Review: Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and R.C. Ryan

Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and R.C. Ryan
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Futuristic Mystery / Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9780515155471
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
J.D. Robb Reading Order

You’re late for a very important date…

Enter a wonderland of mesmerizing tales. It’s a place that’s neither here nor there, where things are never quite as they seem. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s whimsical masterpiece, ranging from the impossible to the mad to the curiouser, these stories will have you absolutely off your head.

Don’t be afraid to follow them…

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

“Wonderment in Death” (In Death, Book 41.5) by J.D. Robb
At first glance, the deaths of Marcus and Darlene Fitzwilliams is an open-and-shut case of murder/suicide. But when Eve Dallas takes on the case as a favor to a friend, the very down-to-earth lieutenant finds herself navigating a world of spirits, mediums, and poisonous tea parties to hunt down a killer who has twisted Lewis Carroll’s classic for his own deadly purposes.

J.D. Robb has blended Alice in Wonderland with the In Death-verse in a most wonderfully imaginative way. “Wonderment in Death” is a fast-moving hunt for a mad killer who targets his grief-stricken prey both for profit and pleasure. It is fascinating to see Eve navigate a case that’s riddled with Alice in Wonderland allusions. It’s completely at odds with her character, but she handles it like a pro (with the help of Roarke, Peabody, Louise, and others, of course). The story itself is twisted, yet highly entertaining, and I loved that even in novella format, Ms. Robb seamlessly weaves in Eve’s personal connections. There’s a lot to love about “Wonderment in Death.” Fans of the In Death series are in for a real treat!


“Alice and the Earl in Wonderland” by Mary Blayney
The new Earl of Weston is desperate to save his estate, but more importantly, he wants to win the hand of Miss Alice Kemp. Fortunately for him, a magical coin sends Weston and Alice tumbling through time to the wonderland that is 2005 London. If Weston plays his cards right, he’ll find the answers that can save both his estate and his love life.

“Alice and the Earl in Wonderland” is a sweet story of two lovers who get a new outlook on life when they time travel two hundred years into the future. Author Mary Blayney makes the romance work by showing the already solid connection between Weston and Alice. Love isn’t their problem – society’s strict rules are. Alice’s parents are divorced, which is scandalous in 1805, and she doesn’t wish to have Weston ostracized by his association with her. Both she and Weston learn a lot as they visit the twenty-first century, their newfound knowledge helping them solve their problems. I liked “Alice and the Earl in Wonderland,” but I wish I could have connected to the characters better. Most of the story is watching Weston and Alice marvel at life in 2005, which doesn’t leave much room for character development. Still, I look forward to reading “Amy and the Earl’s Amazing Adventure” (in the Dead of Night anthology) so I can see what happened to the characters who switched places with Weston and Alice during their time travel adventure.


“iLove” by Elaine Fox
Macy is in love with her boyfriend, Jeremy, but she believes he’s more in love with his phone than with her. She finally hits her limit and dumps him, but before he can go after her, Jeremy finds himself sucked into his phone, where he must win back Macy’s love through a dating app if he hopes to find a way out into the real world again.

“iLove” was an interesting, incredibly relevant story that emphasizes the importance of human connection. People are attached to their smartphones more and more, and I loved how Elaine Fox took that on in her story. Jeremy is a genuinely good guy, but he isn’t the best of boyfriends, more absorbed in his phone than in the woman he is dating – it’s easy to see why Macy is frustrated with him. There’s a slight Alice in Wonderland connection in this one, but mostly “iLove” is a story of second chances and the power of human contact. It’s interesting, unique, and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Fox’s work.


“A True Heart” by Mary Kay McComas
Costume shopping goes incredibly wrong – or right, depending on your point of view – for Elise when a supernatural being takes her on a doozy of a tour through her life. “A True Heart” is a fast-paced, intriguing story that perhaps owes more to A Christmas Carol than Alice in Wonderland. Elise has been badly hurt in the past, and because of this she’s formed a hard shell around her heart. Because author Mary Kay McComas shows how deeply vulnerable Elise is, she’s a very likeable, interesting, flawed heroine. When her supernatural guide takes her through various changes and scenes from her life, Elise begins to get a clearer picture of herself and how the walls she’s built have affected not only her life, but the lives of those around her. There’s a bittersweet quality to most of “A True Heart,” but I found it touching. There’s heartbreak, healing, and promise in this tale and though it can be a bit bizarre in parts, this works for the story overall. “A True Heart” is has a lot of emotion packed into one novella, and I finished the story a well-satisfied reader.


