Release Day Review: 5 stars for Holidating:Three Sizzling Holiday Romances by Sarina Bowen

 

24-time USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen's first holiday collection! Enjoy three complete holiday romances from Sarina Bowen. You’re getting:

Boyfriend: a complete holiday novel with a hilarious premise.
Rent a boyfriend for the holiday. For $25, I will be your Thanksgiving date. I will show up in a nice shirt, talk hockey with your dad and bring your mother flowers…
Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to introduce your hockey crush to your messed-up family. But Abbi really needs a date for Thanksgiving, even if she can’t say why. But when she tears Weston’s number off of a flyer, she accidentally entangles Moo U’s star defenseman in a ruse that neither of them can easily unwind.

Crossroads: a novella of missed connections, broken dreams and two hearts that just won’t quit.

Damien Rossi drives a taxi but dreams of more. Specifically, he dreams about Nicolette Overland, his favorite client, a lonely beauty who lives in an actual mansion on a hill.

Nicolette can’t stop thinking about the hunky guy with the soulful brown eyes, either. She looks forward to every Christmas holiday when she knows he’ll be waiting for her at the airport. But when she screws up her courage to finally tell him how she feels, it might be too late…

Blonde Date: a novella of hot nerds, basketball and revenge.

Katie is done with bad boys after some very poor treatment by a fraternity guy. Now, facing a holiday Greek event, she needs a date. A nice guy this time. Good thing a certain nerdy basketball player wants to audition for the role…

Note: Boyfriend (68k words) is separately available, Crossroads (35k words) is brand new, and Blonde Date (30k words) has been previously published.

Buy Links

Ebook will be at Amazon only:
https://geni.us/Holidating-Amazon

Paperbacks at:
Amazon:
https://geni.us/Holidating-paper

Bookshop.org:
https://geni.us/Holidating-Bookshop

Barnes & Noble:
https://geni.us/Holidating-BN

Books-a-Million:
https://geni.us/Holidating-BAM

Mobile friendly links page:
https://sarinabowen.com/holidating-links

ADD TO GOODREADS
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216968586-holidating

What I thought about Holidating

Oh my! Damien Rossi! I absolutely love all the Rossi men in the True North series and was so excited to read Damien's story. It was fantastic and really had me a bit emotional there for a few pages. But it's romance, so there's an HEA, so whew! I just loved Damien's story, it was sad and sweet. The story spans a number of years and can really tug the heartstrings before giving the reader a HEA.

Boyfriend and Blonde Date are re-releases that I still want to read. Overall this is a feel-good holiday trio that hits the romance bullseye. You can't go wrong here.

This is an very nice introduction for new readers of this author and a must for fans of the True North series.

 

Release Week Review: You Can Kill (A Laurel Snow Thriller Book 4) by Rebecca Zanetti

 

Luther meets Justified combined with Profiler in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti's exciting Laurel Snow Thriller series, set in the Pacific Northwest, featuring FBI Special Agent and rising star profiler Laurel Snow. For readers who love their thrillers centered around dysfunctional families, and their protagonists threatened by a serial killer.

“Be prepared to stay up all night…Rebecca Zanetti takes you on a thrill-ride, pitting characters you love against impossible odds.” –CHRISTINE FEEHAN, New York Times bestselling author

A string of brutal murders is leaving a grisly trail across the Pacific Northwest—and drawing rising star FBI profiler Laurel Snow back into a treacherous case and a twisted personal drama she can’t escape . . .

The first body is torn apart, blood and flesh discovered across both state and federal lands. As the victims multiply, a pattern emerges—each is related to past cases investigated by Laurel Snow, with the assist of Huck Rivers, Washington Fish and Wildlife captain. When friends and loved ones are targeted, things become even more chillingly personal.

As Laurel and Huck team up again to navigate the gruesome and increasingly bizarre killings, they must also keep a safe distance from Laurel’s half-sister, Abigail, a dangerously clever sociopath. Ever since their father reappeared in town, Abigail has been convinced she must protect Laurel from his malignant narcissism—a scourge she’s sure they’ve both inherited. Huck is not spared either as a shocking development in the case touches his own life.

