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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
carvanz has commented on (174) products
Slay My Name
by
Cynthia Eden
carvanz
, April 24, 2024
Okay, I did NOT see that coming! Dee is an incredibly strong heroine and an integral part of the Night Watch Agency. Her backstory was heart wrenching yet it is the reason she is such a fierce hunter. Simon was mysterious and captured my attention from the beginning. Obviously, I knew he would win Dee’s heart, but holy heaven and hades, I never knew things were going to get so complicated. Slay My Name has all the elements that I absolutely adore in a paranormal romance. Its intensity was part of the hook for me. I loved when the unexpected happened or the pressure of the storyline continued to build to the point I was chewing my nails down. The secondary characters were just as amazing as the main hero and heroine. They added so much flavor to the story. When you add in the crazy, hot and heavy action between Dee and Simon, I am in my very happy spot.
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Hunt Me Down
by
Cynthia Eden
carvanz
, April 23, 2024
This book ensnared me from the first few pages and I was a goner throughout it all. I loved the twisty beginnings to the mystery in Erin’s background as well as the case she and Jude are working on together. The build up in their relationship was organic without being contrived or overblown. I loved watching them grow closer, their trust as much a part of it as their chemistry. This was a pretty intense read. There’s a lot at work here and I never knew what was going to happen next or from what direction it was going to come from. I love when a story can keep me guessing and this one turned me in every direction. While this series is a re-release from the author, it’s new to me and I’m digging in as fast and as furious as I humanly can.
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Darling Girls
by
Sally Hepworth
carvanz
, April 23, 2024
I just recently discovered this author and have loved everything I’ve read. However, this beat the rest, hands down. This story kept me guessing. I was scrambling to figure out what exactly had happened in the past and trying to catch the twist before it was revealed. I failed. I loved the format this was written in with the labeled flashbacks as well as another point of view that was slowly unraveling throughout the story. Thus began the scrambling and the guessing. I have never flipped from back to front to back again and again as often as I did while reading this book. I was desperate to find the answers to my questions. This was such a great story filled with characters that were flawed but that called to me in a way I’ve not experienced before. As much as I was thrilled to learn all of their secrets, I hated to see their story end.
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Gathering
by
C J Tudor
carvanz
, April 09, 2024
I admit, I judged this book by the cover (I loved it!) and went into this without even reading the blurb. And I couldn’t have been more thrilled that I did so! This is so unlike any other vampire book I’ve read before. With an isolated Alaskan town as its backdrop, the feel of the story had a stark, cold undertone to it. Throughout the story I felt myself pulled back and forth between my suspicions of the who, what and why. While there were times that it all seemed so apparent, this author quickly twisted things around to make me question my beliefs. By the time I reached the end I felt limp and exhausted but deeply satisfied by this incredibly wild journey.
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One by One
by
Freida McFadden
carvanz
, April 02, 2024
This book is the very definition of unputdownable! With its steady pace and characters designed to make the reader question everyone's relationship and therefore their potential for being “Anonymous”, I found my mind whirling with each revelation. The deeper into the story I read, the more I began to suspect each character in turn. Then I suspected my own guesses were a result of my need to find the culprit before the author revealed everything and not based on facts given to me. From one page to the next my suspensions grew then diminished but I never suspected this ending…and it completely blew me away!
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Fighting for Reese
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, March 26, 2024
Reese and Cash were a great couple. I loved that Cash found everything about Reese attractive. Her attempts to wipe the smile from his face was cute as was the fact she failed each time. Their chemistry sizzled across the pages, especially when they had to go undercover as a married couple. This is romantic suspense at its finest. At every turn something was happening. I didn’t know which way to look in my quest to solve the crime before the author gave me the answer. Is it wrong that I loved it each time another body was found? I couldn't wait to learn what the heck was happening and why!
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The Trail of Lost Hearts
by
Tracey Graves
carvanz
, March 26, 2024
This story was so much more than I anticipated. It had everything I love and then some. I found myself completely taken by these characters. Through the first three-fourths of the book it’s mostly Wren but once Marshall begins to open up, I instantly connected with him on a deeper level than previously in the story. Both of these characters have been through some serious trials and they’re both looking for something to help them find a place of peace. I loved how this author brought them together and the organic way their relationship developed. I found myself in tears at times as well as moments of laughter at others. I was angry, hurt and delighted at varying stages and always cheering Wren on to find the perfect happiness in her life. This is an absolutely beautiful story that at times made me ache as I questioned what it was going to take for me to get my happy ending right along with this couple. This was not a straight shot for them or myself and the aching anticipation of it all added a deeper level to their journey and had me falling in love even more with this book.
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The Mystery Writer
by
Sulari Gentill
carvanz
, March 19, 2024
This was an enjoyable read. It’s a bit slow to start but then picks up. The characters are relatable and nicely developed. I especially liked Theo’s brother. The background has an interesting storyline running through it that definitely had its roots in some current issues. I was especially intrigued with that layer of the story. While this had me questioning the characters throughout the book, this was not a nail biter for me and I never found myself amazed by any huge twists. In fact, just when it felt like things were picking up and the author was going to give us some intense moments, the end rushed in and explained itself rather than allow me to experience it.
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Bye Baby
by
Carola Lovering
carvanz
, March 05, 2024
This story started with a leap and I immediately found myself hanging on for the whole ride. I needed to know why this had happened, how this had happened, and what the end result would be. Initially, I struggled to connect and like the characters but as the story progressed I began to accept their imperfections as those traits that are often hidden from public view. After all, we all have them. Once I released my need to love these women completely, I began to connect with them on a deeper level. I both loved and disliked them for some of their choices. It really kept me on an emotional roller coaster. This is written through both women’s points of view as well as flashbacks that were clearly marked and easy enough to follow along with. The writing is pure perfection and I never once found my mind wandering.
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The Women
by
Kristin Hannah
carvanz
, February 06, 2024
Audiobook: Narrator - Julia Whelan Ms. Whelan did an amazing job of bringing this story from the pages and straight into my heart. Her narration was such that I failed to recognize her as narrator as she brought each character to life in unique and diverse ways. Her voice coaxed me in and kept me there. Rarely have I experienced a performance such as this. What an amazing story! This was so much more than I was expecting. I knew this author would keep things authentic, but holy heck, I never realized how it was going to send me on an emotional roller coaster. The scenes written here were so vivid I ached. I felt the agony, the struggle and the complete desolation these characters experienced. And oh my, their strength, not only for themselves but for the women standing next to them. This is a story that will stay with me forever. Heroine POV Triggers are as expected in a tale of war, destruction and death While there are a few elements of romance, this is not a romance
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To Woo & to Wed
by
Martha Waters
carvanz
, February 06, 2024
I loved this book! It was so much fun to read. I loved all the characters, especially since many are old friends from the previous books. But I absolutely adored West and Sophie. Sophie was easy to connect with and her attempt to make sure her sister was moving forward in life endeared her to me. West’s story line often had me welling up with emotion. He had been through more than any one person should ever have to endure and I longed for him to find his perfect “happily ever after”. This is a second chance romance with flashbacks to the beginning of things and then following through the years afterwards. They were clearly marked and I found them to be the perfect tool to connect me with the struggle and angst that each character had suffered. Along with those moments of deep emotion, this is filled with the perfect amount of humor and plenty of steam making this a well rounded read and deeply satisfying. This can be read as a stand alone but would be better understood with the series.
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Edge of Nowhere
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, February 05, 2024
Oh my gosh! I’ve been waiting for Wapi’s story from the moment he first stepped onto the page. His past with Lindsey is wrought with pain and heartache for both of them. I liked that they were both struggling with strong emotions. For Wapi it was his own actions along with guilt and for Lindsey it was actions that were out of her control. Lindsey’s feisty nature and Wapi’s fierce loyalty was everything that I love. Their sizzling heat was the icing on top without overrunning the story. This is a rich and layered storyline that kept me reading when I needed to set it aside. The characters, drama and mystery kept me completely captivated and the characters from so many of this author’s other series had me absolutely giddy. While this could be read as a stand alone, I recommend you read the previous books.
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Hwy 550
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, February 02, 2024
I’ve been waiting for Luna’s story but I never could have predicted what it was going to be. She is fire when it comes to her job and standing up for herself or those she cares about. However, there is a side of her that is damaged and broken. A part that she never shares. Until Ouray. And holy heck, he was absolutely the one person that could show her a different way. I loved how tender this rough and tough biker could be. He had already shown his strength leading his club into a better path. I really liked that he could be protective over Luna but also respected her independence and abilities enough to let her stand on her own. Within all the romance and danger is a storyline regarding a young boy that literally broke my heart to read it. I loved that Luna was able to bond with him in a way others were not. This is actually filled with a whole cast of characters that are easy to love and cheer on. Definitely my favorite of the series. May be read as a standalone
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Cabin 12
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, February 02, 2024
This was loaded with drama, intrigue, personal issues, family and romance. I loved that Bella was strong and independent even as she had faults and insecurities. Her struggle with depression was written with a sensitive hand and I really appreciated the way that it was dealt with within the story. Jasper was amazing in the way he protected her but was also able to give her the space she needed. I couldn’t ask for a more caring, strong, yet sensitive, hero. The story line kept me engaged. I was able to connect to the characters and found them all endearing. I loved Bella’s family and found them and her coworker to be great additions to the story. As always, this author weaves a bit of humor throughout making sure that I not only swoon at times, I cry a bit and laugh as well. This is beautifully written and one that I highly recommend. It can be read as a stand alone.
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Keeping 6
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, January 31, 2024
I loved Kerry! She was a real spitfire and her attitude captured Damian’s attention and held it. This story line was intriguing and the further into the mystery I went, the more captivated I was. My imagination was running free with each turn of the page as the case Damian is working on hits close to home where Kerry is concerned. Interwoven with the bits of danger and drama was a heart melting romance. Kerry and Damian are fire together and I loved every moment of their journey to a perfect happy ever after.
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Accidentally His
by
Sabrina Jeffries
carvanz
, January 23, 2024
We have Verity! I was so excited to get my hands on this book. I’ve loved everything about this sister and couldn’t wait to see how her story was going to play out. To be paired up with her phantom? Oh my! It was absolutely thrilling! I appreciated Verity’s strength and independence. For a woman of her time she was more than capable of doing her part in the sister’s business as well as holding her own within society. It was so fun to watch her meeting with Rafe and her suspicions of him being her Jack in the Green. As they continue to meet, her suspicions continue to grow and I couldn’t wait to find out what her reaction was going to be. While Rafe isn’t the most alpha of heroes in this series, he won my heart not only by his relationship with his uncle, but by his concern over Verity’s reaction when his truth would be revealed. And just because he wasn’t the most alpha does not mean he didn’t hold his own. His actions with Verity were hot and steamy as well as deeply, achingly protective. And oh my! At one point my heart just ached for him. This was so much fun reading! It’s filled with everything I love about historical romance and it felt genuine to the time. With the perfect blend of humor, mystery, steamy goodness and angst, this was pure perfection for me. Add in the fact that at one time I found myself actually welling up and swallowing down tears, and this makes my first favorite of the year.
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Hunter Reborn
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, January 02, 2024
This was absolutely fascinating! I loved Larissa and Aiden’s unique history. Their story kept me engaged from the first pages. I was anxious to find out exactly what had happened to Larissa and how it was all going to play out for Aiden and her both. This had so many twists and turns. I was unable to predict what might happen next. I loved both of these characters. Their journey was not typical of shifter romance which made it all the more exciting. My heart hurt for them both as they struggled with the past and the present. While this was a bit angsty in places, it was not overwhelming. The addition of past characters and the introduction of new ones added to my overall enjoyment of this book.
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Frostbitten
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, January 02, 2024
Another AMAZING addition to a series that is one of my top favorites, ever! I absolutely love this author’s heroes, but she also does heroines that are impossible to forget and Millie is definitely going to be one of those. She is inventive and quirky and her unique abilities had me wishing she were real and in my life. I loved absolutely everything about her. Once the story line kicks in and we learn what has happened with her, it was gut wrenching. Scott was perfect for Millie. He was sweet and kind, and not a pushy alpha male that would trample all over her. That’s not to say he wasn’t protective, because he is that and so much more. I loved the organic way their relationship developed and his progression into falling for her. This story line was a bit darker than expected but not so dark as to turn me away. I actually found this to be impossible to put down. The earlier cast of the series makes an appearance and I have to say that Wolf and Cat once more stole every scene they were in. I will never get tired of him and his own quirky ways. He’s a great big, scary marshmallow. When you add that with Roscoe's crazy behaviors, the tone of the story is leveled and absolutely perfect.
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Avenger's Heat
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, December 28, 2023
This starts off full tilt! Within moments I was pulled into the story and completely consumed. Erin and Noah's journey had a more angsty feel to it and as her history is revealed I was swamped with all the feels. I'm usually focused on the hero, leaving the heroine to be something that highlights his actions. (Sorry, I'm an old soul who grew up on Harlequin.) However, I quickly changed tracks with Erin. She was a fierce, independent, and fiery character that won me over immediately. The fact that Noah recognized her abilities and allowed her to step forward made me love him even more. This was a fast paced read with a lot of action, moments that moved my heart, characters that made me laugh, and plenty of sizzle. I'm absolutely in love with this series.
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Kisses Like Rain
by
Charmaine Pauls
carvanz
, December 05, 2023
Whoa!!! This took a dark, dramatic and gut wrenching turn! Holy heck, I wasn’t sure if I was going to survive it. Sabella shows what she’s really made of even as she is forced down a road she never saw coming. I was barely breathing through it all and my heart ached for her in every way. Angelo learns some hard truths that shine a light so bright on his own actions that I thought he might shatter. And then the story unraveled into a darkness so black that I was clutching my kindle with both hands and could not look away. This is not a stand alone and it comes with strong warnings for sensitive readers. I’ve loved every book in this series, but Kisses Like Rain made them all look like bubble gum candy.
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Other Mothers
by
Katherine Faulkner
carvanz
, December 05, 2023
This had so many twists and turns towards the end, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I was anxious for the final revelation. I admit, I never once guessed correctly with any real substance to the reasoning for my guess. I enjoyed the occasional dark feel that this author created as well. It helped to add to the tension. While I was intrigued throughout the majority of this story, I found myself struggling at times to connect with the main character. With a cast that was designed to raise suspicions, I found myself needing to feel a strong attachment to Tash that never really happened. The changing points of view added to a bit of the build up as one of the points of view was on a count down. I enjoyed that format even if it did start to feel a little long towards the end.
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Beautiful Chains
by
Anna Zaires
carvanz
, November 29, 2023
Audiobook: Narrators - C.J. Bloom and Ryan West Oh my gosh! Ryan West was amazing!!! This is my first time listening to him and from his first words I was a goner. He was perfect as Alexei. This wasn’t just a narration, this was two narrators giving life and portraying it through their voices. It was awesome and I loved every moment of their performances. Wow! I didn’t see this coming, at all! All of Alexei’s machinations have finally paid off and he has Alina where he wants her. Except she isn’t giving in completely. While the chemistry between them controls much of their reactions, outside that she is standing strong against Alexei’s plans. At least she’s trying to. I love Alexei in all his alpha glory. He’s an anti-hero that has kept me guessing up to this point. Beautiful Chains gives us his point of view and holy heck was it delicious. He’s determined to have Alina and all that goes along with that. This has a huge cliffhanger and I’m not sure I’m going to be able to wait until the next book is released.
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Alpha Instinct
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, November 28, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! Ana and Connor were a great couple. Their journey to each other began when they were young and it’s taken years to bring them back. While Ana had to work on trusting him, Connor had his own issue that had to be overcome. I liked that both of their problems were dealt with organically as they were dealing with the outside threat to their pack. This is a revised edition of a previously published book. I loved that it didn’t lose the feel of a classic shifter romance. It has all the alpha goodness, all the danger and drama as well all the steam I adore. This has a deep down earthy, raw feeling to it that is hard to come by in a lot of paranormal romances.
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The Whole Time
by
Catherine Bybee
carvanz
, November 14, 2023
This was such a great addition to the series! Salena is struggling to stand on her own feet and prove her independence to her family. It’s a very real struggle that I could relate to although she has a bit of drama with her separation from her parents. Watching her find herself in the midst of falling in love added a bit of angst to this storyline. Her ultimate victory over her hurdles made this an even better story. Ryan was incredible. He was the type of hero that I enjoy reading when it comes to pursuing the heroine. While he wasn’t all alpha rough and tough, he was thoughtful and determined. The banter between him and Salena was fun and kept me engaged as their relationship grew. This is probably one of my favorite books of the series although it’s a hard call to make. Quite possibly it’s my favorite because it’s the latest one I’ve read as I have loved each book. While this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend you enjoy the previous books.
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Onyx
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, November 06, 2023
As much as I hate to see this series end, what a spectacular way to end it! Entering into the world of thoroughbred horses and its elite lifestyle, Raj/Onyx finds herself in the center of GEM’s investigation as Jacob guides her from behind the scenes. However, the time has come for him to step out of the dark and his entrance had me shaken, excited, and filled with questions. There is so much more to this story and this series than I ever imagined. I was completely consumed with Jacob and Raj and loved the little twist and turns this author gave us throughout this book. This is filled with drama and danger along with some intense chemistry between these characters. I found myself gobbling this down as quickly as possible, reluctant to set this aside for even a moment.
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When Im Dead A Black Harbor Novel
by
Hannah Morrissey
carvanz
, October 31, 2023
This was a nice way to kick off my October mystery reads. The inclusion of a goth teenage girl who is missing, the creepy town and it’s oppression on the main characters, and grisly murders all added to the dark suspense that was this book. This does not have a lot of twists and nothing that took me totally by surprise, but it also didn’t try to lead me down the wrong path. I was definitely involved with the main characters as they tried to solve the crime but I did feel that their actions regarding their own missing child was not realistic. I kept waiting for them to plaster flyers all around town, contact the news media, and have a widespread search. Nevertheless, the mystery itself kept me engaged. I liked that there were different points of view and each one was plainly stated so as not to confuse the reader. The ending wrapped everything up nicely and left me satisfied but a tad disappointed that this story wasn’t darker.
