tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61028214134647691042024-03-18T02:48:12.929-07:00Wit and SinKimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.comBlogger1372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-42665160956499559762024-03-16T20:25:00.000-07:002024-03-16T20:26:07.081-07:00Review: Speculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashley<strong><em>Speculations in Sin</em> by <a href="https://jenniferashley.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Ashley</a></strong><br />
Series: Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 7<br />
Publisher: Berkley<br />
Genre: Historical Mystery <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7Txls_DzXgQEtcFcRFGTI_lb3FA7Dgj8aQmugDANb77-5f7cnJA6HuiPr4qtqoAh58wG4B-Wvu8lQ188pZBJUW1Uq4pBEADodF4Cno5DEqh6UqRay_nNcwH0OezcWqDLO1L9MwEV2-gKV4mKA4eRzPrq96iOIpczVBtOcWTEsZt81dTzJmDYHQu2uJ91/s312/Speculations%20in%20Sin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Speculations in Sin cover" border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7Txls_DzXgQEtcFcRFGTI_lb3FA7Dgj8aQmugDANb77-5f7cnJA6HuiPr4qtqoAh58wG4B-Wvu8lQ188pZBJUW1Uq4pBEADodF4Cno5DEqh6UqRay_nNcwH0OezcWqDLO1L9MwEV2-gKV4mKA4eRzPrq96iOIpczVBtOcWTEsZt81dTzJmDYHQu2uJ91/s16000/Speculations%20in%20Sin.jpg" /></a></div>
ISBN: 9780593549919<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Speculations-Below-Stairs-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0C76Y8YKB" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/speculations-in-sin-jennifer-ashley/1143604642?ean=9780593549926" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/speculations-in-sin" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Speculations-in-Sin-Audiobook/B0CXZ2MPJG" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
<a href="http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2012/03/jennifer-ashley-book-order.html" target="_blank">Jennifer Ashley Reading Order</a><br />
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<blockquote>Kat Holloway is distressed to learn that Samuel Millburn, husband of the woman who looks after her daughter, has been accused of embezzling funds from the bank where he works as a clerk. The accusation is absurd, and Samuel’s wife fears that her husband will not only lose his post but be imprisoned. Kat vows to uncover the truth. <br /><br />
When she discovers the bank is involved in shockingly murky business dealings, Kat realizes she’s treading in dangerous waters. She turns to her confidante and handsome suitor, Daniel McAdam, for help. To exonerate Samuel, Kat and Daniel may have to expose the unseemly financial dealings of prominent aristocrats and government officials, and even those working to bring down the royal family. Kat will risk everything to protect the man who has sacrificed so much for her daughter, even if it means endangering herself and the friends she has come to love.</blockquote><br />
Cook Kat Holloway is back sleuthing again when her best friend’s husband is accused of embezzlement. <b><i>Speculations in Sin</i></b> takes Kat into the unfamiliar world of finance, a place where reputation is worth its weight in gold and where a man like Sam Millburn can be tossed to the wolves for an institution to save face. Sam is not only Kat’s friend – he and his wife opened their home to Kat’s daughter, so this case is deeply personal. <br /><br />
Kat is walking a tightrope as ever, balancing her position and duties with amateur sleuthing, her relationship with her daughter, and her slowly developing romance with Daniel McAdam. Daniel is by Kat’s side every step of the way, as are her friends. I loved watching Kat among the friends she has made, from Lady Cynthia to Tess and beyond. These connections are integral to the story and the worldbuilding. They are also what interested me the most about the story. As much as I enjoy Jennifer Ashley’s writing, I will say that the mystery didn’t grab my attention this time around. It wasn’t complex enough to carry the story and seemed to drag, taking the book down with it. The resolution, while somewhat satisfying, didn’t wow me like I had hoped. All in all, this was just an OK entry into the Below Stairs series. Any time spent with Kat and company is enjoyable, but <b><i>Speculations in Sin</i></b> had a lackluster mystery that didn’t live up to the previous installments. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-17630893673268615272024-03-03T22:10:00.000-08:002024-03-03T22:11:59.660-08:00Review: Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards<strong><em>Once Persuaded, Twice Shy</em>: A Modern Reimagining of Persuasion by <a href="https://melodieedwards.com" target="_blank">Melodie Edwards</a></strong><br />
Publisher: Berkley<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkf3i-YJXKlXoVeChMhvBchuVIRKioEWCbaBFy44gFBNGsSwhoL-IVUnKhaIjsCamQn8leR5xE81g-jnEckyMFkWzO6EPuwJrqFxheLQI5XdNf85QfxOGfUQWcpV6YdKPP7zTH9volJVojcl2G-PyllMWg5M4q8FNa3VXFU15T3HPU17VruZFI-hdcudl_/s309/Once%20Persuaded%20Twice%20Shy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Once Persuaded Twice Shy cover" border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkf3i-YJXKlXoVeChMhvBchuVIRKioEWCbaBFy44gFBNGsSwhoL-IVUnKhaIjsCamQn8leR5xE81g-jnEckyMFkWzO6EPuwJrqFxheLQI5XdNf85QfxOGfUQWcpV6YdKPP7zTH9volJVojcl2G-PyllMWg5M4q8FNa3VXFU15T3HPU17VruZFI-hdcudl_/s16000/Once%20Persuaded%20Twice%20Shy.jpg" /></a></div>
ISBN: 9780593440797<br />
Release Date: February 27, 2024<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Once-Persuaded-Twice-Shy-Reimagining-ebook/dp/B0C6HKFPZ8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/once-persuaded-twice-shy-melodie-edwards/1143564063?ean=9780593440803" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/once-persuaded-twice-shy" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Once-Persuaded-Twice-Shy-Audiobook/B0C6YJHL7B" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>When Anne Elliott broke up with Ben Wentworth, it seemed like the right thing to do…but now, eight years later, she’s not so sure. <br /><br />
In her scenic hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Anne is comfortable focusing on her successful career: filling her late mother’s shoes as town councilor and executive director of her theater company. She certainly keeps busy as the all-around wrangler of eccentric locals, self-centered family members, elaborate festivals, and the occasional attacking goose. But the more she tries to convince herself that her life is fine as is, the more it all feels like a show—and not nearly as good as the ones put on by her theater company. She’s the always responsible Anne, always taken for granted and cleaning up after other people, and the memories of happier times with Ben Wentworth still haunt her. <br /><br />
So when the nearby Kellynch Winery is bought by Ben’s aunt and uncle, Anne’s world is set ablaze as her old flame crashes back into her life—and it’s clear he hasn’t forgiven her for breaking his heart. A joint project between the winery and Anne’s theater forces both Ben and Anne to confront their complicated history, and as they spend more time together, Anne can’t help but wonder if there might be hope for their future after all.</blockquote><br />
Melodie Edwards puts a fresh spin on a Jane Austen classic in <b><i>Once Persuaded, Twice Shy</i></b>. Edwards brings Anne and Wentworth to the modern era but keeps the original spirit alive in this story, and I was absolutely delighted. <br /><br />
Anne is all business all the time, having stepped into her late mother’s shoes seamlessly and taken on the role of town counselor and theater director. Between narcissistic family members, a sweet but loose cannon assistant, dramatic actors, demanding townspeople, and a chaotic neutral (possibly chaotic evil) goose, Anne’s time is constantly in demand. Then the new owners of her former home – Kellynch Winery – come to the theater and bring the past back to haunt her. The Fairchilds’ nephew is none other than Ben Wentworth, the man Anne dumped eight years ago after being persuaded he was a bad match. <br /><br />
