5 Stars for The Enforcer's Revenge (Untamed Hearts #4) by Kele Moon

Tino Moretti is a hardened, dangerous man, forged from the unforgiving fires of the Italian Mafia. The only joy in his difficult life is Brianna Darcy, the woman whose love offers him a defense against the cruel reality he was made to live. She was his last piece of light, his escape from the darkness, until war came in the most horrific way possible and shattered their fragile happiness. In Enforcer’s Revenge, we finally see where it all goes wrong and why loving completely means letting go.

In the wake of tremendous loss, Tino and his brother Nova are left teetering on the brink of surrender. Until the lost kids Tino turned his back on, the ones who once shared his dark past, step out of the shadows to save them right at the moment when they could lose it all. Their loyalty is a lifeline, and together with the growing power of the Moretti brothers, they are ready to embark on an awe-inspiring quest for revenge and dominance of the underworld—Turning the despised bastards into the most feared force in Cosa Nostra.

Welcome to the brutal world of the Moretti brothers and the Lost Kids of Cosa Nostra. Their truths, revealed book by book, pull back the veil to some of the most vicious corners of the underworld. Their stories explore dark themes like violence, addiction, traumatic pasts, grief, the emotional tolls of abuse, and morally complex choices. It includes scenes with extreme violence, drug use, suicidal ideations, and references to past abuse that may be disturbing to some readers. While it is a very real story of love and loyalty, it is born from loss and pain. The lost kids deserve happy endings, but the journey isn’t easy for any of them. This is a dark romance series for a reason.

Reader discretion is always advised. 

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What I thought about The Enforcer's Revenge

Tino Moretti's story continues in The Enforcer's Revenge, the much anticipated return to the Moretti Family story in the Untamed Hearts series from Kele Moon. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book and once I started it, reading it was all I wanted to do. It's the adventures of Tino and Nova, two of the most interesting male characters I've ever had the pleasure to read about.  In this follow-up, there's more to learn about Tino's life as an enforcer for the Moretti family and the impact it is having on his life and mental health.

The story starts out quietly, with the gang of Moretti's celebrating, but all does not stay quiet for long.  Once the action picks up at around thirty percent into the book, it's non-stop until the very end.  There are some definite hold-your-breath moments there too, which I loved. Even though there were many years between the previous book and this one, it didn't feel that way. I only wished I had time to re-read The Enforcer before I read this one. I don't know what it is about Tino and Nova, but I just love their story. It's so emotional -- raw and dirty and compelling all at the same time. 

There were a few parts of this book that I absolutely loved. There is quite a bit of Carina and Brianna in this one. I really liked getting to know them better, and seeing them interact with Nova and Tino. It's such a crazy life they are all living -- it was really great to have that rounded out in The Enforcer's Revenge. I feel like I learned so much more about all of them, especially Tino. There is a very powerful scene where he talks about all the different "Tino's" there are, depending on who he is with. It was so eye opening and sad, all at the same time.  His emotional state is really in jeopardy by the end of the book. Oh, my heart!

I just love this series.  I recommend it to anyone who will listen.  The writing is terrific -- I feel pulled right into the story from the start. And the emotional content is sometimes tough, sometimes tender, and always interesting.  I can't wait for more.  

Definitely recommended for readers of dark romance, and dark romantic suspense. 

Review: Lover Forbidden (Black Dagger Brotherhood #23) by J. R. Ward

The aristocracy is making a run for the throne in this latest thrilling, star-crossed paranormal romance entry in J.R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

When Lyric goes out for the night, she’s not ready for a brush with death—and she’s really not ready for the male who comes out of nowhere and saves her. Her family, especially her father, Qhuinn, are so relieved she’s okay, but all she can think about is her mysterious savior.

Without telling anybody, she seeks out Devlin, and they are immediately drawn to one another. Her near-death experience has given her a fresh appreciation for life and the desire to live it to its fullest, but she has no idea that he’s hiding a secret—or that he could be the key to ending the war between the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the lessers forever.

More about Lover Forbidden (purchase links)

What I thought about Lover Forbidden

So here we are with a 23th book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Wow. It's amazing that this series just keeps on going and these stories of the next generation have captured my interest.