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West Heart Kill
by
Dann McDorman
carvanz
, October 24, 2023
This is presented in a highly unique style that made it difficult for me to connect with, not only the characters, but the story as a whole. I usually read a book from beginning to end within a couple of days if not hours but I found myself opening and closing this one in a battle to get it read. It was a bit exhausting for me. I believe there are readers who are going to love this style, but I’m looking for a more traditional read with great twists and not one that I have to work so hard to enjoy.
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How the Hitman Stole Christmas
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, October 24, 2023
This was a super cute reverse sunshine-grumpy romance decorated with a dash of action and suspense. I never thought I'd enjoy a grumpy heroine but I absolutely loved Elliana's disgruntlement towards all things Christmas. Especially because of Theo's determination to bring her Christmas cheer. This is novella length but it has all that makes for a longer read and written in a way that I didn't feel short changed. Theo and Elliana were so much fun together. I loved how he had "murdery" reactions when his protective instincts kicked into overdrive regarding her. Characters we've previously met were included and the overall feeling was one of a close knit family. There is plenty of steam but it doesn't consume the whole book. This is a perfect read to kick off the holidays.
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Quiet Room Rabbits Book 2
by
Terry Miles
carvanz
, October 04, 2023
This started off with a nice little push that had me falling head first down the rabbit hole. I soon found myself questioning what the heck was happening? There were times I felt a bit lost. However, things would pick back up and I was riding along with enthusiasm again. The characters were likable and I enjoyed the two different perspectives between Emily, who was looking for the game, and Rowan who had just stumbled onto a new way of thinking. He’s learning it as he goes. I found myself a bit confused this time around and not as much of a fan of this book as I was the first one. I enjoyed it well enough but I do think you’d be best to read book one before attempting this one.
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Hate Like Honey
by
Charmaine Pauls
carvanz
, October 03, 2023
Oh my gawd! This was crazy intense!!! I was totally captivated by Sabella’s and Angelo's story as it picks up where the first book ends. My heart ached for Sabella as she made a choice only to be caught up in a force too strong for her to fight. Angelo is fierce in his actions and reactions to her and there were so many times that I found myself growing uncomfortable with the situation and yet I couldn’t stop reading. This is layered with so many wicked twists due to both Sabella’s and Angelo’s decisions. I somewhat suspected a few of them, but there were many that took me by surprise. And then there was the final action that left me gasping in shock. Ms. Pauls has totally taken this story and her readers for a wild ride that, so far, has left me feeling wrecked but wanting more.
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Warrior's Hope
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, October 03, 2023
Holy heck! How did I not imagine this ending? This series introduced Hope, Paxton and Drake when they were children. Through each book, a little more information was given about them and the tension escalated as to what their ultimate roles would be. Especially Hope’s. I admit, I’ve loved this story arc and I’m disappointed that it’s over. It seems too fast. I wanted more of them as children/teenagers/young adults. Nevertheless, this trio is grown and it’s time that their destinies play out. I never imagined it going in this direction and I was enthralled with each turn of the page. Once the relationships settled themselves down, the question of Ulric, and Hope’s place in it all took center stage. And then BAM! This author took the resolution into a way I never imagined and I absolutely LOVED it! This is a fast paced read despite having plenty of meat on its bones. It’s filled with danger, drama and intensity, including the sizzling chemistry between Hope and Paxton. Highly recommend this book wrapped up in this series.
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Black River Orchard
by
Chuck Wendig
carvanz
, September 26, 2023
What a dark, twisted read! This was so much more than I expected! From the first page I was pulled into this story and with every flip from one character’s point of view to the next I found myself anxious over what was going to happen. And then as events unfolded, I was transfixed and utterly captivated by the tale this author was laying out. Even when my suspicions were correct, I was still unable to stop reading, such is the storytelling here. I felt the pull of this book when life demanded I get busy. I found myself turning the story over and around in my mind and trying to figure it all out and then diving back in each time I found a moment to open it back up. I highly recommend this to those that enjoy a story with flawed characters, a dark, horrific storyline, and twists that you might see coming but still amazingly will spin you in circles.
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Peaches and Dreams
by
Smartypants Romance and Juliette Cross
carvanz
, September 21, 2023
I LOVED this cute, fun, steamy contemporary romance with characters that felt real to me in every way! Marly was such a sassy fireball that immediately had Wade snapping at attention. She was everything a grumpy hero could ever need and more. I loved that she brought him out of his disgruntled outlook and into a whole new way of living life. In the process of trying to not let Crazy Marley affect him, Wade did the complete opposite and fell fast and hard. He was such a strong alpha male with his protective ways. It hit all the right spots for me. I love when a hero is ferocious in his protection and that was exactly what Wade was. This is filled with lots of fun and laughter, great friends and characters that made me feel like I was a part of the small community. There was a time or two the angst ratcheted up and my heartstrings were definitely pulled or I feared for what might happen. It was perfectly written and had a nice meaty feel to it all. This is a book that I would highly recommend for any reason when looking for a quality romance.
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Forged From Ice
by
Cynthia Eden
carvanz
, September 19, 2023
Forged From Ice is a white hot, intense, action packed read!!! From their first meeting, Cassidy turned Titan inside out and every which way but loose. The fact that he was drawn to her even before meeting her face to face was enough to let me know I was going to absolutely love him. And holy heck did I ever! His protective instincts went into overdrive and I loved the fact that she would step between him and danger as well. Of course, that only drove him closer to the edge. Cassidy was an interesting heroine. She had a certain amount of innocence about her despite the experiences that had created a spine of steel within her. And despite her brush with darkness, she was like a ray of sunshine to Titan. I loved how her ways of adapting to her new way of life were things that brought smiles to both him and myself. But my heart broke because she was suffering emotionally from what she had witnessed and experienced. This is a fast paced read filled with danger that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. The chemistry between this couple absolutely sizzles across the page and the ending gave me my promised happy ever after while also promising more in the Ice Breaker world.
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Every Duke Has His Day
by
Suzanne Enoch
carvanz
, September 19, 2023
This book was so darn cute and fun! I absolutely loved Michael and Bitsy! A grumpy - sunshine trope is one of my favorite tropes. The fact that Michael was a science nerd and a hermit added to my enjoyment of this story. I loved that he could be grumpy and still likable. He was actually a real sweetheart. Bitsy was exactly what Michael needed to get out of the lab. Well, her and a crazy twisted dognapping scheme that just kept getting more and more twisted. I found myself smiling and laughing through the whole book. This also has a sweet little love story for the dognapper that I adored! And I couldn't believe it when I reached the end and realized this is extremely low steam. And I never missed it!!! Now THAT'S how romance is done.
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Stranger Upstairs
by
Lisa Matlin
carvanz
, September 12, 2023
Wow! This was a wild, twisted ride! I thought I knew where this was going, and to some extent I was a little bit right, but only because it was one of the several running suspicions I had. I could never fully rest on the solution. And even that was so far from the ultimate conclusion. I was left feeling as if I had been run through with a wrecking ball. While I was never a fan of the protagonist, and this bothered me for much of the story, once things started to unravel it no longer mattered. I loved how the truth of what was happening was slowly revealed allowing my imagination to run wild and my expectations to ramp up. By the time I reached the end I was flush with amazement at the intricate web this author laid out for me. This is well worth the read and made even more so by the author’s note at the end. I applaud her for her journey and look forward to anything else she chooses to release into the world in the future.
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Catch Her Death
by
Melinda Leigh
carvanz
, September 12, 2023
Bree is a phenomenal heroine. She is strong and independent but not without faults and I love that about her. Matt is the perfect counterpoint for her and I adore the fact that he knows when to step in and when to simply be there for her. Things are hitting extremely close to home for Bree as evil threatens her loved ones. This was a pulse pounding read as the story unfolds and pulled me further in with each turn of the page. I am really enjoying this series. Each book is a standalone although relationships develop and change with each installment.
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Scenes of the Crime
by
Jilly Gagnon
carvanz
, September 05, 2023
I was excited to jump into this book and loved the whole premise of the story. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The cast of characters has a variety of personalities to make up the group of friends. Other than the main character, Emily, I struggled to really connect with any of them. The format of going back and forth between the story and the screenplay was difficult when I had to use my text-to-speech feature. However, when reading directly it made more sense but I still was never sure if the screenplay was supposed to be true as it happened, or fictional in the way she could imagine it would happen. The mystery itself never really captured my attention to any real degree as I was pretty sure what had happened almost from the beginning. The rest was just going through the motions to get to the end result. While it was still enjoyable enough, it just didn’t hit the mark for me.
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Love Like Poison
by
Charmaine Pauls
carvanz
, September 05, 2023
Wow! What a great beginning to this new series! And holy heck, what a cliffhanger!!! Angelo is an alpha male extraordinaire! He’s still young, but you’d never know it by his thoughts and plans. His actions towards Sabella do not reveal to her the depth and length he is willing to go and I suspect, as a reader, even I’m not aware of how far he will go. But this author has definitely set it up to where it’s feeling like there may not be a limit to what he will do to get what he wants. He’s already pushed the line to extremes. I just don’t think we’ve seen his limit by any means. Sabella is still young, innocent and a bit naive. She’s in the first blush of love and my heart ached for her because I knew what was happening in the background of her life. I was completely caught up in her story and anxious for each page I turned as something new was revealed or circumstance changed. I’m curious to see how her character continues to develop as the series continues and she matures. This is a fast read but it really laid out everything we are going to need to know moving forward as well as setting a few things in line for the continuing storyline. There is definitely a sense of impending doom to the whole situation on Sabella’s side. As for Angelo, I’m totally invested in what he's going to do and how things will play out. I believe this hero is going to take us all for quite a ride!
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Pearl
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, August 25, 2023
I’m absolutely LOVING this series!!! Pearl/Janey is a sassy spitfire with walls ten feet tall built around her and she is using all of her feistiness to keep Lee at bay. Her history is heartbreaking yet the reason she has the strength to do the job she does. Lee is the perfect man for her as he finds her amusing and loves all her smart mouthed ways. As their story unfolds, what he goes through and experiences made me love him all the harder. This deals with some highly sensitive issues but is written in a way that never feels invasive or overblown. It’s fast paced with a good dose of action. While things move a little slower for this couple than other couples this author has written, it does not lack the chemistry or steam. This could be read as a standalone but would be enjoyed more if book one is read first.
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Earl to Remember
by
Stacy Reid
carvanz
, August 22, 2023
This was absolutely delightful! And I have never used that word to describe a book I’ve read but it’s the only one that fits. I loved everything about this story. Daniel was a bit of a bounder and his initial reactions to an accusation against the heroine had me fuming along with Georgianna. So yeah, bring on the revenge!!! And that’s when a side I never expected to see began to emerge and Daniel was the sweetest thing. I adored his relationship with Georgianna’s siblings. I also liked his willingness to jump in where needed. I don’t believe this side of him would have been apparent without the storyline as it was. Georgianna was a strong, independent heroine. But then again, she really didn’t have a choice. However, her dedication to her profession as well as taking care of her family had me cheering her on. Together, this couple were just too much fun. I loved every moment of this story and it ended way too soon. This was a fast paced read that never bogged down and was relatively low angst throughout. The drama is low, the laughs abundant and the steam sizzling.
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Death
by
Laura Thalassa
carvanz
, August 18, 2023
Each book in this series has totally engulfed me but by the time I reached this one, it all kicked into overdrive. Death wasn’t messing around and his back and forth with Lazarus was at first intense misery as they battled each other before slowly morphing into beautiful agony as her feelings began to change. And yet Death was still bound by his mission. I liked how the previous horsemen played a role in the steps that Lazarus took. She was the perfect counterpoint to Death and the very thing he needed to learn about life. His fall into humanity was excruciating at times as this story kept my emotions running high. I would have never thought I would root for a hero that was the opposite of life and love to the extent he was and yet he had a way about him that had me falling for him. He was a bit naive and actually had a romantic heart at times. Overall, this series was definitely one of the top series I’ve ever read. I loved the very nature of the storyline, the fact that these are heroes that I would never expect to cheer for and should probably never gain redemption. And yet here I am. Happy, content and a bit sad that it’s all over. So glad I chose to dive in.
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Famine
by
Laura Thalassa
carvanz
, August 18, 2023
This series absolutely slays me every time! Famine, the third book in The Four Horsemen series is just as raw and gritty as the previous two but carries its own unique flavor that left my heart pounding, my eyes wet with tears, and my expectations more than met. I loved Ana so much! She was a scrappy fighter, strong and determined, and despite how she's had to live her life her heart is soft and warm to the humanity that Famine is destroying. Her ability to stand up to him had me cheering her on even in the face of those moments when it might have been wiser to step down. Famine was just as bad-@$$ as his brothers. However, there was an additional edge about him I was not expecting that made me cautious as to how far he would go. I loved that this author created him in a way that made me both love and fear him.
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War
by
Laura Thalassa
carvanz
, August 17, 2023
Should I say “Holy Hades!” or “Oh my god!” because we’re talking about War here and while he’s a heavenly sent creation, he is after all, war. This book starts a bit slower than Pestilence, but once it hits its stride it’s a horror filled, drama rich, emotional read. I was expecting this to be a copycat of book one, but it is far from that. With an engaging, if often times troubling, plot and characters that are uniquely developed, I was drawn into this story to the point I didn’t want to stop when real life interfered. Together, this couple kept me glued to the pages of my Kindle. The romantic angle of this story isn’t in your face. It’s a subtle change in the characters' reactions, thoughts, emotions and beliefs. While we don’t get War’s point of view, it’s apparent his war-hardened heart softens towards Miriam and we are never in doubt as to where his emotions lay, even if those emotions are murky at times. This is a story rife with brutality, scenes that will make you cringe, decisions that will have you shaking your head, and surprises that will make you gasp out loud. And at the heart of it all is War and Miriam, a battle between two people who are polar opposites, and the demand for surrender.
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You Can Die
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, July 25, 2023
I absolutely love this series! Laurel is a unique heroine, a little on the spectrum I would guess. Her mind retains information beyond the norm. This makes for a very good agent and a great read. Huck really shined as he fully steps in as the alpha type hero I love. He was protective without running roughshod over Laurel. Not that she would ever let him. I adore the way he is keyed in to her idiosyncrasies and understands how to communicate with her. Together they make a fascinating couple. This had so many twists. I was fiercely trying to figure out who the killer was and I loved that it kept me guessing. Laurel's suspicions of Abigail grows as does my own and it just feels like things are getting close to some type of showdown between them. Abigail definitely has me skeeved out.
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Pestilence
by
Laura Thalassa
carvanz
, July 22, 2023
Oh man, oh man, oh man!!! This is the MOST amazing book! I loved every freaking moment of it. A story about the apocalypse is not one you would usually consider to be romantic. However, when you put a strong, determined woman into the path of Pestilence, one of the four horsemen, and mix in just the right amount of humor, kindness and mercy, you couldn’t be more wrong. I loved Sara and all her quirky one liners. Her internal monologue had me smiling and chuckling throughout this story. And then, even as I was still smiling over one of her witticisms, the truth of Pestilence’s purpose would reinforce itself and I was left gasping for breath or fighting against tears. Pestilence is a hero unlike any I have ever read before. There is no insta-anything going on here. He has a task to complete and the end result will be a world of illness and death. He would be the first to proclaim he has no humanity and his actions certainly give proof to that. If you think this is some trick and he’s not really killing masses of people, think again. He is the ultimate anti-hero and I absolutely loved him.
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Block Party
by
Jamie Day
carvanz
, July 18, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! While the characters might not have been the most likable, their story was fascinating. With flashbacks that laid out all the players and their possible motives, I was constantly flipping through each of them as either the killer or victim. I really liked that this author did not let me know who had been killed until the end. It kept me turning pages and guessing. Definitely an enjoyable read.
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Block Party
by
Jamie Day
carvanz
, July 18, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! While the characters might not have been the most likable, their story was fascinating. With flashbacks that laid out all the players and their possible motives, I was constantly flipping through each of them as either the killer or victim. I really liked that this author did not let me know who had been killed until the end. It kept me turning pages and guessing. Definitely an enjoyable read.
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Dead of Winter
by
Darcy Coates
carvanz
, July 11, 2023
This was everything I hoped for! I loved the atmosphere of the story once things really started heating up. Isolated in a frozen area without a way to reach authorities as one by one the travelers are being killed off in the most brutal of ways had me skittish and curled up in expectation of the next scene of horror that would play out. I loved the setup of the story and the characters were all very well developed and kept me guessing. I did guess the killer at one point but I admit, I moved on to someone else and then someone else as I was never certain the who and why of it all. The author gives tidbits of information along the way that had me constantly reaching for the next dangling carrot as it was never enough. The ending was satisfying and I’m questioning why this is my first book by this author. It certainly will not be the last.
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Must Love Flowers
by
Debbie Macomber
carvanz
, July 11, 2023
Oh my gosh, this is the best summer read I've ever experienced! This is the story of two women, each stuck in places in their lives that does not bring them peace. My heart hurt for them both as they fought for change in their lives and I loved the immediate connection they had and the resulting friendship that developed. The addition of a romantic interest for each of them was icing on the cake of this warm and rich storyline. I loved that the relationships were unique and separate from each other. Their conclusions filled my heart with warmth and contentment.
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Fear The Silence: Three can keep a secret... If two of them are dead
by
Robert Bryndza
carvanz
, July 10, 2023
I loved the initial feel of this story and was on the edge of my seat anxious to know where it was going. However, once it moved full steam ahead into the mystery with a bit of evidence here and there, it soon lost its dark, intriguing quality. While it settled into a nice enough mystery, I found it to be somewhat ordinary. There was a small twist but nothing that shook me. Overall, this was an enjoyable enough read and would have been even more so had I not had different expectations of it.
