Sunday, March 25, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 210 - No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen, Lone Rider by Lindsay McKenna

No Earls Allowed (The Survivors, #2)No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another survivor bites the dust. This time it is Neil Wraxall and his load of guilt. He was the commander of the group and still feels the loss of friends who died. His current job turns out to be a lot more than he thought. Lady Juliana is stubborn and will not leave the orphanage that she is running. Neil must protect her from the danger she finds herself in. Both have issues in their past that are affecting their behavior in the here and now. A nice addition to the new series. Both Neil and Juliana are wonderful characters who must work to overcome events in their past in order to enjoy their present and their future.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Lone Rider (Wind River Valley #5)Lone Rider by Lindsay McKenna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We have another vet joining the group at the Bar C Ranch. Tara is a photographer who comes with her own set of PTSD symptoms. She is a native of the valley and in addition is in danger from a past stalker and kidnapper. Her house mate is Harper Sutton and the two bond but are holding back because they are afraid to move too fast. This has tension and danger as well as a lot of dialog about military, PTSD, and how they are all a family. Lindsay does overkill in the military direction but in a good cause. I like the series. I read a sample of the next book and it looks like a really good story. I will be picking that on up as soon as possible.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Friday, March 23, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 209 - The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries, The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

The Secret of Flirting (Sinful Suitors, #5)The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here are the spymaster and the actress both playing a part in an historical event. Belgium needs a ruler and the candidates are all in London to make the choice. Jeffries mixes recorded history with some make-believe to spin a interesting and fun story. Baron Fulkham meets the stunning Princess Anne of Chanay and know that she is an imposter. The why is a big part of the fun. It was fun watching her sidestep every trap that Fulkham set. Even more fun to see him try to keep from falling for the lovely imposter. A nice addition to the Sinful Suitors series.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband (Rokesbys, #2)The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A good use of the memory loss trope. Cecilia Harcourt leaves home and travels to the New World to nurse her brother back to health but instead of finding her brother she finds his friend Edward Rokesby injured and in need of her help. Only family can see Edward so she pretends that she is his wife and with her help he recovers but with a big memory gap. The two have corresponded but never met. The interaction between Cecilia and Edward plays out in a way that keeps the tension going. Poor Cecilia's lie just keeps getting bigger and she lives in fear about what will happen when Edward finds out she is not his wife. This is a Bridgertons Prequel and ends with a nod to the Bridgeton books. It was interesting to see the Revolutionary War from the British view.

View all my reviews

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Dream Waters Series by Erin A. Jensen - Virtual Tour and Giveaway



Dream Waters (Book One of The Dream Waters Series),
Dream World (Book Two of The Dream Waters Series), Dream Sight (Book Three of The Dream Waters Series)
by Erin A. Jensen

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GENRE:  Contemporary Fantasy

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BLURB:


DREAM WATERS
Book One of The Dream Waters Series

All his life, Charlie Oliver has watched the people around him morph into creatures that no one else sees.  Unlike the rest of the world, Charlie remembers the Waters that transport him to the Dream World each night.  And he sees glimpses of people’s Dream forms in the waking world.  Condemned to spend his waking hours in a psychiatric facility because of his Dream Sight, Charlie doesn’t expect anything to change.  But everything starts changing the day Emma Talbot walks through the door in the middle of a group therapy session.

Haunted by memories of the events that led to her admission, Emma plans to end her life the first chance she gets.  But something about Charlie stops her.  From the moment they shake hands, his friendship feels safe and familiar.  As Emma begins to let down her guard, Charlie catches a glimpse of the fiery-eyed dragon that lurks behind her Dream form.  Each night, as Emma dreams of the man who’s been banned from visiting, Charlie searches the Dream World for the monster that shadows her.  But when Emma’s suppressed memories begin to surface, Charlie finds more monsters than he bargained for.



Excerpt:

Dream Waters (Book 1) Excerpt #1:

“Where were you afraid I’d land when I fell in and why did you say finding the dragon wouldn’t be easy?”