Lover Forbidden deals with Lyric, Qhuinn's daughter and Rhamp's twin sister. She's an influencer who is disillusioned with her chosen occupation. One night an accident occurs that brings her in contact with Devlin, who happens to save her life. She's attracted to him and vice versa, but there is one big secret that keeps Devlin from Lyric. How I didn't figure this one out is beyond me, but it comes with a pretty big reveal that will make you catch your breath.

I liked this story even though it doesn't have tremendous depth to it. It's always great to get a new story from this world, and I love this new generation, especially LW, Shuli and Rhamp. There's some good stuff getting set up there for future stories. I was disappointed with Lover Forbidden because the reveal of Devlin's background is a big story, and the book just ho-hummed through it with a few sentences that everyone accepted the situation. No way, I say!! There is no way that Qhuinn's was okay with all of this, even when he's dealing with all the sadness that was happening in Blay's family.

I did like that it all had a happy ending, but I'm still shaking my head about Qhuinn's acceptance of Devlin, and Devlin's sudden dis-inheritance. Oh well. Still good. I'll read this series as long as JRW gives them to us!

Review: Don't Say A Word (Angelhart Investigations #2) by Allison Brennan

 

 

 A tragic accident…or a murder?

The police ruled Elijah Martinez’s death an accidental drug overdose, but the teen’s grieving mother isn’t convinced. With the case officially closed, Angelhart Investigations is the only one who can help her find the truth. Margo Angelhart’s sure this will be an easy solve—she’ll talk to Elijah’s friends and employer, retrace his steps, and figure out what happened in his final hours.

Except none of his friends believe he did drugs, and the teacher who’s been vocal about the police mishandling the case turns up dead. Every thread Margo pulls leads back to a dangerous drug ring that once ran through the school.

When Margo’s brother Jack, a former cop, can’t get straight answers out of the police, they don’t know if it’s because of an active case…or a cover-up. Margo’s only sure of one thing—she has to find out what really happened to Elijah before more teens become pawns in a twisted scheme.

 

More information about the series: 

https://allisonbrennan.com/angelhart-investigations/#2

 

What I thought about Don't Say A Word

 

Margo takes a pro-bono case to investigate the death of a young high school student. His death has been ruled an accidental overdose, but family and friends don't believe it and they ask Margo to investigate.

The investigation brings back a thirty year old case, introduces some new collaborators and kept this reader turning the pages until the very end. I guessed the culprit somewhere along the way and it became a matter of law enforcement and Angelhart investigations to connect all the dots.

There was also some romantic elements with Margo meeting a new potential date among the collaborators. This was an very nice and welcome addition to the story.

I'm loving this series and I see that I may get my wish with Mother Angelhart getting more involved. Looking forward to more in the series.

 

 

 

 Other books in the series

 

 

 

Angelhart Investigations # 0.5 

 

 

 

Things are heating up in Arizona in this thrilling novella introducing a page-turning new series by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

Margo Angelhart was recently certified as a private investigator, but she isn’t convinced that it’s her calling. All of her cases have been minor, mostly for family and haven’t paid the bills. She’s more than happy to keep bartending and figure out her post-military career later. That is, until prosecutor Andy Flannigan walks into her bar and offers her a case she can’t turn down…

Nineteen-year-old Sergio Diaz has confessed to murder—except Andy doesn’t buy it. With his own job on the line, Andy asks Margo to work the case discreetly. The more she digs, the more she’s convinced an innocent kid is going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Now she just needs to figure out why he’d confess. Can Margo prove Sergio’s innocence and help Andy find the real killer before anyone else dies? 

 

Read my review

 

 

Angelhart Investigations #1 

 

 

 Nothing brings family together like crime.

Working alone as a private investigator is tough. Estranged from her PI family, Margo Angelhart does what she must to get by—including taking on sordid cases that pay the bills, even if she’d rather be helping those the justice system has failed.

That is, until a cheating husband case she’s working intersects with her siblings’ corporate espionage investigation, forcing Margo to cooperate with the Angelhart firm. Now, as the siblings compare notes, it’s clear they need to work together before a white-collar crime escalates to murder.

With far more questions than answers and a key suspect on the run, they’ll need the whole family to pitch in. But as they investigate the ever-twisting mystery, Margo isn’t sharing everything. Can she learn to trust her family and heal their once-close relationship before her secrets put those she loves most in danger?

