New Arrivals To The TBR Pile In September

Title: A Shoe Addict’s Christmas by Beth Harbison
Description: From the author of the beloved bestseller Shoe Addicts Anonymous comes a heartwarming twist on a classic tale filled with holiday cheer.

Noelle is not a fan of the holidays and to make matters worse, she is at a crossroads in her life when it seems that love and adventure are no longer possible. When she stays late at her job in a department store on a snowy Christmas Eve she accidentally gets locked in after closing. She isn’t too concerned about the prospect of spending the night in the store…until a woman appears out of nowhere and tells Noelle that she’s her guardian angel. Soon Noelle finds herself camped out in the shoe department facing several “ghosts” of Christmases past, present, and future...Will visiting the holidays of yesterday and tomorrow help Noelle see the true spirit of Christmas? And will the love she has longed for all her life be the best surprise gift of all?

Title: Apprentice In Death by J.D. Robb
Description: Nature versus nurture...

The shots came quickly, silently, and with deadly accuracy. Within seconds, three people were dead at Central Park’s ice skating rink. The victims: a talented young skater, a doctor, and a teacher. As random as random can be.

Eve Dallas has seen a lot of killers during her time with the NYPSD, but never one like this. After reviewing security videos, it becomes clear that the victims were killed by a sniper firing a tactical laser rifle, who could have been miles away when the trigger was pulled. And though the locations where the shooter could have set up seem endless, the list of people with that particular skill set is finite: police, military, professional killer.

Eve’s husband, Roarke, has unlimited resources—and genius—at his disposal. And when his computer program leads Eve to the location of the sniper, she learns a shocking fact: There were two—one older, one younger. Someone is being trained by an expert in the science of killing, and they have an agenda. Central Park was just a warm-up. And as another sniper attack shakes the city to its core, Eve realizes that though we’re all shaped by the people around us, there are those who are just born evil...

Title: Dorothy by Anya Wylde
Description: Anya Wylde is back with yet another Fairweather sister novel full of comedy, adventure and, of corse, toe curling romance.

The Fairweather sisters adore each other and always stand by one another. But when circumstances force Dorothy May Fairweather to marry Lord William Edmund Huxley, the man her best friend is in love with and the Duke’s arch enemy, things change.

With her one foolish mistake, Dorothy manages to vex all those that mean the most to her.

Now all alone and miserable, Dorothy has to win back her sisters, the duke, her in-laws and of course, her breathtakingly handsome new husband.

Title: Driving Me Wild by Maria Benson & A.L. Ford
Description: In a dating scene full of well-educated, ambitious and attractive players, is the “terminally single” woman her own worst enemy?

That’s the accusation hurled at Aimee Chase, a young Chicago sports marketing executive who finds herself confronted with professions of love from Michael Blake, a handsome but bland high school classmate. When Aimee tries but fails to let him down easy, habitually nice Michael hits below the belt, implying she’s too damaged to appreciate a good man. Check, please: An insulted Aimee showers Michael in her glass of sweet-but-smoky Merlot.

Truth is, Michael's accusations drew blood. With a romantic history littered with cheaters and bad boys–including a married one with a very big job who is still in her life–Aimee fears that she has sabotaged her chances of ever finding the right guy. Months later, as her career implodes and she finds herself enveloped in a high-profile scandal, she’s not sure what to think when a suddenly captivating Michael reappears.

Thrilled to find that this “safe” guy now makes her weak in the knees, Aimee ultimately has her ecstasy interrupted by the revelation that Michael has transformed into a promiscuous, cold-hearted pick-up artist he thinks women like Aimee want. When he’s caught with related baggage but declares his fidelity, should Aimee toss aside a promising relationship, or just accept that “it’s complicated?”

Title: New York Dolls by Catherine L. Hensley
Description: It’s Fashion Week in New York, and Denton Hodges just got her first big assignment for Glitter magazine.

Denton’s assignment: Get in the show at the posh Regency Viscount Hotel, and find a story. But a chance encounter with hard-partying starlet Amber Donovan forever changes the course of the night—and Denton’s life. After a night of being chased by the paparazzi, swimming in swag bags, and falling heart over heels for Hollywood hunk Chris West, Denton’s not just on the story. She is the story.

Suddenly, Denton’s no longer merely a low-level assistant. Amber’s latching on like a BFF from hell, Chris is flirting and cooking her dinner, and as Denton falls for the real people behind the tabloid screen, neither knows about her ties to Glitter. Only Denton holds the secret—or so she thinks. Is Anna Creel, Glitter’s icy beauty editor, on to her? Will Denton be able to write a story exposing her new friends? And is Chris more than just a friend, or did Glitter get the headline right—“Chris and Amber: Hot Nights!”?

Step into the spotlight, and peek beyond the red carpet in New York Dolls.

Title: Nothing Stays In Vegas by Elena Aitken
Description: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...except when it doesn't.

Lexi Titan has mastered the art of pretending everything's fine. After all, how else could she ignore the fact that her husband is never home, her son barely knows him and the last time she had sex, well, who can remember?

With her life crumbling, the last thing she wants to do is go on a trip, especially back to Vegas; a city full of glitz, excess, and Leo, the man she's spent the last six years trying to forget. But when her best friend announces she's getting married, Lexi doesn't have a choice. Besides, it's ridiculous to avoid an entire city because of one guy. Even if he is the father of your child.

Face to face with memories of the past and the gorgeous man who started it all, Lexi can no longer deny the truth to anyone, especially Leo. But honesty will come at a price, and Lexi must decide if she's wiling to take that risk. And what exactly will she tell her husband?

Because as she now knows, NOTHING STAYS IN VEGAS.

Title: Sundaes With Nora by Anna Garner
Description: Nora Finch has a sweet life. She’s married to one of San Francisco’s wealthiest venture capitalists, she lives in a gorgeous old Victorian mansion in one of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods, and she just launched an ice cream business with her two best friends, Cricket and Lindsay.