“Fallen” by R.C. Ryan
Softhearted Beth Campbell is determined to win her aunt’s approval and a place in her newly-merged company by convincing a Scottish recluse to sell his land to her client. But when she hits her head while en-route to the Highlands, Beth finds herself in a world of magic and intrigue…and falling for a sexy Highland warrior.

“Fallen” is a fairytale for adults that is sure to charm readers. I adored Beth and Colin and was easily swept away by the magic R.C. Ryan weaves into this lovely romance. Beth is out of sorts when she finds herself in eighteenth century Scotland, at the home of a laird who tempts her like no other man has before. Her attraction to Colin Gordon is instant, but there’s something deeply wrong with his home. People are flashing in and out of animal form, there’s a plot to kill Colin that Beth must thwart, and her grandmother’s legend of the Beast of the Highlands seems to be unfolding before her very eyes. There’s so much to unpack and enjoy about “Fallen” that I wish the story were longer. Beth and Colin’s romance is both sensual and sweet, but it’s also a bit rushed and the ending felt hurried. I wish I could have learned more about the curse upon Colin and it would have been great if we could have explored the magical side of the story further as well. Still, as it stands “Fallen” is an excellent story I thoroughly enjoyed.


Down the Rabbit Hole contains a wide range of tales, so there’s something for everyone. Aside from “Wonderment in Death,” the Alice in Wonderland connections in the anthology are tenuous at best. This is a pity, because Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale is rife with fantastical elements that would have been fun to see played up more. In Death fans will want Down the Rabbit Hole for “Wonderment in Death” alone, and the story is definitely worth it. But whether or not you’re a J.D. Robb fan, the anthology as a whole is unique and well worth the read.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh

Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter, Book 8
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

ISBN: 9780425251263
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Nalini Singh Reading Order

Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required - those more common to predatory animals than to man.

Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets is fascinated by his nature - at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it's too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows...and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare…

Archangel’s Enigma is as utterly captivating and wildly exciting as its hero! Nalini Singh has outdone herself in this eighth Guild Hunter novel. Naasir and Andromeda are complex, fascinating characters and their love story shines bright against the dark, dangerous, and equally intriguing backdrop of the Guild Hunter world.

As the title suggests, Naasir is the most enigmatic of Raphael’s Seven. His past is shrouded in secret that precious few know, and it was fantastic watching the pieces fall together as we learn about Naasir alongside Andromeda. Whatever his past may be, the man Naasir is today is utterly irresistible. He’s so fun and playful that you almost forget the predator underneath. Naasir is truly unique not just in terms of what he is, but in personality. I can’t count the number of times he made me grin because his thought patterns are different and this charmed the hell out of me. Like Andromeda, I was drawn to Naasir’s wildness and unique perspective… and of course his innate sensuality, deep sense of loyalty and family, and refreshingly honest nature didn’t hurt either. Over the years Ms. Singh has created a variety of memorable, intriguing, swoon-worthy heroes, each one as appealing as the next, yet Naasir stands out from the pack and that thrilled me.

It takes a strong heroine to match such a complex hero and Andromeda is up to the task. She’s a brilliant scholar with excellent sword skills and secrets of her own. Her warrior-scholar nature made her interesting, but it’s her innate curiosity and hidden wildness that ultimately endeared her to me. Andromeda also bears scars from her past and fears the future that seems to be set for her in her sadistic grandfather’s court. She’s torn between wanting to give her heart to Naasir and not wanting to break his when he learns what will inevitably tear them apart. Through all this intensity, Andromeda and Naasir’s love story is one that is both wildly sensual and surprisingly sweet, with humor, heart, and hope woven into it.

