HIGHLAND MASTER (The Murrays) by HANNAH HOWELL

Lady Triona McKee has been having a very hard time living up to being a successful laird to the clan she married into. When her older husband died and left the holding and his legacy to his wife, life became so much more difficult than she ever imagined, especially when she has Laird Grant stealing her livestock and burning her crops in an attempt to wear the lady down into an unsavory marriage with him that will mean his obtaining all of McKee land. 

Triona's cousin Arianna appears on her doorstep with several highland warriors in tow, including a very broody but honorable Sir Brett Murray, the tides take an interesting turn when Murray takes on the task of seeing that Triona's holding of Banuilt become free of the issues standing in the way. 

Sir Brett Murray has vowed to remain a single man. Blaming himself for the death of the woman he stole from his own brother, Brett does his penance daily by serving others and being alone. What he finds at Banuilt makes him wonder. Where are all the men? The holding is being run by a female Laird and women, children and old men. Although the people in this holding obviously adore their Laird, Lady McKee, there is only so much that can be done in these circumstances so Brett and his men set out to see what can be done to remove the threat looming over Lady McKee's shoulders. During this time, Brett comes to admire the Lady Triona and the attraction between the two becomes a fire that neither one wants to put out.

Once again Hannah Howell delivers with her engaging plot and her fascinating characters. I have been a fan of the Murray clan from the start and am so happy each book that Hannah Howell writes in this series is fresh and  captivating, making me consistently want more. Highland Master is brimming with action and mystery as well as the romance between the young widow and the warrior. Reading the Murrays saga is like being with an old friend recalling all the good memories. I highly recommend Highland Master by Hannah Howell to readers, it's a fascinating journey.

~ KIMBERLY ~

Hard As It Gets (A Hard Ink Novel) by Laura Kaye ~ Reviewed By Jennifer Butler

Hard as It Gets is a good start to a new series.

Becca Merritt is currently searching for her missing brother Charlie. It has been several days since she last spoke with him and the only information she has is a note from him instructing her “to find Rixey, the Colonel’s team, Hard Ink Tattoo”. With not much else to go on Becca hopes to find Rixey and enlist his help to find her brother. Becca wasn't anticipating meeting Nicholas or the feelings he sparks in her.

Once Nicholas reads the note from Charlie and realizes that Becca is his former Commander’s daughter he wants nothing to do with her. He sends her away, refusing to help. Guilt sits in pretty quickly so he decides to track her down and see about helping her. Nicholas soon realizes that Becca’s brother Charlie is in a load of trouble. Charlie may have also stumbled onto information that can help Nicholas and his former team mates. Nicholas calls in his former Army team mates to investigate further and hopefully clear their names. As they dig deeper into Charlie’s disappearance

Nicholas has got the brooding, alpha male down pat.  He is one HOT man. I was definitely drawn to him not only for his looks but because of what happened to him. Nicholas Rixey is a retired (not by choice) military who was discharged after an incident overseas. He was seriously injured and came back home to recuperate. He is currently a silent partner in his brother’s tattoo shop called Hard Ink Tattoo and occasionally tattoos there. He also has a process service job (delivers papers) which is his steady job and provides him with a steady income.  Both of these careers were not chosen by him and he is feeling restless. Ever since he had to leave the Army he is struggling with what to do with his future.

Becca is a little sweet…and a lot tough. She refused to be left out of the search for her brother and so she takes an active role in it with Nicholas and his team. I felt for her because of everything she went through with her family, it seemed like one tragedy after another. Becca has to come to terms that her father is not the man she thought he was but through it all she perseveres and doesn't give up. Together Becca and Nicholas make a great couple. They have some really serious chemistry and they definitely scorch the sheets.

I have been eagerly waiting for this book to come out. I was immediately snagged by its super-hot cover and the book blurb on the back. Having read the book I am a tad disappointed because what I thought I was getting…a hot sexy tattoo artist…I didn't feel came through as much as I would have liked (remember this is what I feel). Don’t get me wrong I think it’s a good story, it just in my opinion I really didn't feel that Nicholas was a tattoo artist as much as he was a military man. He says it in the story at least twice that he does tattoo’s occasionally. Besides that I really did like the story. There is a lot of action in the story and suspense as Nicholas, Becca and his team tries’ to find Charlie.

I found his brother Jeremy really funny (loved his shirts) and I hope he and the rest of the team get books of their own. And sweet Eileen the three legged dog was just adorable. Hard As It Gets set things up nicely for the continuation of the Hard Ink Series as Nicholas and his team as they continue to investigate what happened in Afghanistan. I am looking forward to the next book.

~ JENNIFER BUTLER ~

DEVIL IN MY ARMS (The Saint’s Devils #3) by SAMANTHA KANE

Appearing on her sister's doorstep in London after three months on the run, Eleanor is confronted by Hillary St. John who has spent those months searching for his friend and fellow Devil, Roger's sister-in-law, to no avail. How did this lady, dressed as a street urchin evade his expertise? 