However…exactly one week after Sweet Dreams opens its doors to the public, Nora’s husband, Kenneth, informs her he wants a divorce.

Talk about bad timing. Now, on top of the tremendous pressure she feels to drive sales, Nora has to deal with the breakdown of her marriage, adjust to a more frugal lifestyle, find a new place to live and prepare to dip her toes in the dating pool for the first time in four years. If that weren’t enough, everyone keeps trying to get her to “process” her feelings. For an overachiever like Nora, juggling the demands of a new business along with a total overhaul of her personal life should be doable…right?

Title: Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich
Description: In the heart of Trenton, N.J., a killer is out to make sure someone gets his just desserts.

Larry Virgil skipped out on his latest court date after he was arrested for hijacking an eighteen-wheeler full of premium bourbon. Fortunately for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, Larry is just stupid enough to attempt almost the exact same crime again. Only this time he flees the scene, leaving behind a freezer truck loaded with Bogart ice cream and a dead body—frozen solid and covered in chocolate and chopped pecans.

As fate would have it, Stephanie’s mentor and occasional employer, Ranger, needs her to go undercover at the Bogart factory to find out who’s putting their employees on ice and sabotaging the business. It’s going to be hard for Stephanie to keep her hands off all that ice cream, and even harder for her to keep her hands off Ranger. It’s also going to be hard to explain to Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, why she is spending late nights with Ranger, late nights with Lula and Randy Briggs—who are naked and afraid—and late nights keeping tabs on Grandma Mazur and her new fella. Stephanie Plum has a lot on her plate, but for a girl who claims to have “virtually no marketable skills,” these are the kinds of sweet assignments she does best.

REVIEW: All Shook Up by Chelsey Krause

Title: All Shook Up
Author: Chelsey Krause
Publisher: Tryst Books
Publication Date: August, 2016
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Natalie’s world is shaken to its core when she discovers an old photo of a woman who looks like her. Could this woman be related to her birth mother, who put Natalie up for adoption as a baby? When she tracks down the person who dumped the photo album at her thrift shop, she’s shaken again. Especially when the gorgeous fire-fighting guitarist offers to help her find the owner. They quickly become friends – which is all they’ll be, as far as Natalie’s concerned. Her rebellious youth turned her off cheating men, and the new Natalie is looking for true love and a family of her own – something Casey isn’t willing to provide. But how long can Natalie ignore her undeniable attraction to the man with the Irish accent and the broken-down ’57 Chevy?

In Chelsey Krause’s second novel, friends become lovers over a whirlwind summer of rockabilly rhythms, twirling skirts, and a mystery that takes them hilariously far out of their element.

My Thoughts: A fantastic story about a young woman’s search for her birth family and the love she finds on the journey. Natalie and Casey were fantastic characters. I loved the chemistry they have that is immediately obvious when they first meet. Casey’s flirtatious nature is a perfect match to Natalie’s grounded personality. When the reader learns about Natalie’s wild past, it adds more dimension to an already complex character. I loved his willingness to help her find her birth family and the easy level of comfort they have with one another is both sweet and sexy.

My Final Verdict: Chelsey Krause writes wonderful characters that are easy to relate to, empathize with and care about. The story is both fun and intriguing that keep the reader engaged and entertained. I highly recommend this story to readers looking for romance, laughter and friendship that blossom into love.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of All Shook Up from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: What A Lady Demands by Ashlyn Macnamara

Title: What A Lady Demands (The Eton Boys Trilogy #2)
Author: Ashlyn Macnamara
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: November, 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Viscount Lindenhurst cannot seem to find a governess who meets his impossible standards—until Cecelia Sanford becomes the first woman to interrupt the widower’s brooding in years. Lind had returned home from the Napoleonic wars, broken in body and soul and longing for his wife’s embrace, only to find her changed. Before they could reconcile, an accident struck their son and claimed her life. Now enter Cecelia, with her soft curves and sharp tongue—a tempting distraction, it is true, but not a welcome one.

Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.

My Thoughts: The Eton Boys Trilogy continues with the story of Viscount Lindenhurst and Cecelia Sanford, who we first met in What A Lady Craves. Lind used to be the best friend of Alexander, the male protagonist of the first book and Cecelia is Alexander’s sister. This story stands alone, but I highly recommend you read the first book before this one to better understand the character’s history and events that occurred in the first book to bring you up to speed on this story.

I quite enjoyed this story even more than the first. I really connected to Lind and Cecelia and felt the chemistry between them was a perfect blend. They are both hiding deep and painful secrets and both feel unworthy of love. Lind hires Cecelia to be a governess for his young son. I found it interesting and disturbing that he refused to address his son by name. I found myself getting a little outraged on the child’s behalf….hello, his name is Jeremy! As more of Lind’s past is revealed, I felt more empathy for him and happily he redeems himself.

I really liked Cecelia’s spirit, determination and tenacity. She has no problem standing up to anyone to defend her beliefs. She is not a shy young girl who keeps her eyes downcast in the presence of the man who stirs her blood and makes her heart race. No, she looks him straight in the eye, boldly, without hesitation. I also enjoyed her connection with Jeremy. She refuses to let his reluctance to accept her in his life and instead views it as a challenge that she is determined to overcome.

The characters are well written with many layers that reveal more depth to their personalities. The story kept me engaged and entertained and curious to what was going to happen next. The author does a wonderful job of creating characters and an environment that the reader can easily connect to and feel comfortable in.