With the murders, and the suspects, multiplying around them, and the lives of everyone in their orbit at stake, only Laurel’s sharp analytic skills, Huck’s deep gut instincts, and their growing bond will enable them to face the demons within and the threats without—before they’re next on an elusive killer’s hit list . . .

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~o~

What I thought about You Can Kill

This is one of my favorite series. I just love Laurel and her investigative skills, especially when she teams up with Huck. They work so well as colleagues and as lovers and I really like getting more information on both aspects in this latest addition to the series. It really is a series about relationships against the backdrop of terrible crimes.

This is a no spoiler review, so I'm not getting into the details of the story. I will say that the writing pulled me right into the story and I found myself close to the end before I knew it. I love a book that draws me in so completely that the pages just fly by, and this series does that. There's always a few twists and turns that keep the story moving along, and this installment of the series is no exception.

Overall, a 5 star read for this reader.

Review: I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong

Nicola Laughton never expected to see adulthood, being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a child. Then medical advances let her live into her thirties and she met Anton, who taught her to dream of a future… together. Months after they married, Anton died in a horrible car accident, but lived long enough to utter five words to her, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

That final private moment became public when someone from the crash scene took it to the press―the terminally ill woman holding her dying husband as he promised to wait for her on the other side. Worse, that person claimed it wasn’t Anton who said the words but his ghost, hovering over his body.

Since their story went public, Nicola has been hounded by spiritualists promising closure. In the hopes of stopping her downward spiral, friends and family find a reputable medium―a professor of parapsychology. For the séance, they rent the Lake Erie beach house that Anton’s family once owned.

The medium barely has time to begin his work before things start happening. Locked doors mysteriously open. Clouds of insects engulf the house. Nicola hears footsteps and voices and the creak of an old dumbwaiter…in an empty shaft. Throughout it all she’s haunted by nightmares of her past. Because, unbeknownst to the others, this isn’t her first time contacting the dead. And Nicola isn’t her real name.

That’s when she finds the first body….

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What I thought about I'll Be Waiting

I love this time of year. While some people like horror movies, I really like a good horror story -- one that will make me put the book down for a moment, only to grab it back up and devour the words on the page, because I have to know what's going to happen.  This requires a good bit of tension and suspense in the writing and believable enough so the reader can just sink into the story, even though it might be scary or intense.

I'll Be Waiting grabbed me right from the start.  Nicola and Anton are likable characters and their circumstances are gut-wrenching.  But this story asks -- what about the afterlife? And it answers the question with a tight horror story with ghosts and evil spirits and a whole lot of holding my breath.

I really liked this story and it will be on my favorites of 2024. The tale is believable, especially if you have a belief in the afterlife. And while a horror story, the love story between Anton and Nicola is expertly woven between past and present.  There were plenty of surprises I didn't see coming. I just loved it! Definitely recommended for horror fans. 

 About the Author

Kelley Armstrong believes experience is the best teacher, though she’s been told this shouldn’t apply to writing her murder scenes. To craft her books, she has studied aikido, archery and fencing. She sucks at all of them. She has also crawled through very shallow cave systems and climbed half a mountain before chickening out. She is however an expert coffee drinker and a true connoisseur of chocolate-chip cookies.

Kelley Armstrong's social handles: 

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Cover Reveal: Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen

 Coming May 2025, Sarina Bowen's next domestic thriller, 

DYING TO MEET YOU

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.

 

May 2025

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?

ADD TO GOODREADS:  

PREORDER LINKS

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Apple Books:
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Kobo:
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Barnes & Noble:
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Release Week Review: The Highlander's Untamed Tempest (The Brothers of Wolf Isle #5) by Heather McCollum

A stranger walks among the Macquarie clan. But is she their destiny…or their doom? Don’t miss the alluring fifth Brothers of Wolf Isle book from USA Today bestselling author Heather McCollum

Eagan Macquarie doesn’t believe in love—nor does he want a wife. There is an entire world beyond Wolf Isle, and mo Dhia, he will seek it out. But the Macquarie curse will continue to haunt his family unless Eagan finds a suitable bride to break the hex once and for all. Now he must choose between a marriage he does not want or abandoning his family…until a comely stranger catches his eye.