Eleanor Enderby has spent the last decade of her married life hidden away in her malicious husband's home being sorely mistreated partly because she is unable to bear the poor excuse of a man an heir. Unable to take it anymore, Eleanor leaves him. Her plan is to conceal herself long enough that he declares her dead. Once that is done, he would remarry and conceive an heir with someone else.Then she would come out of hiding with a new identity and live her life without fear. In a perfect world that might be possible. 

Hillary St. John has been rather adept at eluding the marriage mart. The man has no desire to wed, he has more interesting pursuits, such as keeping the Prince Regent out of trouble and having his misdeeds exposed among other investigative allures. He finds most women rather droll in comparison to himself and until Eleanor appears in his path, he wouldn't give a woman a second thought. At first he is fascinated with Eleanor because she so successfully hid from him , then he finds there is much more than meets the eye with this female. Can she possibly have as much intelligence and wit as himself? 

Using the new identity of widow, Elizabeth Fairchild, Eleanor returns to London to her sister Harry's home as her cousin. Making her debut in public, Hillary can't stay away from the captivating woman. Seeing no recourse but to quench his thirst for her, Hillary begins an affair with Eleanor, and unwittingly falls for her. 

When Eleanor's husband ends up murdered and she is arrested as the prime suspect, Hillary and everyone who has grown to love Eleanor sets out to save her from the hangman's noose. Can Hillary save the only woman he has ever loved from her demise?

Once again Samantha Kane's brilliance shines. Each and every one of the books in the Saint's Devils series is a winner and each one so delectably different. Hillary St. John has been with the series from the beginning and his evolution has been an enlightening one. The beaten down Eleanor flourishes once she transforms into the widow Fairchild . My favorite character, Wiley, has evolved from a down trodden street urchin to an intelligent man with a purpose and I eagerly await his chapter in the Saint's Devils series. Devil in My Arms by Samantha Kane, is a winner, a story that definitely belongs on my keeper shelf. I thoroughly recommend it and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

~KIMBERLY~

THE ROGUE'S PROPOSAL ( HOUSE OF TRENT BOOK 2) by JENNIFER HAYMORE

Remember when I was all in a tizzy over the first book in The House of Trent series by Jennifer Haymore? In the Duchess Hunt, the Duke marries the help! Heads were spinning! What a no-no, and guess what? I loved it, because Jennifer Haymore redefined my outlook on romance with that one book. Now on to House of Trent, Book 2, The Rogue's Proposal another delightful tale from this industrious author.

Those readers who have read the first book know that the Hawkins family is chock full of scandal and oddities, but that's what makes them so damned lovable. Our hero in this tale, Lord Lukas Hawkins is a bit of a conundrum. The second son of the House of Trent, Lukas always goes against the grain. Somewhat of a rake he prides himself in his conquests, and this take them and leave them rogue is about to get a rude awakening when he meets Mrs. Emma Curtis. 

Emma has been widowed for over a year now, murdered by fiend Roger Morton, who also has stolen Emma's father's entire fortune, leaving the family on the cusp or ruin. Her only chance at seeking revenge on Morton and retrieving her ailing father's fortune is the ellicit the help of Lord Lukas, who's mother went missing with Morton some months before.

When Lukas sees the beautiful widow, he immediately wants her in his bed, but things don't always work out the way Lukas wants, especially where the resourceful Emma is concerned. The two set over running around Great Britain seeking clues to the whereabouts of the villain and in the process find out there is much more than meets the eye with each other. Lukas bears weight of years of abuse that have shaped him into the man he is and when Emma catches glimpses of his darker self, she is determined to right the wrongs done to him in his lifetime. 

The Rogue's Proposal is brimming with mystery, deception and awakening. Every character is written to perfection, each with their quirks and redeeming qualities. Luke, as he prefers to be called, takes a journey which includes self absolution for things he felt were his fault when he in fact was the victim. Emma is a strong female heroine who blossoms under the tutelage of Lord Luke and then learns to fight for what she believes in. Along the way we are re-introduced to the Hawkins siblings who will inevitably have their day in the sun  because the matriarch is still missing and the mystery of her absence continues to grow.

I truly enjoyed the Rogue's Proposal, by Jennifer Haymore and I think you will as well. 

~ KIMBERLY ~ 

~ FASCINATING RHYTHM by LYNNE CONNOLLY Reviewed by Jennifer Butler

Hunter and Sabina had one amazing night together six years ago. Hunter left without a word and never spoke to Sabina again. What happens when Hunter returns home and finds Sabina there, the one woman he could never forget. Fascinating Rhythm is their story.

Hunter is a member of the Murder City Ravens; a world famous Rock Band. During a break with the band, Hunter returns home to Stockholm. Upon returning home the first person he sees is Sabina, who he thought he would never see again. Surprised and thrilled to see Sabina at his mother’s house he realizes that he never stopped caring about her. He begins an all-out assault to get her back and make up for the way he treated her in the past.

“I missed you, Sabina. You were the only regret I had when I left.”

Sabina is deaf or almost deaf and is an interpreter. She was not born deaf but lost most of her hearing when she was a child. She now has the opportunity to have an operation to restore her hearing. When Hunter returns she realizes that she never stopped loving him. She also hopes to hear Hunter play.