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Beginning of Forever
by
Catherine Bybee
carvanz
, June 27, 2023
This was such a fun, sweet, relaxing story that had me settling down and letting it wrap the romance around me. I’ve been waiting for Gio’s story as he’s been a favorite since the beginning of the series and I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation Emma found herself in each step of the way. Their journey kept me engaged, laughing at times, and loving each new locale. But most of all, I was falling in love with them falling in love. Through all the merriment, their chemistry was apparent and when they finally came together, it was electric! As I was pleasantly following along, I was labeling this as just a good old fashioned love story, relatively low on angst and high on steam. Until this author gave me a twist I never saw coming. And holy heck. My gut ached and my heart was wrenched. Suddenly I was biting my nails and quietly swearing. I loved every moment of it. This has a wild cast of characters as travel companions, the warm embrace of the D’Angelos and an epilogue that left me smiling from ear to ear.
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Ancient Guardian
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, June 27, 2023
Holy fire breathing dragons! Orion wins, hands down, for all-time favorite dragon shifter! Violet’s first look at Orion set me up for some amazing moments of revelation. Getting to the place where she learns everything had me anxious every step of the way. Orion was the perfect alpha dragon and I could not get enough of him as he fiercely protected her all while he found his place in this new world he had awakened to. I absolutely love this post-apocalyptic universe created around humans and paranormals. Orion and Violet were quite possibly my favorite as it gave me such a great feel of the world from both their points of view. The secondary characters, as always, added so much to the story. And with such rich tidbits shared along the way, I’m excited for who I hope will be the focus of the next book.
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He's My Cowboy
by
Diana Palmer and Rebecca Zanetti and Delores Fossen
carvanz
, June 22, 2023
This is a wonderful trio of cowboy romances. They are filled with great characters and each has its own mystery to solve. The spice is low with the exception of Ms. Fossen's A Cowboy Kind of Romance. She really lets it shine without being highly explicit. I loved being back in Redemption in Zanetti's Rescue: Rancher Style and look forward to future books in this world. While these are all novella length, none of them left me feeling short changed. This makes for a perfect summer read.
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The Quiet Tenant
by
Cl�mence Michallon
carvanz
, June 20, 2023
This book gripped me from its first pages. I was completely taken in by the characters and constantly uncertain where things were going. I absolutely could not put it down! Written from a variety of points of views, I quickly learned to pay attention to each chapter title as it informed me from whose perspective that chapter was going to be from. And that’s when I wondered just what the heck I had gotten myself into. As a true crime buff, I was eating this up as quickly as I could. And I could not put it down! This held no huge twists or turns and no great surprises, although there were a few small ones. While I am usually looking for that jolt of excitement with a twist, I did not need it here as this story kept me on tether hooks through the whole thing. My adrenaline was spiked through the majority of this book and I could not put it down! Overall, this book was one I won’t soon forget and in case I failed to mention it, I could not put it down!
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Puzzle Master
by
Danielle Trussoni
carvanz
, June 13, 2023
Talk about twists and turns, The Puzzle Master has them all! I really liked Brink and was fascinated by his history that gave him his present-day talents. I loved watching him solve the puzzles put before him. Some took a bit more than others but those little journeys were part of what kept me engaged. I did get bogged down a bit when the mathematics and ancient religion were dealt with on a larger scale. This book covers just about every genre there is which lead me into a suspenseful thriller filled with moments of horror, paranormal activity and a mystery that was centuries in the making. Oh, and a tiny dab of romance. There were some time jumps along the way, but they were not hard to follow.
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Finally Mine
by
Lucy Score
carvanz
, June 10, 2023
Oh my gosh! I absolutely LOVED this book! Aldo was such a sweet, warm-hearted hero. His longing for Gloria was never in question. Even when things went south for him, his thoughts were of her. I fell in love with his wit and charm in the first book of this series, and he grew all the sweeter, all the more charming in this one. He’s definitely a top favorite hero for me. Gloria had a rough, rocky, nightmarish past and I loved that she found the fortitude to break free from that on her own. After all that bad, to find something so perfectly imperfect with Aldo had me feeling all the things. I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering them on. This is exactly what I look for when settling down with a romance. This is a bit long but it never lost my attention or made me want to skim. I was glued to every word, every action, and every emotion throughout this story. And then the author made sure I would always remember these characters by giving me not one, but two epilogues filled with love, laughter and family.
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You Look Beautiful Tonight: A Thriller
by
L. R. Jones
carvanz
, June 01, 2023
I enjoyed the mystery that slowly opened itself up to Mia. This story includes time jumps from the past to the present but it was written in a way that I never felt confused but rather intrigued as the author gives us a piece of the puzzle a little at a time along the way. I liked that it basically starts at the end before retracing the steps that put the heroine in this situation. It really built up the anticipation for me. There are a lot of twists and turns that left me guessing and by the time I had figured it out, the author was revealing everything. This has a slower pace to it and a bit of unbelievability but I’m a lenient reader and was fine with suspending belief when actions called for it. Overall, I found this to be an interesting read that kept me engaged from the beginning.
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WolfeBorn
by
Kathryn Le Veque
carvanz
, June 01, 2023
It’s been way too long since I’ve read a medieval romance and WolfeBorn was the perfect book to break the dry spell. I loved that an act of protection was the thing that brought this couple together. The fact that Katiana was a small child when this took place only added to the charm of their story. Once they are reunited their quick banter and witty flirtations solidified my total enjoyment in this book. While this does deal with a bit of political drama, it does not consume the story line but adds a touch of flavor to it. There is definitely some danger and struggle from a different source that had me turning the pages as fast as possible to reach the resolution. This was my first by this author and I’m definitely planning to dig deeper into her rich and luscious backlist.
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The New Mother
by
Nora Murphy
carvanz
, May 30, 2023
This book stirred up all kinds of emotions within me. I struggled to connect with the new mother, Natalie. Once I realized what was happening, I reminded myself that it is something many women go through and I was able to move forward with an open mind. There were all kinds of dark, depressing moments as she struggled to do what she felt needed to be done. The neighbor, Paul, kept me on pins and needles. I never knew what he was going to do or what his plan was. I wanted to like him. I wanted him to be a hero. I needed someone in this book to be a hero. One did eventually show up much to my relief. This has a huge build up and when things are just about to be revealed it cuts off and we are fast forwarded to life in the aftermath of it all. I felt a bit cheated that I didn’t get to see it all unfold. Natalie’s story was exhausting, which is a testament to this author’s writing, and the ending, while a bit whitewashed, was satisfying enough. Be sure to read the author’s note as it shines so much light on this story and this topic.
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Peril: Three Thrilling Tales of Taut Suspense
by
Kat Martin and Alexandra Ivy and Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, May 23, 2023
Redemption by Alexandra Ivy Great novella of a couple getting a second chance. It has some pretty strong emotions considering its length. The chemistry rang true between the hero and heroine although it is not saturated with smexy times. I was taken aback a few times as there were some very nice twists that I never saw coming. I really enjoyed the mystery side of this story. Rescue: Hero Style by Rebecca Zanetti I didn’t know that I could love a second chance romance as much as I did this one! The hero made a decision that affected their relationship and this story picks up afterwards. It is angsty but oh so sweet because the heroine makes him really work for it. I loved it! She was feisty and determined despite her heartache. He was just as determined to win her over again. This also had a lead up to danger and drama making this feel like a fuller story than what it actually is. One Last Kiss by Kat Martin I really liked that this hero misjudged the heroine and soon learned what she was really made of. That’s a trope that I enjoy everytime I come across it. Ms. Martin did a great job of bringing this couple together in a believable fashion for such a short book. I loved the way the common thread that ran through each book was resolved in this one.
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Opal
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, May 22, 2023
Wow! What a steamy, action packed thriller! I absolutely LOVED Opal and Mitch. They were explosive together as a couple and dangerously lethal to those they hunted. They each had pasts that led them into their line of work and while my heart ached for them, it helped them when confronted with the issues at hand. This is an intense story and covers crimes of a darker nature. The chemistry between Opal and Mitch sizzles throughout their story. Mixed together, this book was utterly riveting as it captured my attention and refused to let go. No sooner had I turned the last page and I was ready for the next book in this gripping new series by the queen of mature romance.
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Pretend Youre Mine
by
Lucy Score
carvanz
, May 09, 2023
This book has everything I love when getting lost in a story. Harper was such a fun heroine. She had some dark secrets but it didn’t stop her from being carefree and fun. I loved everything about her and I especially loved that she found a place to belong in Benevolence. Her story filled my heart with so much joy. Well, until things went south. And then my heart was wrecked. While Harper has some past issues, Luke does as well. And we’re talking some heavy duty weight on his shoulders. Harper was just what he needed but his stubborn brain wouldn’t allow him to take hold of the beauty in his life. I wanted to force him to wake up and see what was in front of him. This story is filled with some amazing characters. I loved how well the author developed this small town and all the wacky individuals who live there. Along with the fun, rambunctious friends and family, this also had some dark moments that were accented even more by the fact that, leading up to them, this had such a lighthearted feel to it. And holy heck, there was one part where my heart was literally shredded and I could not turn off the water works. Thank goodness this gave me the most perfect ending, even if I then shed tears of happiness.
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Bewitched
by
Laura Thalassa
carvanz
, April 18, 2023
Wow! I was not expecting this! I loved Selene! She’s the type of heroine I can totally get behind. Strong, confident and feisty, she’s also struggling due to an issue with her magic. I was constantly worrying about her each time she cast a spell. I wanted to mother her into reconsidering when she used it. I couldn’t help but try to predict what was going to happen next in the story and each time I was completely wrong. She’s definitely a unique heroine. Memnon gave me shivers. He was a dark and dangerous presence before he was fully embodied and looking for revenge. Built like a dark god and with immense power, he’s a force to be reckoned with. There was no way Selene could hold her own against him. He really knows how to woo a girl though, despite her determination to keep him away. He kept me on edge as to what his next actions were going to be. This is layered with so many smaller storylines that pulled me in and kept me engaged. I loved all the mystery, the uncertainty, and the overall feel of impending doom that effortlessly flowed through the story. It’s a longer book but was over way too fast and ended with a cliffhanger, dang it! How did I not know that? Nevertheless, I’m in it for the duration!
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Ancient Warrior
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, April 11, 2023
I loved the whole premise of Harlow and Aodh’s relationship. After reading the blurb I had questions. So many questions. And learning the answers to them was the best part of all. Filled with twists and turns and danger on a level unlike any I’ve read before, I was totally consumed with this book. While Harlow was more than capable of taking care of herself, Aodh's natural tendency was to protect. In doing so, he never crossed the line but stood beside her along the way ready to do his part when needed. They were awesome together and their chemistry burned through the pages each time they gave in to their desires. I loved the additional relationship surprise that popped up as well as what I hoped was a little tease to another world we might have more of in the future. There was also more of Willow and Hunter, which are always my favorite, but I’m not ready for them to grow up! With a cast of characters that add a rich layer to not only this book but the series, this is another incredible addition to the series!
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Travis
by
Mia Sheridan
carvanz
, April 04, 2023
Mia Sheridan does it again! Despite her painful past, Haven was a fun, quirky heroine that I loved immediately. She had so many little things about her that I connected with. My heart hurt throughout the book as the fact that she was there only temporarily was never forgotten. And oh my! I needed her to find peace, comfort, and security. Rarely do I have such strong emotions regarding a heroine but it was imperative that Haven have her happy ever after. While I knew she would, the angst of getting to that point just about killed me. I adored Travis! He was so caught up in Haven it was practically swoon worthy. The fact that he had a three legged cat as a little buddy pretty much finished the melting of my heart. His past was just as brutal as Haven’s but in a different way and watching these two characters find healing within themselves as they fell in love made for one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read in a while. It’s been years since I’ve read Archer’s Voice and I don’t remember if it included this wild and wacky cast of town characters or not. I want so much more of them! Hoping since this is a new series I’m going to see them all again. With a hero and heroine that were fractured but real, a storyline that had me laughing one moment and in tears the next, and a conclusion unlike any I’ve ever read before, I absolutely loved everything about this story!
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Soulmate
by
Sally Hepworth
carvanz
, April 03, 2023
Wow! This has some amazing twists and turns. I was enthralled from the moment Pippa glanced out to see the scene at the cliff. Holy heck! That set the atmosphere for me and I couldn’t wait to find out what it was all about. This has a slow but steady pace. Each chapter introduced me to another piece of the puzzle while oftentimes leaving me with more questions. Each new piece wasn’t always a surprise which only added to my overall amazement when everything was revealed. While I was never a true fan of any of the characters, there is no denying I couldn’t wait to find out the what, who, and why of it all.
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Bad Mother
by
Mia Sheridan
carvanz
, March 28, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book as it’s been years since I’ve read anything by this author and it was always romance. But just this title alone pulled me in and once I started reading, I was lost to the story. I loved the various mysteries and their twisty clues that were layered throughout the book. However, it was the escape room elements that pushed this over into freaking awesomeness. While there is romance reigniting between Sienna and Gavin, it isn’t the main focus of the story. It’s actually the perfect counterpoint to the murders and mysteries that keep popping up. I always try to figure the mystery out before the author gives it to me, but this time I was caught in a maze of wrong turns. I loved how she kept me guessing, looking around corners and psychoanalyzing every character. I highly recommend this if you enjoy suspenseful thrillers laced with a bit of romance.
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Nevermore Bookstore: A Hot, Kink-Positive, Morally Gray, Grumpy-Sunshine Romcom
by
Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St Aubin
carvanz
, March 28, 2023
This book had a little bit of everything and all of it was deliciously fun! Cady’s life isn’t easy, especially since her aunt has passed away. The one bright spot is her Thursday evening calls with Fox. This premise alone was enough to intrigue me. By the time that call had ended, I was fully invested in Cady, Fox and not only their pasts, but their futures. I wanted to know all the things and the process of learning them kept me turning the pages. I’ve only read a couple of “cozy mysteries” and I’m not sure if this is labeled as such, but it certainly felt that way but with so much more. It had the fun and quirky heroine, the mystery that kept me guessing (I never did guess right) and the wild cast of characters that added flair to the town and therefore the story. But it also had some serious steam between the hero and heroine without fading to black. We got the full deal and holy mother of all taxidermied animals, it was delicious! I loved everything about this story and I can’t wait to get more in the series! This is going on my reread shelf.
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What Happens in the Ballroom
by
Sabrina Jeffries
carvanz
, March 28, 2023
I loved the first book in this series and this one was definitely its match. Eliza was a strong, independent working woman during a time when women of her social status did not work. I enjoyed watching her handle the challenge set before her and her co-owners. She was sharp minded and quick to see positives or negatives in any given situation. Her reactions to Nathaniel entertained me from beginning to end. Nathaniel was totally swoony! He wasn’t slow to make a move and when he did, holy heck! My Kindle was close to steaming! I couldn’t help but smile when he was so blind to a certain situation regarding someone else’s emotions towards him. Men! Eliza and Nathaniel were incredible together. I loved the uncertainty of where their relationship was going to go. Obviously, I knew where it ultimately was going to end but getting there was so much fun. With secrets on both sides, they had a good bit to work out, especially on Nathaniel’s part. With a perfect epilogue for them and a bit of build up for the next book, this is definitely my new favorite by this author.
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Of Love and Forge
by
Carly Spade
carvanz
, February 27, 2023
Holy Tartarus! This was a freaking amazing introduction for my first journey into cyberpunk. I didn’t know what to expect and I’m afraid that Ms. Spade has set the bar pretty high for any other books in this genre. I loved the mix of other worldly gods and goddesses, magic, myth and cyberpunk elements. This story literally took me to a whole other world as Hephaestus and Aphrodite reconnected. I fell for Heph instantly! His outlook on life as he hunted and took care of harpies, or other bounties, had me grinning one moment, grimacing at that harpy gunk the next, and cheering him on all along the way. I absolutely loved having his point of view as he hunted down an old childhood friend. As a rough and tough bounty hunter that time travels, he was hilarious. Ro held her own with Heph. I loved that she gave as good as she got when it came to him. The chemistry that they had both been ignoring for centuries ignited and by all the gods, they lit up the pages of my kindle. This is filled with action and adventure that carries them from one world to another making it impossible for me to walk away from their story, even for a brief moment. Can’t wait to see where this author is going to take us next in this new series.
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The Drift
by
C. J. Tudor
carvanz
, January 31, 2023
I went into this book expecting one thing and getting something entirely different. As an end of the world story, I should have been prepared for anything, but I never imagined creatures called “Whistlers”. The fact that this is told from three wildly different points of view added to the drama and expectation. I was scrambling to connect the dots before the author revealed all but I never came close. With dark twists and turns that blew me away, I found myself totally enthralled with this story.
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Cinderella Hired for His Revenge
by
Emmy Grayson
carvanz
, January 24, 2023
This is my first Harlequin in several years. As soon as I saw "Cinderella", I knew I had to jump in. I'm so glad I did! Alexandra and Grant had a painful history. Their conflict was not easily overcome and the past haunted them as they tried to move forward. However, they could each see changes in the other that helped them to take a chance on a new relationship. I loved that about them. The angst was relatively heavy without being painfully so. The steam was not consuming but their chemistry was obvious which made the angst all the more angsty. I loved that Alexandra and Grant's positions had switched, building a foundation for the story that I really enjoyed.
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In Her Highlanders Bed
by
Lynsay Sands
carvanz
, January 24, 2023
Oh my gosh! This book hit all my marks and it did so in a delicious manner! Calan was the biggest, toughest highlander laird with a heart of gold. I melted everytime he displayed all his soft and gooey tender care with Allissaid. He was protective and gentle and his concern over what she was offered to eat was too freaking cute. I enjoyed the bit of mistaken gender identity that Calan experienced. It’s definitely a favorite trope of mine as long as it doesn’t continue for long and this one did not. I actually wouldn’t have minded a little more of it. The same with the amnesia trope. I was pulled in within a few turns of the page and soon I couldn’t stop. This had the perfect amount of danger and drama laced throughout with humor that had me grinning. The chemistry between Allissaid and Calan was displayed in a believable and heat inducing manner. With secondary characters that added to my overall enjoyment of this book, I’m highly recommending this one to anyone who enjoys a highlander romance.
