too. Every soft touch on the small of my back makes my heart thump faster. His sultry smirk feels like it’s only for me. I should detest every word that passes his kissable lips.

Is this all a ruse, or does Ripley want to end this episode of The Invitation going from enemies to lovers? Because now? I’m not convinced I can despise him anymore.


Amazon


Momma Says: 4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes. It often means lots of great banter and plenty of fireworks. Georgia and Ripley give us both with sass and wit, and the chemistry and sexual tension between them is almost palpable. They do have some angst on their way to a happily ever after, but it's not over the top, which I really liked. The book is well written with characters who aren't just characters - they become friends that you want to visit again and again. I've gotten attached to the whole Brewer family, but the broken boy inside Ripley totally stole my heart. Each Brewer family book is the kind of romance you can get lost in, so I'd definitely recommend all three. 


Wednesday, November 6, 2024

✱✱Audio Book Review✱✱ Mr. Heartbreaker by Piper Rayne

 

Mr. Heartbreaker
The Nest, Book 1
By: Piper Rayne
Narrated by: Sean Masters & Erin Mallon 
Also featuring: Connor Crais, JF Harding, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, CJ Bloom


I made a deal with my brother a long time ago to never date his teammates.

Technically, Rowan Landry, the hot as hell center for the Chicago Falcons, is no longer my brother’s teammate. Or his best friend. Their college days are long behind them, and they barely talk now.

Also, I’m not dating him—we’re just sleeping together. There’s a difference.

Except there’s not a lot of sleeping going on, and neither one of us wants to stop what we’re doing.

It’s all fun and games until my brother is traded to the Falcons, because Rowan doesn’t know I’m the new goalie’s little sister. Oops.



Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Take some fun tropes like hockey romance, best friend's sibling, mistaken identity, and secret romance, add in some found family, a meet cute, and some fantastic characters created by Piper Rayne, then mix all of that with a stellar group of narrators for some duet narration, and you've got Mr. Heartbreaker. This book is an absolute blast, which is nothing short of what I've come to expect from the duo that makes up Piper Rayne. The dialogue is witty and fun, as well as sexy and swoony, and the characters are so well done that they practically leap off the page or through the headphones, as the case may be. Rowan and Kyleigh are so good together that you can't help but root for their HEA. We also have a whole cast of characters that are just as lovable - okay, maybe not Kyleigh's brother at first, but a redeemable antagonist is so much fun, in my opinion. This is the first book in The Nest series, and with so many great characters, it's looking like a must-read series. If Rowan and Kyleigh's romance is any indication, I can't wait for what comes next. 




Saturday, October 26, 2024

✱✱Book Review✱✱ Hero's Prize by Janie Crouch

 


When a deadly accident leaves extreme sport superstar Colton Harrison questioning what his future holds, he decides to take a timeout in his hometown of Oak Creek.

He knows the mountains and wildness of Wyoming will help him heal.

But he has 
no idea how he’s known sweet Ella O’Conner all his life but is somehow only really seeing her for the first time now.

People in his world may say she doesn't measure up, but this woman—and all her sexy curves—is downright beautiful to Colton.

Ella is who he wants. Who he needs. Who he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

Although convincing her of that will be tricky. All she's ever wanted was a quiet existence, and life in the public eye can be brutal—no matter how much Colton vows to protect her.

Especially when a stalker is willing to do anything to keep Colton for themself.


Amazon




Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's Linear Tactical's next generation, and I'm falling in love with the offspring just as quickly as I fell for their parents. Hero's Prize is Colton and Ella's story, and it's full of all the feels mixed with suspense that I've come to expect from Janie Crouch.
This pair has their share of obstacles to overcome, including Ella's low self-esteem and Colton's doubts about returning to the spotlight. If that isn't enough, they have a stalker to worry about. Of course, Janie guarantees a happily-ever-after, but that doesn't mean she won't put us through the wringer on the way there. So, with a few harrowing moments and some romantic angst, we do get there, and it's worth every minute.
The book is well-written, the characters are so real they practically leap off the page, and if you're familiar with the Linear Tactical originals, you might even notice a few mentions here and there. 




Wednesday, September 25, 2024

✱✱Book & AudioBook Review✱✱ My Favorite Boss by Melanie Moreland

 


Get ready to laugh out loud in the office from New York Times bestselling author Melanie Moreland -

My new boss—Alexander Bane
Aptly named since he’s the bane of my existence.
Please isn’t in his vocabulary.
He grunts, growls, and demands.
If only he didn’t look so sexy when doing so.
If only his mouth weren’t so addictive when kissing mine.
He’s quickly becoming my favorite boss.
Which is wrong.
My new assistant is an unwelcome distraction.
Snarky, witty, always smiling.
Constantly putting me in my place.
Making me second-guess my decisions.
I dislike it. Intensely.
Unless I’m kissing her.
Then Magnolia Myers becomes my favorite person.
Which I hate.
Two people working together, disliking each other.
Until they don’t.
Then the fun begins.
HR has never been so entertained.