If you’re familiar with <i>Persuasion</i>, you’ll see all of the high points of that novel reimagined in a new way. If you’ve never read Austen’s novel, don’t worry – you won’t be lost. Edwards makes this story and its characters stand on their own. I adored the romantic angst as Anne’s reunion with Ben makes her face the past and deal with the breakup she pushed out of mind for years. Anne has become someone she doesn’t entirely recognize and it was great to see her come into her own over the course of the story. Her hurt and loss over Ben are feelings she has to contend with as well, as is the jealousy at seeing him now successful, powerful, and seemingly indifferent to her. Though the story is told from Anne’s point of view, you can easily read Ben’s emotions like you can in the original. Edwards truly captures the heart of <i>Persuasion</i> in <b><i>Once Persuaded, Twice Shy</i></b> and her skill ensures I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-70498014856951524042024-02-20T20:46:00.000-08:002024-02-20T20:47:17.842-08:00Review: Not Your Crush’s Cauldron by April Asher<strong><em>Not Your Crush’s Cauldron</em> by April Asher</strong><br />
Series: Supernatural Singles, Book 3<br />
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2Seg04rK8mEckKbiUd1WEXOBK-jxkgk0K-tJVK9Jw4lrdHn3ZSfc8RtAiQq9ukzn_Xu5Of6YVXkeQcdVWMgedDk3bSgnM3Lwlg_TC7OTILbQ3LdjxfyST0A2uUMTvnkbHxD5KVdABOdzRJJ0sVx-ZCOBNjAIxExZlHuaAKY0My6X2zhTnI9xzvdF9W_f/s307/Not%20Your%20Crushs%20Cauldron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Not Your Crushs Cauldron cover" border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2Seg04rK8mEckKbiUd1WEXOBK-jxkgk0K-tJVK9Jw4lrdHn3ZSfc8RtAiQq9ukzn_Xu5Of6YVXkeQcdVWMgedDk3bSgnM3Lwlg_TC7OTILbQ3LdjxfyST0A2uUMTvnkbHxD5KVdABOdzRJJ0sVx-ZCOBNjAIxExZlHuaAKY0My6X2zhTnI9xzvdF9W_f/s16000/Not%20Your%20Crushs%20Cauldron.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781250808035<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Your-Crushs-Cauldron-Supernatural-Singles-ebook/dp/B0C1X7S97P" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-your-crushs-cauldron-april-asher/1143330009?ean=9781250808042" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/not-your-crush-s-cauldron" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Not-Your-Crushs-Cauldron-Audiobook/B0CPTP6N7J" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>Olive Maxwell much prefers teaching about the Supernatural world to taking part in it and leaves the magical shenanigans to her two sisters. After assigning her college students a project designed to nudge them outside their comfort zones, Olive realizes she’s never once stepped a toe out of her own . . . and it’s about time that changed. Her first trip into the unknown? Moving in with her longtime crush and friend . . . tattooed, motorcycle-riding, and pleasantly pierced Baxter Donovan. <br /><br />
Bax Donovan, Guardian Angel not-so-extraordinaire, has acquired so many black marks on his record it looks like a Scantron test. He’s been given one last chance to keep his Guardian wings—a high-profile Assignment he knows all too well. Olive is usually as low-risk as it gets. Hell, she wrote the safety manual. But something landed her on the Guardian Angel Affairs radar, and he guesses it has something to do with the heart-pounding stunts she’s determined to check off her Dare I Docket list. <br /><br />
Keeping Olive out of trouble is about to be his toughest Assignment. He’s at real risk of shattering the only Guardian Angel code of conduct rule he’s yet to break: Don’t fall in love with your Assignment. And he isn’t so sure that’s a bad thing. <br /><br />
If love doesn’t play by the rules, why should they?</blockquote><br />
The youngest Maxwell triplet steps out of her comfort zone and into the light in <b><i>Not Your Crush’s Cauldron</i></b>. Staid professor Olive Maxwell would much rather be in a corner reading a book than doing something wild and crazy. Then she assigns her students a project about stepping outside their comfort zones and realizes she hasn’t ever put a toe out of hers. Determined to change that, Olive comes up with her own list…but never expected her new roommate to tag along. <br /><br />
Guardian Angel Bax Donovan has wanted Olive for years but has never mustered up the courage to express it. Then he finds himself with Olive as his latest assignment and he’s soon blasted out of his own comfort zone trying to keep up with the beautiful witch. <br /><br />
Friends-to-lovers is a wonderful trope and April Asher shows why in Olive and Bax’s sprightly romance. The attraction between Bax and Olive has been simmering for years but they just needed that push to act on it. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two overcome their fears and do things to break out of the rut they’re in. Out of all the Supernatural Singles stories so far this one has the lowest stakes but it’s still engaging. Bax and Olive have an easy chemistry that makes their romance fun and entertaining. They’re both likeable protagonists who need a slight shove to come into their own and I really liked their journeys. <br/><br />
<b><i>Not Your Crush’s Cauldron</i></b> is the third book in the Supernatural Singles series and to fully enjoy it you should definitely read at least <i>Not the Witch You Wed</i> (the first book) before diving into this one. Olive’s sisters play strong supporting roles and Vi in particular continues on the path she started in her book. I really liked seeing more of the world Asher has created and though the last Maxwell triplet has now found her happily ever after, I hope that doesn’t spell the end of this series. All in all, <b><i>Not Your Crush’s Cauldron</i></b> is a magical romp with a bookish witch, a tattooed angel, and a sweet and spicy romance. <br/><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-16827820743793369582024-02-18T13:38:00.000-08:002024-02-18T13:39:00.272-08:00Review: Not Your Ex’s Hexes by April Asher<strong><em>Not Your Ex’s Hexes</em> by April Asher</strong><br />
Series: Supernatural Singles, Book 2<br />
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlzUfj5kHgvq4NZyA3eoaFLKLdc1PaXyJYOT4-Ef04uHV8ZyNAOeE4ibc0i0rrB3-bRLprauat4e0-qbSPzkzehsCZ0AlBvPRLsOILcwjj89kCBN1-wV_Lb3CgLt1zbReNYKRb617ywqdcudyaecYH7ilLfgjFCThbnjR-72sttzKOceCbPXW2KJU2hUl/s307/Not%20Your%20Exs%20Hexes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Not Your Exs Hexes cover" border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlzUfj5kHgvq4NZyA3eoaFLKLdc1PaXyJYOT4-Ef04uHV8ZyNAOeE4ibc0i0rrB3-bRLprauat4e0-qbSPzkzehsCZ0AlBvPRLsOILcwjj89kCBN1-wV_Lb3CgLt1zbReNYKRb617ywqdcudyaecYH7ilLfgjFCThbnjR-72sttzKOceCbPXW2KJU2hUl/s16000/Not%20Your%20Exs%20Hexes.jpg" /></a></div>
ISBN: 9781250808011<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Your-Hexes-Supernatural-Singles-Book-ebook/dp/B09Y45W4GQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-your-exs-hexes-april-asher/1141344286?ean=9781250808028" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/not-your-ex-s-hexes" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Not-Your-Exs-Hexes-Audiobook/B0BQPY691Q" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>For her entire life, Rose Maxwell trained to become the next Prima on the Supernatural Council. Now that she’s stepped down, it’s time for this witch to focus on herself. And not think about her impulsive one-night stand with Damian Adams, a half-Demon Veterinarian who she can’t get out of her head. Neither of them is looking for a relationship. But when Rose is sentenced to community service at Damian’s animal sanctuary it becomes impossible for them to ignore their sparking attraction. A friends-with-benefits, no feelings, no strings arrangement works perfectly for them both. <br /><br />