Andromeda and Naasir’s romance takes place during their hunt to find the Sleeping Archangel of Persia, Alexander (previously mentioned in the novella “Angels’ Dance”). They must outwit the “big bad” of the series, Lijuan, in their quest – not an easy feat by any means. I won’t spoil what happens, but I will say there is action, danger, and horror aplenty that Naasir and Andromeda must face as tensions between good and evil rise. Ms. Singh’s gift for intricate and flawless worldbuilding continues to fascinate me. I cannot begin to say how exciting each new piece of information is and I love that there is no easy answer, no magic wand to wave in the world of the Guild Hunter series.

Naasir and Andromeda are the heart and soul of Archangel’s Enigma, but that doesn’t mean Ms. Singh forgets the other major Guild Hunter players. I absolutely loved seeing bits and pieces of Naasir’s relationships with his family, particularly Raphael and Dmitri. And as always (for me anyway), the scenes with Illium and Aodhan threaten to steal the show (and I meant that in the best way) and have me begging for more. Each member of Raphael and Elena’s chosen family is near and dear to my heart, and as the Cascade heats up the threats to each member of that family mount. In Archangel’s Enigma our beloved characters get one heck of a shock, and it is sure to have readers practically begging and crying for the next book.

Archangel’s Enigma is the eighth full-length Guild Hunter book and I highly recommend reading the series in order. Trust me, you won’t regret it, for Ms. Singh is a singular talent. Every book in the Guild Hunter series is brilliantly crafted and endlessly entertaining and Archangel’s Enigma is a shining example of this. I absolutely loved Naasir and Andromeda and I cannot wait to see where Ms. Singh takes readers next!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh

Archangel’s Shadows by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter, Book 7
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

ISBN: 9780425251171
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Nalini Singh Reading Order

In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his hunter consort, Elena, are dealing with the treacherously shifting tides of archangelic politics and the people of a battered but not broken city. The last thing their city needs is more death, especially a death that bears the eerie signature of an insane enemy archangel who cannot—should not—be walking the streets.

This hunt must be undertaken with stealth and without alerting their people. It must be handled by those who can become shadows themselves…

Ash is a gifted tracker and a woman cursed with the ability to sense the secrets of anyone she touches. But there’s one man she knows all too well without a single instant of skin contact: Janvier, the dangerously sexy Cajun vampire who has fascinated and infuriated her for years. Now, as they track down a merciless killer, their cat-and-mouse game of flirtation and provocation has turned into a profound one of the heart. And this time, it is Ash’s secret, dark and terrible, that threatens to destroy them both.

Archangel’s Shadows goes from fun and flirty one moment to dark and dangerous the next, all without losing that smooth rhythm that is inherent in Nalini Singh’s writing. This seventh Guild Hunter novel keeps the action hot, the sexual tension high, and the intensity fully charged. There isn’t a dull moment in Ashwini and Janvier’s story, and readers are sure to be entranced until they reach the end and are begging for more.

Ash and Janvier have been circling each other for years, but their dance reaches its climax in Archangel’s Shadows. The sense of history imbued in a relationship already begun at the beginning of the book adds depth to their romance from the start, even as the two of them flirt and tease one another. Every couple in the Guild Hunter series has been unique so far, and Janvier and Ash are no exception. I loved how absolutely head over heels Janvier is for Ash. The sexy, smooth-talking Cajun vampire is lethal, but his devotion to Ashwini is both sweet and heartbreaking. Ash is a Guild Hunter with a talent that may cost her everything, so she keeps part of herself held back from Janvier. But after they team up during the battle in Archangel’s Legion (the previous book), it’s impossible for Ash to keep her distance from Janvier. When a shared assignment involving unusual deaths puts them in close contact once again, Janvier begins to break through the walls Ash has put up. There’s a quiet intensity to their romance that I adored, and I was rooting for these two every step of the way.