I really adored Fascinating Rhythm. It was a truly delightful story. The story is also unique because it has Sabina a person with a disability as one of the main characters, something that I have never read about before.  Sabina was a delightful surprise. She is an amazingly strong woman. She is a beautiful, kind and caring woman. If the operation to restore her hearing is a success she hopes to be a link between the hearing and deaf community.

Hunter is your typical rock star guy…hot and sexy! Hunter is also a truly nice guy. What was really interesting about Hunter was his childhood. You could see that he struggled as a child with being the only person that was able to speak but not being allowed.   I could understand why he needed to leave home, and in some ways Sabina as well.  He needed to grow up and be comfortable with who he is before he could be with Sabina.

At one concert Hunter signs to her “I can’t see you but I know you’re out there. It makes a difference.”

Together Hunter and Sabina enjoy some really steamy moments. The sex between them is hot!! They both care about each other so much and it was evident throughout the story. I think they both needed the years apart to realize what they felt for each other.

Fascinating Rhythm is well written and a must read for anyone that loves a good romance. I enjoyed the setting of the book as well. It was fun to read about different cities in Europe, such as Stockholm (I have a new place to visit). Fascinating Rhythm is part of the Nightstar series but it does not require you to read the previous books…but you definitely should.  

~ JENNIFER BUTLER ~

BOC Member, Natacha Pierre: I really liked the book, it was very stark, similar to Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in that it was.........sharp. If I had to grade it, I'd say a solid B. There was too much of his mother but it came full circle at the end

THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS BABY by CAROLYN BROWN

Oh boy, do sparks fly when Lucas Allen returns from his tour of duty in Kuwait. When Lucas returns to his ranch to find his internet girlfriend toting a pistol in one hand and a baby in the other, he wonders if he should have stayed in the desert. Lucas can't believe what he is seeing his internet girlfriend, Natalie Clark with a baby in her arms when they had been communicating via the internet for almost a year and Natalie never said a word about the little man. Nor is he very thrilled with the prospect of this beautiful woman being in his home tempting him, but that's exactly what happens because right before Lucas' homecoming, his long time housekeeper, cook, friend, Hazel has hurt her hip and begged the very talented Natalie to fill in for her until Christmas.

Natalie has been in a precarious position since she she became pregnant with her best friend, Drew's baby. In a drunken stupor, the best friends since childhood fell into bed together before he returned to his tour in Kuwait. Natalie didn't even have time to tell him about her pregnancy before his death in the desert. She honestly was in denial for quite a while and then when she realized she was in fact pregnant, it was never a good time to tell Lucas, who she started chatting with upon their mutual friend's death. 

Lucas thought he would be able to fall quickly into a relationship with Natalie, but baby Joshua could be a deal breaker. Only thing is, all the Allen men and all at the ranch have fallen in love with Joshua and leaving is going to be a very hard on everyone. If only Lucas would get over his stubbornness and see the woman he begun the internet friendship with, things might actually end well. There is never a dull moment in The Cowboy's Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown, who's sassy personality comes out in each and every page. Each and every character shines through in this story. I wanted to be a part of it. All the Christmas plans and the traditions put me in the holiday spirit and the sizzling romance doesn't hurt either. If you're going to pick up one Christmas book this season, I strongly suggest that you pick up Carolyn Brown's The Cowboy's Christmas Baby. 

~KIMBERLY~ 

SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS (SINNERS TRIO #3) by ANNA RANDOL

*Pouts* It's over, it's really over.. After the first book in the Sinners Trio, Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol shocked me, I put my reservations aside and found this book to be awesome. I happily awaited for the second book to be released and loved Sins of a Wicked Rogue to be intriguing. Now at last third book is out and Sins of a Wicked Princess is another winner.

Ian Maddox, or Wraith as he is known by those who know of the Trio of spies that used to work for the British government. Each of the three spies were recruited from the gallows and given the choice to live if they gave their lives in service to the crown. The government has now disavowed knowledge of the Trio and now they are on their own. Clayton and Madeline are now happily married and living productive lives but Ian is still uncertain of his fate. Frankly, he is quite content to leave the life of being a spy, but first he must discover who is behind a hit list on his former associates.

Princess Juliana is a semi-exiled ruler of a small country that is sought after by the French and the Spanish. When Wraith appears one night in her bedroom demanding to know who wants his friends killed, Juliana has no idea what he is talking about. Somehow the Trio has something to do with the toppling of Juliana's country.  She soon finds that there is another plot to depose her of her throne and her brother may be at the center of the plot along with an unscrupulous and immoral Duke. In addition, the sparks between Ian and Juliana fly as soon as they meet. Juliana knows she must do her duty to her country and marry someone of her ilk, and Ian believes he is not for her, but at every turn there is heat between them.

Once the lines are drawn, Ian and Juliana team up to each solve their own dilemmas. Once in the evil Duke's domain both parties have to fight to stay alive and seek or deny their attraction at the same time. This tale of foreign intrigue is bereft with danger and deception, even from Juliana's own family. Once  Ian's secret of what happened to Juliana's family during the fall of her country comes out, will Juliana become the cold and proper princess she has been rumored to be, or will she look beyond the duty he thought he had to do and see the man Ian truly is?