She started drawing waves in the sand with her finger and I got the distinct impression she was doing it to avoid looking at me. “Honestly Charlie, I wasn’t sure where you’d land. It’s unpredictable when you don’t jump on purpose. You could end up anywhere the people you’ve met have been. You’re a mental patient. Can you imagine the sections of Dream some patients might inhabit?” Her finger stopped drawing mid-wave. “Trust me boy. There are Dark places in the Dream World, places you should never go. Venture too far into them and you risk losing a part of yourself to the Darkness.”

I was really getting tired of the cryptic shit. “Great. Thanks for the vague ominous warning. I was afraid you might give me an actual answer for a second there.”

“I’ve already said too much.” Even at a whisper there was a waver to her voice. “Just thank me for keeping you safe and jump back into the Water.”

“I don’t know which world I find you more annoying in.” It wasn’t the nicest thing to say to the one person who understood me but I said it out of frustration and maybe a little out of fear.

Nellie was about to snarl something back, but the leaves of some bushes just off the beach started rustling and I hopped to my feet to get a better look. “Something’s over there.”

Nellie stood up with a weary sigh and as she turned toward the bushes I saw the scars. Large deep identical scars marring the flesh on both of her shoulder blades.

I took a step closer to her. “What happened to your back?”

She turned and gave me a hard shove toward the Water’s edge. “It’s time for you to go now Charlie.” It caught me by surprise and knocked me off balance, back into the surf and the icy Water pulled me back in.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Erin Jensen is a part-time pharmacist and a fulltime creator of imaginary worlds.  She lives in upstate NY with her incredibly supportive husband, two sons (who are both taller than her) and a Yorkshire terrier who thinks he’s the family bodyguard.  In the early days of her writing career, Erin vowed to get a dragon tattoo—once her books received a milestone number of reviews—but she won’t disclose that number any longer, for fear of actually reaching her goal and having to go through with it.


Dream Waters: Book One of The Dream Waters Series (The first book is on sale for $0.99)
by Erin A. Jensen

Book 1: 


Amazon Buy Link:  http://a.co/gh4ZMdP





Dream World: Book Two of The Dream Waters Series
by Erin A. Jensen


Amazon Buy Link:  http://a.co/9GERZwx




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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit and comment on the other blogs on the tour for additional chances to win.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Guarding Her Heart by Jade Webb - Book Blast and Giveaway


Guarding Her Heart
by Jade Webb

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Trust me, even though I’ve had a silver spoon in my mouth since I was a fetus and have a world-famous pop diva as a sister, there is nothing I want more in the world than to fade into the background and live out my Law & Order fantasy of becoming a public defender.

The only problem is my dad won’t bankroll law school unless I spend the summer following my older sister on her arena tour, keeping her out of trouble and making sure she doesn’t have yet another embarrassing public meltdown. Now relegated to a glorified babysitter, I am stuck lugging my ten-pound LSAT prep books through hotel lobbies and taking practice tests in my sister’s dressing rooms.

Then I find myself caught in a love triangle with my sister’s arch nemesis, bad boy popstar Jordan James and Liam, my sister’s confusing and irritatingly gorgeous Scottish bodyguard. Too bad I’ve sworn off love after seeing my own parent’s train wreck of marriage end with heartache and misery.

I’m tired of living under my family’s careful rules and law school is my way out. I won’t let anything get in my way. I won’t let anyone close enough to break down my walls. I have to guard my heart.

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EXCERPT

The sound of the door opening behind me sends a shiver of fear down my spine. I drop the hairbrush and fumble to hang the dress back with the others on the clothing rack. I step backward and let out a loud gasp as I feel a hard, thick wall hit me from behind. Turning slowly, I take a nervous step back, sweeping my eyes up and down the giant man looming in front of me.