Claudette Tempest Ainsworth—known as Tessa—is a learned French midwife who’s been waiting for her father to come fetch her from the harsh winds and sea of Scotland and return her to her beloved France. But with Eagan, she finds something unexpected: a flame of desire, hot and almost terrifying in its intensity. But even the brightest fires cannot sustain the inevitable distance that’s soon to follow…

Tessa seems to have bewitched them all. But when danger threatens Wolf Isle and the Macquaries, Eagan discovers that the love he never believed in might be his clan’s salvation…or its devastating downfall.

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Entangled Publishing

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What I thought about The Highlander's Untamed Tempest

The Brothers of Wolf Isle series comes to a close with the story of the youngest, Eagan Macquarie who has the choice of either breaking the long standing curse against the family or bringing it to a happier conclusion.  This is a romance, so you know how it's going to go, but the fun is in the story and the characters, especially with this installment of the series.

Eagan is ready to leave his family when he meets Tessa, a young woman who some suspect as being a witch.  I don't want to give any more details, but the beginning of this story just pulled me in.  I've read a few in this series, and they work very well standalone, while also whetting the appetite for others in the series. 

There's plenty of steamy scenes here.  I liked that Tessa knew what she was doing in this area, and while they fall pretty hard pretty fast, I thought she was perfect for Eagan, especially since he had his life planned out until he meets Tessa and all those long term plans come into question.

What I love about this series including this book, and this author is that these stories are a perfect  escape into another time, they are fun and sweet, with just the right touch of danger and darkness to make it interesting.  

About the Author:

 

I’m Heather McCollum, writer of 16th century Scottish romance full of intrigue and sprinkled with humor, history, & spice. Brawny Highlanders with golden hearts & feisty heroines are my favorites! I’m a mom of 3, dog-mom of 1, & wife of a 6’4” Highlander. I love kilted heroes, dragonflies, watching birds, chai lattes, & eating popcorn for dinner on Friday nights.  

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Release Day Review: The House at Watch Hill (Watch Hill Trilogy #1) by Karen Marie Moning

 

 

 

#1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning is back with a gripping, imaginative, and seductive new series in which a young woman moves to Divinity, Louisiana, to inherit a large fortune and a Gothic mansion full of mysteries and ominous secrets...

Zo Grey is reeling from the sudden death of her mother when she receives a surprising call from an attorney in Divinity, Louisiana, with the news she has been left an inheritance by a distant relative, the terms of which he will only discuss in person. Destitute and alone, with nothing left to lose, Zo heads to Divinity and discovers she is the sole beneficiary of a huge fortune and a monstrosity of a house that sits ominously at the peak of Watch Hill—but she must live in it, alone, for three years before the house, or the money, is hers.

Met with this irresistible opportunity to finally build a future for herself, Zo puts aside her misgivings about the foreboding Gothic mansion and the strange circumstances, and moves in, where she is quickly met by a red-eyed Stygian owl and an impossibly sexy Scottish groundskeeper.

Her new home is full of countless secrets and mystifying riddles, with doors that go nowhere, others that are impossible to open, and a turret into which there is no visible means of ingress. And the townspeople are odd…

What Zo doesn’t yet know is that her own roots lie in this very house and that in order to discover her true identity and awaken her dormant powers, she will have to face off against sinister forces she doesn’t quite comprehend—or risk being consumed by them.

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What I thought about The House at Watch Hill

In this first book of a new series from Karen Marie Moning, the familiar themes of good versus evil, light versus dark, and the gray in between are examined through the lens of a young woman who has everything to gain and nothing to lose. Zo Grey inherits the town matriarch's property in Divinity, Louisiana and it comes with some mind-blowing conditions. Fans of this author's Fever series will find similar themes in the Watch Hill series, especially Celtic folklore.