Anna Randol has done is again and I am very sorry to see  the end of the Sinners Trio. Anna's knack for danger and suspense make this not just a romance but a wonderful mystery as well. Ian's snarky mouth and Juliana's not so proper princess who can pick locks, are fabulous characters. I loved how both of these characters at first thought they had to part ways, but then with the realization they couldn't be happy unless they were together, they both fought for what they truly wanted. In the end the spy and the princess overcome their social differences, making The Sins of a Wicked Princess a must read.

~KIMBERLY~

Book Obsessed Chicks Spotlight on Author Sara Humphreys

Please welcome Sara Humphreys to Book Obsessed Chicks. Sara has been a very good friend of my book club and blog for quite a while now. She is gracious and very generous to all her fans and I just want you to get to know her a little bit!

1.     Can you please tell us a bit about yourself? 

I'm a forty-three year old mother of four boys and lucky enough to be married to my college sweetheart for almost 20 years. My first career was as an actress...then a public speaker...then a speaker trainer...then a Director at a college...but FINALLY I got back to my passion of writing and world building. I love chocolate and hate to exercise but I try to get some movement in since I'm at a computer all day.

2.    When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I'v always had a vivid imagination and loved creating different worlds. I satisfied that creative itch with acting but then having a family took the forefront of life and my career took a backseat. A few years ago, I realized I really missed that exercising my creative muscles and since acting wasn't really conducive to my family life, I got back to my roots with writing. Actually, when I started college my goal was to write for film and television.

3.    Tell us about your upcoming work?

I'm finishing the fourth episode of ASMODEUS: Demon of Lust. This is the first book in the Princes of Hell series but it won't be the last. He's got six sexy brothers who need a good woman in their lives and I can't wait to write their stories. The first book has been serialized but I won't be doing that again...the rest of the books in that series will be released as full novels.

I'm also psyched because UNLEASHED, book 1 in my Amoveo Legend series, is on sale right now for only $2.99! It's a great opportunity for readers to pick up the series and catch up before UNCLAIMED comes out on Dec. 3rd. However, all the books in my shifter series are written as stand-alones so that readers can pick it up at any point. The Amoveo are a secret society of dream-walking, telepathic shifters who are in search of their pre-destined mates. They're race is comprised of ten different animal clans and until recently they thought they could only mate with another Amoveo but the discovery of human/Amoveo hybrids has proven that to be false.

4.    Do you have any mentors? Heroes?

Carolyn Brown and Grace Burrowes are two women that I admire. They're brilliant writers and outstanding ladies. They're also incredibly prolific. I just want to try and keep up with them.

5.    Can you tell us your favorite character from your books so far and why?

It's gotta be Steven. He's an Amoveo from the Coyote Clan who's not only close to my heart but has become a fan favorite as well. The guy is  sweet, funny, loving and fiercely loyal but the poor man has been put through the ringer. He needs to have his own HEA and he'll get one...but not for a while.

6.    Was it difficult for you to get published?

It's tough. I got rejected a lot. It felt like everyone under the sun turned me away...but it only takes one YES to get you there.

7.    Who are your favorite authors/reads?

Lori Handeland's Nightcreatures, Christine Feehan's Ghostwalkers, Carolyn Brown's ...everything...I could go on forever.

8.    Hobbies?

My hobby is now my career...so maybe watching TV if I'm not on deadline.

9.    What is your dream job?

I'm living it but if I were to change one part about it, I'd be working on the screen version of my series.

10.  Do you have any favorite TV shows?

I love SLEEPY HOLLOW and BONES.

11.  What’s next for you?

The 5th Amoveo Legend novel, UNCLAIMED, will be out Dec. 3rd and the 2nd book in my Dead in the City series, VAMPIRE TROUBLE, will be out July 2014. I also have a new contemporary romance series coming in 2015 called The McGuire Brothers and I'm so excited for readers to meet those boys.

12.  Where can we find you?

My webstie: www.sarahumphreys.com

Twitter: @authorsara

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Sara-Humphreys/343671709071178

13.  What would you like readers to know about you?

I want them to know how grateful I am. There are a lot of books out there for romance readers to sink their teeth into and I'll be forever thankful that mine are among them. Romance Readers Rock!!

Thanks so much for participating!!!

JUDY SERRANO ~ LINKED~ REVIEWED BY PAT SHEPPARD

Daphne is a substitute teacher hoping for a promising career as a full time teacher sometime soon.  There is only one things that scares her at the moment and that is a parent teacher conference for one of her troubled students.  Daphne is expecting the student's mother, but his father comes instead.

Charlie comes to the parent teacher conference with the knowledge that whatever problems his son is having they will all go away as soon as he gives the word.  He doesn't expect to come up against Daphne.  Daphne truly cares about her students and will not just pass Charlie's son like all the other teachers have done.  What she doesn't know is that she had set in motion a battle of wills.

Joe is an old high school flame that Daphne's parents love and wished she would settle down with.  They set her up on a blind date with him to try and get things started.  But in steps Charlie to shut Joe down.   Charlie is determined to get what he wants.  He is always where Daphne is and she doesn't know how he does it.  He brings her flowers, takes her out to dinner and always at the end of the night he ask her if he can be invited into her home.  Hum!!  To tell you more would ruin it for you.