I feel my breath catch as I take him in. He easily towers over me, and is definitely over six feet tall. His body is literally radiating heat, and a quick glance up to his face reveals that it is not the good kind: he looks pissed. His eyes are narrowed into an intimidating glare, and his brow is deeply furrowed as his steel-grey eyes pin me in my place. We stare at each other for a few long moments, neither one of us uttering a word. His eyes flicker up and down my body and I swear I can feel my skin scorch under his assessment. I am so overwhelmed by his presence that I take another staggering step backward. My tactic doesn’t work and only seems to annoy him further.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” His voice is loud, authoritative, and surprisingly, unmistakably Scottish. Although I try to fight it, my mind instantly travels to my secret stash of Scottish highlander romance novels I read when I need to unwind after a long day. God, this guy would look amazing in a kilt.

At that thought, I feel heat instantly rush to my cheeks. God, why am I so awkward? Just calmly explain who you are and send him on his merry way. I open my mouth and inwardly cringe at how high-pitched and mousy I sound. “I- I’m here to see Daphni.” He stares at me blankly, his eyes narrowing even more in annoyance.

“My sister,” I clarify, my voice a bit more even.

He rolls his eyes at me and swears under his breath. “Great,” he mutters, “Another crazy fan.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I am a lover of romance novels that feature strong heroines who know that the loves that may come into their lives are always the icing, and never the cake.
I have loved romance novels since I was a teen, sneaking them into my Bible studies at my all-girls Catholic school. I love strong heroines who know that the men that may come into their lives are always the icing, and never the cake.
Thanks to my own marriage, I have learned that the challenges of life can only help to make love stronger and I am grateful to my partner for embodying all the magic that love can offer.
When I am not writing or dreaming up new love stories, I am working in a retirement community outside of Boston that provides me with enough writing material for ten lifetimes.
You can find me at:

JadeWebb.com 






Guarding Her Heart is available exclusively on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

$0.99 during the tour.


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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Jade will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour:

March 19:
2: Kimmi Love REVIEW

March 20:

March 21:

March 22:
9: Two Ends of the Pen REVIEW

March 23:
5: The TBR Pile REVIEW

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Lie to Her by Mehrisa Mex - Blurb Blitz and Giveaway


Lie to Her
by Mehrisa Mex

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GENRE:   psychological thriller

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BLURB:

Despite years of treatment, twenty-one year old Lydia still struggles with trauma from being attacked as a teenager. House-bound with anxieties and haunted by ghostly visions, she soon comes to suspect her psychiatrist husband, Myles, of sabotaging her recovery.

Her pursuit of the truth uncovers secrets more terrible than she ever imagined and it soon becomes clear that nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted – not even herself.


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EXCERPT

Lydia sprinted out of the lounge, through the kitchen-dining room, out onto the back patio and down onto the grass in her socked feet. Her heart felt like it had multiplied in her chest and was hammering along with all its replicas out of sync. When she turned back to the face the house, she saw the girl standing in the upstairs window, looking down at her. A second later, she was gone.

She had left her cell phone and everything else inside. She had nothing to protect herself with, so she hurried to the tool shed near the garage to look for her gardening shears. When she couldn't find them, she grabbed the garden rake instead and headed to the gate with it.

When she got there, she undid the latch and threw the gate open. But she had only taken a few steps into the road outside when she felt a sudden vertigo descend on her. Various planes of her vision shifted and an icy-sharpness cut across the surface of her skin. She staggered back to the gate and inside the compound of the house.

It took her some time before she could stand up straight. She looked back at the house with dread. The irony of her situation was not lost on her – that she could no sooner go inside feeling this way than she could leave the perimeter of the house without risking another kind of panic attack. She was pitifully stranded. 


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Mehrisa Mex writes mystery-thrillers, neo-noir and international crime. She often appears in her own imagination lit in the chiaroscuro style of film noir and narrating thoughts to herself in moody, hard-boiled tones.

Amazon link for book purchase:


Info links:




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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION


Mehrisa Mex will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour:

March 19: The Avid Reader
March 20: Mixed Book Bag
March 22: BooksChatter
March 22: T's Stuff
March 23: A Writer's Life
March 23: FUONLYKNEW
March 23: Liz's Reading Life
March 26: Jazzy Book Reviews
March 28: Christine Young
March 29: Natural Bri - review
March 29: Readeropolis
March 30: Author C.A.Milson
March 30: XoXo Book Blog