 

Read my review 

 

 Angelhart Investigations #1.5

 

A fabulous new series from the queen of crime fiction. —J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of It’s One of Us

In this suspenseful new novella in New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan’s Angelhart Investigations series, the PI team’s biggest client hires them to look into a burglary that quickly escalates into a case with deadly stakes.

Logan Monroe’s family is in danger. After his sister, Laura, and her kids are run off the road and their house is broken in to, Logan tasks the Angelharts with keeping them safe, and the PIs drop everything to take on the case.

But they quickly realize there’s more to the situation than anyone thinks. First, the burglars didn’t take anything—were they just trying to scare her or were they after something they didn’t find? Then Laura can’t reach her ex-husband, who was supposed to take the kids for the weekend. While Jack protects the family, Margo tries to find the ex…but he seems to have disappeared.

As she digs deeper, Margo uncovers someone hiding in the shadows who will do anything to get what he wants—including killing anyone who stands in his way.

Read my review 

Review: Cowboy's Last Stand (His to Protect #1) by Jill Sorenson

 

U.S. Marine Jason Reed survived wounds that should have ended him. Instead, he’s stepping into the streets of Last Chance, Texas, to honor a battlefield promise to his fallen comrade. Haunted by war and torn between duty and the cowboy life calling him home, Jason plans to check on widowed Natalie Luna and move on. But Natalie’s fragile beauty and fierce resilience kindle a hunger he can’t outrun. When a dangerous suitor threatens her, Jason’s protective instincts surge, compelling him to stay awhile.

Natalie is barely holding on, juggling two jobs and a spirited son who tests her every day. She has no time for a charming stranger, even one trading handyman skills for a place to rest his head. Yet Jason’s disruptive presence stirs a longing she can’t ignore. She wants him in her bed, and if he proves worthy, maybe more. But Jason is a man of secrets—dare she trust him?

Can Jason protect Natalie from danger and win her heart? Or will the truth he hides destroy their shot at love? 

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What I thought about Cowboy's Last Stand

Young widow Natalie has her hands full working two jobs as a single parent. She doesn't complain about it, she just puts her nose down and does what needs to be done. Ever since her husband was killed in action, she's had to carry the entire load for the family. When she meets Jason one night at work, she doesn't know that it will change many things in her life.

Jason has been traveling on foot after a serious injury in combat. He didn't expect to fall for Natalie but he can't seem to leave her alone, especially after Jason experiences an altercation in the bar where she works that escalates into more drama and danger later in the evening. It's all the typical small town behaviors -- look out for those that live there -- and be very suspicious of outsiders. Jason is the outsider and he seems to attract trouble.

There aren't too many surprises in this romance. You'll figure out the big secret of jason's appearance on your own probably, but that's okay. It's the slow burn and development of Jason and Natalie's feeling for each other that makes this a lovely romance. They are good for each other and it just takes a while for both to get on the same page.

There are some light suspense elements to this story as well, when a murder occurs in town and outsider Jason gets accused. Everything comes to a head and Jason and Natalie are forced to figure out how they feel about each other.

The pace of the story is slow and steady, which works with the growing attraction between the two main characters. While this is insta-attraction, it takes a while for the deep feelings to develop. With a precocious son to help season things, Cowboy's Last Stand is a quiet, deliberate romance that I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to more in this series.

5 stars for We Are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) by Karin Slaughter

 
The first thrilling mystery in the new North Falls series from Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and the Will Trent series.

Welcome to North Falls—a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or so they think.

Until the night of the fireworks. When two teenage girls vanish, and the town ignites.

For Officer Emmy Clifton, it’s personal. She turned away when her best friend's daughter needed help—and now she must bring her home.

But as Emmy combs through the puzzle the girls left behind, she realizes she never really knew them. Nobody did.

Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them? And what else is the town hiding?

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What I thought about We Are All Guilty Here

Missing persons and small town America come together in this new series from Karin Slaughter.  Emmy Clifton is second generation law officer, working with her father who is the Sheriff of North Falls. When two teenage girls go missing, they must work against the clock to find them and apprehend the killer. There are some close ties to family here in the investigation and as with a small town, there are deep secrets to unfold.