There's plenty of supernatural elements at the House at Watch Hill, a gothic monstrosity that is both extremely creepy and devastating beautiful.  There's a terrifically unsettling atmosphere throughout this book and I really liked that aspect of the book.  It had me a little nervous about what was to come, and yet had me turning those pages as fast as I could! Such a gothic feel to this story and I adored that. The house is a character all its own in this story.

This book lays the ground work for what is to come in this story. Zo suddenly finds out many things about herself that have her emotions all over the place. She's a sometimes-likable character with a healthy rebellious streak which gets her in trouble. There are also external forces in play as well, others in the supernatural community that want what Zo has in the House at Watch Hill.

I haven't been able to get this story out of my head since finishing it.  I thought The House at Watch Hill a solid start to what I hope will be a very exciting ride. Can't wait for more!

About KMM

Karen Marie Moning is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fever Series and the Highlander series. She is a winner of the prestigious RITA award for best paranormal romance and is a multiple RITA award nominee, and a Goodreads Reader’s Choice Award winner. An alum of the Immaculate Conception Academy, she attended Purdue University where she completed a BA in Society & Law, with minors in Philosophy, Creative Writing and Theatre.

Prior to becoming a full time writer, she worked in the insurance industry directing commercial litigation and intercompany arbitration. She agrees with Jorge Luis Borges that paradise must be some kind of library.

https://karenmoning.com/

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Coming this winter from Sarina Bowen: The Last Guy On Earth

 

Coming Winter 2025

One cold December day, two men are blindsided by a hockey trade; one is the most decorated goalie in the league, while the other one is the youngest coach in the majors.

Jethro Hale is the last player Coach Clay Powers wants to see on his roster, but the G.M. pulls a fast one. And it's not like he can even explain why. Nobody knows about their love affair fifteen years ago.

Cue the all-star awkwardness, the painful memories and the reawakening of deep feelings on both sides.

Unfortunately, their attraction still burns brightly. But it can never be. A player and a coach? The scandal would overshadow the team’s banner year.

If only they could resist each other…

If you love grumpy heroes, high stakes hockey, struggling single parents and smoldering kisses, grab your copy of The Last Guy on Earth.

Ebooks at:

Amazon:
https://geni.us/lastguy-amazon

Apple Books:
https://geni.us/lastguy-apple

Kobo:
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Nook:
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Paperback, Audio, and other links coming soon!

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217193511-last-guy-on-earth 

Release Day Review: The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner

A librarian with a knack for solving murders realizes there is something decidedly supernatural afoot in her little town in this cozy fantasy mystery.

Librarian Sherry Pinkwhistle keeps finding bodies—and solving murders. But she’s concerned by just how many killers she’s had to track down in her quaint village. None of her neighbors seem surprised by the rising body count…but Sherry is becoming convinced that whatever has been causing these deaths is unnatural.

When someone close to Sherry ends up dead, and her cat, Lord Thomas Crowell, becomes possessed by what seems to be an ancient demon, Sherry begins to think she’s going to need to become an exorcist as well as an amateur sleuth. With the help of her town’s new priest, and an assortment of friends who dub themselves the “Demon-Hunting Society,” Sherry will have to solve the murder and get rid of a demon.

This riotous mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Murder, She Wrote is a lesson for demons and murderers alike: Never mess with a librarian.

 

 

What I thought about The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society

 

Small town librarian meets the supernatural in this cozy mystery / paranormal fantasy mash up.  

Sherry Pinkwhistle just seems to get involved with murders around town that she gets to solve and this time, it's her cat who encourages her to look into the death of a loved one.  It's all very cute and fun as Sherry solves the murder and saves her home town.  

I was expecting there to be a "society" but it appears that it's really Sherry who is doing the demon hunting, but if there were a book series, I'm hoping that they would cover the formation of the society, because I thought that was a cool part of the title and something that caught my attention.

Overall this was a fun little mystery that was an easy read. I did find it a little hard to get into right at the start but that resolved as the story proceeded. No huge twisty bits.  I do want to give a shout-out to this adorable book cover. 