After a sequence of dead-end jobs, it’s not until Rose tangos with two snarly demons that she thinks she’s finally found her path. However, this puts Damian back on the periphery of a world he thought he left behind. He doesn’t approve of Rose becoming a Hunter, but if there's one thing he's learned about the stubborn witch, it was telling her not to do something was one sure-fire way to make sure she did. <br /><br />
Working—and sleeping—together awakens feelings Damian never knew he had...and shouldn't have. Because thanks to his ex's hex, if he falls in love, he'll not only lose his heart—but his humanity.</blockquote><br />
Former Prima Apparent Rose Maxwell is at loose ends. No longer next line to run the Supernatural Council – a role she’s trained for her whole life – she’s determined to find what her new “thing” is. But after an equine rescue mission goes wrong, Rose ends up doing community service at an animal sanctuary run by none other than her super hot one-night stand. Damian Adams is grumpy, not in the least of which is due to a soul hex that could cause the half-demon side of him to take over should he ever fall in love. Now Rose is in his path, knocking his socks off at every turn. Neither can forget their previous encounter so what’s wrong with a little no-strings-attached fun while they work together? Nothing, except they’re clearly meant to be…<br /><br />
<b><i>Not Your Ex’s Hexes</i></b> is a sprightly and fun continuation of the Supernatural Singles series. Rose is powerful and smart, but she hasn’t yet found her place in the world after giving up the role she’s trained for. She finds it when working with Damian, however. Both rescuing animals and becoming a Hunter call to her. Damian has no issue with the former, but the latter nearly cost him everything back when he was a teenager and he doesn’t want to see Rose hurt – or worse. The two of them spar but respect each other’s strength. It was fun to see Rose find her gifts and I liked watching Damian open up and learn to find happiness again. The two of them have great chemistry and I enjoyed watching them work and play together. <br /><br />
The course of true love doesn’t run smooth when a hex is involved for one of the parties and I was interested to see how April Asher would make things work for our protagonists. The result is a satisfying end to the love story, but that’s all I’ll say about that. Along the way, Rose and Damian are aided by their family and friends (whether or not they want to be). I thoroughly enjoy the world Asher created with its witches, angels, demons, vampires, and more. I finished <b><i>Not Your Ex’s Hexes</i></b> ready to dive right into the next adventure featuring Rose’s sister Olive because I am absolutely charmed by the Supernatural Singles world. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-32475590470847444232024-02-12T19:46:00.000-08:002024-02-12T19:46:43.957-08:00Review: The Catch by Amy Lea<strong><em>The Catch</em> by <a href="https://www.amyleabooks.com" target="_blank">Amy Lea</a></strong><br />
Series: The Influencer, Book 3<br />
Publisher: Berkley<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIvefQwjAK86fxEj6jg_OfcXc6Xw4GwvBmr1MDWJcG4-Cv7mHpijyMSB7GS7t1XbljbZ1mVhAyVhYsDswfHsJ8UGngqmlpI-bv-H1zvfwU6ORofCmNdxgY955Rhbyi44Pwn-SoFRu6iQ8AAALAbH1Kg2b1qGBTheQgrP9r4nLR-DOpvTLacWbN_LiiZtR/s300/The%20Catch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Catch cover" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIvefQwjAK86fxEj6jg_OfcXc6Xw4GwvBmr1MDWJcG4-Cv7mHpijyMSB7GS7t1XbljbZ1mVhAyVhYsDswfHsJ8UGngqmlpI-bv-H1zvfwU6ORofCmNdxgY955Rhbyi44Pwn-SoFRu6iQ8AAALAbH1Kg2b1qGBTheQgrP9r4nLR-DOpvTLacWbN_LiiZtR/s16000/The%20Catch.jpg" /></a></div>
ISBN: 9780593336618<br />
Release Date: February 13, 2024<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catch-Influencer-Book-3-ebook/dp/B0C56QKFW6" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-catch-amy-lea/1143484243?ean=9780593336625" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-catch-47" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Catch-Audiobook/B0C6YJ22P1" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>In a last-ditch effort to rescue her brand from the brink of irrelevance, Boston fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen finds herself in a rural fishing village on the east coast of Canada. The only thing scarier than nature itself? The burly and bearded bed-and-breakfast owner and fisherman, Evan Whaler—who single-handedly disproves the theory that Canadians are “nice.” <br /><br />
After a boating accident lands Evan unconscious in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for his fiancée by his welcoming yet quirky family, who are embroiled in a long-standing feud over the B&B. In a bold attempt to mend family fences, Mel agrees to fake their engagement for one week in exchange for Evan’s help with her social media content. <br /><br />
Amid long hikes and campfire chats, reeling in their budding feelings for each other proves more difficult by the day. But is Mel willing to sacrifice her picture-perfect life in the city for a chance at a true, unfiltered love in the wild?</blockquote><br />
Fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen is a fish out of water in <b><i>The Catch</i></b>. Author Amy Lea’s final installment in the Influencer trilogy is a mix of <i>While You Were Sleeping</i> and <i>The Proposal</i>, with Lea’s charming characters thrown in. <br /><br />
Mel’s brand is sinking and when a mix-up with a resort partner lands her in need of a place to stay in Nova Scotia, she ends up in Cora’s Cove at the inn of one very grumpy Evan Whaler. She’s sunshine (with a bit of bite), he’s grumpy. She’s a city girl, he’s at home in the great outdoors. All these are romance catnip and Lea makes them her own in this story. Evan is irritated with Mel at first but as you get to know him through her eyes you learn why. Evan may seem grumpy but he’s a sweetheart once you get past his guard. He also comes with a family who are big and loving when they’re not fighting with each other. For Mel, it’s not just Evan that’s a draw but his whole family. Mel is achingly lonely in a crowd and I loved watching her find her place in Cora’s Cove. She’s one who always has her guard up but among the Whalers she finally starts to let people in. It’s lovely to see her come into her own over the course of the story, to find a blend between the influencer bombshell and the unplugged Mel. <br /><br />
The romance between Evan and Mel is slow burn, especially since they start out at odds. They clash, they bicker, but there’s definite chemistry from their initial meeting onward. And once things heat up you can’t keep these two apart. I loved the mix of sweetness and spice in their story. Add in the Whaler family as a whole and <b><i>The Catch</i></b> is simply a heartwarming read. <br /><br />
Mel’s story is the third in the Influencer trilogy but it can easily be read as a standalone. Fans of the series will like the glimpses they get of Crystal and Tara but if you’re new to Lea’s work you can jump in here without issue. If you want to be swept away to an idyllic coastal Canadian town to enjoy a charming romance with humor and heart then <b><i>The Catch</i></b> is the read for you. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-50296573537317639072024-02-06T22:39:00.000-08:002024-02-06T22:40:44.710-08:00Review: The Duke’s All That by Christina Britton<strong><em>The Duke’s All That</em> by Christina Britton</strong><br />
Series: Synneful Spinsters, Book 3<br />
Publisher: Forever<br />
Genre: Historical Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqZdxorI7YDQThk57lZb8Kj1WR09HZgGVvyU-BQDz8DwnUqT5_C52EOH0s5Zgp_qlqDCBB15s4y93n2sEon-3NgRpffRrcj9rH6AH4ZO-I15mHepN4S9BDK9FS3PwSTt98dbz4l8XsPDENpdlqzhFYQfDdTccTZFra1jTFKkiwAlDikZ2ZLtXjOgi8KHg/s322/The%20Dukes%20All%20That.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Dukes All That cover" border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqZdxorI7YDQThk57lZb8Kj1WR09HZgGVvyU-BQDz8DwnUqT5_C52EOH0s5Zgp_qlqDCBB15s4y93n2sEon-3NgRpffRrcj9rH6AH4ZO-I15mHepN4S9BDK9FS3PwSTt98dbz4l8XsPDENpdlqzhFYQfDdTccTZFra1jTFKkiwAlDikZ2ZLtXjOgi8KHg/w199-h320/The%20Dukes%20All%20That.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