One of those secrets is the discovery of child pornography during the investigation. The heat gets turned up quite a bit and Emmy does a great job of keeping her focus on the case when things get personal and so difficult.The case becomes more complicated when DNA analysis shows the wrong person was arrested years ago.

Here is where things get really interesting and complex. Another FBI agent comes to assist and brings both expertise and drama to Emmy and her family. I don't want to spoil anything, so that's all I will say.  

I just loved this story.  The pace is excellent. I didn't want to put it down, and I was engaged with the story from the start.  I'm still thinking about it days later, especially since there is a big twist near the end that just flips a few things in a completely different direction and sets the stage for more of this series.  I don't know how I've never read this author before, but the author and this book will be on my list of favorites for 2025. 

If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery with excellent writing and story elements, you just might like this one as much as I did. 

 

 

Review: The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan

A ninth generation Appalachian herself, Archer Sullivan brings the mountains of North Carolina to life in The Witch’s Orchard, a wonderfully atmospheric novel that introduces private investigator Annie Gore.

Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore joined the military right after high school to escape the fraught homelife of her childhood. Now, she’s getting by as a private investigator and her latest case takes her to an Appalachian holler not unlike the one where she grew up.

Ten years ago, three little girls went missing from their tiny mountain town. While one was returned, the others were never seen again. After all this time without answers, the brother of one of the girls wants to hire an outsider, and he wants Annie. While she may not be from his town, she gets mountain towns. Mountain people. Driving back into the hills for a case this old—it might be a fool’s errand. But Annie needs to put money in the bank and she can’t turn down a case. Not even one that dredges up her own painful past.

In the shadow of the Blue Ridge, Annie begins to track the truth, navigating a decade’s worth of secrets, folklore of witches and crows, and a whole town that prefers to forget. But while the case may have been buried, echoes of the past linger. And Annie’s arrival stirs someone into action.

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What I thought about The Witch's Orchard

Private investigator Annie Gore needs a client, so when she is offered a job in a small mountain town in North Carolina, she takes it. Ten years ago three girls went missing, and the brother of one of the girls is looking for something -- the answer to what happened to his sister, and whether she's still alive. Annie comes to town to uncover all the secrets and shake things up in a big way.

The action moves along quite nicely in this story, with the witch's tale bring a taste of the supernatural and it illustrates just how a story can change as it gets told over and over. I liked that part of the story.

Annie runs afoul of the locals as she investigates the missing girls. She might be an outsider, but she's aware of how folks in a small town act and react to strangers poking around.  It isn't long before she finds herself in real trouble.

The pacing is good, and Annie is an interesting main character. There are hints of a relationship with a former colleague throughout, but it's all very hazy at this point. Annie likes to shake things up and I liked that about her.

Overall, a very engaging mystery with plenty of what-happened-there moments and a few twists.  I really didn't see the ending coming about the way it did, and that contributes to the suspense of the story.  The secondary characters, especially the witch in the woods, help round out the story by representing their unique environment. I enjoyed this look inside the small Appalachian town and the mystery of the missing girls. It kept me interested until the very end. 

 

 

Review: The Soldier (Alpha Cove #1) by Susan Stoker

  

In this steamy contemporary romance about family, unforeseen circumstances, and unexpected love, an ex-military man and a down-on-her-luck woman find more than they bargained for when they find each other.

When Chad Young moves home, it’s not a decision he makes lightly. A former military man, he doesn’t make any decision lightly. But his father’s passing has left the family—and their business—reeling. Now more than ever, they need to stick together.

Britt Starkweather moved to Maine with her boyfriend, never imagining he’d abandon her there. With no money and nowhere to go, she accepts the Youngs’ offer of a job and room on their property. What more does she have to lose?

Although they just met, Chad makes Britt feel safe in a way no one has before. And she makes him feel things he’d given up on finding. But even as they grow closer, Britt realizes that something is amiss at Lobster Cove…and Chad will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

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What I thought about The Soldier

 When Chad Young's father passes away, he decides to move back home along with his other brothers to run the family business. He meets Britt one morning and offers her a job and a place to stay because he just senses that she needs some help, and she does. Chad and his brothers are all ex-military and they have character and charisma for everyone, and it doesn't take long for Britt to understand that Chad is just a good, decent man. Unfortunately, not everyone holds the same standards in Lobster Cove, which causes a good deal of drama and peril for Britt and Chad's mom. 