Author's note: For those on the lookout for a hero who's so charming when he's bossy that it makes you want to follow his orders just to keep him talking.


Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"HR has never been so entertained." That line of the blurb brings a laugh just thinking about the context. You'll completely understand what I mean if you've read My Favorite Boss. If you haven't, I highly recommend it. Alexander Bane and Magnolia Myers take compromising positions to a whole new level. That's as far as I'm going on that point. I'll let you find those laughs on your own. That said, I don't know that any tidbit from this laugh-out-loud funny tale would be considered a spoiler - there are so many great moments that one or two wouldn't do any damage (not that you're getting them from me!). 
I really needed a feel-good, hilarious book to get lost in when I started reading this one, and true to form, Melanie Moreland delivered. With every release, I have a new favorite, so I'll just say I love this book and its characters. The story pulled me right in and made for a wonderful bit of escape from everyday life.



My Favorite Boss
By: Melanie Moreland
Narrated by: Maxine Mitchell & John Lane



Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I always count on John Lane and Maxine Mitchell to give wonderful performances, so it was no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed the listen of My Favorite Boss. Whether it was antics or funny banter or a bit of swoony and sexy or anything in between, Lane and Mitchell bring these characters right out of the book and into your head. I had the pleasure of reading the book and then listening, and I've gotta say that no matter which medium you choose, you won't be sorry. 



Tuesday, September 10, 2024

✱✱Audio Book Review✱✱ The One I Didn't See Coming by Piper Rayne

 


The One I Didn't See Coming
Plain Daisy Ranch, Book 3
By: Piper Rayne
Narrated by: Jason Clarke & Ava Erickson


It’s the classic story—girl returns to her hometown only to end up moving in with her high school crush, who she hates.

Returning to Willowbrook was my only option after Chicago chewed me up and spit me out. Technically, it wasn’t Chicago’s fault. It was his fault—the man I thought I knew who turned out to be a liar.

My older sister, always the one to swoop in and fix things, secured me a job as a yoga instructor on her fiancé’s family ranch. As my self-assigned protector, she’s keeping one eye on me and one eye on Emmett Noughton, her fiancé’s brother.

He’s the charming, fun-loving, take-life-as-it-comes kind of guy, and once upon a time, his name was scribbled in my notebooks. Back then, I was invisible to him. Now, he’s looking at me like I’m the only thing in the room. But he lost his chance with me a long time ago.

It’s easy to keep him at arm’s length and nurse the grudge I’ve held onto for years. Until the house I’m staying in sells, and I have nowhere to go except his house. Now, resisting him isn’t just difficult—it’s impossible.



Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you haven't already fallen in love with the Plain Daisy Ranch and the Noughtons, Emmett's love story will do the trick. He's the fun playboy on the surface, but we see so much more to him as he and Briar explore their attraction. This forced-proximity romance is on the lighter side, but it's not completely without angst. There is some baggage to work through, and Briar is the lucky lady who gets to do just that with the sexy Emmett.
The One I Didn't See Coming is such a great combination of sweet and sexy, and the chemistry between Briar and Emmett is off the charts. Then Piper and Rayne take this already terrific small-town romance and place it in the ever-capable hands of Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson for duet narration. These two are always good, and the authors couldn't have chosen better for their characters.
I had the pleasure of listening to this third book in the Plain Daisy Ranch series, but whatever medium you choose for this one, you won't be disappointed. 




✱✱Book Review✱✱ We Can Forever: A Small Town Romance by Lenna Phoenix

 

Michael Greer is a second-generation fire chief and a single dad of a precocious 11-year old, so there’s not much that scares him.

(Admittedly, more because of the second than the first.)

When Pine Island’s new craft shop owner accidentally backs into his car, he takes that in stride too. And does what any fire chief would do.

Invite her out on a date.

It doesn’t take long to figure out that Hannah Lewis is gorgeous, quirky, smart as hell, and...
hiding something.

Hannah has learned the hard way to keep the truth about her life as hush-hush as possible.

At best, people don’t understand. At worst, they call her lazy or a liar.

Better to just keep her secrets to herself and keep her distance from almost everybody.

But this tiny town’s sexy fire chief won’t seem to accept her attempt at solitude. He keeps showing up all patient and witty and a great dad. Everything Hannah has ever hoped for if she allowed herself to admit it.

He says he’s ready to fight her battles with her.

Will he still feel that way when he finds out the truth?