ISBN: 9781538710449<br />
Release Date: February 6, 2024<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dukes-All-That-Synneful-Spinsters-ebook/dp/B0C73T32KX" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dukes-all-that-christina-britton/1143598824?ean=9781538710456" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-duke-s-all-that" target="_blank">Kobo</a><br />
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<blockquote><b>A heartbreaking betrayal. A secret life. A love that deserves a second chance.</b><br /><br />
Iain MacInnes, Duke of Balgair, has spent the last thirteen years believing his wife is dead—until he receives word that she is very much alive and living under an assumed name on the remote Isle of Synne. He sets off with only one goal in mind: bring his wife back to Scotland where he can divorce her and expose her for the liar she is. <br /><br />
After a devastating deception by the man who was supposed to love her, Seraphina did what was necessary to keep herself and her sisters safe. And though she’s still haunted by the events that tore her world apart all those years ago, she’s made a happy life on Synne, surrounded by loyal friends and building a secret career as a popular author. Now that Iain has found her, however, all that is at risk. <br /><br />
Despite their long separation, the attraction between Iain and Seraphina still burns strong. But with so much hurt and betrayal between them, can they possibly find their way back to each other?</blockquote><br />
<b><i>The Duke’s All That</i></b> is a second chance romance with a lot of heart. Seraphina and Iain fell in love at a young age, but were torn apart due to lies and manipulation not long after they were wed. Thirteen years later, Iain discovers that his long-lost wife is alive and well and is determined to secure a divorce from the woman who broke his heart. What he finds is a woman haunted by the past. Seraphina has survived much and has come out the stronger. She escaped the clutches of her evil father and made a life for herself and her sisters, one far different than the gilded cage they were raised in. <br /><br />
It was easy for me to like both Seraphina and Iain. Seraphina is a survivor and her strength and determination made me want to see her find peace and be able to let down her guard. Iain is a strong and handsome Scotman who has his own baggage he needs to come to terms with, but he has a good heart. Author Christina Britton shows how the young couple was torn apart but also doesn’t make their reunion easy on them. They have to confront their fears, their vulnerabilities, and risk opening their hearts. Seraphina in particular has walls that are high even with those she loves and it’s understandable why. I really liked watching her and Iain together as they learned who they are now, after everything they’ve been through. <br /><br />
<b><i>The Duke’s All That</i></b> is emotional and sweet at the same time (with a dash of humor and some surprisingly touching moments brought by Seraphina’s parrot). Britton made it easy to be swept up into the personal and romantic journeys of Iain and Seraphina. If you’re a fan of the Synneful Spinsters series you’ll enjoy brief glimpses of Seraphina’s fellow Oddments, but you can jump into this one as a standalone too. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to revisiting it. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-14778756062665084172024-02-04T15:35:00.000-08:002024-02-04T15:35:54.928-08:00Review: Work It Out by Eva Siedler<strong><em>Work It Out</em> by Eva Siedler</strong><br />
Publisher: Entangled: Amara Next<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZPAZwGn-Zth2Ne9U89RFWicexp0Pmg-uwWUB3jPF02fvmWln1TpTughyphenhyphen5IriVtr7PooatpKcbOSnOA_pfavpbolhB0ydrzQCpZaFTAC9tEVfOhQNHLt8hro1Jz3_MjbGGEaoSwfUVzhyphenhyphenHi7hvQ8c1P52QUrcYnC_8mjYiGwqsM96I30Lh_uSiR_FLgmv/s300/Work%20It%20Out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Work It Out cover" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZPAZwGn-Zth2Ne9U89RFWicexp0Pmg-uwWUB3jPF02fvmWln1TpTughyphenhyphen5IriVtr7PooatpKcbOSnOA_pfavpbolhB0ydrzQCpZaFTAC9tEVfOhQNHLt8hro1Jz3_MjbGGEaoSwfUVzhyphenhyphenHi7hvQ8c1P52QUrcYnC_8mjYiGwqsM96I30Lh_uSiR_FLgmv/s16000/Work%20It%20Out.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781649376299<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Work-Out-Eva-Siedler-ebook/dp/B0CPCWWS19" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/work-it-out-eva-siedler/1144444065?ean=9781649376299" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/work-it-out-13" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://entangledpublishing.com/books/work-it-out" target="_blank">Entangled</a><br />
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<blockquote>With the lead role in a huge action film up for grabs, actor Jake Newman has ninety days to get in shape. How does a man grow abs without the tabloids watching his every move? By sneaking off to a high-end health resort in his Arizona hometown to supersize his biceps…Thor style. Oh, and hope no one discovers the real reason he bailed from Los Angeles—or the teeny little health issue he’s hoping to keep from everyone. <br /><br />
Especially his cute, sunshiny, and absolute hard-ass new trainer. <br /><br />
Former gymnast Rayah Summers has poured everything she has into her desert dream: a full-service resort that helps people transform their bodies and lifestyles. But a run of bad luck has her on the brink of bankruptcy —and the Hollywood hunk with insanely sexy dimples is all that’s standing between her and disaster. <br /><br />
Now everything depends on her success: her future, her roof over her head, and especially her trainers—who are more family than employees. Rayah can’t afford for anything to go wrong… and no one’s able to explain why Jake Newman keeps collapsing during even the lightest workouts. <br /><br />
Now it’s a balance beam nightmare, with Rayah trying to keep her business afloat—all while managing her staff’s drama, keeping her celebrity client a secret, and not falling for him or his devilishly sexy grin. And it’s just a matter of time before Jake’s secrets threaten not only her dreams, but the chosen family she’s found…</blockquote><br />
Jake Newman needs to get in shape quickly if he hopes to land the next big superhero role. Rayah Summers owns a full-service fitness resort in his hometown. It’s a match made in heaven. Or it would be, if Jake wasn’t hiding a secret that could cost them both everything. <br /><br />
I had mixed feelings about <b><i>Work It Out</i></b>. Jake is an actor with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a disorder he wants to keep a secret – especially considering he wants to land a superhero role. The problem isn’t his medical condition – it’s that he keeps it a secret from Rayah when starting an extreme diet and exercise regime. Jake lacks some maturity which made me kinda “meh” on him as a character. He does have some cheesy charm, however, and his adorkableness could be cute. Rayah is a former gymnast who is determined to make her resort a success not only for herself but the found family she has working with her. I liked Rayah’s determination and wished we’d gotten more into her backstory and personality outside of Explosion business and her burgeoning relationship with Jake. Their romance is cute, but may be a bit campy for some readers. <br/><br />