I was really looking forward to digging into this story. This author has a good reputation for writing romantic suspense and I was ready for that sort of story. What I got was something closer to romance than romantic suspense. I don't want to say more because it might spoil it for you, but I thought with all that military background in the family, that it would come into play, but that wasn't the case here. 

Overall, this is a pleasant romance with some insta-attraction between two good-hearted people. It's hard not to get behind Chad and Britt's romance. The drama and suspense is light-weight and quickly resolved without too much trouble, which I why I found this to be more romance than romantic suspense. A sweet romantic tale starts this Alpha Cove series.

Review: The Sound of Us & Steal My Breath Away by Sarah Castille

 The Sound of Us (Havencrest U #1)

 

 A Star is Born meets Good Girl Complex in this angsty, deeply emotional, heated romance perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover. 

They say music is a universal language…Skye Jordan thought she had it all figured out. Eighteen months ago, she was in college and dreaming of a basketball career. But in a split second her world fell apart. Now she’s back at Westfield U, broke and desperate. She has no use for sexy, bad boy musicians who kiss her senseless. . . until she lands an internship at the radio station where he works.

DJ Dante Romano has lost every person close to his heart. All he has is his music. Consumed by guilt and driven by vengeance, he has no time for love, and yet the fiery new intern who shares his passion and feels his pain tempts him like no other. For Dante, Skye is off limits. And yet from the moment he meets her, he can’t turn away.Soon their scorching attraction develops into something deeper. 

Together they could make beautiful music, but will their untold secrets force them apart?

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What I thought about The Sound of Us

Skye Jordan had dreams of playing basketball, but those dreams are lost, sending her back to college. She needs a job and finds one at the local radio station with DJ Dante Romano. He's got working through some things of his own and this brings Dante and Skye together as they try to figure out what they want in themselves, in their lives and in a partner.

Music form the backdrop of this story through the radio station and as a coping mechanism to provide solace to their respective past circumstances. Even though Skye and Dante should stay away from each other as coworkers, they can't help themselves. They have a somewhat dysfunctional relationship, with Dante using his past trauma when he needs an excuse and Skye enabling him. Pretty much the usual new-adult themes of moving from young adult to adulthood and dealing with everything that comes with it. After some inst-attraction, there's some steamy moments between Skye and Dante to spice things up.Somewhere along the way, they give each other what they need.

This was an okay story for me. I like the music backdrop, but I thought both characters were immature and that made it hard to love them. The first half was a bit slow as well, so I didn't get invested in these two characters like I want to in a romance. Overall, just okay story but it may appeal more to a younger reader.

Steal My Breath Away (Havencrest U #2)

 

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille brings another angsty, deeply emotional, heated romance that blends Ana Huang’s Twisted Games with Katherine Center’s The Bodyguard.

Emotions run high, but the tempo thrums higher as music, heat, and angst collide between a singer and her bodyguard.

Haley Chapman has struggled against rules all her life. As the daughter of a senator, she’s expected to finish her college degree, but music is her one true love―the only outlet she has for her wild, impulsive feelings.

When Haley becomes the target of a brazen kidnapping attempt linked to her mother’s high-profile Senate career, the Senator insists on round-the-clock protection. Having a security detail follow her around college feels like overkill, but the Senator has the perfect solution.

Ace Murphy was her brother’s best friend, and a former Air Force pilot, now working in personal security as a celebrity bodyguard. He was also Hailey’s teenage crush and the man who abandoned her when she needed him most, breaking her fragile heart.

Now, as Ace poses as her boyfriend on campus, their personalities clash. He may be her protector but to Haley, Ace is just another obstacle to her freedom and a painful reminder of the past. But as the threats escalate, their forced proximity ignites a connection they can’t ignore—one that could either save them or break them all over again.

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What I thought about Steal My Breath Away

In this second book in the Havencrest U series from Sarah Castille, Ace plays bodyguard to his best friend's sister Haley when she goes to college. There's some history between them, with Haley crushing on Ace in her younger life. The story is told in dual point-of-views and with a dual timeline so that the reader can understand what happened in their past.

As with the first book in this series, I found these characters to be a bit immature. Haley is naive and Ace is closed off, which doesn't make for a good pairing, but their past connection through Haley's brother keeps them tethered together.