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Lie to Her
by
Melinda Leigh
carvanz
, January 17, 2023
I was first introduced to this character in the Widow’s Island series and I was instantly taken with her. Bree’s background is troubled and she’s a complicated heroine that’s tough as nails but with a heart that’s learning how to expand and open itself up to so much more. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a shorter story such as the ones previously. I was thrilled to find out that this was a much deeper story with a strong mystery and a variety of characters that may or may not be the “bad guy”. This was a fast paced read that never slowed down. The romance skirts just at the edges of everything else that is happening and I love those snippets so much. Bree’s family has wormed its way into my heart and the mystery kept me guessing. I appreciated that once the author revealed who the villain was, the story didn’t quickly wrap up. There was so much more going on and I was on the edge of my seat through it all.
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All the Dangerous Things
by
Stacy Willingham
carvanz
, January 10, 2023
All the Dangerous Things was a twisted, dark and memorable journey! Isabelle is a complicated character. I never knew whether I could completely trust her. I wanted to trust her, but with a “problem” that shadows not only her past but apparently her present now as well, I was apprehensive. As a matter of fact, there wasn’t a moment in this book that I wasn’t apprehensive about something or someone. I was on tenterhooks from the beginning. I never knew what was going to happen, who was going to change the landscape of the story, or when a twist was coming. Villains lurked around every corner and I loved that I couldn’t figure out how it was all going to end.
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All the Dangerous Things
by
Stacy Willingham
carvanz
, January 10, 2023
Audiobook: Narrator Karissa Vacker Ms. Vacker did an amazing job of not only bringing Isabelle to life, but also making me feel the depth of emotions she experienced. Her performance pulled me into the story within moments and I was immediately caught up in the dark web that was Isabelle’s life. It was impossible to hit pause on this book, as I was desperate to learn what had happened not only to Mason, but what had happened in the past to Isabelle and her family. This was filled with twists and turns that I never saw coming. The narration was smooth and performed in a way that never distracted me from the story but kept me glued to it.
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All the Dangerous Things
by
Stacy Willingham
carvanz
, January 10, 2023
All the Dangerous Things was a twisted, dark and memorable journey! Isabelle is a complicated character. I never knew whether I could completely trust her. I wanted to trust her, but with a “problem” that shadows not only her past but apparently her present now as well, I was apprehensive. As a matter of fact, there wasn’t a moment in this book that I wasn’t apprehensive about something or someone. I was on tenterhooks from the beginning. I never knew what was going to happen, who was going to change the landscape of the story, or when a twist was coming. Villains lurked around every corner and I loved that I couldn’t figure out how it was all going to end.
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Bandit Queens
by
Parini Shroff
carvanz
, January 04, 2023
So glad I read this!! Initially, I had a hard time getting into this story. The vocabulary and cultural differences were difficult for me to understand and follow. However, I googled my way through when I could and pushed on until…wow! I am so glad I did. This was a story that had every emotion imaginable. I was laughing one moment then deeply saddened the next. This is a dark story that is laced with enough light to make it all the more endearing with characters that will last in my memory. I am so glad I took a chance on this new author.
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Ancient Vengeance
by
Katie Reus
carvanz
, December 27, 2022
It has been a long time since I’ve read a book with an alpha hero like Rhodes. He is EVERYTHING I look for and love. His protectiveness over Stella was extreme but well warranted. His jealousy over the thought of another male looking at her had me smiling widely as this is the stuff I dream about finding in the books I read. The fact that he was a dragon shifter…pure heaven. Stella was petite and dainty but with a determination that could not be swayed. It didn’t take her long to learn how to handle the obstinate male that was shadowing her. She definitely gave Rhodes a bit of a ride before he found any peace. This is filled with all kinds of danger and drama. With plenty of action laced throughout the story as well as some amazing scenes with some of my favorite characters, I was instantly swept up into this story. Before I realized it, I was at the end long before I was ready. I loved everything about this couple and this world. This author will never be able to write too many dragon shifter romances for me. Definitely my favorite!
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A Hard Day for a Hangover
by
Darynda Jones
carvanz
, December 06, 2022
There isn’t another current heroine that I love as much as Sunshine! With each book, I feel like I’m spending time with an old friend and I dread the end as it comes closer with each turn of the page. Sunny continues to amaze me with her deductive reasoning, her people skills, and most of all, her offbeat wit and sense of humor. I love the way she deals with both victims and perpetrators. Especially the band of hooligans she arrests this time around. My face hurt from grinning so much. We get a lot of quality time with Levi in this book and even more of him with Sunny. I would love to have some of his perspective so I could connect to him on a deeper level. However, there are a lot of reveals in this book and that went a long way to helping me get to know him better. Along with all the laugh out loud moments, this is also laced with danger and drama including scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. When you add in the whole cast of characters, each with their own passions or quirky natures, it makes for a well rounded mystery that will definitely be a reread in the future.
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Reluctant Countess A Would Be Wallflowers Novel
by
Eloisa James
carvanz
, November 29, 2022
Yasmin’s past has created a need for her to “act the part”. She’s living up to her reputation and in the process has attracted the attention of the Earl of Liliford. But he can do nothing except allow himself the first waltz. I was intrigued by this heroine and what her actions would be as she healed from the heartache she was dealt when she was younger. But I was disappointed that the storyline did not allow her to adjust as the era would dictate. However, removing myself from that thought process, I have to admit that I respect the fact that she wanted to remain true to who she was even if it was a result of pain from her past. Giles was promising as I love a hero who denies himself what he wants and yet cannot stop himself from just a tiny taste of it. Allowing himself the first waltz and nothing more was pure torture the more he watched Yasmin and slowly came to know her. I did enjoy watching him fall but when things heated up with his sister, I admit I was disappointed in his lack of actions. While I had a few issues with the characters, overall, I enjoyed them well enough. I liked their banter and the chemistry between them was obvious. The author gives us just a touch of history in Yasmin’s background but I struggled when so many of these character’s actions and behaviors were not in line with the time period. Overall, a nice enough read.
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You Can Hide
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, November 29, 2022
Holy heck! Rebecca Zanetti is killing it (literally) with this series! Laurel is one of the most unique heroines I’ve ever read and she captivated me just as much this time around as she did in the first book. Her abilities are otherworldly and her personality is one that intrigues me. I love characters portrayed as she is. While I’m all about the hero, I have to confess that Huck doesn’t really win it with me. He seems a bit lackluster and less fiery than the heroes I’m accustomed to reading by this author. Of course, Ms. Zanetti has built a high bar for herself with previous heroes that have become some of my top favorites ever. This storyline is one that refused to let me skim it. I was in a place where I needed to be able to read and move on and this book was not it. It forced me to pay attention to the details, to the clues, and to the characters. I love when a romantic suspense demands my attention in this way. It’s a sure sign that the writing is pure excellence. This can be read as a standalone but I encourage you to read the first book. Also, beware…while this story concludes, it also leaves us with a honking hook for the next book.
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Be Your Everything
by
Catherine Bybee
carvanz
, November 15, 2022
The D’Angelos are my new favorite family! Chloe has had a crush on Dante since she learned that boys weren’t gross. Her infatuation with him made this story all the cuter as she’s determined to prove she is not attracted to him. Of course, we all know how that works out. I’m a huge fan of the drunken Vegas wedding trope and Chloe and Dante did theirs in a way that was highly unusual after the fact. I loved both of these characters. They were fun and flirty although a bit insecure about where they stood with each other. Chloe more so than Dante. This had some of the usual bumps that are found in this trope, so nothing surprising here but the way they went about it and the influence their friends and family had on the outcome was what drove this story. This isn’t overtly steamy but rather a gentle slide into a forever love. Can’t wait to get the next D’Angelo…Gio?
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Garrett's Destiny: An Action Packed Alpha Vampire Paranormal Romance
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, October 25, 2022
Garrett’s story was AMAZING! It was everything I’d been waiting for and more. I never expected all the crazy twists and turns that popped up making me gasp and dig deeper into the book. Dessie was nothing as I expected. And I loved that. I loved HER! She was such an intriguing heroine. With her personal struggle at the heart of her character, I couldn’t help but try to figure out what was going to happen prior to it happening. I was wrong every…single…time. Which intrigued me more. Garrett was every bit as alpha as his father before him, which is why I am a huge fan of this series. (And I hate reading a series!) His frustration at the situation he found himself in with Dessie had me smiling one moment and then worried sick the next. I truly didn’t know what was going to happen to these characters. This is definitely one of the most intense books of the series. The angst, the drama, the danger. It carried me through until almost the very last page. I highly recommend this book and while it could possibly stand alone, I really feel that you need to read the previous books.
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The Christmas Spirit
by
Debbie Macomber
carvanz
, October 18, 2022
There is nothing better than reading a Macomber to enter in the holidays and The Christmas Spirit is the very best of them all. This is not a lengthy book and yet it tells the story of two men and their adventure of stepping into the other man’s shoes prior to the Christmas holiday. I loved the way this was set up with the Grandmother giving the children a story. Their reactions, cheers and jeers were fun and had me smiling. Each of the heroes had an interesting way of going about doing their new job as well as building a new or renewed relationship with the heroines. I was totally in love with Hank and Pete and giggled myself silly through some of their misadventures. Through it all, there was the sweetest feeling of unity, love and charity that was soothing to my own soul. The romance is sweet and fast, the characters entertaining and the book worth reading just to get to the most perfect feel good ending ever!
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Love and Kerosene
by
Winter Renshaw
carvanz
, October 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be the type of romance that I could just sit back, relax and let the story unfold. Anneliese had some serious recovering to do, not only because of the death of her fiancee but because of the lies that were revealed afterwards. I was expecting her to have felt cracks in her relationship with him prior to his death and the fact that she did not made it hard for me to accept her relationship with Lachlan. She was an interesting heroine with an unusual career and the type of personality I connected with. Lachlan was pretty laid back, despite his background and his intentions towards the house. His reasons were kept secret through most of the book and I completely understood them once they were revealed. I loved his meeting and following visit with Anneliese’s father. While Anneliese and Lachlan both had issues to deal with, the angst level never felt heavy until the end when they faced their greatest struggle. This was a slow burn and even when things ignited between them we had just a peek before the door was closed. The epilogue was great and I was very pleased with the way this couple’s story came to an end.
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White Lies
by
Lisa Renee Jones
carvanz
, September 27, 2022
This was filled with relationship angst that had me on the edge most of the book. While I’m not a fan of secrets between the hero and heroine, the fact that it was obvious how this couple felt about each other helped to ease the way for me. Nick and Faith were FIRE together! Their chemistry was off the charts and the suspense that ran throughout the story made this an intense read on every level. Their inner thoughts did take precedence at times when I was ready for things to move on. I loved the inclusion of the Inside Out characters. Seeing my favorites was a real treat, especially when their presence added to the storyline rather than taking it over. Overall, a great read and an excellent addition to the Inside Out world.
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Something in the Heir A Novel
by
Suzanne Enoch
carvanz
, September 20, 2022
I absolutely LOVED this story!!! Emmeline and Will had a partnership rather than a marriage and yet with the temporary addition of George and Rose to the household they began to see each other in a whole new light. I began to fall in love with each of them even as their eyes opened up to the uniqueness that they saw in each other. I couldn’t help but cheer them on along the way. The children were definitely “the darlings” of the story. They pretty much stole every scene they were in. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the antics and reactions to the world around them. However, there were times when things were not humorous and my heart hurt for them, especially George as his understanding of the world was much more jaded than Rose’s. I was surprised how things turned out as I never saw it happening in quite that way. While the romance element does not consume the storyline and the heat level is non-existent, I never missed the steam nor the fact that this story is not about this couple alone. I was enthralled from the beginning and could not stop reading it once I started.
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Revenge An Insiders Novel
by
Tijan
carvanz
, September 13, 2022
This was intense!! It starts out with so much angst and pain. My heart was aching for Bailey and the loss she was dealing with. I loved how Kash was right beside her, giving her what she needed and ensuring that the rest of the family was doing the same when the situation merited it. I love him even more for his responses! What followed took me completely by surprise. I was not expecting much of what happened and I could not look away. Soon I was so caught up in it all that I was turning the pages as quickly as possible. This is filled with twists and turns and more punch than I ever expected! What a great read in every way!
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Ice Cold Saint
by
Cynthia Eden
carvanz
, September 13, 2022
This was pure magic laced with dark intrigue and twists and turns that had my head spinning. Alice was definitely not the type of heroine I’m used to reading, and I was both worried and excited by that. She kept me guessing from the very beginning and I was anxious to learn all her deep, dark, secrets. I was soon caught up in her spell along with Saint. She was fierce, determined, and certainly not the type of heroine that is waiting to be rescued. While Alice was not the typical heroine, Saint was the perfect counterpoint to her. He was everything that I love, protective and possessive and he was determined to find the truth about her and make her pay the price. I loved the transition that took place with both of these characters. The chemistry between Saint and Alice was white-hot and their story thrilled me, keeping me turning pages, anxious and guessing, until the very end which satisfied my romance loving heart. This is romantic suspense at its best and the reason I read it!
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50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover
by
Kelly Siskind
carvanz
, September 06, 2022
Wow! Where have I been? This is my first by this author and I am left astounded by how incredibly EVERYTHING this was! I absolutely loved how this was written from Edgar's point of view only. It just does something for me when an author does this. Let's say it starts with chills and only grows from there. I immediately connected with E and found myself experiencing all that he was going through as he struggled with seeing Delilah for the first time in ten years. What follows shows what an amazing hero he was. While Delilah is holding onto a secret, E is determined to win her heart again. She definitely made him work for it and I enjoyed every moment of it. Watching him work down a list of what to do was fun and cute. This had my emotions responding from tears to laughter and all within short periods of time. I fell completely in love with not just Edgar and Delilah, but E’s brothers as well. The premise of this story and E’s background was unique and fits perfectly for the readers that aren't a fan of second chances. I couldn’t ask for a better way to split and reunite a couple. Overall, a great read and just my first by this author as I intend to dig into her backlist.
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All Dressed Up
by
Jilly Gagnon
carvanz
, September 06, 2022
I love a mystery within a mystery and All Dressed Up had my mind spinning a time or two. The feel I found while diving into the story of a murder in an old manor home set during the roaring twenties had me anxious and excited. Becca and her husband, Blake, are going through a difficult time in their marriage and this mystery weekend is Blake’s surprise to his wife in an effort to mend the breach between them. As the story unfolds, I found myself side eyeing every character that was introduced. I love twisted suspense filled mysteries and hoped this one was going to deliver it all. While it could have gone in a direction that would have made this all the more mind shattering, I still enjoyed the story. My suspect ended up being the villain which is how I measure the quality of the mystery. Keep me from guessing who it is while laying everything out in front of me and I’m a complete goner. Unfortunately, that did not happen but I liked the atmosphere the author created as she shined a light on all the sins of the guest at this murder mystery party.
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Do Over
by
T L Swan
carvanz
, August 30, 2022
With each new book in this series, that hero is my favorite. I wasn’t sure if Christopher was going to make the cut, but holy heck…he totally won me over and wormed his way into my heart. I will not be forgetting him for a long while. When this couple faced a major conflict, I sobbed at the result. I worried that the end was going to be contrived to make things work or that the author would force Hayden into a position that went against who she was at heart. Not so. Along the way to their happy ever after, I found myself crying even more as Christopher took a step that I had been hoping for all along but was unsure of the outcome. While I had plenty of tears in the last part of the book, I had so many laugh out loud moments leading up to it. Literally laugh out loud as in a burst of laughter that I couldn’t contain. So glad I was alone when that happened. This is a lengthy book and it was difficult to set aside. I found myself thinking about it during those times and anxious to get back into the story. It’s filled with secondary characters that were fun and brought their own humor to the page. That included his family, particularly his brothers as well as Hayden’s father who I loved as he got to know Christopher. These are the types of characters that I’d love to see again in a novella that updates us on this couple’s relationship. I absolutely LOVED this book and I didn’t even touch on what were some of the steamiest scenes I’ve read in a while.
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Please Join Us
by
Catherine McKenzie
carvanz
, August 23, 2022
Wow, what a smart, twisty thriller this was!!! This started out at an average pace, slowly building the story, setting the background for Nicole and Dan while showing what she was currently dealing with. As the story progresses, I slowly begin to see fissures in her life, some due to her own personality and others due to the circumstances she’s living with. It was about half way through before things really began to pick up. I appreciated the fact that this author placed this story in a relevant time and with issues that are very real to our world today. I never really felt a deep connection to Nicole, although interestingly enough I did to Dan. I’m not sure how much the lack of connection affected my overall reaction to the story. I never disliked her or found myself judging her for her actions or reactions. Instead, I was just so darn curious to find out what this group was about, how it was going to affect her and where all the turns were going to take me in the end. This was not a fast paced thriller that’s like a roller coaster. Instead it was like walking through a maze that has little hints to show you the way and then a surprise when it was the wrong turn.This jumps back and forth from present time to the past but those time leaps were well noted so I had no confusion where I was in the story. The overall story had a feel unlike anything I’ve read before and I find myself continuing to soak it in.
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Overkill
by
Sandra Brown
carvanz
, August 16, 2022
This was a perfect summer read! I loved the way this pulled me into the deep emotional issue Zack faced deciding whether or not to continue life support in a situation he should have never been put in. While this is filled with lots of drama from the “villain” as well as another problem Zack was facing, for me it was truly about The Decision. So many variables at play in making that ultimate decision. I couldn’t help but put myself in his place and found myself going from one frame of mind to another. Despite his relationship with his ex, it would be a decision wrought with pretty much every emotion known to man. I loved watching Zack and Kate come together and fall in love despite the rocky path they were traveling. Zack had enough alpha in him to make my heart smile although I admit, I would have loved to have seen more. I’m used to heroines that are lawyers being a bit too tough and go get ‘em, but Kate was not. She was dedicated to her job and determined to do what needed to be done but did not trample on anyone along the way. This was fast paced and not really a mystery other than I never knew what the bad guy was going to do next. And what he did was quite a surprise. This was not the type of story to keep me on the edge of my seat although when I got to the “surprise by the villain” part, I was certainly doing so. However, it was a smooth read I found extremely enjoyable.