My Final Verdict: A wonderful sequel to a very good trilogy about second-chances at love, personal redemption, forgiveness and finally laying the demons of the past to rest. I highly recommend this trilogy and look forward to reading the third book.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of What A Lady Demands from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Arrivals To The TBR Pile In August

Title: Beautiful Maids All In A Row by Jennifer Harlow
Description: Dr. Iris Ballard’s glory days are behind her, so when Luke Hudson, her former FBI partner and onetime lover, asks for help constructing a psychological profile of an elusive serial killer who murders single mothers and dumps their bodies in the woods, Iris turns him away. She just wants to be left alone with her infomercials, her German Shepherd, and her vodka. That is, until she gets a peek at the case files.

The media has dubbed him “the Woodsman.” But after Iris learns the sickening details held back from the press, and as she sets foot onto the scene of his latest crime, she assembles a portrait of a more complicated, enigmatic, meticulous man. Control is his motivation. He thrives on it. Soon he even tries to manipulate the investigation by contacting Iris, hoping to rattle the woman he considers an intellectual equal.

The game is on. Iris thinks she has a read on her target, enough to push his buttons, to make him lose control. But when the Woodsman gains the upper hand, Iris faces the most painful reckoning of all—with her own violent past.

Title: Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer
Description: More than three hundred years after the most terrifying witch hunts the world has ever known, it's happening again.

Young witch, Stella, has to put her faith in strangers just to stay alive but she might not be any safer in their midst than from the danger she is running from.

There is more than one dark secret in her new family: Étoile’s sister is spoken of in fear and sadness; Marc is supposed to be a powerful witch but is missing his magic; where does the owner of their safe house vanish to every day and why does Evan have the eyes of someone not quite human? There is only one secret that someone will do anything to keep quiet, but whose secret is it and will Stella have to pay the price for silence?

Title: The Lost Cats And Lonely Hearts Club by Nic Tatano
Description: Swapping Prada for purrs…

While covering a story, feisty network reporter Madison Shaw gets more than she bargained for when she rescues a box of orphaned kittens. Suddenly the glamazon of the Manhattan news room is doing two am feedings to keep these fur babies alive!

This is certainly a change of pace for the high maintenance workaholic she’s become and taking care of the kittens makes Madison realize how far off track she’s come—after all, she was a stray once too…

When a video of her caring for the kittens goes viral, she knows her image as a hardnosed reporter is shot to hell. What Madison doesn’t expect is the media circus that propels her and the kittens to stardom. And the domino effect that has on her, her career and her love life—especially when she meets sexy Officer Nick Marino…!

Title: The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson
Description: Luke Carney has no idea what possessed him to move back to Shelter Springs, Colorado, to set up his veterinarian practice. His parents have long since left, the small farming community is on the brink of extinction, and only one close friend from his childhood remains--Taycee Emerson, his best friend’s little sister, who isn’t so little anymore.

Then there’s the matter of Shelter’s Bachelorette, an online reality dating show created to raise some much needed funds for the town.

Unwittingly cast as the bachelorette, Taycee wants out, especially when she discovers that Luke, her childhood crush, is back in town and will be one of the bachelors. To make matters worse, it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go. And they all seem to like Luke.

Unwilling to let him break her heart again, Taycee launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. But she’d forgotten that Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

New Arrivals To The TBR Pile In July

Title: How To Lose A Duke In Ten Days by Kate McKinley
Description: Lucas Alexander, the ninth Duke of Arlington, is a man who gets what he wants. So when he sees the alluring Miss Pippa Welby from across a crowded ballroom, he vows to make her his. But the bold and spirited Pippa has sworn never to marry into the haute ton. Now Lucas must win her the only way he knows how—one wicked kiss at a time.

The daughter of a wealthy tradesman, Pippa has been sneered at by the upper echelons her entire life. So when the duke arrives on her doorstep with an invitation to her own engagement ball—to him—in ten days, Pippa hatches a daring plan. She must lose the duke before the ball, or risk losing her own heart.

Title: Let’s Be Just Friends by Camilla Isley
Description: What if the man you’ve always loved isn’t the right one for you?

Rose Atwood has been in love with her best friend since she was twelve years old. The only problem is, he's the biggest player to have ever landed on Earth. Rose has waited forever for Tyler to grow up, all the while keeping her feelings under wraps for fear of getting hurt.

But after watching Tyler go through girl after girl, Rose has lost hope he’ll ever change. Being Tyler's best friend is becoming more difficult with every passing year and every new woman in his life—especially when the girlfriend du jour is Georgiana, a snotty, beautiful girl who’s in Law School with them and who never leaves Tyler's side.

When Rose, dumped by her long-term boyfriend, moves temporarily into Tyler’s apartment, tension spikes. Georgiana wants Rose out of the house. Rose wants Georgiana out of Tyler’s life. And Tyler … well, he doesn’t really know what he wants.

As an unexpected argument brings Rose and Tyler closer than they’ve ever been, they must decide if there’s more to their relationship than being just friends. And they must do it quickly, as Georgiana is determined to do everything in her power to keep Tyler and Rose apart. After all, all is fair in love and war.

Will Rose make a leap of faith and trust Tyler with her heart?

Will Tyler make the right choice, or will he be too late?

Let's Be Just Friends is a fast paced, captivating novella that will keep you glued to the pages with humor, heartbreak, and romance. It's a story about friendship, love, and the choices we make.

Title: Sister Agatha: The World’s Oldest Serial Killer by Domhnall O’Donoghue
Description: Sister Agatha is a colossal 118 years of age, whose vim and vigor would put the most robust athletes to shame. During a routine check-up, however, her doctor claims she has just a week to live, news that proves to be quite inconvenient, seeing as the beloved sister has one ambition in life: to be the oldest person in the world. At last count, she was the fifth.

However, never one to admit defeat, Sister Agatha concocts a bold Plan B. Dusting off her passport, she decides to leave Irish shores for the first time in her very long life, and using the few days remaining, plans to travel across three continents and meet the only four people whose birthday cakes boast more candles than hers.

And then, one by one, she intends on killing them.