I found Haley's circumstances a little difficult to believe as her mother is a political figure with someone after her, and therefore, Haley needs a bodyguard. There's an insta-attraction between Haley and Ace that takes a while to get sorted as they do the push-you-away / pull-you-back-in game. I've been disappointed in the lack of maturity of these characters in both books in this series, and I know that this author can do much better, so I hope if there are more installments, that the main characters would have some modicum of maturity.

Overall, the typical bodyguard story, complicated with second chance romance and forced proximity between Haley and Ace. I was rooting for them, but the story was a bit predictable, so that took the wind out of this reader's sails. 

 

Review: Rush Week by Michelle Brandon

 

An irresistible, juicy contemporary novel based on the TikTok phenomenon #BamaRushTok—about four sorority sisters brought back to the top-tier house they ruled at the University of Alabama, when secrets they’d thought long buried threaten to resurface.

Four sorority sisters. Each with dark secrets. They must stop the unexpected opening of a time capsule created as part of a sorority rush ritual that was supposed to hold their deepest secrets buried forever...

Five years after they thought they’d said goodbye forever, a group of sorority sisters find themselves back at the University of Alabama for Rush Week. Some return to rekindle their friendships, and others to keep long silent secrets from being exhumed. Unbeknownst to them at the time, the infamous “Spill Book” they wrote confessions in as a trust (hazing) exercise over the years was placed into a time capsule—now it’s been stolen, and the anonymous thief is threatening to expose them all on Bid Day.

Rush Week is a juicy, wild, drama-packed novel filled with good—and not so good—girls behaving badly, dark humor, and sexy scandals. As the sisters navigate their present and not-so-distant past, unbreakable bonds of friendship are put to the test, and regrettable mistakes threaten to change everything if exposed. But perhaps if they confess their sins to each other, they can begin to mend not only themselves, but their sisterhood— before the world finds out just how wicked they are. 

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What I thought about Rush Week

Four sorority sisters return to their alma mater to circumvent the reading of the infamous "Spill Book" that could ruin them all!  Sounds like a terrific premise for story, and I was hooked as soon as I read the description.  

The story is told in multiple point of views, and with a now-and-then timeline, so it takes a little bit of time and effort to be sure whose voice you are reading.  That was the first problem I had with this book.  The content was exciting as they describe how much this scandal this Spill Book can bring to them, but I had to work to figure out who exactly was telling the story.

These characters, Taylor, Annabelle, Brooklyn and Asana aren't the most likable characters either with all their privilege, but they may appeal to the Tiktok crowd.  I really thought that the opening of the time capsule seemed to be happening too soon and that some of this was far-fetched, but I decided I'd stay on the ride. 

Overall, I liked the story content, but found that the pacing was a bit slow and dragged things down for me and the unlikable characters annoyed me.  I did like the incorporation of today's technology and social media.  

 

 

Release Day Review: He Falls First (Colburn Bros #1) by Jill Shalvis

 

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again...

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

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What I thought about He Falls First

Penny is recovering from a difficult relationship that has her swearing off all men and relationships, that is until Ryder Colburn shows up in her world.  He's sweet and kind and interested in Penny -- but she's not ready.

The story is built around the "legend" of seeing three shooting stars that will foretell someone falling in love. I won't spoil it, but the legend brings a cute aspect to this story that will just have your heart melting!  The Colburn brothers are just adorable in that manly, sexy way that make romance novels a reader's choice!  Swoony, gorgeous men with character! Yum!

 There isn't any doubt that Ryder and Penny are made for each other -- it's just a matter of time before they get there, with a little help from friends and family. 

The secondary characters are interesting too, especially the Colburn patriarch who is dealing with health issues of his own, and Penny's family of grandmother and younger brother.  This author knows how to construct a family that works together to get through life. 

 You can't go wrong with a Jill Shalvis romance. The main characters are guaranteed to be likable and the story is entertaining and sweet! I enjoyed He Falls First and I'm looking forward to the rest of the Colburn brothers stories!

 

Read more about this author on her website at

 https://www.jillshalvis.com/

 

 

  

Just a little update...