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High Ground
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, August 09, 2022
I’m used to this author’s stories revolving around mature couples who are past their prime for having children, and I enjoy them immensely. However, the accidental pregnancy is one of my favorite tropes . It was absolutely delicious when it involved Pippa and Sully. While they are still older, I loved watching them deal with the surprise and then the journey through pregnancy. The fact that that time is layered with danger and accusations made it all the more wonderful. Pippa was a tough as nails heroine but she had moments of softness that made me love her. Her process through the pregnancy had me loving her all the more as it’s a storyline I adore. Sully was amazing with all his delicious alphaness, especially when you add a forthcoming baby into the mix. Again adding to that storyline I can’t get enough of. Their initial conflict was believable and watching them come together was everything I love. This was filled with lots of drama as they work to solve a serious problem that Pippa is facing. There is a wealth of wonderful characters included, all making this not only a bit more dramatic at times, but fun as well. I loved seeing past characters and regardless of the fact I just finished this one, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next.
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Garnet Flats
by
Devney Perry
carvanz
, July 26, 2022
Wow! Just…wow!!! In the past, I’ve been concerned that I would dislike a book by Ms. Perry because of the trope or the blurb. And I’ve always been blown away by how much she could make me fall in love with something I never believed I would. Garnet Flats takes first place. I mean, really. The blurb just screamed at me to stay away and oh my gawd it was hard to crack it open. But by all that is holy in Romancelandia she won my heart again! This was filled with emotions, angst and sizzling heat. I couldn’t put it down!!! Talia and Foster were amazing separately and together. My heart hurt for both of them due to their past experience and how that was affecting their current actions and decisions. I found myself crying at one moment, yelling the next and turning my A/C down to handle the steam. With a great pace that never lagged or became repetitive, I read this straight through. Of course, there was no way I was closing it as I needed to see these characters’ broken souls healed. I loved every emotional churning moment here and yet this author did not make the angsty churn last longer than I could bear making this an incredible read.
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Bright Like Wildfire
by
Juliette Cross
carvanz
, July 12, 2022
Oh my gosh!!! Betty and Bennett totally stole my heart with their fun banter and their explosive chemistry! Betty was a bit of a grump, but only when it came to Bennett. I loved that she gave him such a hard time although it was all to cover up that flash of desire she felt each time she saw him. Ms. Cross developed Betty in such a way that she very well could be my coworker at school. I loved her attention to her students and the way she worked to not only make it fun, but that also took care of them if needed. I loved how Bennett seemed to push Betty’s buttons just to get a reaction out of her. Her grumpy responses made him smile while making me laugh. There was a bit of conflict for him that trickled a little through the last part of the story, but the angst was pretty low regarding it. I was completely in love with him as he found himself feeling jealous and possessive of Betty. It was the perfect mix without being over the top and, sigh, it was the icing on this delicious story. This has a community full of characters that were fun, sometimes annoying, hilarious, or wonderfully supportive and I found myself hoping to get more from them in the future. And that doesn’t include the four legged kind that added so much warmth and humor, not to say a personal revelation for one of our characters. Add in the intense heat between Betty and Bennett and I’m just ready for more of Beauville!
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Upgrade - Large Print Edition
by
Blake Crouch
carvanz
, July 12, 2022
Holy heck!!! What a chilling story with twists and turns I never saw coming! This was scarily amazing with its mirror image of what we currently face in society. This had an explosive beginning that never slowed down. I couldn’t set this book aside even for a moment as I fell into a story that entrapped me with its dangerously parallel elements of what is happening in our world today. At each turn I found myself comparing it to situations that have already occurred and driven to find out what steps the main character was going to take next. While there were a few times I had to reread a passage in order to understand the technical jargon, overall, it is written in a way that I never felt lost. Logan’s relationship with his family, as well as his backstory, helped me to connect with him on a personal level in a way that had me viscerally reacting to his struggle. I found this to be a wild journey to a place that opened my eyes and yet did so in a way that didn’t whack me upside the head but simply pointed me at what had always been in front of me. Mr. Crouch revealed a problem I have recognized but have never been able to adequately define. Overall, an amazing read that I’ll definitely be rereading.
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Matter of Temptation
by
Stacy Reid
carvanz
, June 28, 2022
When I'm looking for a historical romance to satisfy my needs, this author always comes through for me. A Matter of Temptation checked all my boxes while adding a few new ones. Mina and Simon were wonderful! I loved their sharp, quick banter and the easy way their relationship developed without feeling contrived. The chemistry flowed between them and I fell in love with them both from the very beginning. This was a fast paced read that kept me engaged from the first page. Most of the story is relatively low angst but there is a point when the drama escalates and I couldn't imagine how this couple were going to end. I was more than satisfied with the ending, especially with the epilogue that was pure romance.
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You Were Made to Be Mine The Palace of Rogues
by
Julie Anne Long
carvanz
, June 27, 2022
This is my first book by this author although she’s been on my “want to read” list for a long time. Initially, I wasn’t sure if it was going to work for me as the hero and heroine do not meet until after the first third of the book. The start was a bit slow in the romance department due to that but I still enjoyed what was happening with each of these characters leading up to that moment. I liked the bit of intrigue that surrounded Hawkes. It wasn’t as much a mystery as it was the method he was going about to even the score with his adversary. He was a strong hero that had an immediate reaction to Aurelie the moment he saw her. The steam wasn’t prevalent, but I could definitely feel the chemistry between this couple. There isn’t a lot of time with them together from the moment they met until the end but it was layered with drama and uncertainty as well as a host of humor from the residents at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Oh my gosh, I loved everyone there! They were perfect in every way and made the best of friends to Aurelie who felt so alone. Overall, I found this to be a great read and the writing to have that historical feel to it that is sometimes lacking these days.
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When It Falls Apart
by
Catherine Bybee
carvanz
, June 21, 2022
Wow, this story really hit close to home. I found it to be heartachingly familiar to my own journey with my dad. Brooke’s unwavering patience in a situation that can cut like a blade was inspirational, causing me to look back at my own experience and compare the two. Unfortunately, Brooke was traveling her journey alone and my heart hurt for her because of that fact. Once Luca entered the picture, he helped to carry her emotional load as she was able to lay much of her concerns on him. And oh my, what an incredible hero to make himself available to her in those times. I adored pretty much everything about Luca but nothing as much as his loyalty and dedication to his family. This was a fast paced book that dealt with some hard issues on both Luca and Brooke’s side. They didn’t fly through it without a problem, but they dealt with it in a mature style that made me love them even more as a couple. Luca’s family was amazing, especially his daughter Fanny, and I’m hoping we get more from them in the future.
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Maggie Moves On
by
Lucy Score
carvanz
, June 21, 2022
While I’m usually all about the hero, there is no denying that Maggie was just too much the type of person I’d call a good friend to not love everything about her. She really knew how to respond to Silas’ flirtatious banter in a way that had me grinning from ear to ear. With a unique career and a strong work ethic, I was totally entranced with her story from the very beginning. I immediately needed to know how everything was going to play out for her. Silas was amazing! He was stinkin’ cute with his quips and forthright attitude regarding what he wanted from Maggie. What might have been just lighthearted flirting, caught on fast, and he was soon sincerely wooing the woman of his dreams. He was straight up swoony with his actions to win her over. I absolutely loved this fun, lighthearted read with a storyline that pulled me in and characters that attached themselves to my heart. Silas’ family were hilarious adding to the quick, witty banter that fills this story. So too do a few other characters that added dimension to the story along with some moments that warmed my heart. This was a longer read but had a fast pace. The angst was low and while the chemistry between Maggie and Silas sizzles when given the leeway, it does not consume the storyline. Overall, I loved this cute, fun story and despite the perfect epilogue, I hope we get to see some of them and possibly the town, in the future.
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The Lies I Tell - Large Print Edition
by
Julie Clark
carvanz
, June 21, 2022
Wow! What a twisted journey this was! I loved this con story more than I could ever imagine. The con within a con intrigued me and with each additional bit of information shared with the reader, I became more engrossed in the story of these two ladies. While Kat and Meg each had things that were undesirable for a heroine in a story, they were both some of the most interesting characters I’ve read in quite some time. I was sure that I would find myself harshly judging Meg, despite her early beginnings. There were definitely times that her actions merited that judgment. However, as her journey is slowly revealed and each layer of her past and the progression that brought her into the current time and place is exposed, I actually was cheering her on. And I didn’t have a clue how it was all going to end. Kat was a bit harder to connect with, which was surprising considering her place in the story. However, a twist here, another there, and I couldn’t wait to see what Kat’s end result was going to be. I have to confess, I had a lump in my throat as I read those last few lines. This has a slower pace to it, but was impossible to put down. Nothing is repetitive and while this isn’t filled with drama, danger, and lots of action, it was fraught with tension as these characters move through the inevitable actions they’ve either designed or hunted for. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy a mystery within a mystery and unique characters that you’ll never forget.
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The Dirty Truth
by
Winter Renshaw
carvanz
, June 14, 2022
I’m always hungry for a good enemies-to-lovers story and The Dirty Truth satisfied my craving. Elle’s experiences were unique and created a heroine that had a different outlook on life which affected her current decisions. I loved her snarky responses to West as well as her kind and gentle manner with his niece. Her solid determination to have a relationship that fed her soul felt organic, considering her new outlook. I was surprised at West’s response to Elle’s official stand against him (which I LOVED by the way!), as this was the first time the author shows us he is more than what you see on the surface. And I loved that most of all. The more he interacted with his niece, and that entangled with Elle, led to me falling in love with him, hardcore. While this was lighthearted and fun, it also had some serious emotional moments that dealt with more than just Elle and West’s relationship. However, it never hit me over the head with it, which left this heavy subject story mildly angsty. This was what I consider a slow burn but I didn’t even realize it because I was so taken with the rest of the story.
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Woman in the Library
by
Sulari Gentill
carvanz
, June 07, 2022
I wasn’t expecting this story-in-a-story mystery and wasn’t sure if it was going to get confusing along the way. It did not. Instead, it pulled me in so fast, keeping me enthralled along the way. I literally could not put this book down. The characters were all intriguing and I didn’t have a clue who the killer was. Of course, at some point the author gives us enough to know where to look, but then the anticipation really began to mount as I waited to see how it was all going to play out. The resolution was satisfying and left me wanting more from this author.
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Unforgiven
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, June 07, 2022
Oh my gosh, Gemma and Jethro were everything I love in romance!!! Gemma’s story held me captive as it was slowly revealed. She was a strong heroine despite her fears and uncertainties. I loved that her love and determination to protect her daughter took precedence over everything else in her life. When her choices were between doing the smart thing or that thing that readers scream about, she held fast to her character and remained strong. Jethro was a unique hero with his accent and his special abilities. I adored him from the beginning. He was everything Gemma and Trudy needed and his interactions with the little girl were ovary exploding scenes that had me wishing for a Jethro of my own. He too had a background that was rising up to threaten him and what he was developing with Gemma and his protection of her and Trudy had me loving him all the more. The scorching chemistry between Gemma and Jethro was enough to singe the pages. This also had several moments of intense danger and drama. I was glued to the pages as one thing after another was revealed to this couple and they were left to deal with it. Of course, the Deep Ops characters were there to give backup and I gobbled each delicious bite of them as they supported this couple.
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Always Practice Safe Hex
by
Juliette Cross
carvanz
, May 24, 2022
I’m so excited I finally got Gareth and Livvy’s story! I really enjoyed the antagonism between Livvy and Gareth. She was fighting him every step of the way and he was just biding his time. With a dark, mystique surrounding him, I couldn’t help but be pulled into his story. Waiting to learn his backstory was agony and once it was revealed, dear lord, no wonder there is a sense of darkness around him. Gareth was intense in his desire for Livvy. He wasn’t as forward in his “mine” mentality as Alpha was, but he had some serious mojo to back his emotions up. What they shared was not the stuff of fairy tales, it was emotional, deep, lusty, and forever. I loved what they had together. While there were still some fun moments between the sisters as well as their significant others, I personally felt this lacked the initial spark of humor that were found earlier in the previous books. This felt a bit darker. But then, Gareth is a Grim and once you get to know him, it’s obvious why there’s a heavier feel to this story.
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Pryor & Cummings: The GAIA Incident
by
Rod Pennington
carvanz
, May 24, 2022
I was intrigued by this “locked room” mystery and couldn’t wait to dig in. I formed my own opinion early on, as would anyone reading the book. However, there was so much more to the story before I learned if I was correct or not. This has a tremendous cast of characters and I have to admit, there were times when I felt bogged down by their introductions. For a while, it was one on top of the other and I couldn’t keep up and at times, didn’t want to keep up. Once I trudged through that issue, however, the story began to flow and I happily followed along. This had some great moments of humor along with some of the characters that were fun. There were also times that there was a bit of drama due to a past relationship between two characters that are deeply involved in solving the mystery. While there wasn’t a lot of action, there were plenty of interactions. Overall, a nice read that I really enjoyed.
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Trusted & True
by
Rhenna Morgan
carvanz
, May 24, 2022
This was high angst, deep emotion and intense steam. While I’m not a fan of stories that involve recovering from any type of substance abuse, I have to admit that this one was a little easier to read. The ugly, hard core, bottom of the barrel recovery had already been dealt with and Callie was currently dealing with how to live life as a recovering addict, which is even harder but for me, as stated, easier to read. I didn’t know if I was going to like either one of these characters, but before long, they had both shown traits that I could connect with. Danny ends up being everything I love in a hero and actually more due to his actions and reactions to a recovering Callie. He was definitely there to protect her, even when that meant allowing her to find her own way. This had a lot of the Haven family, along with plenty of drama and action surrounding Callie. The chemistry between Danny and her was steamy and I loved watching them both deal with it from its first stages to the point where they yielded. Overall, this was a beautiful story and I was so glad to have a chance to jump back into this world again.
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Duke for Diana
by
Sabrina Jeffries
carvanz
, May 24, 2022
This was a perfect “take me out of the real world” read! Diana was such a strong, independent, fun and at times a bit quirky, heroine. I loved that she was able to step away from society’s conventions even as she made a place for herself among the ton. Her engagements with Geoffrey were so much fun. Geoffrey was a big, burly, hero with a bit of grumpiness to round him out into the type of hero I adore. Especially when it’s apparent he is attracted to Diana. The moments when she was correcting him for his boorish ways, especially reading it from his point of view, were so cute. The chemistry between Geoffrey and Diana sizzled from the first moment they met and things between them continued to sizzle even as their relationship grew. The conflict felt real and added some angst but nothing too heavy. There were several scenes where this author showed her knowledge of what certain events and situations required. While this can sometimes bog the story down, that was not the case here. It was all included in a way that kept me intrigued and happily following along. I loved it all.
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Risky
by
Aurora Rose Reynolds
carvanz
, May 24, 2022
I absolutely love any story that includes a grumbly alpha hero that goes soft with a baby and Blake fits my craving for such a character to perfection. With a little jealousy in the beginning and a whole lot of protectiveness I fell faster than Everly. But then again, all she was seeing was the grumpy side of his nature as he struggled with his preconceived notions and incorrect assumptions. While I liked Everly, it was really Sampson that stole the story for me where she was concerned. This author never forgot that he was as much a part of the story as the hero and heroine, which is something that often happens when children are included. I could feel every tiny fist, hear every gurgling laugh, and remembered my own babies’ weight against my chest through Sampson’s character. This is a fast paced read with very low angst and high steam. While the storyline carries some conflict, I never felt anxious or antsy about how it was going to work out. I loved the secondary characters and the promise of more to come. Overall, this was a great read to just relax and enjoy the romantic process.
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Dead Against Her
by
Melinda Leigh
carvanz
, May 17, 2022
Wow! I was held completely captive with this installment in the series. It touched on everything I love about these characters as well as giving me some dynamic drama and danger. I didn’t want to look away from the page for even a moment! Whether it was this particular story, or having read the previous books in the series, it seemed that I got a really good feel for Matt’s character. I connected with him in a way I had not done so in earlier books. I loved his continued protective ways with Bree, even when they were just thoughts he would not allow himself to act on. I’ve been negligent in commenting on the way this author brings certain characters to life in a way that I feel as though I’m standing right there with them. Those particular characters are the dogs. I absolutely love the way they are projected from the pages. While they never steal the story, they add so much charm to it I can’t imagine these books without them. This was a fast paced, wild action ride with villains I never saw coming and a couple of storylines that ran me through a gauntlet of emotions.
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Taken
by
Lisa Marie Rice
carvanz
, May 17, 2022
Whew! This was one hot and fiery read!!! Totally nuclear!!! Marcus is the type of hero that I crave. He’s obsessed with Eve and has totally gone a bit stalkerish on her. However, he restrains his desires until life takes a drastic turn and Eve is in need of protection. Of course, that’s my jam because Marcus is all about protecting her. I was swooning from the depth of emotion he felt as their relationship develops and then moves on into something more concrete. With his broken background and an uncertain future, I was a complete goner for him. Eve was sweet, gentle, a bit innocent…in the beginning. Despite needing to be rescued, and not due to her own misjudgement, she grows stronger through each stage of their story. Watching her reach the final pinnacle of it all was amazing! I loved how far she had come and what she was capable of. This couple’s chemistry is like an inferno! They absolutely set the pages of my kindle on fire and I found myself dry mouthed during the steamy scenes. While their relationship develops, things are fraught with danger and high drama causing my nerves to frazzle as the storyline plays out. I was totally engaged with what was happening and how this couple were going to find their happily ever after. I loved everything about this, but the epilogue pushed me into pure joy.
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The Couple on Maple Drive
by
Sam Carrington
carvanz
, May 03, 2022
This was a fast paced little mystery. The perfect type of read to just sit back and relax with. The drama is spread throughout with moments of anticipation as to who, what and why. Isla was likable and I could understand her fear of getting out and about after suffering such a traumatic incident. While I was riveted to this in the beginning, I did grow a bit tired of the flip flopping between Isla’s and Zach’s point of view, the jump in timelines, and the addition of the podcasts. Add in the brevity of chapters that became a bit tiresome after some a while and I was ready for a conclusion early in the second half of the book. However, all of that is based on my own likes and dislikes and nothing to do with the development of these characters or the storyline. There were a couple of small twists that I didn’t see coming and a few surprises when I expected something or someone and was wrong. Overall, a nice mystery.