I found this book very rewarding.  There are so many twist and turns.  Affairs are on sale in this book and everyone is buying one.  Charlie holds his character well.  I love the playfulness of the interaction between the two rivals.  And the family dynamics are hip slapping crazy.  But what happens when another man enters the picture?  Who does Daphne love?  Who can she love forever?  Who will she love forever?  The next time someone insists on an invitation before they enter your house, close the door and lock it.

~PAT SHEPPARD~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BETH WILLIAMSON~EMMA LANG ~The Circle Eight by Emma Lang, Feature & Giveaway!

Yes, Brody is still my favorite Circle Eight Book, with Vaughn as the close second. I just loved Olivia's evolution and Brody's clear sense of honor. This book literally spoke to me. I love the Circle Eight by Emma Lang. I also want to wish Beth Williamson/ Emma Lang a Happy Birthday! She is a true friend and a very special lady to me. She is also one awesome Book Obsessed Chick.

Prickly Graham sister, Olivia, has been left in charge of the younger Graham siblings while head of the family, Matthew and his new wife Hannah spend a few days away from the ranch. Texas Ranger, Brody Armstrong arrives at the ranch during this time with news for Matthew about his investigation into the disappearance of youngest sibling, Benjy. When Brody finds that Matthew is not home, he attempts to leave, but Olivia makes it impossible for Brody to get away without telling her what is going on.

Olivia had been very attracted to Ranger Brody, but as the months continued on with no news from the mysterious Texas Ranger about Benjy, who has been stolen from the ranch six months prior, she began to lose faith and trust in him. Brody didn't feel the news was appropriate for Olivia's ears, but after her haranguing him, and against his better judgment, he tells her he has a lead and after investigating a local cabin, he was heading to Mexico to follow up on his lead. Olivia wants to go with Brody, but he quickly forbids it. Her brother, Matthew, good friend to Brody, would kill the Ranger should something happen to Olivia.

Brody goes off to investigate the cabin and knows immediately there's a connection to Benjy Graham and several other people's disappearance. When he is about to uncover a clue, he's confronted by the determined Olivia. Brody immediately cuts her down and tries to send her home, but when proves her worth by saving Brody's life, they partner up in the search for Benjy.

On their way to Mexico these two argue, bait one another and discover a passion neither can resist. No matter how Brody tries to keep Olivia at arms length, the attraction is too much for him to turn away from. Once in Mexico things quickly become dangerous when they meet aspiring overlord Rodrigo, his beautiful but cunning sister Elena and their cold and calculating mother Lucinda, who is the owner and operator of the local brothel. Olivia will do almost anything to discover the whereabouts of her precious little brother and that creates even more danger when Brody finds that he is a jealous man.

Oh how I LOVED this book. While reading the first Circle of Eight bookMatthew, I knew Brody was going to be a force to reckon with. Underneath the cool and hard exterior of the Ranger dressed in black there is a heart he tries with all his might to hide from the world. That is until the bossy and overly curious Olivia Graham crosses his path and creates so much chaos, Brody has no idea what to do.After all, Brody is a Texas Ranger and has dedicated his life to his work, he couldn't possibly give in to a woman.

Olivia has been cast aside by her ex-fiancee. He got what he wanted from her and then tossed her away after the murder of Olivia's parents and Benjy's kidnapping, and yet she still opens her heart to the brooding Ranger, knowing full well her heart may be broken. I had an extreme dislike for Olivia in Matthew's book. Once  Emma Lang redeemed her, I liked her, but still was wary of her character. Until this book. Olivia has matured and even though she is still bossy and over-bearing, she is a woman in her own. No whining for this one. Emma Lang (Beth Williamson) has created a world that I want to get lost in. Watching Brody finally letting down his guard and allowing Olivia under his skin is a wonderful journey I really enjoyed taking.

A con man. A rancher’s daughter. A wildfire out of control.

Elizabeth Graham spends her days running the business side of the Circle Eight ranch. Her knack for numbers and organization lent themselves to her position in the family. She has just turned twenty-one and doubts she will find a man to spend her life with. Elizabeth doesn’t believe in love, after all, and when she meets a charlatan named Vaughn Montgomery, her opinion doesn’t waver. At first.

Vaughn Montgomery is down to the lint in his pocket and the handsome smile he uses as a weapon. His last con in New Orleans went wrong and he fled west. Now he finds himself trapped in the middle of nowhere Texas. And at the mercy of a hard-nosed woman who wears shapeless dresses and whose tongue can cut blocks of wood.

Unwilling to bend and unable to forgive, Elizabeth and Vaughn get caught up in a web of lies that stretches from Austin to Dallas. She finds herself falling for the man who can’t seem to tell the truth and he can’t get enough of a woman who can only speak truths. Together they have to save the Circle Eight and try to avoid falling in love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH

Beth and I at RAGT 2013

Beth at RAW 2013

Beth with her good friend Sylvia Day at RAW 2013 

At RT 2013

Beth with Len Gunn, the cover model for BRODY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley

From the time she was no more than a child, Anne Curzon- Howe has been infatuated with James Hamilton. The moment the older Hamilton called the pretty young girl a Wild Irish Rose, her esteem for him multiplies exponentially. Anne and her brother Montagu were of Irish blood and undesirable to their father's purely English children by his first wife, especially the petulant half sister Emily, whose disdain for her half-siblings is epic.