 

Hello fellow readers and followers of this blog,

 I know there have been few reviews over the past two or three months, and I hope to be picking up the pace back to providing weekly reviews of what I've been reading.  Life came along and smacked me sideways, and I'm just getting my feet back on the ground, although they may be slightly unsteady at the moment.  

I'm happy to return to my reading with some really sweet romance titles. They've been soothing my soul right now as there is nothing like an entertaining romance, where the characters are just meant to be! 

 So thanks for your patience!  

Watch for some giveaways too!  It's time to clean out the bookshelves and I know I have a few titles to share with you all!

 Happy Reading!  Tradermare 

Review: The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury

 

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

While searching for her family's long-lost heirloom ring, military widow Vanessa Mayfield meets handsome antique dealer Ben Miller. The two are drawn to each other and forge a friendship that soon becomes a deep and breathtaking romance. But neither are sure that what they've found can last.

As Vanessa organizes her annual Columbus Cares Christmas Military Dance, she looks forward to her daughter's return from college. But Vanessa hasn't told Sadie about Ben. After all, Vanessa hadn't anticipated finding love again after losing her husband. And now she wrestles with feelings that are becoming hard to ignore.

Just as Ben is about to declare his love for Vanessa, he learns more about her missing Christmas ring: her great grandfather found it in France on D-Day, and engraved on the band is a single meaningful word. The details confirm a terrible truth, one that Ben cannot ignore.

Certain he now knows where Vanessa's ring is, Ben leaves town in a frantic rush. But can he stop a certain sale, or will Vanessa's ring be lost forever? Days before Christmas, when all seems hopeless, Ben and Vanessa learn an important eternal truth: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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 What I thought about the Christmas Ring

A young paratrooper finds a ring in the dirt on D-day and it becomes a family heirloom, until it's lost one day by it's current owner, A young widow named Vanessa Mayfield is devastated by the loss, and it's her faith and family that keeps her going in spite of the loss.  This is a very sweet holiday story, filled with love, spirituality and faith that how things work in mysterious ways.  

Vanessa meets Ben Miller while hunting antique shops for the missing ring. He makes a big impact on her, including giving her hope in finding a new love. I really liked how their relationship grew from something small to something meaningful. There is quite a bit of spirituality and bible quoting in this story and I found that it added greatly to its charm.  I've known many people who are guided by their faith in my life, and this story does a nice job of painting them in a wonderful light. The story is just the right size and doesn't drag things out, which I really appreciated.  The Christmas Ring is a perfect  holiday love story. 

 

Review: Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts

The #1 New York Times-bestselling author presents a novel about an injured cop who must fight to bring down a pair of twisted killers…

Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store—and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world.

After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance.

She may be down, but she’s not out. So when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. Men and women, old and young—the missing seem to have nothing in common. And the abductions keep happening.

Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case—and she's willing to risk her life again if that's what it takes to stop the horror.

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What I thought about Hidden Nature

An almost fatal shooting changes a young policewoman's perspective on life and love in Hidden Nature. Her detecting and observation skills remain top-notch and come in handy when she's targeted by a serial killer.

This was a book that I had to read every free moment I had. I just loved Sloan -- she's tough and smart and doesn't engage in relationship drama. She's dedicated to her chosen career and when there's a suspicious disappearance, she takes it upon herself to investigate as she recovers. She moves back home, meets a man who surprises her, and works on this case on her own time. She's just that dedicated. Nash is a lovely partner for Sloan -- he's dealing with his own demons and is surprised by his feelings for Sloan. I couldn't help but root for them. The writing is top-notch as you might expect from this author.

I do wish the ending had more to it, that is my only (very mild) complaint. There was terrific build-up to Sloan's interaction with the serial killers that just could have been a little "more" for this reader. I do recommend Hidden Nature to readers looking for a very satisfying romantic suspense. I just loved it. 

 

Available Today! The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

 

 

 

 

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of legendary horror author Vincent Taylor, famous not only for his novels but for being the prime suspect in the brutal slaying of his siblings. On the brink of financial ruin, Olivia reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite her father's last book, not realising she will be forced to reckon with the ghosts that live at the centre of her family.

 

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What I thought about The Ghostwriter

 

It's family secrets on steroids in The Ghostwriter. Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter that has lost her credibility and is shunned by her community. An offer comes in to write her father's story. Her father is a notable thriller author who has been under suspicion for killing his two siblings years ago. Since Olivia is broke, she decides to accept the offer, which leads her on a journey to uncover secrets and dissect her own relationship with her father.