Title: The Bare Witch Project by Celeste Hall
Description: Morgan is a wannabe witch with a fear of cats and a traumatic history that puts her straight into the path of trouble. When a large black cat races into her house to escape a dog attack, she considers it just another example of how bad her luck has become. But this was no ordinary cat. Her life was about to be turned upside down by an ultra-sexy stranger that had a few dark secrets of his own.

REVIEW: Fat Chance by Nick Spalding

Title: Fat Chance
Author: Nick Spalding
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: October, 2014
Genre: Chick Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Meet Zoe and Greg Milton, a married couple who have let themselves go.

Zoe was a stunner in her high school days, but the intervening decades have added seventy pounds, and removed most of her self-esteem.

Greg's rugby-playing days are well and truly behind him, thanks to countless beers and fast food.

When Elise, a radio DJ and Zoe's best friend, tells them about a new competition, it seems like the perfect opportunity to turn their lives around. Fat Chance will pit six hefty couples against one another to see who can collectively lose the most weight and walk away with a large cash prize.

So begins six months of abject misery, tears, and frustration—that just might turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to them—in another laugh-out-loud look at the way we live now from bestselling author Nick Spalding.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this laugh out loud story that addresses an issue we all have experienced at some point in our lives with humor and realistic expectations and results. Zoe and Greg are a married couple who are given an opportunity, a reluctant opportunity, from Zoe’s best friend to join a weight loss competition. Over the years, Zoe and Greg have settled into marriage, careers and everyday life without paying attention to their expanding waistlines. This entertaining story chronicles their efforts to not only adopt a healthier lifestyle and lose the weight to win the competition, but also gives the reader a front row glimpse into their frustration and joy with every step they take.

Zoe and Greg are well drawn characters and it was very easy to empathize with both of them. They each experience several humiliating incidents as they each struggle to shed each pound. Treadmill incidents, cabbage diets, Nazi personal trainers, Zoe and Greg are desperate enough to try anything and the results are entertaining. As a reader, I quickly felt a connection for them both and cheered each milestone of success they achieve. I am looking forward to more from this author.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a very funny read about a serious issue. Anyone who is currently struggling with weight loss or is fighting to maintain a healthier lifestyle and needs a little shot of inspiration, this book is for you.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Fat Chance from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Arrivals To The TBR Pile In June

Title: Break-Up Club by Lorelei Mathias
Description: THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE SINGLE . . .

Holly Braithwaite and loveable loser Lawrence have been together for five years. But the obvious cracks in their relationship can no longer be ignored and Holly soon finds herself saying ‘it’s not me, it’s you’.

In the shock aftermath of their break up, Holly finds unlikely companions in Olivia, Harry and Bella. Together, they form the Break-up Club, as they support each other through their mutual melancholy and find ways to love, laugh and function as human beings again.

Break-up Club meets every Sunday. Each week, as the comedy and drama unfolds, they discover a new BUC ‘rule’. And, one by one, the rules become vital markers on their journey to recovery

Title: Flying By The Seat Of My Knickers by Eliza Watson
Description: Why run from your troubles when you can fly instead?

When Caity Shaw is fired from her first job that doesn’t require an elf uniform, her older sister, Rachel, an event planner, hires her to work a meeting in Dublin. Caity jumps at the opportunity to travel abroad and escape her pathetic life. However, even four thousand miles from home, there’s no avoiding debt collectors, an overbearing mother, and haunting memories of a controlling ex.

While in Dublin, Caity suffers a series of humiliating mishaps, causing her to lose even more faith in herself. Caity struggles to earn Rachel’s respect—and to keep Declan, her hot Irish coworker, at arm’s length. Declan repeatedly saves Caity’s butt and helps boost her self-confidence, making it difficult to keep her distance from the charming womanizer. When Declan helps her research her Irish grandmother, Caity discovers the mysterious past of the courageous woman she barely knew might hold the answers to her future.

Title: Looking For Wonderland by Jane Ainslie
Description: Welcome to the world of Alice. At forty four, she’s a nurse who is burnt to a crisp by her job, has a family which makes dysfunctional look normal, and thinks valium should be handed out like lollies.

Alice knows things have to change. Calling on her two best friends for advice, they decide to try and find their life purpose. Alice hopes Pilates, yoga, and Oprah The DVD Box Set, may have some answers. Or does Dr. Botha, the hospital’s Infectious Disease Consultant, hold the key to Alice’s future?

As things begin to look brighter, a life changing event sends Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, leaving her to wonder if she has missed her chances for happiness. Will she ever find her Wonderland?

Title: One Less Problem Without You by Beth Harbison
Description: Meet Prinny, Chelsea and Diana. Prinny is the owner of Cosmos, a shop that sells crystals, potions, candles, and hope. It’s also a place where no one turns down a little extra-special cocktail that can work as a romance potion or heal a broken heart. But Prinny is in love with her married lawyer and she’ll need nothing short of magic to forget about him.

Chelsea works as a living statue at tourist sites around Washington, DC. It's a thankless job, but it helps pay the rent. That, and her part-time job at Cosmos. As her dream of becoming a successful actress starts to seem more remote and the possibility of being a permanently struggling one seems more realistic, Chelsea begins to wonder: at one point do you give up on your dreams? And will love ever be in the cards for her?

Diana Tiesman is married to Leif, a charismatic man who isn’t faithful. But no matter how many times he lets her down, Diana just can't let him go. She knows the only way she can truly breakaway is if she leaves and goes where he will never think to follow. So she ends up at Cosmos with Leif’s stepsister, where she makes her homemade teas and tinctures as she figures out whether she'd rather be lonely alone than lonely in love.

In Beth Harbison's One Less Problem Without You, three women suddenly find themselves together at their own very different crossroads. It will take hope, love, strength and a little bit of magic for them to find their way together.

Title: Thirty Days To Thirty by Courtney Psak
Description: What if you were on the cusp of marrying the guy of your dreams and reaching that career goal you set for yourself, only for all of it to be taken away in one fell swoop?