The mystery of who is killing humans in a way reminiscent of the series’ big bad means there is danger lurking around every corner. I loved watching this storyline unfold and Ms. Singh wraps this part of the book into the overarching series plotlines extremely well. Though Ash and Janvier’s story is the center of the book, the overall world of the Guild Hunter series continues to develop in the background of Archangel’s Shadows. I absolutely loved this, and truly the only (small) issue I had is that the supporting characters – from Raphael and Elena to Illium to Naasir and beyond – often stole the show from Janvier and Ash by virtue of being such bright and powerful presences on the page. This is by no means a bad thing, but it niggled a bit that I was so taken with all the other characters that at times I’d forget this was Janvier and Ash’s book.

Archangel’s Shadows is an exciting and beautifully written story. There’s heartbreak, humor, hope, and endlessly fascinating worldbuilding. I cannot wait to see where Ms. Singh takes our beloved angels, vampires, and Guild Hunters next when the utterly irresistible Naasir meets his match in Archangel’s Enigma.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh

Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter, Book 6
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

ISBN: 9780425251249
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Nalini Singh Reading Order

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Archangel’s Legion hits the ground running in a stunning show of worldbuilding that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Nalini Singh is unquestioningly one of the best authors in the genre and her talent for creating unforgettable characters and intelligent plots is on full display in this sixth Guild Hunter novel.

At the heart of Archangel’s Legion are Elena and Raphael, and after two books that were focused on other couples, I’m glad we returned to them. The Archangel of New York and his Guild Hunter consort continue to grow as a couple throughout the story. Their relationship is rock-solid, but that doesn’t mean things are easy for them. They go through their ups and downs as new and even more dangerous challenges face them, testing their strength as a couple. The Cascade is in full effect and all the archangels are developing new powers. Alliances are being formed within the Cadre, which means Raphael and Elena must face a whole new level of terror. For angels are falling out of the sky, vampires are contracting a fatal disease, and Lijuan’s unborn are practically knocking on their door. The dangerous games the Cadre has been playing up until now are being cast aside in favor of all-out warfare, and if Elena, Raphael, and their allies don’t move fast or can’t strike hard enough, their territory will fall and everyone will pay the price. Bad news for our favorite characters, but it is great news for readers, for these developments make the story intricate and interesting. There are no slow moments; every page makes you want to keep moving forward until you reach the end.

Archangel’s Legion contains a number of twists and turns both in terms of the overarching storylines of the series and on a personal level. I won’t spoil what happens, because that would ruin the fun, but suffice it to say this is one of the strongest Guild Hunter installments to date. There’s power and emotion in Ms. Singh’s writing and Guild Hunter fans are in for one heck of a ride.

Archangel’s Legion is the sixth book in the Guild Hunter series, and it’s best if the books are read in order, starting with Angels’ Blood. Every story builds on the last and Archangel’s Legion opens the door for a good half dozen avenues to be explored in future books. I absolutely cannot wait to see where Ms. Singh takes our beloved angels, vampires, and humans next!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Ask Me Why by Jodi Thomas, Marie Force, Virginia Kantra, and Shirley Jump

Ask Me Why by Jodi Thomas, Marie Force, Virginia Kantra, and Shirley Jump
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780515155389
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

From four contemporary romance stars, stories filled with first kisses, first dances, and happily-ever-afters…

Midnight Bet by Jodi Thomas: When cousins Rick and Lizzie Matheson of Harmony, Texas, wind up on the wrong side of an attempted shooting, they know they’re in deep. Still, the biggest danger is losing their hearts—Rick to an old flame and Lizzy to an old friend she’d never noticed before…

You’ll Be Mine by Marie Force: Will Abbott and Cameron Murphy are finally ready to tie the knot—as long as family, friends and a love-struck moose don’t get in the way.

Wrapped Around Your Finger by Shirley Jump: Maggie McBride is just one of the guys in the hard-knocks world of construction. Until she’s dared to ask Nick Patterson to a wedding, enticing her to knock down some walls—and risk falling in love.