This book grabbed me from the start and had me turning pages quickly. I like a book that I can sink into and The Ghostwriter hit the mark. There are plenty of twists and turns and just when you think you might know what really happened, things change. I like that about it. Kept me guessing until the end. It is more of a slow pace as pieces are revealed to the reader. There are multiple points of view and trips to the past as well. Overall, in spite of a slower pace, I liked this book and would recommend it to other mystery thriller readers.

 

 

 

Dying To Meet You by Sarina Bowen

NOW LIVE!

 

The acclaimed USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author returns with a twisty thriller that probes how well we actually know the men in our lives.

Rowan Gallagher is a devoted single mother and a talented architect with a high-profile commission restoring an historic mansion for the most powerful family in Maine. But inside, she’s a mess. She knows that stalking her ex’s avatar all over Portland on her phone isn't the healthiest way to heal from their breakup. But she’s out of ice cream and she's sick of romcoms.

Watching his every move is both fascinating and infuriating. He's dining out while she's wallowing on the couch. The last straw comes when he parks in their favorite spot on the waterfront. In a weak moment, she leashes the dog and sets off to see who else is in his car.

Instead of catching her ex in a kiss, Rowan becomes the first witness to his murder—and the primary suspect.

But Rowan isn’t the only one keeping secrets. As she digs for the truth, she discovers the dead man was stalking her too, gathering intimate details about her job and her past.

Struggling to clear her name, Rowan finds herself spiraling into the shadowy plot that killed him.

Will she be the next to die?

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ADD TO GOODREADS:

What I thought about Dying to Meet You

Architect Rowan Gallagher is working on the restoration of a family estate and uncovers a sketchy past after her ex boyfriend is found shot in the parking lot. She becomes a murder suspect for a number of reasons, forcing her to dig deeper into family history and the past occupants of the Magdalene School for Wayward Girls.

I'm old enough to remember when places like this existed, and the school becomes a major part of this thriller. There are also some nice romantic elements with daughter's father Harrison who is a felon and also under suspicion. I have to say that Harrison was one of my favorite characters. As for Rowan, she's a likable character, but I didn't really get "architect" from her as she seems to abandon her career to solve the mystery of who killed her ex. I found the daughter to be more interesting as she is not exactly forthcoming with her mother.

There are multiple points of view in the telling of this story, one in particular that had me scratching my head at the end of the story. I was looking for a bigger payoff there, but okay, I may have to go back and re-read that part of the ending to figure it out

Overall, I liked the story. It's an easy read, but it didn't have the level of gut wrenching suspense that there could have been. I guessed the killer somewhere along the way, but that's the best part of reading a mystery/thriller. Entertaining.

 

 

5 Stars for The Big Fix by Holly James

 

When bookish Penny Collins reluctantly lets her sister drag her to an estate sale at a neighbor’s house, she’s hoping for a little diversion rummaging through dusty antiques. Instead she ends up in a public squabble over candlesticks with the deceased owner’s nephew, Anthony—right before a dead body tumbles out of a closet.

Penny’s plan for the summer involved finalizing tenure at the university where she’s a computer sciences professor. Now she’s suddenly on the run with a man she barely knows, scaling walls, evading bullets, and accidentally stabbing henchmen. It seems the wrong people believe she’s Anthony’s girlfriend and in possession of something they desperately need—and will do anything to get. 

My Review

When Penny visits her sister and attends the next door neighbor's estate sale, she has no idea what she's getting herself into. Anthony is not only the estate seller, but he's got some dubious activities that get the two of them in extremely hot water very quickly. I really loved Penny -- she had a great attitude. And Anthony is the strong, silent type, but he's just too adorable when it comes to Penny.

This cute and humorous romantic suspense /comedy makes it to my favorites of 2025. I really enjoyed this story. Although predictable, it was just a fun romp that held my interest until the end. I'm not a big fan of insta-love, but sometimes it works, and I could feel the chemistry between Anthony and Penny from the start. The story is a bit far-fetched, but the tone of the narration makes it easy to ignore that sort of thing and just relax into the story. Recommended if you are looking for a romantic suspense tale with a light touch.  

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