 

 

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 About the Author

 

C.M. Waggoner grew up in rural upstate New York, where she spent a lot of time reading fantasy novels in a swamp. She studied creative writing at SUNY Purchase and lived in China for eight years before moving with her husband to Albany, NY. In her spare time, she volunteers, performs kitchen experiments, asks if she can pet your dog, and gardens badly. You can voice your complaints to the management (or sign up for her mailing list) at cmwaggoner.com.

Review: Scotland - The Storyteller's Photo Guide by Joana Kruse

BORED OF DULL GUIDEBOOKS? THIS ONE'S DIFFERENT!

"Scotland - The Storyteller's Photo Guide" is a unique adventure that seamlessly blends a captivating narrative with a practical photo location guide. It stands out from conventional travel guides with its refreshing approach and will be your helpful tool for planning and on-location-references at the same time.

Meet some quirky Scottish characters, solve intriguing mysteries, and immerse yourself in the vibrant Scottish culture, all while discovering breathtaking photo spots.

155+ Photo Detailed information on each location, including coordinates, timing, and access, alongside 570+ additional destination suggestions to inspire your photography journey.

Diverse A curated selection of coastal, highland, historical, and landscape spots from the South to the remote Isles.

Photography Explore photo techniques, learn from tutorials, and practice your skills with "Shutter Challenges."

400+ Stunning visuals showcase Scotland's beauty, complementing the narrative.

Sustainable Travel A dedicated chapter on eco-conscious travelling.

This book is not just for photographers; it appeals to any traveller seeking an authentic Scottish experience. Whether using a professional camera or a smartphone, you will be captivated by Joana's journey and inspired to embark on your own photographic Scotland adventures.

984 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2024

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 What I thought about SCOTLAND:The Storyteller's Photo Guide

I'm always on the lookout for more information about this intriguing country, so when I saw this one I had to take a look.  What a pleasant surprise!  It's chock full of good information about interesting locations, along with photography tips and a cute little story to keep things interesting (sometimes). I thoroughly enjoyed this. Loved the format and the interesting tidbits like best times for photos and other offbeat information.  If you are traveling to Scotland this is a must read -- if you just want to learn more about this lovely place, it works for that too.  Definitely recommended.

 

 

 

 

  About the Author

Joana lives the life of an ongoing photo adventure, her Canon always by her side. Her journey with the lens began 20 years ago. From the rugged shores of Scotland (her adopted home high up North) to the far corners of the world, be it Asia, be it Africa or New Zealand, she’s captured countless moments of beauty in several dozens of countries. Her keen eye for the extraordinary is showcased through her agency’s extensive collection of over 25,000 curated photos taken by her.

Joana’s work isn’t just about pixels - it’s about storytelling. Her images grace the pages of magazines, travel guides, countless book covers, and calendars. Though not a competition enthusiast, her undeniable talent has earned several well-deserved awards.

Beyond the camera, Joana is a vegan, a happy EV road tripper, and an advocate for sustainable exploration.

https://www.storytellersphotoguide.com/  

Review: The Summer Escape (Sunrise Cove #6) by Jill Shalvis

Secrets are revealed and forbidden sparks ignited in this sizzling Sunrise Cove tale of enemies to lovers, redemption, missing treasures, and love.

Anna Moore didn’t just wake up one day and decide to go on a wild quest — especially since her life no longer lends itself to wild anything — so how in the world does she end up racing against the clock with Owen Harris, a sexy, enigmatic adventurist, to prove her beloved dad innocent of stealing a million-dollar necklace? 

It’s all Wendy’s fault. Her older, bossy sister, who’s seven months pregnant and on bed rest in their small Lake Tahoe hometown, is desperate to clear their dad’s name. Owen though is convinced he’s guilty as hell and wants to return the jewelry back to its rightful owner—his elderly great aunt. Together they go on a scavenger hunt for clues to the past (with Wendy remotely along for the ride via an ear bud, supplying a running wry commentary to boot). 

On opposing sides and suspicious of each other as they are, Anna and Owen still can’t deny the inexplicable and explosive chemistry between them on this heart-stopping adventure, the outcome of which will prove the necklace isn’t the only thing stolen — their hearts have been as well.