Amazon



Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ever read a book and almost from the beginning you just know it was written for you? Yeah, that is what We Can Forever was for me. I totally related to this story and to Hannah along with the rest of her chronic pain crafter's group. I've dealt with chronic pain for about 8 years now, and I understand those looks and little comments when you try to explain it. One of my favorite things about this romance is Michael's complete acceptance of Hannah's source of pain and her limitations because of it. Every woman should have a Michael in her life with his understanding and protective nature.
On the technical side, the book is well written and the characters and town feel real. Chronic pain sufferer or not, this is a well-done small-town romance and the beginning of a promising series. I'll certainly be watching for the next book!



Monday, September 9, 2024

✱✱Audio Book Review✱✱ Devil of Dublin by BB Easton

 

Devil of Dublin
By: BB Easton
Devil of Dublin, Book 1
Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett & Eric Nolan


From the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of 44 Chapters About 4 Men (inspiration for the Netflix Original series Sex/Life) comes a dark Mafia romance steeped in Irish folklore.

I can’t remember anymore if my grandfather’s eyes were blue or green, but I’ll never forget the way they wrinkled at the corners when he laughed at one of his own jokes. Or the way they sparkled with mischief when he told me tales about the magical creatures that dwelled in the forest behind his humble Irish sheep farm—shy fairies who liked to eat tea biscuits, cruel witches who liked to eat children, a moody lake spirit with a taste for expensive gifts.

As a child, I believed every fantastical word. But when he warned me about the mute boy who also lurked in those woods, the one the priest had declared to be the spawn of Satan himself, I refused to listen. Kellen wasn’t evil. He was kind, and beautiful, and special, and hurting. He was my friend. And with every summer I spent stolen away with him in those enchanted woods, he grew to become so much more.

But when I return to Glenshire as an adult, grieving and engaged to someone else, all those legends quickly morph into nightmares.

My grandfather had been right about everything, especially the boy.

If only I had listened.

Warning: If you are a sensitive listener or find certain topics to be emotionally triggering, please exercise self-care and select a different book. Devil of Dublin is intended for mature audiences who enjoy dark subject matter, tortured antiheroes, explicit adult content, graphic violence, heart-pounding suspense, fairy-tale-worthy love, and gorgeous Irish scenery. If that sounds like you, then welcome to Glenshire!



Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Somehow, this is my first time reading/listening to BB Easton's work, and I'm really kicking myself for the oversight. I went in blind, not knowing anything except it was dark romance with a fair amount of trigger warnings. Fortunately, triggers aren't a problem for me, so I dove in, and wow! Everything about this book just blew me away. The writing, the characters, the storyline, the narrators - yes, this book is just that good. The story flows so well that I didn't even realize how much time had passed as I listened. Kellen and Darby are a couple I won't soon forget. Their passion and intensity can be felt in every word, which is due to both the writing and the narration, in my opinion. Elizabeth Klett and Eric Nolan do such a good job with this book. From the accents to the emotions to every little quirk, the narration brings these characters to life. I've been trying to skirt around the details, so I don't spoil anything, so I'll just wrap it up by saying Devil of Dublin is more than a childhood crush/first love or mafia romance. It's a journey for Darby and Kellen, and at any given point, one or both of them will tug at every heartstring. 


Tuesday, September 3, 2024

✱✱Book Review✱✱ Beating Heart by Laura Pavlov

 


A Small Town, Single Dad, Neighbors to Lovers, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.

From the moment my son came into the world—my life changed in the best way.
I’d found my purpose.
My reason.
My heart beats for this kid every damn day.
My company is thriving, and life is good.
But then Emerson Chadwick happened.
It must be the universe’s way of messing with me when I least expect it.
Our town’s new pediatrician is gorgeous and brilliant and—complicated.
I’m not looking for complications.
To make matters worse, my little boy is crazy about her, and now she’s moved in next door.
She’s everywhere I turn.
I can’t stay away no matter how hard I try.
But Emerson isn’t here to stay.
This is just a temporary stop for her.
And now my heart beats for her in a way I never expected.
Falling for the girl next door is a bad idea.
Loving her… well, that’s as easy as breathing.

**This is book 4 in the Magnolia Falls Series. Each one can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

Amazon


Momma Says: 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This series has been one of those that gets under your skin from the beginning, and it just keeps getting better. Beating Heart is Nash's turn at romance, and what a romance it is! I've been waiting for this one since the first book, when we met Beefcake, and Laura Pavlov doesn't disappoint. Little Beefcake gets plenty of page time, and he's a total scene stealer. Of course, this one is for Nash and Emerson, and they are so good together. The chemistry is almost palpable, even when they're butting heads. They both have some things to learn along the way, especially about change and learning to let go. All of this adds up to another terrific couple in a series I can't get enough of. Magnolia Falls has become one of my favorite places to visit, and its characters have become friends I can visit with from time to time. 



Memories of MK-Ultra Virtual Book Tour

  Coming of Age / Psychological /Historical Thriller / Metaphysical     Memories of MK-ULTRA traces the development of three s...