<b><i>Work It Out</i></b> follows a fairly predictable path and it did leave me wanting a bit more. Eva Siedler wrote in some secondary characters that had a lot of potential and made me want to dive deeper into them. About three-quarters of the way through the book it really picked up the pace and that’s when I truly became invested in Rayah and Jake’s story. It’s a pity the book took so long to capture my attention because when it did I was glued to the pages. So while overall I thought <b><i>Work It Out</i></b> was just OK, there’s enough there that I liked that I would absolutely pick up another one of Siedler’s books. <br/><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-50077320389570714272024-01-22T20:15:00.000-08:002024-01-22T20:15:44.175-08:00Review: Random in Death by J.D. Robb<strong><em>Random in Death</em> by J.D. Robb</strong><br />
Series: In Death, Book 58<br />
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press<br />
Genre: Futuristic/Mystery/Suspense <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQijsE3NzVL_5PYbYhhNxTnTWd8Nn3SdZ2tUBmW_uA31KKB29D8a5vQDeku1Dv22bX4xSYDTsE7AUVU7dU8HiEYtPcraEDn9zh3dnTnnHHT_aZBOzNFQi4BhfL42Or3uc9TA-0Hi9l7aCgsweWKS65-bn_MvdJmio3UYhZudLM_-zLUgEL6oggojSSeF0/s304/Random%20in%20Death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Random in Death cover" border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQijsE3NzVL_5PYbYhhNxTnTWd8Nn3SdZ2tUBmW_uA31KKB29D8a5vQDeku1Dv22bX4xSYDTsE7AUVU7dU8HiEYtPcraEDn9zh3dnTnnHHT_aZBOzNFQi4BhfL42Or3uc9TA-0Hi9l7aCgsweWKS65-bn_MvdJmio3UYhZudLM_-zLUgEL6oggojSSeF0/s16000/Random%20in%20Death.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781250289544<br />
Release Date: January 23, 2024<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Random-Death-Eve-Dallas-Novel-ebook/dp/B0C1X8GDPV" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/random-in-death-j-d-robb/1143330032?ean=9781250289551" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/random-in-death" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Random-in-Death-Audiobook/B0C3PKMX4L" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
<a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2008/12/jd-robb-book-order.html" target="_blank">J.D. Robb Reading Order</a><br />
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<blockquote>Jenna’s parents had finally given in, and there she was, at a New York club with her best friends, watching the legendary band Avenue A, carrying her demo in hopes of slipping it to the guitarist, Jake Kincade. Then, from the stage, Jake catches her eye, and smiles. It’s the best night of her life. <br /><br />
It’s the last night of her life. <br /><br />
Minutes later, Jake’s in the alley getting some fresh air, and the girl from the dance floor comes stumbling out, sick and confused and deathly pale. He tries to help, but it’s no use. He doesn’t know that someone in the crowd has jabbed her with a needle—and when his girlfriend Nadine arrives, she knows the only thing left to do for the girl is call her friend, Lieutenant Eve Dallas. <br /><br />
After everyone on the scene is interviewed, lab results show a toxic mix of substances in the victim’s body—and for an extra touch of viciousness, the needle was teeming with infectious agents. Dallas searches for a pattern: Had any boys been harassing Jenna? Was she engaging in risky behavior or caught up in something shady? But there are no obvious clues why this levelheaded sixteen-year-old, passionate about her music, would be targeted. <br /><br />
And that worries Dallas. Because if Jenna wasn’t targeted, if she was just the random, unlucky victim of a madman consumed by hatred, there are likely more deaths to come.</blockquote><br />
When the pool of potential victims is vast and the killer’s method of picking targets seems random, Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her team won’t rest. <b><i>Random in Death</i></b> is fast-paced, tense, and engaging. There’s no down time for Eve, Roarke, Peabody, or McNab as they try to form a profile of a killer who selects their victims at random. <br /><br />
The In Death series can be roughly divided into stories that are primarily case-centric and those that are mainly character-centric. This story is the former, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be invested in it. I loved watching Eve and company put together the clues to form a picture of the villain. The deaths in this book weigh heavily on Eve, as all the victims she stands for do, and to see the innocence snuffed out was heartbreaking. I really enjoyed seeing the pieces of the puzzle come together as Eve and her team (with the help of their civilian consultant, Roarke) work tirelessly to form a picture from not much. And the picture is that of a psychopath with a brilliant mind. <br /><br />
Even with the timeline of the cases being so tight, we still get to see the characters we know and love over the course of the story. Roarke continues to watch out for his cop, the “great house project” of Mavis, Leonardo, Peabody, and McNab moves along, some other fan favorites have a small role to play, and we get to see more of Nadine’s boyfriend, rock star Jake Kincade. You can read this book pretty much as a standalone, but you’d be missing out on the characters and relationships if you aren’t at least familiar with the series. <br /><br />
Regardless of whether you’re a longtime fan of the In Death series or are just looking for an interesting mystery to get caught up in, <b><i>Random in Death</i></b> is sure to please. With fifty-eight full-length novels in this series and counting, J.D. Robb shows no sign of slowing down – and with a mystery as solidly entertaining as this one there’s no reason to. I thoroughly enjoy every outing with Eve and Roarke and <b><i>Random in Death</i></b> is no exception. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-83052545770439240632024-01-09T21:53:00.000-08:002024-01-09T21:54:58.601-08:00Review: The Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis<strong><em>The Bright Spot</em> by Jill Shalvis</strong><br />
Series: Sunrise Cove, Book 5<br />
Publisher: Avon<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqs7IdjUtKlMDqGo3dn3I7P0LfHsSoUriCKizFGnCGmZQ8epZz1FVn8MlvepPoxrB5EClXTA5yeEoQA4AKKL4JoKptu40vadOTJsd2V5UkxwVpF994ZNh-81rrErS0zLPju3YW23NLolpd984owGhdcVOJ79kDnrMZ9xJ6Vha1Gyhly7aEyDsxrtr-5-f/s300/The%20Bright%20Spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Bright Spot cover" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqs7IdjUtKlMDqGo3dn3I7P0LfHsSoUriCKizFGnCGmZQ8epZz1FVn8MlvepPoxrB5EClXTA5yeEoQA4AKKL4JoKptu40vadOTJsd2V5UkxwVpF994ZNh-81rrErS0zLPju3YW23NLolpd984owGhdcVOJ79kDnrMZ9xJ6Vha1Gyhly7aEyDsxrtr-5-f/s16000/The%20Bright%20Spot.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9780063235755<br />
Release Date: January 16, 2024<br />
Source: Author<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Spot-Novel-Sunrise-Cove-ebook/dp/B0C2Q6SMKM" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bright-spot-jill-shalvis/1143360507?ean=9780063235786" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-bright-spot-2" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Bright-Spot-Audiobook/B0C2W5JL67" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
<a href="http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2012/01/jill-shalvis-book-order.html" target="_blank">Jill Shalvis Reading Order</a><br />
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<blockquote>Luna Wright is a lot of things, but sweet and trusting isn’t on the list. However, she’s a sucker for the underdog and a hard-luck story. Adopted at birth, with scant knowledge of her biological family, she’s created her own inner circle, a motley crew which includes her bestie Willow, to help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm. <br /><br />
With a farm-to-table café as well as a menagerie of rescued animals (complete with a baby goat who keeps escaping to the pantry to eat the secret stash of decidedly not organic potato chips), it’s the best home she’s ever known. But when the owner Silas, who they secretly call The Grinch, passes away, Luna discovers the farm is now under control of his investment manager, the enigmatic Jameson Hayes….and her. And that Silas had many, many secrets. <br /><br />