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 ~~✦~~

What I thought about The Summer Escape

 Anna Moore has a few situations she's dealing with. Her older, bossy sister is pregnant with triplets, a gold coin brings a new job to her investigative business but might change her family forever, and she's sworn off men since she hasn't had much luck there either. 

Until Owen shows up. He may have a stake in the gold coin, so he hires Anna to find the rest of the missing coins and another items that was stolen from his aunt. It doesn't take long for him to start falling for Anna and he's absolutely a total unicorn of a man. I just loved him. *sigh*

Anna does her best to fight her feelings for Owen, but seriously, he's pretty special. Once Wendy decides she wants her sister to be happy and Owen is the guy, there's plenty of meddling that can be both cute and annoying. I really enjoyed the relationship between the sisters as it seemed very realistic. They don't always get along.

I really enjoyed this book. Anna and Wendy are fun and the types of sisters I wish I'd had, and Owen and Hayden (Wendy's husband) are just sweet, considerate and extremely patient in juxtaposition to Wendy's craziness. I didn't want this to end because I really enjoyed these characters and their journey.

Overall, The Summer Escape was a feel-good read with some very likable characters. I didn't want to put this down, and I didn't want it to end. It was fun and yet had enough drama to keep things interesting. It works well as a standalone.

 

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies filled with madcap adventures and shenanigans and sexy times. (just don’t tell her mom). She’s sold 20 million plus copies worldwide to date and lives with her family in a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental). 

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Review: Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood

 

A forbidden, secret affair proves that all’s fair in love and science.

Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she has enough: a few friends she can always count on, the financial stability she yearned for as a kid, and a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, one of the most promising start-ups in the field of food science. Her world is stable, pleasant, and hard-fought. Until a hostile takeover and its offensively attractive front man threatens to bring it all crumbling down.

Eli Killgore and his business partners want Kline, period. Eli has his own reasons for pushing this deal through - and he's a man who gets what he wants. With one burning exception: Rue. The woman he can't stop thinking about. The woman who's off-limits to him.

Torn between loyalty and an undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli throw caution out the lab and the boardroom windows. Their affair is secret, no-strings-attached, and has a built-in deadline: the day one of their companies will prevail. But the heart is risky business - one that plays for keeps.

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What I thought about Not in Love

Rue and Eli start out as frenemies as the company Rue works for is about to get new funders.I found this idea of the story an interesting one, as these characters are attracted to each other from the beginning, before the details and motivations of one side are revealed

As for the romance, I really liked how this one started, at least when I figured out the voices in the narrative. But somewhere along the way I became less interested in these characters that had intrigued me at the start.  Eli seemed like a good guy, but some of his thinking turned me off, especially the amount of time he brings up his ex. Especially when his thoughts at meeting Rue were so very strong and significant.  IDK, your mileage may vary as they say.

It should be noted that Not in Love is billed as more of an erotic romance rather than a rom-com.  There is physical attraction and quite a bit of sex happening, but it didn't always hit the mark for this reader. I did find myself skimming some of these scenes, especially since I was really looking for how these characters felt about each other. I did like Rue -- she was quirky and socially awkward outside of her group and yet had a sense of humor that was sarcastic and funny. I did love the way Eli and Rue meet via the app.

Overall, I did like the characters although I wished for a more well defined arc of their growth, which was sort of muddled here and sometimes slowed things down too much for me. I had mixed feelings about Eli and I wasn't sure that I really liked him or not. There is also a good cast of secondary characters on both sides of the story.  There are some hits and some misses for me in Not in Love which is why I am rating this 3 stars. 

 

About the Author

I'm Ali, and I write contemporary romcom novels about women in STEM and academia. I love cats, Nutella, and side ponytails. I'm also currently learning to crochet, so as you can tell I'm a super busy gal with an intense and exciting life! 

My favorite thing in the world is to explore traditional romance tropes—and to picture how they’ll play out in academic settings.

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Review: How to Hide in Plain Sight by Emma Noyes

 

The unbreakable bonds of family and love are explored in this brilliant and tender story from the author of Guy's Girl.