Carolina Heart by Virginia Kantra: Determined to leave her wild past behind, Cynthie Lodge is forging a new life for herself and her daughters—one that’s man-free and drama-free. But when her high school crush shows up on Dare Island, he’s determined to make her break her rules…

“Midnight Bet” (Harmony, Book 8.5) by Jodi Thomas
When Cousins Rick and Lizzie Matheson are shot at on the way home from a family party, it’s only the beginning of the action. With two love stories, a series of attempted murders, and characters with some heavy issues, there’s a lot to unpack in “Midnight Bet.” Unfortunately, this is a story that would have been far better served as a novel. As a novella, each character only gets the surface treatment because there are simply too many players and too much happening for the format. I loved Lizzie, absolutely loved her. She’s the black sheep of the Matheson clan, and no one truly sees how much she has to give. No one but her mysterious neighbor, the local veterinarian. Doc McCall is a great match for Lizzie, but we didn’t get to see too much of his character; a pity, since author Jodi Thomas hinted at some interesting parts of his character that were never explored. As for Rick, his romance with Trace left something to be desired. Though they apparently are in love, we never learn much about her beyond her name. Add in a subplot about one of the Mathesons being targeted and you get a story that has a lot going on on the surface but not much depth. “Midnight Bet” was an interesting story, but one that was not nearly what it could have been had it been fleshed out as a novel.


“You’ll Be Mine” (Green Mountain, Book 4.5) by Marie Force
Return to All You Need is Love’s Cam and Will as the two try to wrangle their family and even a local animal or two. It’s Cam and Will’s wedding weekend, and even a reader (such as I) who has not read any Green Mountain books will get swept away by the romance and good cheer of “You’ll Be Mine.” Cam, Will, and their loved ones have sparkling personalities and are easy to adore. Add in some steamy love scenes, matrimonial sentiment, and a lovesick moose, and you’ve got a story that’ll charm the socks off of anyone. I haven’t yet read All You Need is Love, but after feeling like a guest at Cam and Will’s wedding, I’ll definitely go back and read about how they fell in love.


“Wrapped Around Your Finger” (Southern Belle Book Club, Book 0.5) by Shirley Jump
Construction worker Maggie McBride is always seen as one of the guys, and she’s perfectly happy that way. That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t wish for Nick Patterson to see her as more than just a coworker and friend. The gorgeous tomboy gets her wish when she takes a dare and asks Nick to be her date for a wedding. Little does she know that Nick has seen her as more than a friend for some time, only he wants to prove he’s not the playboy she believes him to be.

“Wrapped Around Your Finger” is sweet and sparkling, just like it’s protagonists. Though the story appears to be a prequel to the Southern Belle Book Club series, I first read about Maggie and Nick in Shirley Jump’s The Sweetheart Secret and have been hoping they’d get a story of their own ever since. Nick and Maggie’s chemistry is electric and I love that Maggie and Nick saw the whole of each other. That being said, Ms. Jump doesn’t make things easy on them. Insecurities and fear are powerful obstacles on Maggie and Nick’s road to happily ever after, but I was rooting for them every step of the way.


“Carolina Heart” (Dare Island, Book 4.5) by Virginia Kantra
With a sexy geek determined to win over the girl of his dreams and a single mom working to make a better life for her daughters as the hero and heroine, it’s no surprise that “Carolina Heart” is a wonderful read. Cynthie and Max are endearing characters who are wonderfully human and possess a quiet strength you have to respect. Cynthie has heard all her life that she’s not smart, that she doesn’t have it in her to be successful. She’s been told this so often that she believes it, but with two growing daughters to care for, she’s doing her best to make something of herself. What readers – and Max – can easily see is that Cynthie is far more than she believes herself to be. What I loved best about “Carolina Heart” was watching Cynthie come into her own. However, that doesn’t mean the romance is lacking – Cynthie and Max are a couple you can root for. Their romance was simply lovely to watch unfold and seeing Max become part of Cynthie’s family was fantastic. This is the first Dare Island book I’ve read, but I’ll definitely be circling back to the beginning of the series.