Years later, the handsome rake,and heir apparent to the Dukedom of Abercorn, James Hamilton is now appointed attendant to the Prince of Wales and attending this young prince is no easy job. James finds watching over randy young prince his cross to bear.

Lady Anne Curzon-Howe, now seventeen, but passing herself off as eighteen to have her coming out, still has James Hamilton on the brain and she is determined to curb his rakish ways if the last thing she can do. Even with James' younger brother John Claud following her around like a puppy dog, Anne still has her one objective. When her half sister Emily, who still has a chip on her shoulder, tries to foil Anne at every turn, she attempts to rise above consistently.

When James mistakes Anne for mistress of his acquaintance Henry Fane, who she is in fact sister-in-law to, Anne decides to keep up the charade to teach the rake a lesson. James attempts to woo Anne into an illicit affair, only to find that she is in fact an honorable lady, which totally boggles James' mind. Now he wants this young woman and he will do what he must to have her, even if it means dispensing with his rakish ways. The powers that be consistently quarrel to keep them apart and John Claud's constant presence doesn't help in creating any harmony. James tries with all his might to overcome his reputation so that Anne and her family will find him a decent suitor for her, but those outside forces chip at the unstable relationship that Anne and James attempt to build.

Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley is an enjoyable and frustrating read. Just when the reader wants all to go smoothly a wrench is thrown in to create mayhem. Isn't that the appeal in a romance though? I mean it would be a total bore if all were predictable, and Lord Rakehell is anything but that. Once in a while I wanted to smack Anne, but then again, I had to remember that she was only seventeen and her episodes of immaturity though annoying, were understandable. James Hamilton is a dream. Handsome, intelligent and loyal, this man goes above and beyond the call of duty to protect those he cares about. I really enjoyed Lord Rakehell and I hope you will as well.

~KIMBERLY~

BENEATH THE SURFACE by M.A. STACIE ~ Review by Guest Reviewer PAT SHEPPARD

1,2,….9,10 your out!!!

Kyron Reese was an underground street fighter.  He was a winner.  Never had he been knocked out in a fight or even bruised.  He pounded on his opponents.  Then one day, while his brother was off doing who knows what, his brother’s new assistant came into his office for her first assignment.  1,2,….9,10 your out!!!  From the first moment Kyron Reese laid eyes on Dale it was a TKO.  Kyron did not know what hit him and from that moment on, his life was never what he thought it would be.  The first child of a wealthy man running a business with his good for nothing brother, Kyron was always in control, on point, the big, the head honcho.  Now a small wisp of a woman smelling like vanilla extract had him off his game and out of character.  Dale just coming off a relationship of hurt and pain was not looking for a new man just a new job.  Who says you can’t have both.  From the very moment he laid eyes on her she was a goner.  How to do know you are in love when you have never been loved.  Kyron lost his mother at a young age and being reared by nannies instead of a loving father had not taught him what love was.  All he knew was his body reacted to Dale in ways it had never reacted to any woman who had ever shared his bed.  Dale set Kyron on a journey to find himself, his family and his ability to love.  Words, Kryon learns to use his most trusting words.  I Love You!!!

~ PAT SHEPPARD ~

SOMEWHERE TO DREAM by GENEVIEVE GRAHAM

We meet Adelaide Johnson first in UNDER THE SAME SKY, the first amazing book by Genevieve Graham, which is her sister Maggie's story. Finally, we have Adelaide's saga with SOMEWHERE TO DREAM, which comes forth out of tragedy and heartache.

After losing her family to a band of miscreants, a broken Adelaide and Maggie are taken in by the Cherokee, who heal their wounds and adopt them. While Maggie goes off to her own life, Adelaide remains safely ensconced away with her Cherokee family, blocking out the ills that have befallen her. Both Maggie and Adelaide have a gift that many would consider to be witchcraft but with the Cherokee, this gift is embraced. The girls have the ability to see the future in their dreams, and although Maggie was better at it, Adelaide wasn't far behind if she would only just allow her dreams to come to completion. Adelaide always feared what her dreams would tell her and she constantly made sure to wake herself before they ended. 

In her months of healing with the Cherokee, Adelaide is told that she will marry a Cherokee warrior, but when the warrior meets his demise is a fight, as saddened as she is with his death, she sighs with relief at her reprieve.

Settler, Jessie Black is captured by the band of Cherokee he is brought to the village torn and angry, his animosity to Indians is evident. When Cherokee warrior, Soquili tells Adelaide that Jessie now hold the spirit of his fallen brother, and that the white man is now his Cherokee brother, she knows there will be resistance, but resistance is futile. Adelaide heals Jessie's outer wounds, and begins to calm his internal turmoil, while the entire time planning his escape from the Indians. What does Jessie have to go back to though? An abusive father and hunger, at least with the Cherokee who have adopted him as one of their own, he finally is accepted as family and never has to starve again.