What if this all happened a month before you turned 30?

This is the story of Jill Stevens, who after moving back home, finds a list she made in high school of thirty things she wanted to accomplish before her thirtieth birthday.

With a month left and hardly anything crossed off her list, she teams up with old friends to accomplish as much as she can before the big 3-0. Along the way, she discovers her true self and realizes it’s not about the material successes in life but the journey.

Title: Those Summer Nights by Mandy Baggot
Description: Sunshine, soft white sand and a sizzling hot millionaire – you don’t get trouble in paradise, right?

Imogen Charlton is sorted. Dead-beat husband? History. Dream job? Application sent. But then her impulsive brother, Harry, spends every last penny on a Greek restaurant in Corfu, and is determined to run it himself. It’s up to Imogen to bring him to his senses.

When sexy millionaire Panos Dimitriou offers to buy back his family taverna, Imogen wonders if all her prayers have been answered (and all her fantasies about to come true). But Harry won’t budge, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Bright pink bougainvillea tumbling over whitewashed walls, endless blue skies, the sparkling Mediterranean; it’s hard not to fall for Corfu. And that’s not all Imogen is falling for…

As the sparks of passion fly between Imogen and Panos, is Imogen having second thoughts on selling the restaurant? And will she have to choose between love and a new dream?

Title: Would Like To Meet by Polly James
Description: What would you do if you spotted your ex-husband on a dating site? Would you pretend to be someone else to win him back?

A hilarious, heart-warming read perfect for fans of Shirley Valentine and You’ve Got Mail.

REVIEW: What A Lady Craves by Ashlyn Macnamara

Title: What A Lady Craves (The Eton Boys Trilogy #1)
Author: Ashlyn Macnamara
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: August, 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Henrietta Upperton is about to marry Alexander Sanford when he rushes off to India to salvage his family’s fortune. Then comes the devastating news that he has wed another. Eight agonizing years later, a storm washes Alexander ashore—injured, widowed, and hunted—and one glimpse of his ruggedly handsome face reawakens the desire Henrietta thought she had buried deep inside. Her body still yearns for his touch, but she’s determined not let him wound her again . . . not this time.

For Alexander, honor always comes first. But only now does he realize that when given the choice between two virtuous deeds, he picked the wrong one. On the run with his life in tatters and a pair of daughters in tow, Alexander burns for Henrietta. He knows he does not deserve forgiveness. And yet he longs to wrap his arms around her warm body once again. What’s more, he is sure the lady craves the same.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book and feel it’s a very good start to an interesting trilogy. The story revolves around Henrietta, a woman who after being case aside by the man she hoped to marry is now living in seclusion in the countryside employed as a lady’s companion, who also happens to be her former betrothed’s dowager aunt. I really enjoyed the relationship these two women demonstrate. Henrietta is no shrinking wall-flower or a demure maiden facing her first season. She has been heartbroken and the subject of vile gossip and rumor. Anything her employer can dish out, Henrietta can certainly handle. The scenes between the two were a lot of fun to witness.

Alexander was a very complex character. His return to England comes as a shock to everyone, especially in the manner he arrives. I definitely wouldn’t have handled it all as calmly as Henrietta, after what he put her through. What made this book really interesting was the intrigue that Alexander brings back with him. He’s widowed with two young daughters and there is danger to all of them as the ones responsible for his wife’s murder are not far behind him. I liked Alexander’s daughters and their interactions with his aunt. She reminded me of Judi Dench, a stern exterior shell but with a sharp wit and humor and a loving heart.

My Final Verdict: I really enjoy second-chance romance themes. It gives us all hope that redemption is possible and the opportunity to find love is always around the corner. I have the second book in the series, which features Alexander’s sister as the main character. I am hopeful I will continue to enjoy this series.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of What A Lady Craves from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Arrivals To The TBR Pile In May

Title: Dying For A Date by Cindy Sample
Description: WOULD DATING BE THE DEATH OF HER?

Unsure if she is looking for Mr. Right, or Mr. Every Other Saturday Night, divorced mother of two, Laurel McKay reluctantly joins THE LOVE CLUB, a popular local dating service. Dressed to kill, she meets bachelor number one at a trendy restaurant. But the date is a bust, literally, when the guy decides Laurel is dessert, and she breaks his nose with her cell phone. It gets even worse when the man is found murdered the next morning, and Laurel has his blood on her clothes.

Despite her now being a person of interest to the police, Laurel bravely ventures out on date number two. When that unlucky bachelor disappears during dinner, Laurel’s only alibi is a bottle of Dom Perignon. The sexy investigating detective thinks she’s innocent and is worried she may be the next target. That’s more than enough motivation for Laurel to find a murderer determined to kill her social life––before dating becomes a dead end she can’t escape.

Title: Legacy Of The Highlands by Harriet Schultz
Description: Young, good-looking, successful and wealthy. Will and Alexandra Cameron had it all until the night he went out to buy ice cream after an evening of passionate sex and never returned. When his body is discovered in a nearby Boston alley, the only clue to his murder is a Scottish sgian dubh dagger left beside it. Will's grieving widow finds refuge in the Miami villa of his best friend Diego Navarro, who has the means, power and temperament to solve the puzzle and to avenge his friend's murder. The sinfully handsome and charming womanizer's feelings for Alexandra run deep, and he becomes equally determined to win the devastated widow's heart. The attraction between them grows as they follow leads from Miami to Buenos Aires and Scotland, unraveling the Cameron family's centuries-old secrets.

Title: The Reinvention Of Mimi Finnegan by Whitney Dineen
Description: Thirty-four year old, Mimi Finnegan is the third of four daughters and in her eyes, by far, the most unremarkable. She has no singular accomplishment that can stand up to any of her sisters. And if that isn’t enough, she is the only single sibling in her family.