Now Luna’s carefully controlled corner of the world is threatened and she—along with some help from her friends—has to dig deep to find true strength and the real meaning of love and family.</blockquote><br />
A sunny, welcoming farmer, her beloved family and friends, and a protagonist in a suit who is on leave from his big city job are all that stand between greedy people and saving a farm with adorable rescue animals. This may sound like a Hallmark movie formula, but the cast of characters are signature Jill Shalvis. <b><i>The Bright Spot</i></b> is fast-paced and lively, with ridiculously cute animals and bubbly characters who are easy to adore. <br /><br />
Luna is a farmer who has a gift for making people love her. She works tirelessly to make Apple Ridge Farm a success, but when the owner passes away, she learns she has inherited half of the farm with the other half going to some stiff-necked investment manager. Only Jameson isn’t just a numbers geek in a suit. He’s kind, caring, and fits right into the misfit family that makes up Apple Ridge Farm. He and Luna have sparks from the beginning and it’s not long before they’re falling fast for each other. <br /><br />
<b><i>The Bright Spot</i></b> follows a predictable path, but it’s a path Shalvis does well. The quirky characters – who have zero boundaries when it comes to their friends who are like family – are familiar to anyone who enjoys Shalvis’s work. As much as I enjoyed them, because I am so familiar with Shalvis’s books I didn’t feel much fresh and new, nor did the characters feel like they had much depth. This didn’t bother me overmuch, to be honest (I enjoy a good, fluffy read). The only real snag I hit with this book was the secondary plotline involving Luna’s best friend, Willow. This could just be reader preference, but I found her a bit irritating and irrational. Even though Shalvis showed why, there wasn’t enough depth to her for me to feel connected or understanding enough that I was invested in Willow’s story. <br/><br />
Overall, <b><i>The Bright Spot</i></b> is bright, fluffy, and fun to read. The animals (especially DZ the goat) were a definite bright spot but the humans were mostly charming as well. This is a solid beach read with the humor and heart I’ve come to expect from anything Jill Shalvis writes. <br/><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-42145838323752896262024-01-07T13:50:00.000-08:002024-01-07T13:50:38.911-08:00Review: Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz<strong><em>Last Call at the Local</em> by <a href="https://www.sarahruizwrites.com" target="_blank">Sarah Grunder Ruiz</a></strong><br />
Series: Love, Lists & Fancy Ships, Book 3<br />
Publisher: Berkley<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYft8pWiYKYg2XhnZhvroIPz4ahlYSX_Y78mUCRzRQPdxNlPUfShaE0Wb-eYn-NmLS8yEL44fmXujRWcVIyC1jSMiboO9qeMu9uv4xgr0k53OEDuaInESLop6uTEJAw9qIHYVQGIOJro64VxcUXDeXXMw36F4Ekv0-XbYrT7MPNS3iV_a-B8E01gl8t4Vs/s309/Last%20Call%20at%20the%20Local.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Last Call at the Local cover" border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYft8pWiYKYg2XhnZhvroIPz4ahlYSX_Y78mUCRzRQPdxNlPUfShaE0Wb-eYn-NmLS8yEL44fmXujRWcVIyC1jSMiboO9qeMu9uv4xgr0k53OEDuaInESLop6uTEJAw9qIHYVQGIOJro64VxcUXDeXXMw36F4Ekv0-XbYrT7MPNS3iV_a-B8E01gl8t4Vs/s16000/Last%20Call%20at%20the%20Local.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9780593549063<br />
Release Date: January 2, 2024<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Call-Local-Sarah-Grunder-ebook/dp/B0BKJL9B2D" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-call-at-the-local-sarah-grunder-ruiz/1142562807?ean=9780593549070" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/last-call-at-the-local" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Last-Call-at-the-Local-Audiobook/B0BL8GZZXJ" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>Raine Hart is used to the challenges of living with ADHD. It’s why she ditched her life in Boston to busk around Europe as a traveling musician. No boss. No schedule. No one to disappoint but herself. But when a careless mistake in Ireland leaves her unable to perform, she sees no other option but to give up her nomadic life. <br /><br />
Since inheriting the Local, Jack Dunne has wanted to make the pub his own. But the baggage of running a family business and the intrusive thoughts that stem from his OCD make changing things a challenge. <br /><br />
Over a pint with handsome, tattooed Jack, Raine accidentally insults him and the pub. Instead of taking offense, Jack, impressed by her vision of what the pub could be, offers her a job bringing it to life. <br /><br />
But when Raine and Jack develop feelings for one another their opposite lifestyles won’t accommodate, it becomes clear the pub isn’t the only thing that needs reinventing. As the end of their business collaboration draws near, they’ll have to find a way past the limits they’ve placed on themselves or let go of a love that could last a lifetime.</blockquote>
<b><i>Last Call at the Local</i></b> is a slow-burn romance that is as cozy as a big hug. I absolutely loved Jack and Raine and their love story warmed my heart. Sarah Grunder Ruiz delivered some of the best ADHD rep and hands down the best OCD rep I’ve seen so far in Raine and Jack and it made this story truly special. <br /><br />
Raine Hart is a travelling musician making her way around Europe when she lands in Cobh, Ireland and has her stuff stolen. She ends up at the Local and when she gives her opinion of the rather empty pub to the owner. Instead of telling her to leave, he offers her a job. Like recognizes like, and as a fellow owner of a messy brain Jack Dunne sees possibilities rather than problems with Raine. Jack is a cat dad with an adorable floof named Sebastian and a pub that could use some revitalization. What follows is a sweet, funny, heartwarming story of finding someone who loves you for all that you are and not just when everything in your brain is perfect. <br/><br/>
I loved watching Jack and Raine flirt and banter. Even more, I loved the realism that came from how their OCD and ADHD manifested. Grunder Ruiz skillfully weaves the challenges Jack and Raine face while never making them people who identify solely by their neurodivergence. Raine is a brilliant musician who is scared to take that leap into sharing her own music with the world. Jack is a tattoo artist as well as a pub owner, but his relapse has taken that joy from him. They are full and complete people separately but they really come into their own together, each giving the other courage and understanding that helps them grow. <br/><br/>
I loved the world Grunder Ruiz creates in the Local. The family and friends of Jack and Raine are a delight and fill out the story perfectly. Jack and Raine are the heart of the book, however, and they charmed the heck out of me. Their chemistry is divine and their love story left me smiling. Raine and Jack aren’t perfect, but they’re the perfect characters to enjoy a truly lovely romance about. I loved <b><i>Last Call at the Local</i></b> from beginning to end and I cannot wait to read the rest of Grunder Ruiz’s Love, Lists & Fancy Ships series. <br/><br/>
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-13592018241300012282024-01-01T04:00:00.000-08:002024-01-01T20:11:26.875-08:00Best Books of 20232024 is here and I'm so excited by all the possibilities this new year will bring. But before I dive into a year of wonderful new reads and re-reads, it's time to look back at my 2023 year in books. In 2023 I read <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/01/books-ive-read-in-2023.html" target="_blank">75 books</a>, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/01/2023-new-to-me-author-challenge.html" target="_blank">23 debut/new-to-me authors</a> and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my lucky fourteenth <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/01/2023-to-z-reading-challenge.html" target="_blank">A to Z Reading Challenge</a>, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise. <br /><br />