When Adelaide is informed by Soquili that since Jessie is his brother now, Adelaide's betrothal stands and she will marry Jessie, but Adelaide is still broken inside with all the terror she has endured, and marriage was the furthest thing from her mind. Jessie is oblivious to these plans, but day by day becomes closer to Adelaide and his his anger towards the Cherokee dissipates. Where does he belong now? Where does Adelaide belong? 

This tale of recovery and acceptance is such a journey. Genevieve Graham has a winner with SOMEWHERE TO DREAM. Both Jessie and Adelaide have had severe heartache in their lives and each of them has their own trials and tribulations, but thrown together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Their Cherokee saviors turn out to be much more than either of them had anticipated, especially Jessie with his seething hatred of all Indians. While Adelaide must overcome her fear of the white man, Jessie must change his attitude about the Cherokee and his fear of being like his evil father. SOMEWHERE TO DREAM by Genevieve Graham is a lesson to all about insurmountable odds and misconceptions, it's about healing and love, friendship and understanding. SOMEWHERE TO DREAM is going right up on my TO KEEP shelf. I highly recommend SOMEWHERE TO DREAM as I do her entire series for their grittiness and realism in a market for fantasy. These books remain with you always, just like I feel they should.

~ KIMBERLY~  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOW TO HANDLE A HIGHLANDER ( HIGHLANDER #6 ) by MARY WINE

In a Land of Warriors Playing a Deadly Game...

Moira Fraser has been given an ultimatum—marry the elderly Laird Achaius Matheson, or risk another deadly clan war. She vows to do the right thing, as long as she can steer clear of the devilish charms of one stubborn Highlander...

How Do You Avoid Becoming a Pawn?

Gahan Sutherland knows there's a dangerous plot behind Moira Fraser's wedding, and will stop at nothing to foil it. But where a hot-headed, fiery Highland lass is involved, trust and honor clash with forbidden attraction, threatening to blow the Highland's sky-high.

Among the clans of Scotland, duty and honor is paramount. When Moira Fraser is given in marriage to a man almost three times her age, instead of running for the highlands, she does her duty to her half-brother Laird Bari Fraser and her clan. Moira feels she needs to make up for her evil and deranged half-sister Sandra who unsuccessfully poisoned the Laird of the Sutherland clan. Laird Sutherland barely survived, but the fate of Sandra Fraser is somewhat of a mystery even though she is believed to be dead at the hand of the Sutherland clan.

Gahan Sutherland is the bastard son of the Laird Lytge Sutherland although Lytge has recognized Gahan publicly as his son, he still gets criticized for being a bastard. Gahan Sutherland  happens onto the groom to be, Achaius Matheson's land. He is immediately taken with the bride to be, Moira and attempts to dissuade her from doing her duty. Not only because he is attracted to Moira,  he does so also in order to attempt to keep a clan war from happening. If Moira's brother, Bari and the perspective husband, Achaius unite in marriage, it could mean trouble for the Sutherland clan.  Moira puts her personal feelings aside and thinks only of her clan's needs.

To Gahan's chagrin, Moira marries Matheson, but is it a marriage in truth? For as much as Laird Matheson boasts of his prowess, the old man only wants possession of Moira's dowery, which includes a healthy portion of land that Bari is bestowing on him to buy his help with Bari's revenge on the Sutherlands. 

Deception and betrayal are two words that jump out at the reader in this tale, and it seems that everyone is playing this game of sorts. From Laird Achaius Matheson who wants to set up his wife, all the way down to even the Sutherlands, whose soon to be revealed secret makes it even harder for any peace to be had between these clans. Among all this deception a love between Gahan and Moira sprouts that can not be denied by either party. How can this woman married to the scheming old laird be free to love Gahan? Will the Sutherland's be able to expose Bari Fraser for the low-life he actually is? Oh, so many questions are answered when you read How to Handle a Highlander by Mary Wine.

How to Handle a Highlander is a fabulous chapter in Mary Wine's Highlander series. So much emotion, so much guile along with the high romance between Gahan and Moira made this a book I could not put down until the very end. Mary Wine knows her stuff when it comes to her history and she never bores , but makes the reader crave more. The mistrust between the Sutherland and the Fraser clans brought about such emotion, especially when so much of the mistrust is directed towards Moira, who because of her sibling's deeds, has earned a bad reputation, unjustly or not. I could go on and on but then some secrets may slip and I don't want that to happen. So just pick up your copy of Mary Wine's How to Handle a Highlander and see for yourself.

~KIMBERLY~

                                                   

COLTER'S GIFT ( Colter's Legacy) by MAYA BANKS ~ BONUS: ALSO INCLUDES A NEW ORIGINAL COLTER NOVELLA!~

Lauren Wilder has been basically hiding out in the Colorado Mountains. Her brother Max is married to Callie Colter and once you are involved in any family way with the Colters, you become family. Lauren had it bad when she was in New York. Her boyfriend was a cruel and sadistic SOB who was also a glorified pimp who ran a prostitution ring. Lauren was often on the wrong side of Joel Knight's fist and the last time she barely got away alive.