On the day she arrives in Canada for her older brother's wedding, Eliot Beck hasn't seen her family in three years. Eliot adores her big, wacky, dysfunctional collection of siblings and in-laws, but there's a reason she fled to Manhattan and buried herself in her work—and she’s not ready to share it with anyone. Not when speaking it aloud could send her back into the never-ending cycle of the obsessive-compulsive disorder that consumed her for years.

Eliot thinks she's prepared to survive the four-day-long wedding extravaganza—until she sees her best friend, Manuel, waiting for her at the marina and looking as handsome as ever. He was the person who, when they met as children, felt like finding the missing half of her soul. The person she tried so hard not to fall in love with… but did anyway.

Manuel's presence at the wedding threatens to undo the walls Eliot has built around herself. The fortress that keeps her okay. If she isn't careful, by the end of this wedding, the whole castle might come crumbling down.

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What I thought about How to Hide in Plain Sight

I was hooked on this book from the opening scene.  Returning home to Cradle Island for her brother's wedding, Eliot Beck is forced her to confront some unresolved situations with her family and with Manuel, her former best friend she abandoned and someone she has deep feelings for.

The opening brought back my own memories of returning home after years away and how much things can change and yet remain the same.  I was immediately engaged with Eliot's voice. This is a very emotional book, and it had me choked up a few times. 

Eliot has OCD. She deals with intrusive thoughts on a daily basis and finds it easier to do that away from her family.  Going back home was a big lift for her, but thinking she can handle four days, she drives herself home to find her former best friend waiting for her. She has much to deal between Manuel and her family.

There are some difficult themes here that are handled with sensitivity and realism. Mental health, particularly OCD which surprised me as I thought I knew about this disorder, the death of a family member, and family dynamics in a large family unit -- There's lots to unpack here and the story is rich with situations that I found familiar in my own life, which made the book relatable. Everyone's grown up and has adult problems, not just Eliot.

Like most family drama, this story can be hard to read at times because there is quite a bit of realistic family drama going on here. I actually liked that about it as it was central to my connection with this story.  I appreciated the realism of both the family dynamics and the mental health issues.

Overall, I liked this #ownvoices story, especially the tough parts. Learning new aspects of OCD was a surprise, as was finding out just how much the author was connected to this material. There's a nice bit of romance too, but I felt the ending was a bit rushed.

 

 

About the Author

Emma Noyes is the author of Guy's Girl, How to Hide in Plain Sight, and The Sunken City trilogy. She grew up in a suburb outside Chicago and attended Harvard University, where she studied history and literature. She started her career at a beer company but left because she wanted to write about mermaids and witches — eventually publishing her first YA fantasy series. She now lives in Chicago with her Swedish fiancé and accident-prone Pomeranian.

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Release Day Review: Fast & Reckless (Racing Hearts #1) by Amanda Weaver

Race into a sexy New Adult romance, set in the fast-paced world of Formula One. These friends-to-lovers are about to fall . . . fast and reckless.

He’s the one man she can’t have . . .

Mira Wentworth knows Will Hawley is trouble. Even if he revs her engine, flirting with the handsome new driver on her father’s Formula One team is not in the cards. Mira has sworn off on-track romance after a mistake as a teen cost her everything. Now she has a chance to win back her spot in F1 as a team assistant, and she's not going to let one cheeky, bad boy driver get in her way.

She’s the one woman he wants . . .

After his party boy antics nearly blew up his racing career, Will is finally back in the driver’s seat and determined to get onto the podium. He likes to think he’s reformed, but with one look at the boss’ daughter, he’s willing to risk it all.

As the heat builds between Mira and Will, their chemistry deepens into something more. But when the ugly events of the past come to call, their fragile new relationship is put to the test. Can Mira and Will’s love cross the finish line?

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 What I thought about Fast & Reckless

The boss's daughter falls for the reformed bad boy driver she really needs to stay away from in this Formula One racing-themed sports romance from Amanda Weaver.