Ask Me Why is a lovely collection of heartwarming romances. Though each story is part of a series, they all can be read as standalones. I loved getting tastes of Mses. Thomas, Force, Jump, and Kantra’s series and in every case I want to explore the worlds further. Ask Me Why is an excellent small town romance sampler with charming stories sure to make you smile.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Suddenly One Summer by Julie James

Suddenly One Summer by Julie James
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780425273760
Release Date: June 2, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Divorce lawyer Victoria Slade has seen enough unhappy endings to swear off marriage forever. That doesn’t mean she's opposed to casual dating—just not with her cocky new neighbor, who is as gorgeous and tempting as he is off-limits. But once she agrees to take on his sister’s case, she's as determined to win as ever—even if that means teaming up with Ford…

Investigative journalist Ford Dixon is bent on finding the man who got his sister pregnant and left her high and dry. He’s willing to partner with Victoria, despite the fact that the beautiful brunette gets under his skin like no other woman. He might not be looking to settle down, but there’s no denying the scorching attraction between them. Still, the more time he spends with Victoria, the more he realizes that the one woman as skeptical about love as he is might be the only woman he could really fall for…

Mix equal parts sass, smarts, passion, problems, emotion, and entertainment and you have Suddenly One Summer. Julie James has managed the impossible – to deliver a story that feels light and breezy but has three-dimensional characters who have very real problems. Ms. James has a unique way of balancing style with substance and the result is a fabulous story.

Since her home was broken into, high-power divorce lawyer Victoria Slade has been forced to acknowledge she has a panic disorder. For a person determined to always appear to have it together, this is both frustrating and frightening. I loved watching Victoria unpack her issues; she’s a realistic, sympathetic character whose mix of strength and vulnerability make her relatable and endearing. While she works with a therapist on coping mechanisms, Victoria temporarily rents a condo, which just so happens to come with an arrogant, too handsome for his own good neighbor. Ford Dixon is charming and he knows it, and he and Victoria definitely start off on the wrong foot. Their mutual antagonism is hilarious, and when you add in their mutual attraction… Well, let’s just say that Ms. James knows how to make sparks fly. The pages of Suddenly One Summer practically fly by as Ford and Victoria snap and smolder. When Victoria decides to team up with Ford and help him track down the father of his sister’s child, things only get more interesting. The sexual tension heats up, but it’s complemented by Ford and Victoria’s growing respect and understanding for one another. And though neither of them is looking to fall in love, that’s exactly what happens. Of course, when you have a stubborn hero and heroine, things aren’t going to be easy. The ghosts of their pasts, secrets, and the dreaded “big misunderstanding” are obstacles that threaten Victoria and Ford’s burgeoning relationship.

Suddenly One Summer is a standalone novel, but characters from Ms. James’s FBI/US Attorney series do appear. You don’t have to have read that series in order to appreciate the characters, but after finishing up Ford’s book I’m definitely moving his best friend Brooke’s story, Love Irresistibly, up in my “to be read” pile. As with all of Ms. James’s books, Suddenly One Summer shows the author’s knowledge and attention to detail regarding her characters and plot, adding depth and a sense of realism to the book.

Julie James has an effervescent style that grabs your attention from the start, but it’s her intelligent, fully developed characters and sensual love stories that take her books to the next level. Suddenly One Summer is a truly entertaining story that is sure to delight any contemporary romance fan.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: It Happened One Wedding by Julie James

It Happened One Wedding by Julie James
Series: FBI/US Attorney, Book 5
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780425251270
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

SHE KNOWS BETTER THAN TO SAY “I DO”

After a humiliating end to her engagement, investment banker Sidney Sinclair is done with commitment-phobic men. But when her sister winds up engaged after a whirlwind courtship, Sidney is thrown into close contact with exactly the kind of sexy playboy she wants to avoid—the gorgeous best man. She’s stuck with him, for better or worse, until her sister walks down the aisle, but that doesn’t mean she has to give in to his smooth advances, no matter how tempting they are...

BUT HE MAKES IT HARD TO SAY “I DON’T”

Special agent Vaughn Roberts always gets his man on the job and his woman in bed. So Sidney’s refusal to fall for his charms only makes him more determined to win over the cool and confident redhead. Only what starts out as a battle of wills ends up as a serious play for her heart. Because the one woman who refuses to be caught may be the only one Vaughn can’t live without...

It Happened One Wedding is both smart and sexy – my favorite kind of romance. Author Julie James has blended snark with substance and heat with heart to create a wonderfully entertaining story you won’t want to put down.