I read a number of excellent books last year, but below are my top reads of 2023 (six in total made the list - I just couldn't narrow it down to five). All of the books on this list were first-time reads because re-reads are generally books that are already favorites of mine.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ47rsfy2D3d_5UBG5GiA__FZ6pP8pDNf7_pq_8poVVnYBkp8xh6AQBNnPf9lqBXlZngAHRv1u6d65hW_QkjIaLcwHY7uYJbd8uJAvXPZawC9A7WSvIcVmVijATNco-OrOXJMSZc_eIxaB7DX8JnbtqsGsqVSHL-6TG4P6i9A4i0VYnDextBN5YKLzRYta/s200/Best%20Books%20of%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Best Books of 2023" border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ47rsfy2D3d_5UBG5GiA__FZ6pP8pDNf7_pq_8poVVnYBkp8xh6AQBNnPf9lqBXlZngAHRv1u6d65hW_QkjIaLcwHY7uYJbd8uJAvXPZawC9A7WSvIcVmVijATNco-OrOXJMSZc_eIxaB7DX8JnbtqsGsqVSHL-6TG4P6i9A4i0VYnDextBN5YKLzRYta/s16000/Best%20Books%20of%202023.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><h2>Wit and Sin's Best Books of 2023</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTKcEHEQVZK1IXuOub1C5LQ9KwHLiCBeKVVvuj4iLUJswc94U-Yrf0x8cM-vLI6iQdhLLxKwaNj5A4cebKhM78TOr-XzK2aJT5rV4oBknxkFz2IjO0mGD1ssjFZX81F2il32nN7K4HIDkgCSiaoUh0GAM7kyBv8obPv-IptRCYMCbtQc_EVimpSocB7iZ/s311/Emma%20of%2083rd%20Street.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="200" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTKcEHEQVZK1IXuOub1C5LQ9KwHLiCBeKVVvuj4iLUJswc94U-Yrf0x8cM-vLI6iQdhLLxKwaNj5A4cebKhM78TOr-XzK2aJT5rV4oBknxkFz2IjO0mGD1ssjFZX81F2il32nN7K4HIDkgCSiaoUh0GAM7kyBv8obPv-IptRCYMCbtQc_EVimpSocB7iZ/s1600/Emma%20of%2083rd%20Street.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>1. <i>Emma of 83rd Street</i> by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
<a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/05/review-emma-of-83rd-street.html" target="_blank">My Review</a></b></div></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emma-83rd-Street-Audrey-Bellezza-ebook/dp/B0BHTLZX14" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emma-of-83rd-street-audrey-bellezza/1142483559?ean=9781668008409" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/emma-of-83rd-street-1" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Emma-of-83rd-Street-Audiobook/B0BK75KY3P" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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Genre: Romantic Suspense<br />
<a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/05/review-identity-by-nora-roberts.html" target="_blank">My Review</a></b><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Identity-Novel-Nora-Roberts-ebook/dp/B0B9KSW9JN" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/identity-c-carl-roberts/1110279268?ean=9781250284327" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/identity-93" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Identity-Audiobook/B0BH9DDVMK" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<b><br /></b><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT48qu6DqahUrg1FgwFrkMCpoHRXhIwOzeDqKxGeWJShSGyH6fk73IrT3jPRBB9z3vqTqU7_jwf5CUdd_Z06Y3K807YgX3XhqSpduwu8HQO3A7m3MbNXqQw_XPIlZbutAodwQqjTdkvxzNZHR7Zgs5C237E9lVz1Ngm7sbMuV8SEnhgKS5nRLN5djOsVVN/s311/You%20Just%20Need%20to%20Lose%20Weight.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="You Just Need to Lose Weight cover" border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT48qu6DqahUrg1FgwFrkMCpoHRXhIwOzeDqKxGeWJShSGyH6fk73IrT3jPRBB9z3vqTqU7_jwf5CUdd_Z06Y3K807YgX3XhqSpduwu8HQO3A7m3MbNXqQw_XPIlZbutAodwQqjTdkvxzNZHR7Zgs5C237E9lVz1Ngm7sbMuV8SEnhgKS5nRLN5djOsVVN/s16000/You%20Just%20Need%20to%20Lose%20Weight.jpg" /></a></div>3. <i>“You Just Need to Lose Weight”: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People</i> by Aubrey Gordon<br />
Genre: Non-Fiction<br /></b>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Just-Need-Lose-Weight-ebook/dp/B09XM4GG74" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-just-need-to-lose-weight-aubrey-gordon/1141345378?ean=9780807006481" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/you-just-need-to-lose-weight" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/You-Just-Need-to-Lose-Weight-Audiobook/B0BFJTMJ71" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o3WLziPDmOizo3oWYJhqKi7dVre0mXdWP8ZCeVTBc4MpIkz3GMsixm6Vs_0ph1eyP7u_zpGKUIPsekJYHD3qxJCIHJ_mkpPNguaEAJXQhCNv2GXB0H5sft_NVdkNHL6YRvZcTBqXS7x-wuDva9rb2FukBh7iLjWAmOrdrRRhPccgdbSpTLCsqbyP6ono/s301/Codename%20Charming.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="200" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o3WLziPDmOizo3oWYJhqKi7dVre0mXdWP8ZCeVTBc4MpIkz3GMsixm6Vs_0ph1eyP7u_zpGKUIPsekJYHD3qxJCIHJ_mkpPNguaEAJXQhCNv2GXB0H5sft_NVdkNHL6YRvZcTBqXS7x-wuDva9rb2FukBh7iLjWAmOrdrRRhPccgdbSpTLCsqbyP6ono/s1600/Codename%20Charming.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>4. <i>Codename Charming</i> (Palace Insiders, Book 2) by Lucy Parker<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
<a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-codename-charming.html" target="_blank">My Review</a></b><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Codename-Charming-Novel-Lucy-Parker-ebook/dp/B0BM9VMCWC" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/codename-charming-lucy-parker/1142674743?ean=9780063040113" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/codename-charming" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Codename-Charming-Audiobook/B0BR8KT873" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IeUgo7k4gCQ_oAVTBwWDzkMZpU3OZe3GnvKxhMYIoSJl5I9z0pFJma50GsiRVgo9ALSIrdT0ZG4-CLUYk_YqfXXjYHHjYxRiyl4xEYrLK26zWTu68ZhcZ9zDLHSDaFuLIpIX0NKenAbROCaojXeFCefQmSn8sczqtI8N3qqAonDGtQqUTN9E6mGMRGUR/s300/The%20Secret%20Lives%20of%20Country%20Gentlemen.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IeUgo7k4gCQ_oAVTBwWDzkMZpU3OZe3GnvKxhMYIoSJl5I9z0pFJma50GsiRVgo9ALSIrdT0ZG4-CLUYk_YqfXXjYHHjYxRiyl4xEYrLK26zWTu68ZhcZ9zDLHSDaFuLIpIX0NKenAbROCaojXeFCefQmSn8sczqtI8N3qqAonDGtQqUTN9E6mGMRGUR/s1600/The%20Secret%20Lives%20of%20Country%20Gentlemen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>5. <i>The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen</i> (The Doomsday Books, Book 1) by KJ Charles<br />
Genre: Historical Romance<br />
<a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/03/review-secret-lives-of-country-gentlemen.html" target="_blank">My Review</a></b><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Lives-Country-Gentlemen-Doomsday-ebook/dp/B0B2KWBRNL" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-lives-of-country-gentlemen-kj-charles/1141545263?ean=9781728255873" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-secret-lives-of-country-gentlemen" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Secret-Lives-of-Country-Gentlemen-Audiobook/B0BQPJFR4R" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw1iLB5KO7r6RttsHE4XNQFhpt0rRJ4ajdp5QxrKDsSP8B95Hk207zdf4HmTMnTNQGgHO7w6ots0zXyN6dEYqBc5CwQjHptw5RyOzxMoEQ8PPLc0mIEc1qRXCQJUyo-SbT_hIc3sZyZeBu6OvB2FlVDFZ_s1VHNiYewiLtZb2VgUv5MmNYueWT-GPr7h7/s295/One%20Duke%20Down.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="200" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw1iLB5KO7r6RttsHE4XNQFhpt0rRJ4ajdp5QxrKDsSP8B95Hk207zdf4HmTMnTNQGgHO7w6ots0zXyN6dEYqBc5CwQjHptw5RyOzxMoEQ8PPLc0mIEc1qRXCQJUyo-SbT_hIc3sZyZeBu6OvB2FlVDFZ_s1VHNiYewiLtZb2VgUv5MmNYueWT-GPr7h7/s1600/One%20Duke%20Down.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>6. <i>One Duke Down</i> (Rogues to Lovers, Book 2) by Anna Bennett<br />
Genre: Historical Romance<br />