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When a Princess Proposes
by
Kerrelyn Sparks
carvanz
, April 26, 2022
I wasn’t expecting this to be such an action filled adventure, and I’m not complaining! There was something happening with every turn of the page. I didn’t want to set it down. The heroine had quite a unique ability but it could cut like a double edged sword and I did worry how it was all going to play out in the long run. The hero had that “I’m not good enough for her” syndrome which is not my favorite. However, I did understand his reasoning as they were from different backgrounds which mattered in this time and place. There was a lot of humor mixed in with the danger and drama which added to my enjoyment of the story. The little bits of sweet counterbalanced the heavy weight of the rest of the storyline. While there were moments of steam between this hero and heroine, it did not dominate the story. This was actually a very slow burn. Overall, a cute, fun, adventurous read!
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Watch Out for Her
by
Samantha M Bailey
carvanz
, April 26, 2022
I started this with the thought that I would read a few pages and then set it aside until I had more time. I never expected this book to hook me from the beginning making it impossible for me to set it aside. While this is written from Sarah’s and Holly’s point of view, it also jumps from present day to the past. These jumps are clearly defined and do not cause any confusion. They did, however, cause me to become anxious for the two timelines to meet. I needed to know what had happened in the past. Where did these women currently stand and how was this all going to end? This has some twists and turns, one I sort of suspected but was nonetheless thrilled with when it was revealed. For me, this was all about the tension that was present throughout the story. One character is super paranoid, which made me paranoid as well, while the other had a thread of darkness that surfaced off and on. The ending was nothing as I expected, giving me a huge twist! With an epilogue that wrapped everything up that might have still been in question, I finished this ready for more by this author.
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To Marry & to Meddle
by
Martha Waters
carvanz
, April 05, 2022
I’ve really enjoyed every book in this series, but there is no denying that this one is my favorite. I was smiling and laughing through it all. The chemistry between Julian and Emily was pure magic. They just flowed together seamlessly. I loved their banter and even their arguments kept me clinging to every word. While this doesn’t have a lot of steam, there is no doubt that this couple are hot for each other. I’m used to books that have a heavier hand when it comes to smexy times, but this was written in such a way that I never missed the intense steam I’m accustomed to. To clarify, this is steamy, just not explicit. Both Julian and Emily have things from their past that prompt their current actions and reactions. Watching these characters grow to the point that their eyes were finally opened and they were able to consciously make changes was part of the joy I received from this story. This has a great pace to it, never lagging or repeating itself. The characters and their circumstances were believable as were the secondary characters that were just as entertaining as the hero and heroine. There isn’t a lot of drama here, this is more about character development and family ties, or lack thereof. Overall, I absolutely loved this book with my whole heart. Definitely one I could find myself rereading in the future and one that I happily recommend to those who enjoy a lighthearted historical romance .
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Bone Deep Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case
by
Charles Henry Bosworth, Joel Schwartz
carvanz
, February 22, 2022
Audiobook: Narrator - Gary Bennett Mr. Bennett did an exceptional job with this narration. His voice was clear, precise and easy to follow while also enjoyable. This had the feeling of listening to a podcast but so much better as I’m not a fan of podcasts. Not sure how much was this narrator and how much was the story, but I was pulled into this story immediately and was reluctant to pause it when needed. I dove into this audiobook and found myself ranting and raving at investigators (should they really be called that?) and eventually prosecutors and judges. I wanted to remain unbiased towards Pam Hupp, but it was impossible. This was such a huge miscarriage of justice and I found myself furious as this story continued to unfold. While this is co written by one of the defense lawyers, and I fought to remain skeptical regarding evidence, it was impossible to not see the errors, the total ignorance and the injustices that were let loose in this case. I was pulled into this every step of the way. This was totally addicting and a real struggle to stop when life demanded I do so. My mind refused to let it go until I was able to click that play button again. I was completely engulfed in this case due to the way it was written/narrated. I was able to follow along while keeping the clues, or lack thereof, straight in my mind as this lays it out in a style that made it easy to do so.
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High Meadow
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, February 21, 2022
I was absolutely thrilled to learn about this new series and High Meadow was an incredible start to what promises to be an equally incredible series! I love the way this author develops her mature characters. Jonas and Alex absolutely sizzled together from their first encounter until the end. Their age was never a blockade to their emotions nor their physical reactions to one another. When trouble arose, they dealt with it in a manner that’s expected for a hero and heroine of their ages. There was no slowing down when their chemistry ignited and it checked another one of my boxes along with Alex’s independence and Jonas’ protective/possessive ways. This had a lot of action to keep the story moving with a mystery that had me anxious at times. It was wonderful to meet these secondary characters, some who I hope we’ll get more of. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the series gives us!
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Damaged
by
Tijan
carvanz
, February 08, 2022
Audiobook: Narrators - Emma Galvin & Joe Arden Ms. Galvin is definitely the voice of Bailey and after listening to her in The Insiders as well as this one, I can’t imagine anyone else. While the hero does not have a lot of “voice” time, what he does have is excellently performed by Mr. Arden. Great delivery of Kash and his dominant, authoritative nature. This had the drama, angst, heat and sizzle that I found in book one but actually better because Bailey and Kash are fighting together towards the same goal. I loved watching them as they maneuvered each problem that arose. Not as individuals, but as a couple that were committed to each other. I wasn’t expecting them to be as solid as they were and it was a delicious treat to experience it. This ends in a whopping cliffhanger and some INTENSE angst dangling over the reader's head. I cannot wait to learn what happens!
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Violence
by
Delilah S Dawson
carvanz
, February 01, 2022
Wow, what a pulse pounding read!! This is the story of three women dealing with different situations during a pandemic of violence. While the thought of violence being a pandemic was initially hard to believe, it didn’t take me long to connect it with the attitude and actions of many people in today’s society. The way this author used it as a spin for this story totally worked in my opinion. I really liked that this is about a grandmother, her daughter and her granddaughter. Watching each of these ladies handle things according to the way they were raised is what this book is really about. The effect of love, abuse, acceptance or the lack of any of those things had my emotions on a tightrope through most of this story. I found the growth within each of these women to be astounding, heartwarming and believable. This was so much more than what I was expecting and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it!
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Greenwich Park
by
Katherine Faulkner
carvanz
, January 25, 2022
This was absolutely riveting! Told in three points of view, I was never sure exactly who the heroine of the story was ultimately going to be. This layers the characters throughout the story giving bits of who and what they are even as I was questioning every action and reaction. After all, I knew going in this was a psychological thriller so I was expecting to find twists. I never would have guessed what laid ahead. From one scene to the next I found myself being pulled further and further into the story. While I was not a particular fan of any of these characters, I desperately needed to know what the ultimate outcome was going to be. I felt as though I were hanging on the edge throughout the last twenty-five percent of the book and the ragged condition of my nails are proof of it. I read the blurb and ignored reviews that detailed the story. That decision added to my anticipation as well as helped my anxiety over the characters to ratchet up to near torturous levels. What a delicious, mind twisting read!
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You Can Run
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, January 25, 2022
Whoa! This was one intense ride! From the first few pages Laurel captured my attention. She’s so unique compared to the average heroine. This is predominantly written from the heroine’s point of view. However, we did get Huck’s insights a few times. I’m curious to see exactly what all he’s been through. Despite Laurel being trained to protect herself, Huck tends to take steps to protect her. And well, considering what all she goes through, perhaps he has every reason to do so. I’m hoping we get much more of him. There is a constant ebb and flow of danger and suspense interlaced with the dark, heavy weight of secondary characters that kept me turning pages. I never knew which way to look. Where was the threat coming from and who was behind it? This was totally mind boggling. Along the way was the slow burn between Huck and Laurel making me antsy for more of them as I needed them to get to a safe place so they could have more. I literally read this book feeling as if I were sitting on pins and needles the whole time. While this does end without a huge cliffhanger, it leaves us with unanswered questions as well as unresolved issues regarding certain characters. I can’t wait to see what this author has planned in future books.
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Last House on the Street A Novel
by
Diane Chamberlain
carvanz
, January 11, 2022
This book realistically showcases just a few of the injustices and inequalities of the 60’s. Through Ellie’s eyes I experienced just a fraction of the emotional and physical turmoil that had free reign during that time in the south. I was pulled into this story to such a degree that my heart raced, and my mind refused to stop thinking about it once I turned the last page. This is written in two time periods, each clearly defined. Within the early pages we are given the connection that Kayla and Ellie share. But it quickly becomes evident that there is something more lingering in the dark woods behind the house at the end of the street. I felt the heavy weight of the past as well as the fear of the present that consumed both of these characters. This author did an amazing job of bringing them to life, making me care and yet allowing me to form my own opinions prior to the end. With each turn of the page I never knew what I was going to find. Fear, abuse, life threatening prejudice or the sweet pull of new love. I was totally engrossed within the lives of both of these women. When the truth is unveiled at the end, I wasn’t shocked, but I still loved how it unfolded.
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Juniper Hill
by
Devney Perry
carvanz
, January 11, 2022
This book kept me on an emotional edge. I connected with Memphis to the point that I was in agony each time she faced a new challenge to her self confidence. She was carrying some pretty heavy weight on her shoulders and while Know was willing to help lift it, I was cheering her onward to do what her soul needed her to do. There were times when her story felt like cuts across my own soul. Oh my gosh, Knox was amazingly perfect in every way. The little bit of conflict in the beginning was like baiting a hook and I was taking it as fast as I could. When that conflict included his moments with Drake, holy heck, I was scrambling to figure it all out. While Knox wasn’t insanely alpha despite all his gooey hotness, the epilogue showed a side of him that had me jumping and yelling for joy, figuratively, of course. I love the type of alpha protectiveness portrayed in the style here. This had a steady build up that made me feel twitchy, constantly waiting for the so-called “other shoe” to drop. The anticipation almost killed me. This was definitely one of those books that is impossible to set down and walk away from and had me reading late into the night in order to finish it.
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Scoundrel of Her Own
by
Stacy Reid
carvanz
, December 28, 2021
This was a wickedly fun, hot and angsty read! I absolutely LOVED the beginning of Ophelia’s and Devlin’s story. My heart was instantly captivated and once I hit the time jump, I experienced such a riot of emotions I couldn’t stop reading. Ophelia was a multi dimensional heroine and I adored everything about her. She was raised with a unique set of circumstances and I was anxious to learn all the ins and outs regarding it. There were definitely times that her actions hurt my heart, but I also understood the reasons behind them. Devlin was an alpha hero to the core. From the first moment he interacted with Fifi his main objective was protection. That one incident was the foundation for everything he did from that point onward and holy heck, that’s the stuff of true romance! This book ran me through a gamut of emotion. From laughter, danger, high angst and finally an ending that satisfied my soul. I feel like I’ve been tumbled upside down, right-side up and inside out and I’d gladly go through it all again for such a beautifully written story of love.
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An Unexpected Distraction
by
Catherine Bybee
carvanz
, November 30, 2021
This series has been one fascinating read after another. While the romance has not always been high on the storyline, this time it’s very much intertwined with everything that’s going on. Andrew and Jax were wonderful together. Their relationship did not fuel the drama, but it developed organically along the way. I couldn’t stop reading and this book quickly catapulted into my top favorite of the series. I really liked how this mystery centered so much on Jax and her family as well as Richter. I didn’t have a clue who was doing what and where it was all going to end. Jax was an awesome heroine. While she was one tough individual, she also was fun, loyal, and dedicated. She didn’t appear to be hardened as much as others from Richter making her even more likeable to me. Andrew was deliciously swoony in his courtship of Jax. He had a great sense of humor and it felt as though he were bringing something into her life she had been missing for so long. He wasn’t hugely alpha in his behaviors, but when it got down to the nitty gritty, there was no denying he would do anything for her. This is definitely a pulse racing read with plenty of interaction with past characters and a nice little set up for future books in the series. I’m excited to see where it’s all going to go.
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Dream Keeper
by
Kristen Ashley
carvanz
, November 30, 2021
This was another wonderful addition to the series. Pepper was understandably protective of her heart as well as that of her daughter’s. I may not have lived through anything like she did in her marriage, but I totally empathize with her. She was fiercely protective of Juno and I loved the relationship they had. Although she had a hard shell for Auggie to break through, and this couple had a stumble or two, she wasn’t so hardcore she couldn’t yield when the cards were plainly saying it was time. Auggie was incredible! He had all the alpha goodness of a KA hero which is one of the reasons I love these books so much! Although he made a few errors in the beginning of their relationship, it didn’t take him long to correct his mistake and make amends. From that point onward he was pretty swoon worthy. When this couple finally came together, they were like an inferno. Watching them grow together and as a unit with Juno was precious. Juno was quite a handful and it was as entertaining as anything I’ve read to see her manipulate Auggie and her mom. The inclusion of a particular character to help assist with that endeavor was just as entertaining as the rest of the story. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves alpha heroes and sweet heroines with a little girl thrown in.
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Wit & Wisdom of Bridgerton
by
Julia Quinn
carvanz
, November 09, 2021
This was a fun immersion into all things Bridgerton and I loved every bit of it! While this does not have any new content, other than a bit from Lady Whistledown, it has so many moments of goodness that make up each book and thereby, the whole series. Each chapter covers a different character and within are quotes that paint a perfect picture of that character. From the deepest heartfelt moments, to those that had me laughing again as it reminded me of all the humor this series contains. This is definitely for those who have already read and loved the books. Any fan will enjoy this but the formatting for the printed book is exquisite and definitely something a hard core fan would love to have on their shelf. I’m totally in book envy at just the thought! But what really has me cheering for this book is the way it thrust me back into the joy that is the Bridgertons and thereby making me fall in love with them all over again.
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Heard It in a Love Song A Novel
by
Tracey Garvis Graves
carvanz
, November 09, 2021
What a beautifully written story of two people processing the loss of their marriage and what moving forward looks like. Layla was certainly the type of heroine that many will be able to relate to. The problems within her marriage were those that are shared among many others. Her journey to rise up and find out who she truly is, and what she wants, was filled with growing pains as she struggled with every step forward. I found her to be extremely likeable. The main bulk of this story consists of back-flashes that reveal the relationship Layla and Josh had with their spouses. It highlights all the good, the bad and the ugly before moving this couple into the here and now and their own build up into a new relationship. There isn’t a lot of time spent on this development but it was written in a way that it felt organic when they finally took a serious step forward. Definitely a book that’s light on romance and heavy on emotion.
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Indigo Ridge
by
Devney Perry
carvanz
, October 26, 2021
What a heck of a kickstart to this series! Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop! Winslow and Griffin were everything hot and steamy, angsty and suspenseful! I didn’t want their story to end! Winslow was the type of heroine I enjoy. Griffin was such a steamy, dreamy hero in his boots and buckle with this slow, steady fall into love. Through all the romance was a mystery that had me hooked and desperate to figure out who and why. This had some serious moments of drama, danger and suspense. I swear, there were times it felt as though I were right in the middle of everything that was happening, I was so consumed by the action on the page. Absolutely brilliant! Along with an amazing epilogue and the link for a bonus epilogue, the ending gave us a delicious tease of an introduction for Knox and Memphis!
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Walking in a Witchy Wonderland
by
Juliette Cross
carvanz
, October 05, 2021
This was such a fun, feel good, set of novellas centered around the Stay A Spell series. This is filled with hot and spicy looks at my favorite couples. Seeing them in so many different situations was more entertainment than I anticipated. Everything that I loved about each of these characters was amplified and offered as my very own special Christmas gift from the author. More, Mateo? Merry Christmas to me! Getting to see Charlie and JJ get their happy ever after was awesome as was the prequel to Livvy’s story. I can’t wait to see what is in store for her and the Grim who thinks naughty things...and shares them with her. The icing on this delicious holiday treat was Violet and Nico’s story. Oh my gosh! My cheeks were sore from smiling and laughing. The fact that it all was wrapped up in something close to Mateo made it all the more hilarious. (Trying not to spoil the fun for you.)
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Don't Look Now
by
Mary Burton
carvanz
, September 28, 2021
This was an enjoyable read. While it’s all about the mystery, I was able to guess who it was rather early on. Of course, there was always the chance I would be wrong. I was not. However, the reasons behind the murders were quite shocking as were all the murders themselves. This was filled with details. Not only about the murders, but about the drugs, the process of hunting the killer and the battle to overcome adversity. The romance is really non-existent but I suspected it would be and therefore, did not go into this with any expectations in that department. When it did pop up out of nowhere, it actually annoyed me as there was nothing organic about it. I liked the hero, Spencer, quite a bit and would have loved to see him in the boyfriend role. Overall, I liked this story and would recommend it to anyone that does not have triggers and is not looking for romance.
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Her Renegade Cowboy
by
Lora Leigh
carvanz
, September 28, 2021
This story absolutely sizzles with steam and intensity between Lily and Levi. They are awesome together, despite Lily fighting to remain independent in the face of lurking danger. She did make a few decisions that had me frustrated at times, but generally, I understood her reasoning. Levi was one fierce, protective, and possessive cowboy/undercover US Marshal. I loved his dedication to Lily as well as his determination to make her his while protecting her. This couple had one fiery relationship leading up to about the halfway point where the drama really kicked in full force. And when the storyline took an even grittier turn, things got intense. I loved watching them work through not only the danger but their issues. The secondary characters added so much more to this story as well as the promise of more to come.
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Her Renegade Cowboy
by
Lora Leigh
carvanz
, September 28, 2021
This story absolutely sizzles with steam and intensity between Lily and Levi. They are awesome together, despite Lily fighting to remain independent in the face of lurking danger. She did make a few decisions that had me frustrated at times, but generally, I understood her reasoning. Levi was one fierce, protective, and possessive cowboy/undercover US Marshal. I loved his dedication to Lily as well as his determination to make her his while protecting her. This couple had one fiery relationship leading up to about the halfway point where the drama really kicked in full force. And when the storyline took an even grittier turn, things got intense. I loved watching them work through not only the danger but their issues. The secondary characters added so much more to this story as well as the promise of more to come.