Two investigators were hired by her very wealthy brother  to keep a close eye on his precious sister, but Lauren wasn't altogether honest with them, so they make the trip to Colorado to question Lauren about the vermin that did her harm in New York. Only problem is, Liam and Noah have become emotionally attached to Lauren and neither man wants to lose her to the other. The only way they see them all being happy is if the three of them become involved, much like the Colter family's relationships. All Lauren wants is to be loved, but after the horror of her last relationship she wonders if she's even worthy of love. When Liam and Noah tell her that their needs and desires for her are strong, she must take a leap of faith and pray that all will be like she has dreamed.

Now not only do Liam and Noah have to protect Lauren, but the entire Colter clan steps up to the plate to keep one of their own from harm. Joel Knight doesn't like to give up what he owns and apparently Lauren is one of his possessions and he will stop at nothing until he has her within his grasp once again.

I am so happy to be back in the fold with the Colter family. Even though Lauren, Liam and Noah are not blood relations, the relationship to the Colters is a strong one. Maya Banks has done a wonderful job coming full circle with this fabulous series. I have loved each and every moment of it. Colters' Gift is new and fresh with suspense and danger in the mix with the romance and family adoration. I really enjoyed this story and I know other readers will as well.

Note that this also includes a novella after the story and it will have the reader in tears!

~KIMBERLY~

Mistletoe And Magic (Appleton Sisters #2.5) by Katie Rose

The beautiful Penelope Appleton is the only one of her sisters to truly possess an psychic ability. Since she can remember, Penelope can see the future. Seeing what men her sisters would marry was a gift and even seeing who she would marry was a gift until she dances with the would-be husband and has a vision of his death. Unable to come to terms with that sort of perspective loss, Penelope does what she can to avoid this man.

Jared Martin has no inclination to marry at the moment. He is enjoying his bachelorhood and watching his friends enter the marriage mart has him shaking his head, until he sees the exuberant and exquisite Penelope Appleton and makes up his mind from the first dance that she will be his.

Penelope leads Jared on a game of hide and seek all through Mistletoe and Magic until she can no longer deny her fate. How will she deal with the inevitability that her vision will come true and also with those around the pair who do not want to see them together? Will Jared believe in Penelope's vision enough to give them any thought? Those questions and more are answered so easily by reading this very pleasing Christmas tale by Katie Rose.

This is the first book by Katie Rose that I have read and I found it to be a very enjoyable read and I have since gone back to read the first two books in the Appleton Sisters series. I love the characters of Penelope and Jared. Jared is such a great man. I adore the way he stands up to his family and puts his love for Penelope before the money dangling precariously in front of his nose by his father. Even his position at his father's law firm is in jeopardy and Jared decides which is more important to him.

Mistletoe and Magic is a great holiday read and I hope you will give this novella a look! It is worth it!

~KIMBERLY~

Michelle Boone's Review of BIANCA D'ARC'S ~ RED ( Tales of the Were ) ~

A water nymph and a werecougar meet in a bar fight... No joke.

Steve Redstone agrees to keep an eye on his friend's little sister while she's partying in Las Vegas. He's happy to do the favor for an old Army buddy. What he doesn't expect is the wild woman who heats his blood and attracts too much attention from Others in the area.

Steve ends up defending her honor, breaking his cover and seducing the woman all within hours of meeting her, but he's helpless to resist her. She is his mate and that startling fact is going to open up a whole can of worms with her, her brother and the rest of the Redstone Clan.

Trisha's had to hide her special abilities most of her life, but with her brother's Army buddy - the guy they call Red - she's finally free to be herself. He calls to her in a way she's never experienced before and while bad guys keep trying to abduct her, he's her safe port in the storm. But can such dangerous beginnings lead to a life-long love?

Warning: This cat loves water and he doesn't really care who's watching.

In the latest addition to the Redstone story we get to see more of Steve. I couldn’t wait to read his story after getting a glimpse of him when he “helped” his brothers mate out during her needing. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you haven’t read the previous book and you NEED to go back and read it first.

When you’re reading this story you can actually picture each scene as if you were there. I’ve only been to Las Vegas once myself, but with her detailed descriptions I had no problem imagining each setting. She had me falling head over heels in love with Steve Redstone within the first few chapters. The single minded way he focused solely on his target to protect without knowing she was his mate, but because she was his friend’s baby sister. Yep total alpha male had me at go. But she kept me hooked by making him not the dominate unbending jerk we hate, but the soft sweet man we all want and love.

Of course what makes a really good romance other than an incredible hot hero is an equally strong willed, smart and independent woman named Trisha. Miss D’Arc ticks all the boxes and then some in Red. I couldn’t stop reading and by the end I was so in love with Red, I was disappointed to see I had finished the book. But I do have the happy knowledge that she introduced so many wonderful characters in Steve and Trisha’s book that I know I’ll be getting more from the Redstone Clan, not to mention Trisha has some pretty yummy brothers that I’m hoping will probably get their own stories too. HINT HINT Bianca D’Arc if you’re reading this J

Reviewed by Michelle Boone