Mimi’s sisters decide that it’s time she gets serious about husband hunting, so they begin a campaign to find Mr. Right for her. Considering her most recent dating encounters include a night club owner who stuffs bratwurst in his pants and a WASPy trust fund baby, living happily under his mother’s thumb, Mimi is more than ready to meet THE ONE. Enter celebrated British novelist Elliot Fielding.

Sexual tension and anger heat up between the duo and it isn’t until Mimi discovers that Elliot is almost engaged to another that she realizes she is head-over-heels in love with him.

The journey will make you laugh, cry and want to pull your hair out from frustration! Mimi eventually learns that she is quite remarkable in her own right and never needed to worry that she lived in her sister’s shadows.

The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan is the perfect laugh-out-loud, feel good book for any woman who has ever felt that she wasn’t good enough.

Title: The Substitute by Denise Grover Swank
Description: Megan Vandemeer meant to tell her parents about her broken engagement, but a month and a half later she finds herself boarding a plane home to her wedding. Having stretched avoidance to its limits, it's time to come clean--a terrifying prospect since her mother is sure to blame her rather than her cheating, emotionally frigid ex. A couple of drinks and two Dramamine later, Megan finds herself spilling her sob story to the tall, dark, and handsome stranger in the seat next to her.

With only one week left to save his business, Josh McMillan boards a plane to Kansas City in a last-ditch effort, leaving the details to chance. An unexpected answer is delivered in the form of the beautiful brunette beside him. Though she’s completely loopy, her honesty, openness, and humor charm him. So when she passes out before landing, he helps her off the plane--a good deed that leads to a colossal misunderstanding. Her parents assume he’s her fiancé. In a twist of fate, the mix-up might help Josh save his business, so he plays along, figuring he can help Megan too. All he has to do is stage a public break up convincing enough to appease her mother.

Josh is only supposed to be a substitute groom, but the more time he and Megan spend together, the more their pretend engagement starts to feel real…and the less they want to break it off. Can a relationship that began as a farce turn into happily ever after?

Title: What Lies Inside by J.L. Myers
Description: Amelia Lamont never asked to unleash her inner vampire.

Amelia’s normal teen world is shattered when a terrifying nightmare awakens the monster inside her. A newfound, insatiable thirst for blood that leads her to drain the school quarterback is only the beginning; she’s horrified to discover that her family and best friend Kendrick have been harboring the secret all along. And is the strangely alluring boy who seems hell-bent on curbing her murderous, blood-filled desires a friend, or foe?

To escape detection Amelia and her twin brother Dorian are forced to move to a new town, and the challenge of a new, exclusive high school where nearly every classmate smells like prey. Including the irresistible Ty, who seems hauntingly familiar, yet darkly menacing …

Amelia’s disturbing dreams and entanglement in a web of forbidden romance render her increasingly powerless against the chilling lies and secrets of vampire power struggles. And, as she soon discovers, vampire politics mixed with outlawed love can be a lethal cocktail.

Falling in love may just cost Amelia everything: her friends, her family...even her life…

REVIEW: A Highlander's Obsession by Vonnie Davis

Title: A Highlander’s Obsession (Highlander’s Beloved #1)
Author: Vonnie Davis
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: August, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Two wandering souls discover that true love needs no words in this explosive, fantastical novel from Vonnie Davis.

Somehow able to telepathically communicate with animals, Paisley Munro has found meaning in her so-called gifts by working as a veterinary assistant. But while traveling to Scotland for a relative’s funeral, Paisley fears that she really has lost her mind. Out in the highlands, she hears distinctly human thoughts coming from a wild bear. Terrified and desperate, she returns to the lodge and collapses in the powerful arms of its owner, a mysterious man with whom she shares a simmering attraction.

Creighton Matheson and his fellow shape-shifters have been roaming this land freely for centuries. Now Paisley may inherit his home, putting his kind in grave danger. His mistrust only deepens when he realizes she can read his mind. Yet he cannot deny that this tantalizing woman makes him burn with desire—and hunger for the prospect of a tender love. Now Creighton must decide which would hurt more: revealing the truth or losing Paisley forever.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book, but then how could I not? Scottish, kilt-wearing shapeshifters? Sign me up! This book was a lot of fun to read. I liked Paisley immediately and loved her Grandmother even more. I hope I am that direct when I get to be that age. She was priceless. Creighton was an exceptional hero and I really liked that he made no bones about his determination to win Paisley for his own. Paisley’s gift of telepathic communication with animals was both interesting and intriguing.

I thought the author did an excellent job of describing the good side but also the problem having a gift has been for Paisley. The author does an excellent job of creating a setting so vibrant that the reader gets a sense of being in the story. Getting to know all the supporting characters that made up Creighton’s family was enjoyable too. I am happy to report that you can get more of the Matheson family where Creighton’s brothers, Bryce and Ronan, get their own books. I will definitely be looking for them.

My Final Verdict: This book has it all and is a hit for me. Whatever your reading tastes run to, be it action, romance, paranormal elements, kilts, this book is highly recommended.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of A Highlander’s Obsession from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Arrivals To The TBR Pile In April

Title: Title: Cappucinos, Cupcakes And A Corpse by Harper Lin
Description: A new culinary cozy mystery series with recipes from bestselling author Harper Lin

Francesca Amaro moves back to her hometown of Cape Bay, Massachusetts, and takes over the family business, Antonia’s Italian Café. She spends her days making delicious artisan cappuccinos, until she stumbles upon her neighbor’s dead body. When the police discover Mr. Cardosi was poisoned, Francesca becomes a suspect.

The victim’s son, Matty, happens to be Francesca’s old high school friend. Together, they uncover the secrets of the locals in order to find the killer in their idyllic beach town.

Includes two special cupcake recipes!