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Yuletide Kiss
by
Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, Mary Jo Putney
carvanz
, September 28, 2021
When We Finally Kiss Good Night by Sabrina Jeffries: This was such a great novella. It included so much of the Christmas traditions that began during this time period or those that had not yet spread widely. Flora and Konrad were likeable characters that I found easy to connect with. Konrad especially won my heart. He had made decisions that cost him Flora’s heart and was at a loss how to win her back. Especially since he found himself in a position that was not favorable to making her his own forever. Despite the novella length, this felt full and well rounded. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well as the premise that brought them all together. With a bit of spice topping it off made this all the more easy to love. The Unexpected Gift by Madeline Hunter: This was a pleasant surprise with it’s touch of mystery running through it. It consisted of a story that was multi-layered and fully developed. Another full fledged novella as the previous one. I was a huge fan of Lucas and Jenna. Their chemistry was believable and there was an edge of anticipation as Lucas tried to find what he was looking for. That also carried with it the promise of angst that kept me on the edge. When Strangers Meet by Mary Jo Putney: This was a nice little read. I enjoyed that the author added the charm of a small kitten to the mix. The hero and heroine were very likeable and their story entertaining.
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Stowaway
by
James S Murray, Darren Wearmouth
carvanz
, September 21, 2021
After Maria serves on the jury during the trial of a serial killer, she finds it impossible to return to her normal life. Hounded by the press and public alike, she makes a decision that will have deadly consequences. I really enjoyed this story. The characters were relatable if not deeply developed and the plotline was engaging. Nothing too surprising here but the journey to get to the end had me turning the pages. I was especially intrigued by the killer and what motivated them. This had a great pace to it with action and drama keeping me on the edge of my seat. I was pleasantly surprised at the non-cliffhanger ending that could be followed up with more of this heroine.
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The Mad Trinkets
by
Cameron Scott Kirk
carvanz
, September 08, 2021
I didn’t know what to expect when I went into this one. I was looking for something different and I certainly got that. After the first couple of chapters it felt as though I might have made a mistake but after giving it some more time, I was surprised and pleased by how much I ended up really enjoying this dark fantasy. This was very well written and rather than pulling me into a lot of world building, this gave me some amazing characters. That was the initial hook for me before quickly becoming the story-line itself. This required a plot that could support such multi-layered characters and as the end grew closer, I began to worry it would leave me wanting. It did not. Once more it gave me something more than I was expecting. While I didn’t love this one, it’s a story that will remain with me in the future rather than being dismissed as one of many.
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Breaking Badger Badger 04
by
Shelly Laurenston
carvanz
, August 31, 2021
What an absolute blast to read! I’ve never laughed out loud so much or so hard. Except when reading the other books in this series. This author excels at creating characters that are unique, engaging, and always quirky and weird in their own ways. While this is light on the romance, I never missed it as I was so entertained by all the antics this motley group gets into. Even so, it does center more on Finn and Mads and there are some steamy moments before the end giving a slow burn to this story. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for something to pull you out of the doldrums or want a fun, action driven read.
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Tin Queen
by
Devney Perry
carvanz
, August 31, 2021
We have Emmett’s story! Holy heck, it was amazing! Once I started this I could not stop! Emmett and Nova stole my heart with every turn of the page. Nova was such an original heroine. She’s got ties that place her into a category that had me on the edge of my seat for much of this book. Throughout most of the story I felt the angst level ratcheting up as the moment of truth grew closer and closer. It placed me into a nail biting bundle of torment. I was already halfway in love with Emmett, but once I learned his whole story, I couldn’t help but fall all the way. I loved how he was with Nova. Even when he wanted to be more than a casual hookup, he gave her the freedom to do what she was comfortable with. This couple’s chemistry was like experiencing an inferno up close. Mix that in with all the angsty turmoil their story revealed and I was an emotional mess. By the conclusion, I was crying, laughing, and then grinning like a lunatic. Gah! I adored seeing everyone from the series. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day off than a total immersion into the Tin Gypsies!
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Casanova
by
T L Swan
carvanz
, August 26, 2021
What a wonderfully fun and delicious read! Elliot and Kate have just become one of my all time favorite couples! Kate had a fiery attitude that kept Elliot on his toes. He never intimidated her and she was more than capable of holding her own against him in every way. She was just an average girl with nothing special to recommend her and her struggle with that caused me some serious moments of heartache when it played a part in their story. There’s nothing more I enjoy than a great boss/employee trope with a boss like Elliot Miles. He had quite the reputation which made it all the more enjoyable to watch him fall in love. And oh my, him and the various incidents that occurred at Enchanted had me laughing out loud so hard I startled my kittens. I absolutely loved the chemistry between this couple. Watching them each fall in love as their relationship evolved was not only hot, but cute and so much fun. Especially once Elliot really lets her see who he is at heart. This book totally consumed me. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking of Elliot and Kate and what wonderfully delightful things would happen next. Once I reached a certain point, I refused to close my Kindle until I reached the last page. There was then an exceptionally awesome moment that had me clutching it even tighter and then the most perfect epilogue. As soon as I finished I wanted to relive it all again.
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All Night Long with a Cowboy: A Kittredge Ranch Novel
by
Caitlin Crews
carvanz
, August 24, 2021
A cowboy and a librarian. Sign me up please! I love both and when added together there is the promise of lots of fun. This book did not disappoint! I had so much fun watching Harriet turn Jensen’s life upside down. She was self-reliant and more than capable of standing up for herself. When a bit of insecurity did arise, I felt its pinch along with her and resented those that had inadvertently caused the pain. But I have to say that I loved seeing her through Jensen’s eyes. Swoon! Jensen was the fun loving, always smiling and good for a laugh, citizen in Cold River as well as his own family. Deep inside, however, he harbored a pain so intense, when revealed, it pretty much turned me into a sobbing mess. Harriet was exactly what he needed and while he might not have admitted it, it was fun watching him unknowingly accept it. This was not only fun to watch, with Harriet’s scowls and Jensen’s lazy grins, it was heartbreaking as well. I loved pretty much everything about this. It’s apparent it is not the first introduction to this family or town, but I was never really lost due to the short background that was usually shared when the characters from the previous book(s) were introduced. This was my first by this author but it won’t be the last!
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Dating Dare
by
Jayci Lee
carvanz
, August 03, 2021
This was such a cute, fun read! Perfect for the summer and an afternoon with some down time and the desire to dive into something that will allow you to escape into a sweet but steamy. Tara and Seth were both super cute. With a promise to not fall for each other, of course you know what’s going to happen. But I was fine with that. Sometimes the predictable is like coming home. It’s a comfort all on its own. Their dates were a combination of everything, ramping both the humor and emotions up the further into their relationship they grew. While this had a lot of fun, it also had an extreme amount of steam when this couple finally took that step. And holy prickly pears! There is some serious tease going on before they ever reach that point. Overall, a great read with secondary characters that helped to support the hero and heroine. I did not read the first book. While I think it would have added to my enjoyment with this one, I never felt lost without it.
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Dating Dare
by
Jayci Lee
carvanz
, August 03, 2021
This was such a cute, fun read! Perfect for the summer and an afternoon with some down time and the desire to dive into something that will allow you to escape into a sweet but steamy. Tara and Seth were both super cute. With a promise to not fall for each other, of course you know what’s going to happen. But I was fine with that. Sometimes the predictable is like coming home. It’s a comfort all on its own. Their dates were a combination of everything, ramping both the humor and emotions up the further into their relationship they grew. While this had a lot of fun, it also had an extreme amount of steam when this couple finally took that step. And holy prickly pears! There is some serious tease going on before they ever reach that point. Overall, a great read with secondary characters that helped to support the hero and heroine. I did not read the first book. While I think it would have added to my enjoyment with this one, I never felt lost without it.
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The Nanny and the Nerd
by
Krista Sandor
carvanz
, July 29, 2021
Give me a hot nerdy hero any day! Add a heroine who’s a bit IT illiterate and the nerdy guy’s nanny to boot, and I’m all in! Once I started I could not stop! Penny’s got some real life struggles that have her in a low place emotionally. Her offer of the nanny position had a magical, fairy tale quality to it that had me curling deeper into my reading spot. Despite her nerves regarding the job, she was amazing during her first interaction with Rowen. Watching her grow into confidence with her writing and her additional job with Rowen’s company was not only fun and quirky, it was everything sweet that captured the hearts of those around her. Rowen had some serious issues as a result of the way he was raised. But from the first moment he saw Penelope he was a goner. Although he attempted to keep his emotional distance, he continued to fall further and further into all that was Penny. I loved watching him yield to her sweet and crazy ways. I absolutely loved the dynamics between not only Rowen and Penny, but all of the surrounding characters as well. For a book that’s filled with steam, plenty of humor and a ton of heart warming moments, these characters came alive on the page due to beautifully rich development. And holy mother of all heartache! This book had me laughing one minute, fanning myself the next, then experiencing all the heartbreak imaginable before wrapping it all up in the most perfect way ever! I cannot wait for more nanny shenanigans!
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A Good Day for Chardonnay
by
Darynda Jones
carvanz
, July 27, 2021
I love absolutely every quirky, fun, and bizarre character in Del Sol. This is the type of place I wish I had grown up in. Seeing as that opportunity is long past, and it being fictional making it an impossibility to begin with, I’m enjoying the heck out of meeting the current residents of the town, namely those that are in Sheriff Vicram’s orbit. Sun continues to win me over in every way. Her wacky sense of humor is a perfect fit for me. It’s fun and light hearted without being stupid or immature and never at the cost of another person’s feelings. She is by far one of the greatest heroines of all time. Wish I had her as a role model for parenting back in the day when I needed someone to lead me. Lol. The romance takes a backseat, but anytime Levi is in the scene, things absolutely sizzle with excitement and expectation. I find myself drooling each time they have any quality time together as it’s pretty obvious they’ve got some serious heat going on between them. Add in the beautiful relationship between Auri and Cruz and the fact that this is relatively light on romance suddenly doesn’t feel like it’s lacking anything. While this has a woozy of a cliffhanger, it actually wraps up a few mysteries. Each one is just as thrilling and satisfying as any of the others. However, we are still left with so many questions regarding details of Sun’s abduction when she was younger. I’m anxious to learn it all even as I’m fascinated by each new thing that’s revealed.
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The Sinful Lives of Trophy Wives
by
Kristin Miller
carvanz
, July 20, 2021
Mind. Blown. This story totally twisted me one way and then another. From the beginning I never knew exactly what the true dynamic between these women were or where this was all going to end. Each time I suspected one thing, this author revealed a little more and I’d realize I was so wrong. Each of these characters pulled me into their dysfunctional lives as well as their relationship with each other, which was also dysfunctional. I couldn’t pinpoint who the villain or the good guys were because they all fit each role at one time or another. My mind was spinning and then suddenly...BAM! There it was. Yes! Of course that was what was happening. And just as I began to breathe again...I was once more tossed around to make sure I was paying attention. This book sucked me in from the first page and I read it non-stop. I love a psychological suspense that can surprise me and this one was INCREDIBLE! I had never heard of this author before but this blurb intrigued me so I took a chance and I am sooo glad that I did. I’ll definitely be checking her back-list as well as following her for more.
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The Sinful Lives of Trophy Wives
by
Kristin Miller
carvanz
, July 20, 2021
Mind. Blown. This story totally twisted me one way and then another. From the beginning I never knew exactly what the true dynamic between these women were or where this was all going to end. Each time I suspected one thing, this author revealed a little more and I’d realize I was so wrong. Each of these characters pulled me into their dysfunctional lives as well as their relationship with each other, which was also dysfunctional. I couldn’t pinpoint who the villain or the good guys were because they all fit each role at one time or another. My mind was spinning and then suddenly...BAM! There it was. Yes! Of course that was what was happening. And just as I began to breathe again...I was once more tossed around to make sure I was paying attention. This book sucked me in from the first page and I read it non-stop. I love a psychological suspense that can surprise me and this one was INCREDIBLE! I had never heard of this author before but this blurb intrigued me so I took a chance and I am sooo glad that I did. I’ll definitely be checking her back-list as well as following her for more.
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The Book of Accidents
by
Chuck Wendig
carvanz
, July 20, 2021
Whoa! What the heck did I just read? This was one twisted, wild, mind bending story. I literally could not stop reading it once I started. The characters here are of every variety, each of them exhibiting the good and the bad in so many ways. I was totally caught up in the drama of their lives and the changes they were each facing as they adjusted to them. There was just a touch of something not normal going on and then a trickle of it as my anxiety grew before...boom! And then things got really weird. I LOVED it! This book tossed me from one emotion to the next and kept me on the edge of my seat one minute and recoiling the next. I have never read anything like this before. I was enthralled each step of the way with each new revelation and every bend in the journey. I kept thinking, “How the heck does someone come up with something like this?!” I never once looked away. Good thing I started this early in the morning. After loving everything about this story, I was concerned when I got close to the end. I was thrilled with the last few pages. It was absolutely perfect on every level. This book crosses all types of genre and trope lines. At least for me, it does. I can’t even begin to label it in order to recommend it. It was one of the most unusual books I’ve ever read and it pulled me in completely and refused to let me go.
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Lost&Found
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, July 13, 2021
I couldn’t put this book down! Yanis was just as incredible as I knew he would be. With protective instincts, he was always careful not to overstep with Bree as she was more than capable of protecting herself. However, this has lots of opportunities for him to take care of her which fed even more of my alpha loving heart. Bree was a tough, independent heroine that was able to take care of herself in pretty much any situation. I worried that she might be too tough for my liking. The kind of tough that would make her feel unapproachable and difficult to relate to. Not so. She had a soft heart that had been injured but she was willing to work to get past her issues. Because Yanis respected her talents, she never had to battle him to have her way. There were no too stupid to live moments for this heroine. This is a fast paced story filled with so much action, danger and drama. This mystery is interlaced with events from previous books in the series so it might be best to read them first. However, it would not be difficult to follow along if you have not. The plot intricately weaves itself around the past even as it pulls the reader into a new situation that is rife with danger. One by one things were gradually revealed leaving me glued to my Kindle. I loved how this had all the steam and smexiness that I enjoy in my romance, along with the suspense that I crave.
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A Thin Disguise
by
Catherine Bybee
carvanz
, July 06, 2021
Wow, this was a great read! I love an amnesia story and this one fit perfectly into what I enjoy about them. The heroine, Olivia is one scary character if you’re on the wrong side of where she’s standing. Despite that, a good portion of this book shows her vulnerable, softer side as she struggles to regain her memory. I wasn’t sure how it was all going to play out once her memories returned but I was very pleased with the outcome of her story. Leo was amazing! His reaction to Olivia was delicious as was his protectiveness of her. There were moments when my heart just about leapt out of my chest on his behalf because of his sheer torment at what happened or what he imagined had happened. We get lots of the team in this story and I loved how they were all there for each other but especially Olivia as she needed it so much. The angst level ranges from low to high and the heat is mild to hot at times. I did feel the romance was more prevalent in this book than book 1 but still not the primary focus of the story. And that was okay because this has some great suspense and plenty of danger and drama.
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Too Good to Be Real
by
Melonie Johnson
carvanz
, July 06, 2021
This was such a cute, fun read. I was smiling and laughing pretty much from the first page. I found it to be very entertaining, with characters that were easy to fall in love with. While I never really felt the chemistry between the hero and heroine, the storyline was engaging and the secondary characters were just as interesting as the main characters. With so many fun moments that included corgis and seagulls, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the world this author created. Despite the hero and heroine having some issues to work through that affected their ability to take a chance on a relationship, the angst level remained low.
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Rabbits
by
Terry Miles
carvanz
, June 08, 2021
I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole various times in my life, but never anything like this! This is a fast paced story with twists and turns that had me turning the pages without pause. It was like pulling a thread on a sweater and watching it continue to unravel as it led me from one clue to another, each one more bizarre and fascinating. I was completely captivated by everything in this story. There were a few times I was lost due to the more scientific information that was being revealed. My mind refuses to understand science or math so I believe those particular moments were my own fault. Despite some of the terms and situations, I was still able to follow the storyline. With characters that kept me invested in their welfare, a plot that pulled me along with it, and an ending that had me wide eyed with astonishment, I ended this book happily exhausted from the journey these characters took me on.
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Rebel's Karma
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, June 08, 2021
Benny!!!! I have loved him since he was first introduced many books ago. I didn’t realize this author intended to give him his own story, although he’s definitely one of the most interesting and engaging characters of the series. As all heroes in this series, Benny is extremely protective of his family and friends and of the brotherhood of the Seven. But he’s even more so with Karma. Karma has an unusual history when compared to the other women of the Seven or even the Realm. Her current situation is one that she’s lived with for centuries but after a brief encounter with Benny, years ago, the Kurjan have new plans for her and are using her children as the impetus to make her fulfill them. She’s sweet and gentle and loves romance books because of the strong heroines she finds within the pages. Watching her morph from who she has been trained to be into someone she wants to be was wonderful. This is a fast read with a lot of action. We continue to get a few looks at Hope, Drake and Paxton and I have to admit that I’ve got definite opinions on which of the two I’m hoping she ends up with. Although, I do wonder if Ms. Zanetti isn’t deliberately playing with us. With the continued addition of the rest of the Seven as well as other favorite characters, this was such an entertaining read. So much so that I’m already clamoring for the next book!