Sidney’s an intelligent, successful director at a private equity firm who’s thirty-three and determined to find the right man, one she can trust with her heart, a guy she can settle down and have a family with. FBI Special Agent Vaughn Roberts is not that kind of man. He may have charm and good looks on his side, but he’s a playboy at heart with no desire to get involved in a serious relationship. Though their initial “meet-cute” ends with Sidney writing him off, she can’t exactly do that once she learns that his brother is marrying her sister. Thrown together thanks to family, the sexual tension between Vaughn and Sidney slowly builds until it explodes in the most wickedly entertaining of ways. There’s a lot of push-pull in their developing relationship, and once in a while I wanted to shake Sidney and Vaughn to force them to be honest with themselves and each other about what they feel, but each had their reasons for being gun-shy about opening up.

It Happened One Wedding is incredibly well-written and I really appreciated the level of detail Ms. James included when it came to Sidney and Vaughn’s jobs. It’s clear Ms. James did her research and her doing so adds depth to the story that should not go unmentioned. In fact (charming romance aside), this is what sets It Happened One Wedding apart for me and is why I’m definitely going to be buying the rest of the FBI/US Attorney backlist. And speaking of said series, It Happened One Wedding is the first of Ms. James’s FBI/US Attorney stories that I’ve read and thus I can safely say it can be read as a standalone. But fans of the series shouldn’t worry – some of her past heroes and heroines do play a part in Vaughn and Sidney’s book. Whether you’re a fan of Julie James or simply enjoy a good contemporary romance, don’t miss It Happened One Wedding!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton

Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton
Series: Hope, Book 2
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780425259771
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

When a movie crew asks to film on his cattle ranch, Logan McCormack doesn’t expect Desiree Jenkins, the young, sought-after star, to be so open, so down-to-earth, or so intimately interested in him. But the last thing a loner like Logan needs is a distraction like Des, who wouldn’t understand what it’s like to live peacefully off the land.

But it’s Logan who doesn’t understand. What Des wants is an escape from paparazzi and gossip columns, and she’s found it at Logan’s ranch. Now it’s up to her to prove that she’s like any other girl looking to be accepted for who she is. And she’s hoping that it’s by this real-life cowboy who has everything it takes—and more—to give her the kind of happily ever after that can’t be found in the movies.

Two very different worlds collide when Hollywood takes over a small part of Hope, Oklahoma. Hope Ignites is an engaging story of finding home and taking a chance on love, and I was utterly charmed by it.

Des is easy to adore. She’s a movie star of the first order but doesn’t have the ego to match. Des is straightforward, hardworking, and generous – the kind of woman you’d want to have as a friend. Logan, by comparison, is a bit of a tough nut to crack. He’s got the strong, silent-type thing down to a science, and his mother did a number on him psychologically. Because of this, he doesn’t trust that Des could ever be happy living on his ranch and he makes mistakes, pushing her away when he should be doing the opposite. What I love most about Logan is that he owns up to his mistakes and genuinely cares for Des. Whether they’re on set, working the ranch, or hitting the sheets, Des and Logan are a great couple and their chemistry draws you into Hope Ignites.

Hope Ignites is the second full-length book in Jaci Burton’s Hope series, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read either Hope Flames or the Hope novella, “Hope Smolders,” but after being introduced to Logan’s family and friends I will definitely be picking those up. Ms. Burton does a great job of creating a sense of community with Hope Ignites, which isn’t an easy feat considering Logan has a tendency to isolate himself. But veering from Hope to L.A., it would be remiss of me not to mention Des’s co-star and best friend, Colt. Man, oh man, I could read a whole book about Colt and his partner. Though Des and Logan are unquestionably the main attraction in Hope Ignites, Colt grabbed my heart and didn’t let go.

Hope Ignites is a wonderful book to relax and mentally escape with. Des and Logan’s story has a different feel from the other books of Ms. Burton’s that I’ve read and I love discovering the many facets of her writing. I recommend Hope Ignites to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances and has a soft spot for gruff cowboys and/or straight-shooting actresses.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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