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.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In February

New arrivals in February.

Title: The Dragon In The Garden by Erika Gardner
Description: There is magic beneath the mundane and in The Dragon in the Garden, Siobhan Orsini witnesses it all. No lie can fool her, no glamour or illusion can cloud her Sight. She sees through them all and wishes she could close her eyes. Returning to face her past, Siobhan inherits her grandparents’ house in California’s wine country. She encounters a talking dragon, a hot fallen angel, a demon lord, a Valkyrie, and, oh yes, her ex-boyfriend. And that is just in the first twenty-four hours.

It’s time to find out why she has this power.

Siobhan seeks out the Oracle and learns that only her Sight can help mankind navigate the travails of an ancient war. Our world is the prize in a battle between the dragons, who would defend us, and Lucifer’s fallen angels, who seek to take the Earth for themselves. Using her gift, she will have to make a choice that will decide humanity’s future.

Title: The One You Really Want by Jill Mansell
Description: A funny, heartfelt novel about second chances at love from beloved bestseller Jill Mansell

When it comes to love, never say never

When Nancy discovers the expensive jewelry her husband's been buying isn't for her, she decamps from the Scottish countryside to her best friend Carmen's posh Chelsea town house to sort things out.

Nancy finds herself in a surprising new world, where rock stars are nicer than you thought, social workers are not necessarily to be trusted, and the filthy rich are folks with problems just like you. Everybody falls in love with the wrong people, and the path to true love twists and turns before you discover who you really want.

Title: Worst Case by James Patterson
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.

REVIEW: The Love List by Eve Devon

Title: The Love List
Author: Eve Devon
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October, 2014
Genre: Chick Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Falling in love is just not on Nora King’s To Do List…

Neither is accidentally super-gluing her shoe to her hand right before the biggest presentation of her life!

With all the hard work she’d put into securing the family business after her father’s death, Nora has no choice but to accept help from a knight in shining armor.

Disaster relief worker Ethan Love is still haunted by his last deployment, and desperate for distraction. He’s in town to ask Nora for a major favor, and swooping in to save her presentation is a sure way to get her on side.

As Ethan sticks around and helps Nora through her grief, her barriers tumble down…but will she dare to swap her To Do lists for a How to Fall in Love list?

My Thoughts: The Love List by new to me author Eve Devon is a charming and humorous story about an independent woman who has no time for love, but find her life derailed by it anyway. Right before she is set to give the biggest presentation of her career, Nora King super-glues her shoe to her hand and there is nobody who can help her except the gorgeous Ethan Love, whose brother broke her sister’s heart many years ago.

I really liked Nora and Ethan and found them easy to relate to. I thought their individual personalities set them far apart from one another but drew them together, complementing each other perfectly. The chemistry between them is felt instantly, though Nora tries her hardest to fight it. Her focus is on the company she inherited from her father and she has not time or room in her life for any distractions. I love these kinds of stories when the heroine is so deep in her head, she doesn’t see love coming. It’s always entertaining to watch her get knocked down a peg or two when it hits.

I thought Ethan was an amazing character. He carries an enormous amount of guilt from the horrors of natural disasters he has been deployed to assist with. I really liked how the author writes him as a very strong character, but you see the pain and compassion below the surface. He has a natural ease with people that draws them in with interest in what he has to say or what he will do and I found myself riveted to what he would do or say next.

Overall, I found The Love List an enjoyable read with the right blend of humor mixed in. I recommend this story if you enjoy seeing strong willed characters get bowled over when love comes calling.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Love List from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Obsession In Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Obsession In Death (In Death #40)
Author: J.D. Robb
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February, 2015
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Romantic Suspense / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Lieutenant Eve Dallas walks the thin line between love and hate in the latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestseller J. D. Robb....Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She - with her billionaire husband - is getting accustomed to being an object of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person's obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her again and again. An aggressive defense attorney who's sparred with Eve in the courtroom is the first victim, but she isn't the last. The messages left for Eve at the crime scenes chill her and turn her stomach. It doesn't get much more personal than this - and Eve refuses to hand the investigation over to anyone else. With a murderer reading meaning into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate - and dangerous - psychological dance.

And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her "true and loyal friend." And in time, idols always fall....

My Thoughts: Eve and the gang are back in the 40th installment of one of the best series I have been blessed to get to read. This time the villain is a deranged lunatic who is obsessed with Eve and goes on a killing spree to right the scales of justice on people that in the wack job’s contorted mind believes these people have wronged and disrespected Eve in the past. The psychopath leaves a letter at each crime scene for Eve always signed “your true and loyal friend” and Eve fears it’s only a matter of time before the lunatic switches their to focus to those Eve cares about.

I really enjoyed this story. I always enjoy how Eve’s tenacious nature drives her like a missile locked on a target. Eve is determined to shake the lunatic’s tree to see how far she can push the psycho to come after her instead. This kind of behavior from the heroine would normally enrage me and label the character as “too stupid to live,” but with Eve, it’s amazing because not only can she handle herself, she can be a little frightening herself with how focused she gets when hunting down a killer. I almost feel sorry for the bad guy because when Eve catches them, they will wish they were off planet or in another dimension. I certainly wouldn’t want to go up against her.

This series continues to deliver excitement and entertainment on all levels. I eagerly look forward to the next book, Devoted In Death. If you enjoy strong, kick-ass characters that are able to show their humanity in the worst of situations with some laugh out loud moments, this is the series to look for.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In January

New arrivals to the monstrous pile to be read...

Title: Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson
Description: Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

Title: Obsession In Death by J.D. Robb
Description: Lieutenant Eve Dallas walks the thin line between love and hate in the latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestseller J. D. Robb....Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She - with her billionaire husband - is getting accustomed to being an object of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person's obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her again and again. An aggressive defense attorney who's sparred with Eve in the courtroom is the first victim, but she isn't the last. The messages left for Eve at the crime scenes chill her and turn her stomach. It doesn't get much more personal than this - and Eve refuses to hand the investigation over to anyone else. With a murderer reading meaning into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate - and dangerous - psychological dance.

And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her "true and loyal friend." And in time, idols always fall....

Title: Santa Takes A Wife by Betsy Bennett
Description: He was Santa Claus...wasn't he?

Nicholas St. Noel knew what to do to make children happy and he knew where every gift in his over-packed sleigh had to go until one Christmas when there was a gift he could not deliver.

It was time to choose a wife.

Beth Anderson believes in Christmas and in Santa Claus. She'd been relentlessly teased her whole life since she caught the real Santa as a child. But was she willing to give up her family and move to the North Pole and live with a thousand miserable elves?

Title: The Broke Hearts Book Club by Lynsey James
Description: Secrets never stay buried for long...

Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...

Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!

Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also 'The Broken Hearts Book Club', Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.

One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long - or spend the rest of her life on the run...