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Undercover Duke A Witty & Entertaining Historical Regency Romance
by
Sabrina Jeffries
carvanz
, May 25, 2021
What a great ending to this exceptional series! I love a heroine who knows what she wants. Put her in a historical romance where society’s conventions put a restraint on those desires, and that provides all kinds of fun outcomes. Ms. Jeffries took Vanessa’s desire for Sheridan and turned his world upside down. I loved how Vanessa was smart enough to maneuver the situation to fit her needs. Sheridan didn’t have a clue he was being gently manipulated. Watching Sheridan manipulate Vanessa, unknowing that he was the one being manipulated, was just too much fun. It was plain to see how he truly felt, despite his ignorance of his own feelings. Give me a hero that is jealous to the point of acting impetuously, one that is protective beyond reason, and I’m a happy reader. Poor Sheridan. He never had a clue. This is a fast read with so much wit and fun throughout, involving all the characters from the series. I adore the way this family harassed each other with love. There is plenty of drama as the whole group continues to investigate who the murderer might be. Along with the relationship angst between Sheridan and Vanessa, there are also some pretty hot and steamy scenes with this couple. Overall, a perfect book to wrap things up all while giving us a happily ever after for Sheri
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Tempting Fate
by
Kerrigan Byrne
carvanz
, May 11, 2021
Oh my gosh!!! This is by far my most favorite book of the year! This has everything I love in any genre of romance. Gabriel was a hero that was damaged and broken with outward scars that most looked upon with revulsion. He has never been with a woman but from the moment he laid eyes on Felicity he was taken by her. The way he originally hid in the shadows to watch her checked boxes I didn’t even know I had, making me giddy with excitement. Fiercely protective over her, he would do anything to keep her safe and imagined what he would do to those men who would court her for her hand in marriage. I absolutely loved him and his all consuming adoration of the heroine. Felicity was so sweet, innocent, the one Goode sister that the rest of the family was protective over. Essentially, she was everything good that one could imagine. What could such a heroine need except a big, burly, rumbly hero with a scarred face and the ability to easily kill with his hands? This was a fast paced story with lots of danger and action. While the chemistry is evident between Gabriel and Felicity, this is a very slow burn but perfect for the relationship they were developing. When they do yield to one another, holy heck, the pages ignited with an inferno of heat. Highly recommend this one to those who love a historical romance that follows a bit more traditional lines but manages to make it feel fresh and new.
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Maybe We Will
by
Melissa Foster
carvanz
, May 04, 2021
Now this is romance! From their first meeting, this had everything you could possibly imagine to lay out the perfect romance storyline. Abby and Aiden were strong, incredible characters and watching them romance themselves into a forever relationship was beautiful. Although Abby might not appear to be the strongest of the sisters, I felt like she had a firmer hand on what was emotionally best for herself moving forward after her mother’s death. She had an awesome dream and watching it come to fruition with the help of friends as well as Aiden was actually inspiring. Aiden was pretty much hooked from the first moment he saw Abby. From that point onward he quickly became the most swooniest of heroes I’ve read in quite some time. He knew exactly what to do and say to win not only Abby’s heart, but mine. This was a low angst read with little drama and lots of heart. The heat level is scorching and written in a way to highlight the evolving relationship between Abby and Aiden. With characters from previous books as well as a few new ones, this is definitely setting things up for the series and I can’t wait.
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Good Sister
by
Sally Hepworth
carvanz
, April 13, 2021
Wow, this was one twisted sister tale! It didn’t take any time for me to get completely caught up in this story. It was so easy to picture Rose and Fern fraternal twins, one of them apparently on the spectrum and the other her protector. What an awful childhood they had. Is it any wonder the issues they faced as adults? My heart hurt for them. While Fern is never officially diagnosed, her condition is pretty obvious. She’s highly functioning and I fell completely in love with her. She was totally charming in such an innocent way and I realize that was due to her autism, but the way this author portrayed her had me loving her, wanting to hug her (even though that would be a no-go) and laughing at the way she inadvertently pulled others into her world. Rose was fiercely protective of Fern. Her whole life revolved around her. She was an amazing older sister and Fern would have been lost without her. I worried about her other relationships and how Fern’s presence affected them. Much of this is written in a journal type of format that gives us glimpses into the past. With each new entry we are given, a clearer picture begins to form. I began to question the title along with the words on the page and soon I was vacillating between who truly was the good sister and why were they not considered good? This has a very thin veil of darkness running through it but the question is to which twin is it contributed to?
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To Love & to Loathe
by
Martha Waters
carvanz
, April 06, 2021
Oh my gosh! This book, with all it’s originality in a genre that can be repetitive at times, was absolutely wonderful! There is no way I could have known how unique this story was going to be. With a hero and heroine that didn’t hesitate to say what was on their minds to each other. I was gobbling up the banter between them as fast as I could. Once Diana had been married and soon widowed, she really came into herself. She embraced the freedom her place in society gave her and along with it came the opportunity to accept a scandalous proposition. Gah! I love scandalous propositions! And I loved Diana. She was bold and feisty, never hesitating to speak her opinion. She was exactly what Jeremy needed. I struggled just a tad with Jeremy’s reason for the proposition. Afterall, here’s a man who has been horn-dogging around for years and the premise didn’t feel authentic for either him or Diana. However, I’m a lenient reader and I pushed that aside and had no trouble at all embracing everything else about these characters and the plot. With secondary characters that I became just as invested in as Jeremy and Diana, I was pulled completely into the story. The laugh out loud moments were frequent, the chemistry believable and absolutely sizzled when this hero and heroine were alone together, and the ending absolutely perfect.
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Drowning Kind
by
Jennifer McMahon
carvanz
, April 06, 2021
There’s just something about deep, dark water that always sends a shiver of fear down my spine. You’d think I’d completely avoid it. And I do. Unless it’s the promise of a horror story. It’s been a long while since I’ve picked up a book in this genre but after a lot of lighter romance books, I was ready for something twisty and dark. The Drowning Kind was the perfect choice. Jackie was an eye opening character for me. Some of the emotions she felt towards her family were unflattering of her character, and yet I empathize with her and could totally understand why she would feel the way she did. When she felt the shame of her emotions, I too felt the shame in understanding her. It was a twisted connection I’ve not experienced with a heroine before. And that is where I truly began to fall into the story. The pacing of this story was perfect for the plot as the tension slowly builds and with each step of the way the fear begins to escalate until I found myself hesitant to turn the page.
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Sweet Taste of Muscadines
by
Pamela Terry
carvanz
, March 16, 2021
I do not normally read this type of book, and I’m not sure what made me choose to do so now. When I started it, I was just going to read the first chapter or so because I had things to do and I really didn’t expect it to hold my attention, especially within the first few pages. I could not have been more wrong. This story immediately pulled me in. With it’s lush descriptions and emotion pouring out of every word, I was quickly swept up into Lila’s current life, as well as her past. With each word I found myself immersed in the southern atmosphere she grew up in. I cannot recall another book that evoked such a feeling of being present in the story, as The Sweet Taste of Muscadines did. I found myself loving each of the siblings and captivated by the way they dealt with the issues at hand. The plot is multi-layered but so beautifully woven together, I didn’t even recognize its many dimensions until I reflected back on it. This has a fast pace and while it richly paints a picture of life in the South, it never bogs down or becomes repetitive. I was unable to stop reading once I began. How is it possible this is this author’s debut novel? I’m astounded at her talent and would not be surprised if this were to ever be made into a movie.
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Strong Silent Cowboy A Moving Violations Novel
by
Lora Leigh, Veronica Chadwick
carvanz
, March 09, 2021
Wow! This was one hot and steamy read with plenty of drama and mystery to hold it all together. While I enjoyed Sallie and appreciated her ability to endure the ordeal she’s been through, this book really got me with Jacob. He’s a super alpha hero that’s fiercely protective, extremely possessive and exhibits a streak of jealousy when the situation calls for it. And oh man, things between him and Sallie were explosive. Yeah, you can totally go there. They literally set the pages of this book on fire. This has several surprises and along with all the steam, it’s actually got a great storyline running through it. The inclusion of a trio of brothers has me hoping we’ll be seeing them in the future as they all carry great potential to be just as amazing as Jacob. Highly recommended if you like a strong alpha and a lot of heat.
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Devil Wears Black
by
L J Shen
carvanz
, March 09, 2021
This had me laughing and grinning, at times wanting to smack the hero, it made me cry from sadness and finally with happiness. Chase was a hero I wasn’t sure how to feel about. He was hateful and rude with his remarks and inner thoughts (even as they had a touch of humor to them) and I was afraid if the author didn’t show me something to redeem him soon, nothing was going to be able to do the job. About the fifty percent mark it slowly started to happen. And let me say, once it started to turn, I was completely hooked. Maddie was the type of heroine I could totally relate to. She’s pretty much the girl that feels a bit insecure, a people pleaser, and does what’s needed to make those around her happy. Even at the cost of herself. I loved that as she began to let the true her shine, it was not because she had the support of a man or to make anyone happy. She was simply being herself. And I loved who she truly was. This had a lot of emotion and depth to it even as I consider it a rom-com. There was no outward action or drama. Everything is based upon Maddie and Chase’s relationship with each other and those around them. Chase was an alpha hero that possessed some jealous/possessive streaks although they were generally thoughts that he kept hidden. He also was one dirty talker and never hesitated to let Maddie know exactly what he wanted and how he wanted it. This has an awesome ending and an incredible epilogue.
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Devil in Her Bed
by
Kerrigan Byrne
carvanz
, March 09, 2021
Wow, this was not what I was expecting. Francesca was one tough, original heroine, unlike any I’ve read before. She had set before her a plan and she wouldn’t let anything stop her from it. The things that she did were quite unique for a woman of this era, and I did struggle some with her choices and actions. But in the end, she won me over as she proved everything she did was for those she had loved and lost. Chandler also exhibited some unique qualities although they were more fitting for the time. He was intensely protective of Francesca and that protectiveness grew exponentially the closer they became. He did react at one point in a way that made me want to smack him, but he totally redeemed himself and I, like Francesca, forgave him. This has a lot of drama and angst with just as much mystery and danger. I never knew what was going to happen next. Each few pages something happened that kept me fully engaged and refusing to close the book. The surprises just kept coming and I was breathless with shock and awe with each one. While this takes place in the latter 1800s, I did feel that there were times when the story felt much more modern. That did distract from the overall feel and depth of the story for me, but I still enjoyed it and was overall very satisfied.
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Poet
by
Lisa Renee Jones
carvanz
, March 09, 2021
Oh my gosh! This was one intense read! Samantha was one gutsy heroine. I loved that she wasn’t so hardened and crude as some heroines in law enforcement are created to be. She was fierce enough to know she could get the job done, but never mean or rude to those around her. Her relationship with her partner and her ex shed a light on who she truly was inside and I liked everything about her. This has a lot of drama to it. Once it starts there is no slowing down. It never bogs or gets repetitive. Instead, it’s like a snowball rolling down hill. When the plot hits a certain point, it picks up speed and there was no way I was closing this book until I knew how it all ended. My heart was racing and each time I reached one of those amazing LRJ twists, I was gasping and clutching at my Kindle. This is not a romance, although there is a love interest involved. Only to the very smallest degree is their relationship brought into the mix. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of this couple if there are any future books. And I have to confess I was thrilled that this didn’t drop me off a cliff! I actually want another book although it’s not required!
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Dotted Lines
by
Devney Perry
carvanz
, March 02, 2021
This was the most perfect ending for this incredible series! Clara had had a crush on Karson throughout their time in the junkyard. Her emotional reaction to their time dwindling down to the day they would all be going their own ways had me choking up repeatedly. Within a few pages this author had me engulfed in the story and experiencing all the young heartache that Clara was experiencing. Although we’ve seen bits and pieces of the kids junkyard lives, we get an ever better look this time around. It amazes me that something so out of the ordinary can feel so real when Ms. Perry puts her pen and paper to it. I felt as though I were inside that wrecked van or sitting within the walls of the tent that held so many memories for all of the kids. Karson’s point of view comes up during the second half of the book and I fell in love with him even more than I already had. He has a bit of a struggle once they are reunited, but there was never a doubt where his heart had been years ago and where it remained. This is a pretty angsty read with characters that stole my heart, chemistry that sizzled across the page, and an epilogue that was not only perfect for Clara and Karson, but for the whole group.
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Hit Me With Your Best Scot
by
Suzanne Enoch
carvanz
, February 09, 2021
What an action filled read! This had so much going on from the very beginning. There were family issues, mysteries inside mysteries, and the romance between the hero and heroine. The divide that was automatically between Coll and Persephone made the development of their relationship much more angsty than I anticipated. I loved Coll and his big growly ways. He did attempt to do what was requested of him but through it all he couldn’t stop thinking about Persephone. That made him even more amazing to me. His character was written in such a way that I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. Persephone was an interesting heroine, especially for the time. She was dependent but in a way I was expecting. She also has a secret that I never saw coming and which had me turning pages faster. This is filled with lots of friends and plenty of MacTaggerts and their wild but loyal ways, which I loved. The steam level is pretty intense and the heroine is pretty bold. I do wish there had been an epilogue but I suspect the author will give an update on them in a future book. Not my favorite, but at least we get Persephone’s and Coll’s happy ever after.
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Dancing With Danger
by
Kerrigan Byrne
carvanz
, February 09, 2021
I’m all about the hero of the story, but Ms. Byrne writes heroines that are so unique they are as exciting to meet as her heroes. Mercy is proof this is the case. She was self confident in her abilities, even if they did not meld with society’s expectations. And although she was aware of her inability to attract a suitor, she didn’t let it sway who she was at heart. I absolutely adored everything about her and loved watching her relationship with Raphael develop. ”She’d come to terms with the fact that she was a thorn in the collective side of the world at large. Forever too much or not enough.” Raphael was pretty unique on his own. With a French accent, a dubious background, and a streak of protectiveness for those he loves, I read his actions and decisions with bated breath, uncertain what the ultimate outcome would be. Watching him with Mercy was heat inducing as he was forthright and pretty bold with her. With each page I fell harder and harder into love with him. ”No. He was not mysterious, this man. He wore his darkness. Advertised his sins. Pinned his emotions to his suit like a badge of honor.” This is filled with drama, mystery and action that kept me on my toes. Whatever secret Raphael was keeping had me turning pages as quickly as possible only to slow them way down once the steam factor came into play. After all, when you’ve got the chemistry and heat that resided between Mercy and Raphael on the page in front of you, it’s a biological response.
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The Bluff
by
Devney Perry
carvanz
, February 04, 2021
Oh my gosh!Hux and Everly!They are everything that sizzles, angst that will bring tears to your eyes and ALL the feels! Holy heck, did I love this book! I didn’t realize I was going to adore Everly as much as I did. The hero is usually my focus point, but Everly totally won me over one hundred percent. Watching her natural flow with Hux was magic. She had a way about her that is hard to describe which shows the talent of this author when it comes to developing characters. Hux was the type of hero that I can never get enough of. He was grumpy, frowny, and determined to keep others at a distance. But when Everly enters his life, he begins to make decisions that weaken his previous resolves. Gah! I love when that happens. Watching his downfall was wonderful and extremely emotional. Together, Hux and Everly set my kindle on FIRE! They absolutely blew up the heat-o-meter. Everything between them felt real, from their battle against falling in love, to their moments or honesty with each other. The conflict between them as well as their own personal issues often had me tearing up if not actually crying out loud. This is a fast read, with great pacing and some wonderful characters.
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Driven A Thrilling Novel of Suspense
by
Rebecca Zanetti
carvanz
, January 26, 2021
This whole series has been amazing and while each book has been fulfilling in itself, they’ve also built up my desire for Angus’ story. And with Driven, I finally have it. The fact that I’ve had numerous opportunities to see Angus and Nari interact in the previous books, added more depth to their story. But now I got to really see them in action and they did not disappoint. While Angus is definitely a protective hero, he was never over the top with it. I liked that he was able to allow Nari to do her thing, even if he would have preferred to keep her hidden away. Nari actually took me by surprise. She was nothing as I expected making her the perfect match for Angus. This is filled with so much action, drama, suspense and danger. All of it was sprinkled with a bit of humor and a healthy dose of sizzling chemistry. I was a bit disappointed that Roscoe’s character was not given the chance to shine as much as he has in some of the previous books. He’s still my favorite from the whole series. While this is part of a series and would be better read in order, it doesn’t have to be. I highly recommend this book and any of the previous books!
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Lock&Load
by
Freya Barker
carvanz
, January 25, 2021
Yowza! This book took control of my every emotion and never let go! This couple had some issues and a rough road before they finally found their footing. I was totally caught up in their relationship drama, biting my nails as they each were pulled into danger and suspense outside their relationship as well. There wasn’t a moment where something wasn’t happening or I didn’t feel the sense of trouble waiting in the peripheral of their personal story. This cover hinted at a somewhat different hero, but I didn’t have a clue just how unique Radar was going to be. A little geeky with a tremendous talent in front of a computer, he also shined with an alpha attitude when it came to Hillary. She was more than capable of handling his dominant manner in a way that had me cheering her on. Feisty! I loved it! Starting with a rush of action, this never really slowed down. Radar and Hillary were quite heated in more than one way and I was consumed with everything about them. With additional characters that added either support or more drama and a plot line I didn’t see coming, I refused to put this book down once I started.
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Maddest Obsession
by
Danielle Lori
carvanz
, December 15, 2020
Holy heck!We only thought Nico was the ultimate possessive hero! Christian takes things to a whole other level! I was worried about whether I would like Gianna as I didn’t really care for her in the first book. But it didn’t take long for me to see that there was so much more to her than what is on the surface. She has her own taste in clothing, a seemingly wide open personality that pulls everyone in, and a dark past that has left its mark in the form of panic attacks. While her drug use bothered me, the underlying reasons for it was understandable. When her past is finally revealed, I hurt for her. The relationship between Gianna and Christian is filled with so many mixed emotions. There is a lot of push and pull here laced with animosity, desire and angst. While this doesn’t have a dramatic conflict, the personal issues that have to be dealt with are soul destroying and make for more than enough drama. The flashbacks and timeline were a bit confusing at times, although the author does clearly label them. Despite the mafia lifestyle not being the core of this story, its presence is very much felt. While I liked the epilogue, this couple had to work hard to get to their happy ever after and I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t ever get to really see them together in that state. An additional scene would have been, as Gianna might have said, “the icing on the brownie”.
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