Title: Don't Want To Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell
Description: Dexter Yates loves his fun, care-free London life; he has money, looks and girlfriends galore. But everything changes overnight when his sister dies, leaving him in charge of her eight-month-old daughter Delphi. How is he ever going to cope?

Comic-strip artist Molly Hayes lives in the beautiful Cotswold village of Briarwood. When it comes to relationships, she has a history of choosing all the wrong men. Leaving the city behind, Dex moves to Briarwood - a much better place to work on his parenting skills - and he and Molly become neighbours. There's an undeniable connection between them. But if Dexter's going to adapt, he first has a lot to learn about Molly, about other people's secrets...and about himself.

Title: Head Over Heels by Sara Downing
Description: Thirty-something teacher and professional shopper Grace has a passion for shoes. In fact they were responsible for her meeting her partner, Mark, when she speared his foot with one of her dangerously sharp heels whilst running for a train.

Mark is the other passion in her life, or so she thinks.... When he suggests they try for a baby - but is reluctant to tie the knot on their very long-term engagement - the cracks in her champagne lifestyle start to appear. As Mark becomes ever more controlling, Grace begins to see her blond and sexy boss, Tom, in a different light. A conventionally one-man woman who doesn't 'do' affairs, she suddenly finds herself in the midst of the sort of tangled lifestyle she has only read about in the celeb pages. Throw in the added complications of an untimely pregnancy, a case of mistaken identity and some pretty zany friends and Grace's life is thrown into turmoil. Retail therapy and even the comfort of her vast shoe collection can't help her out of this dilemma.....

Title: Pies And Peril by Janel Gradowski
Description: When Amy Ridley decided to compete in the Kellerton Summer Festival Pie Contest, the last thing she expected was to find the reigning pie queen, Mandy Jo, dead—a raspberry pie smashed on her face! Mandy Jo made fantastic pies, but she accumulated more enemies than baking trophies. But when Amy receives a note threatening her own life, she decides to do some investigating herself.

It seems that half the town has a reason to kill the mean pie queen, and Amy finds herself sifting through a list of suspects that's longer than her list of recipes. Not to mention playing cupid for her love-shy best friend, fending off a baker intent on finding out her prize-winning culinary secrets, and ducking the deadly attentions of Mandy Jo's killer. If Amy doesn't find out who wanted the pie queen dead soon, her own goose may be cooked!

Title: Six Years by Harlan Coben
Description: Harlan Coben, the master of domestic suspense, returns with a standalone thriller in the vein of #1 bestsellers Hold Tight, Caught and Stay Close that explores the depth and passion of a lost love . . . and the secrets and lies at its heart. Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for . . . but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for more than a decade, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out. As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel.

Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart—and who lied to him—soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on carefully constructed fiction. Harlan Coben once again delivers a shocking page-turner that deftly explores the power of past love and the secrets and lies that such love can hide.

Title: The Shopping Swap by Erin Brady
Description: Maggie Andrew has a problem. She needs to convince Richard, her attorney boyfriend of five years, that he’s finally ready for a commitment. How? By planning an unforgettable night starting with a romantic dinner for two and ending in the bedroom. And to help things along, Maggie has spent half of her salary on sexy black lingerie from Crandall’s Department Store that Richard won’t be able to resist. Except, once home, Maggie realizes she has someone else’s shopping bag and instead of her very expensive lingerie, she’s stuck with a housecoat that wouldn’t turn anyone’s head, least of all Richard's.

When Maggie goes back to the scene of the swap, she runs into Benjamin Saunders, a tall, dark and handsome stranger, who not only has what she wants but may also turn out to have what she needs. Suddenly what Maggie thinks she has with Richard is called into question and she’s not sure of anything.

REVIEW: Difficult Husbands by Mary De Laszlo

Title: Difficult Husbands
Author: Mary De Laszlo
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Difficult Husbands - In sickness and in health, for better but definitely not for worse…

Newly divorced Lorna is struggling to adjust to life on her own. When she discovers that her beloved godfather has left her the grand (and crumbling) Ravenscourt House in the heart of Sussex, she soon has a project on her hands.

Nathan sells delicious goodies at Mulberry Farm. When he meets Lorna at a Christmas market, neither of them can ignore the chemistry. But as they get to know one another, Lorna wants to know one thing – is he after her or the house?

Together with Gloria – whose marriage to alcoholic Adrian has hit rock bottom, and Rosalind – struggling to deal with her womanizing husband Ivan, the three friends hatch a plan. They’ll ditch their difficult husbands at Ravenscourt House and enjoy stress-free Christmases with their families. But nothing is ever that simple…

My Thoughts: Interesting story about three women who will go to extreme measures to ensure their worthless husbands don’t ruin another Christmas. Lorna, Gloria and Rosalind are all women in their forties married to older men. On the heels of her divorce, Lorna discovers she has inherited a home in Sussex from her godfather, she and her friends, eventually decide to lure their husbands to the home and abandon them there to their own devices so they can enjoy a stress-free and hopefully pleasant Christmas holiday with their children. These women have become fed up with the behavior of their husbands; the divorce, the alcoholism and the womanizing; these men have definitely worn out their welcome. Lorna also struggles with allowing the home to be used in a photo shoot while trying to make sense of the attraction she feels towards, Nathan. The house is in disrepair after years of neglect and it will cost Lorna a fortune to repair it and make it habitable, so selling seems to be her only option.

Though this book takes place during the Christmas season, it did not feel like a holiday read for me. I found myself getting annoyed at Gloria for her insistence on what Lorna should do with the house. I wished several times that Lorna would tell her to butt out. The book primarily focuses on Lorna, but there isn’t a lot of relationship development between the three women and I had a hard time trying to figure out what Gloria’s motivation and intentions were. I also would have enjoyed more interactions with Nathan. This book is a great lesson in reminding us that you cannot change others and their behavior. You can only change your reaction to it and modify your own behavior. If you enjoy stories with complex characters, even though they can be annoying, I recommend you give this one a look.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Difficult Husbands from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In March

My reading has really started to fall behind, but the new additions still manage to find a way in...