Mira Wentworth knows she won't convince her father and the other racing team members that she knows her stuff if she gets involved with Will, but yet there is a spark between them that can't be ignored. So there are elements of forbidden romance here until all things just get crazy. There's a lot of pressure here for these two. Especially with Will wanting to win the title above all else.

There was a nice level of chemistry between these two, and while some may consider the "love" being more like "insta-love", I thought it was a good reflection on the pace of the environment. One of the things I really did like about this story is that I know very little about the racing world, and Fast & Reckless did a nice job of capturing what the sport was about. Great research wins the day here.

Overall, this was an entertaining sports romance based in the world of fast cars and plenty of drama. The main characters are easy to cheer on to the HEA.

Amanda Weaver has written everything from steamy contemporaries to swoony historicals, and can now add sports romance to that list, after her husband’s job as a Formula One journalist sparked a whole new obsession. In her “other life” Amanda is a costume designer working on Broadway and in opera. Born and raised in Florida, she now considers New York City home, and she lives with her family and cats in Brooklyn.

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Release Week Review: The Haunting of Moscow House by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

In this elegant gothic horror tale set in post-revolutionary Russia, two formerly aristocratic sisters race to uncover their family’s long-buried secrets in a house haunted by a past dangerous—and deadly—to remember.

It is the summer of 1921, and a group of Bolsheviks have taken over Irina and Lili Goliteva’s ancestral home in Moscow, a stately mansion falling into disrepair and decay. The remaining members of their family are ordered to move into the cramped attic, while the officials take over an entire wing of grand rooms downstairs. The sisters understand it is the way of things and know they must forget their noble upbringing to make their way in this new Soviet Russia. But the house begins to whisper of a traumatic past not as dead as they thought.

Eager to escape it and their unwelcome new landlords, Irina and Lili find jobs with the recently arrived American Relief Administration, meant to ease the post-revolutionary famine in Russia. For the sisters, the ARA provides much-needed food and employment, as well as a chance for sensible Irina to help those less fortunate and artistic Lili to express herself for a good cause. It might just lead them to love, too.

But at home, the spirits of their deceased family awaken, desperate to impart what really happened to them during the Revolution. Soon one of the officials living in the house is found dead. Was his death caused by something supernatural, or by someone all too human? And are Irina and Lili and their family next? Only unearthing the frightening secrets of Moscow House will reveal all. But this means the sisters must dig deep into a past no one in Russia except the dead are allowed to remember.

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What I thought about The Haunting of Moscow House 

I spent many years in my early reading days indulging in historical fiction and while I don't read as much of this genre as I once did, if the description interests me, I'll give it a try.  This book was one where the synopsis grabbed me right away -- historical fiction, romance, with gothic / horror elements -- I was all in.

The story takes place in the 1920 in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.Two sisters are trying to survive, even thrive in an uncertain environment.  Their home has been appropriated by the Bolesheviks, and they have family members that are basically imprisoned in the worst spaces in the house.  Tough times.

I did love the cultural aspects of this story. It's always interesting to learn of long-held beliefs of different cultures, especially those that are a bit supernatural or magical. The concept of a house spirit is used effectively in this story and while considered malevolent, there are some interesting qualities here that blur things here.  I did like how this brought some horror elements to the story through this folklore.  I like to read historical fiction to learn about those times, and this definitely added something there.

Family secrets shake up things at the house, and there are some romantic elements. In spite of all of what goes on in this book, the pace is a bit of more of a slow burn rather than fast paced, which is more to my liking. I also wasn't a fan of the third person point of view, but I became accustomed to it once I got involved in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this. It's well researched and an accomplished mash-up of historical fiction, the supernatural with a nice dose of romance. 

 

About the Author

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore is the author of The Witch and the Tsar. Originally from Moscow, she was raised in the US and graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in English/political science, and from Northwestern School of Law with a JD. She practiced litigation at a large law firm for several years before pursuing her dream of becoming an author. Now she is happiest writing speculative historical fiction inspired by Eastern European history and folklore. Her work has appeared in LitHub, Tor.com, Historical Novels Review, Bookish, Washington Independent Review of Books, among others. She lives in a wooded, lakeside suburb of Chicago with her husband and daughter. 

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