Title: Her Best Match by Tamie Dearen
Description: Anne Best was bored with her life in Texas. But when this feisty forty-five year old starts a new life in the Big Apple working for Gherring Inc., she stumbles into more adventure than she bargained for.

Billionaire Steven Gherring always makes the Most Eligible Bachelors list, but he’s given up looking for love.

Gherring’s grandmother, known to everyone as Gram, is on a not-so-secret campaign to find a wife for her grandson.

When veteran matchmaker, Anne Best, joins forces with Gram to find a match for Gherring, passions rise along with hemlines.

Will they find a match for Gherring?

And will Anne take a chance on love?

Filled with lovable characters, plenty of romance and frequent plots twists, Her Best Match will have you tingling with anticipation and laughing out loud.

Title: The Demon's Deadline by Tori Centanni
Description: Some teenagers deliver pizza, some deliver newspapers. My part-time job? I deliver mysterious envelopes for a demon. I don't even get tips.

It seemed like a good deal at the time. I almost died in a car accident, and Azmos saved me... gave me a second chance. At first, it wasn't so bad. I got to live, go to high school, hang out with my boyfriend Cam. He's too cute for his own good, but he's getting tired of all this demon stuff. I hate lying to my best friend Melissa and my dad, who's still not over my mom's death. Neither am I.

But now, this gig is getting dangerous, and it's not like I can quit. Even if I could, then what? I've seen things I can't unsee. I just hope I can figure out how to navigate the darkness before I do something I can't undo.

It's time I face my own demons.

REVIEW: Worst Case by James Patterson

Title: Worst Case (Michael Bennett #3)
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Publication Date: February, 2010
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Best case: survival

The son of one of New York's wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can't save him, because this kidnapper isn't demanding money. Instead, he quizzes his prisoner on the price others pay for his life of luxury. In this exam, wrong answers are fatal.

Worst case: death

Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. With ten kids of his own, he can't begin to understand what could lead someone to target anyone's children. As another student disappears, one powerful family after another uses their leverage and connections to turn the heat up on the mayor, the press--anyone who will listen--to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, who send their top Abduction Specialist, Agent Emily Parker. Bennett's life--and love life--suddenly get even more complicated.

This case: Detective Michael Bennett is on it.

Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI's intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet--one that could bring cataclysmic devastation to every inch of New York.

My Thoughts: I am really enjoying this series. Michael Bennett is an extremely likable character dealing with the daily ups and downs of being an NYPD Detective and a single parent to ten children. This book shows Michael as potential boyfriend material when he is partnered with an FBI agent on a case of a psychopath who is kidnapping children of wealthy families, only to kill them when they don’t pass the quiz he gives them on humanitarian and social issues. The psychopath has formed a connection to Michael as well as he plays a cat and mouse game with him as Michael and Emily race the clock to find the missing victim and stop the killer before he claims another life.

Supporting characters Seamus, Michael’s priest grandfather and Michael’s nanny, Mary Catherine, add depth and warmth to this series. I love this family and get a warm fuzzy seeing the love they all have for one another and how in spite of the horror Michael sees on a daily basis, he manages to remain a normal man, no anger issues or excessive vices. His children and family appear to be grounded and stable and I love the banter sessions between Michael and Seamus. It’s easy to forget that these characters are fictional because they are so well written and come alive in the pages, I feel like I know them personally.

The cases he works are intense and suspenseful, but very intriguing and interesting. I am on the edge of my seat wondering how it will all play out, but one thing I know for sure is James Patterson is a master at drawing it out to the last detail and I have been rarely disappointed. I highly recommend this series to fans of mystery, thrillers and police procedurals.

REVIEW: No Weddings by Kat Bastion

Title: No Weddings (No Weddings #1)
Author: Kat Bastion
Publisher: Kat Bastion
Publication Date: September, 2014
Genre: Chick Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: I think I have my act together as a successful bar owner, my master’s degree within reach, and a list of no-strings-attached women warming my bed. Turns out, I don’t.

Hannah believes she has safeguarded her wounded heart by shunning men and focusing on her new baking business. The thing is, she hasn’t.

When my three sisters and I form an event-planning business with Hannah as our baker, I have no idea how my life is about to change. As Hannah and I work closely together, the attraction between us becomes irresistible. And complicated. I’ve promised my sisters I wouldn’t mix business with pleasure. But I’ve never been one to follow the rules.

My Thoughts: Reading a chick lit romance story from the man’s point of view is such a refreshing and entertaining change. No Weddings is a very amusing story featuring Cade and Hannah, who are brought together when Cade and his sisters start a catering business and they need a baker, but not just any baker. They need a baker who can design cakes for their clients with a creative flair, a baker who will agree to never bake for a wedding…no exceptions. When Hannah and Cade first meet, he is attracted to her and tries to make a move, but is shot down so fast and disdainfully, I am still shocked he was able to get up off the floor where Hannah knocked him down. Cade has never backed down from a challenge and I really enjoyed how he avails himself to assist Hannah with marketing her business.

Cade and Hannah have both been burned by love in the most humiliating and hurtful of ways and neither of them wants any kind of relationship or commitment. Cade keeps a list of women on the side to be his no-strings attached bounce buddies and Hannah keeps men at arm’s length with her ice queen persona. Both of these intriguing characters are seriously flawed and intriguing at the same time. What I find so interesting about this story is the build-up of tension in this story kept me so plugged in that I didn’t mind that I will need to read the next book in this series to find out if Hannah and Cade actually get together.

Overall, if you like a lot of tension and build-up in romance with a lot of flirting, sexual innuendo and a lot of fun mixed in, No Weddings is an excellent place to start.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of No Weddings from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.