<a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2023/02/review-one-duke-down.html" target="_blank">My Review</a></b><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Duke-Down-Rogues-Lovers-ebook/dp/B09XL7G8XR" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-duke-down-anna-bennett/1142184915?ean=9781250793942" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/one-duke-down" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/One-Duke-Down-Audiobook/B0BRYNH64K" target="_blank">Audible</a><br /><br /><br /></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-57867670183810744712024-01-01T02:00:00.000-08:002024-03-17T21:04:49.853-07:002024 A to Z Reading ChallengeI've had a blast doing this challenge for the past few years and I can't resist doing it again. I've discovered a few now-favorite books I might not have otherwise noticed because of this challenge :)<br />
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Challenge details:<br />
- Duration: January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024<br />
- Read 26 books which titles begin with the letters of the alphabet. <br />
- You may ignore articles like A, An and The at the beginning of the title. <br />
- For the letter X, any book title with the letter X in it is acceptable if you can't find one that begins with X.<br />
- Please only list books you have read. You can read them in any order.<br />
- A book only counts once, so you can include a re-read the first time you read it.<br />
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<b>My List:</b><br />
<b>A</b>strid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake – 3/10/24<br />
<b>B</b>right Spot, The by Jill Shalvis – 1/9/24<br />
<b>C</b>atch, The by Amy Lea – 2/12/24<br />
<b>D</b>uke’s All That, The by Christina Britton – 2/6/24<br />
<b>E</b><br />
<b>F</b>unny Thing Happened…, A by Josh Lanyon – 3/15/24<br />
<b>G</b><br />
<b>H</b><br />
<b>I</b><br />
<b>J</b><br />
<b>K</b><br />
<b>L</b>ast Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz – 1/7/24<br />
<b>M</b><br />
<b>N</b>orthanger Abbey by Jane Austen – 1/10/24<br />
<b>O</b>n a Night Like This by Liz Maverick – 1/19/24<br />
<b>P</b><br />
<b>Q</b>uill Me Now by Jordan Castillo Price – 3/17/24<br />
<b>R</b>andom in Death by J.D. Robb – 1/22/24<br />
<b>S</b>ecret Casebook of Simon Feximal, The by KJ Charles – 2/20/24<br />
<b>T</b><br />
<b>U</b><br />
<b>V</b><br />
<b>W</b>hat the Hex by Alexis Daria – 1/7/24<br />
Not Your E<b>X</b>’s Hexes by April Asher – 2/18/24<br />
<b>Y</b><br />
<b>Z</b><br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-3173478117755322382024-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:002024-03-03T22:20:10.497-08:002024 New (to me) Author ChallengeI've done this challenge for the past thirteen years and discovered some amazing authors along the way (not hard to believe since I've read 680 debut/new-to-me authors in that time). It's fun for me to look back on these lists, especially when I see authors who are now auto-buys for me.<br />
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<b>The Challenge:</b> Read 10 or more books this year by authors you’ve never read before.<br />
<b>Dates:</b> January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024<br />
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<b>My list:</b><br />
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1. Author: Sarah Grunder Ruiz<br />
Title: Last Call at the Local (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships, Book 3)<br />
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2. Author: Eva Siedler<br />
Title: Work It Out<br />
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3. Author: Ashley Herring Blake<br />
Title: Delilah Green Doesn’t Care (Bright Falls, Book 1)<br />
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4. Author: Erin Clark<br />
Title: The Break-Up Artist<br />
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5. Author: Laura Lovely<br />
Title: The Break-Up Artist<br />
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6. Author: Melodie Edwards<br />
Title: Once Persuaded, Twice Shy: A Modern Reimagining of Persuasion<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-10536628097420925602024-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-17T21:04:29.451-07:00Books I've Read in 2024For the past fourteen years I've kept track of the books I read and it's been quite a fun project. I read so much that everything tends to blend together in my mental library and it's fun to look back and see what I've I've read, loved, and want to re-read (and - on the rare occasion - want to avoid). Plus, it's great to share and compare lists with other book bloggers.<br />
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This list is only of books and novellas I've read and finished (though if I read an entire anthology, I list only the anthology title). The books are listed in the order I read them and if I write a review for a book I link it here as well.<br />
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There are sure to be many wonderful stories on the list, but the ones with a <span style="font-weight:bold;">**</span> by them are ones I <span style="font-weight:bold;">highly</span> recommend.<br />
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1. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/01/review-last-call-at-local.html">Last Call at the Local (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships, Book 3) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz<span style="font-weight:bold;">**</span></a><br />
2. What the Hex by Alexis Daria<br />
3. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/01/review-bright-spot-by-jill-shalvis.html">The Bright Spot (Sunrise Cove, Book 5) by Jill Shalvis</a><br />
4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (re-read) <span style="font-weight:bold;">**</span><br />
5. On a Night Like This (Winter Nights, Book 3) by Liz Maverick<br />
6. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/01/review-random-in-death.html">Random in Death (In Death, Book 58) by J.D. Robb</a><br />
7. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/02/review-work-it-out-by-eva-siedler.html">Work It Out by Eva Siedler</a><br />
8. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/02/review-dukes-all-that.html">The Duke’s All That (Synneful Spinsters, Book 3) by Christina Britton</a><br />
9. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care (Bright Falls, Book 1) by Ashley Herring Blake <span style="font-weight:bold;">**</span><br />
10. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/02/review-catch-by-amy-lea.html">The Catch (The Influencer, Book 3) by Amy Lea</a><br />
11. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/02/review-not-your-exs-hexes.html">Not Your Ex’s Hexes (Supernatural Singles, Book 2) by April Asher</a><br />
12. The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by KJ Charles <span style="font-weight:bold;">**</span><br />
13. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/02/review-not-your-crushs-cauldron.html">Not Your Crush’s Cauldron (Supernatural Singles, Book 3) by April Asher</a><br />
14. The Break-Up Artist by Erin Clark and Laura Lovely<br />
15. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/03/review-once-persuaded-twice-shy.html">Once Persuaded, Twice Shy: A Modern Reimagining of Persuasion by Melodie Edwards</a><br />
16. Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail (Bright Falls, Book 2) by Ashley Herring Blake<br />
17. <a href="https://witandsin.blogspot.com/2024/03/review-speculations-in-sin.html">Speculations in Sin (Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 7) by Jennifer Ashley</a><br />
18. A Funny Thing Happened… (The Adrien English Mysteries) by Josh Lanyon<br />
19. Quill Me Now (The ABCs of Spellcraft, Book 1) by Jordan Castillo Price (re-read)<br />
<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-48702096543840513572023-12-31T20:13:00.000-08:002023-12-31T20:14:36.546-08:00Review: On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe<strong><em>On the Plus Side</em> by Jenny L. Howe</strong><br />
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNbE0aaF9cDQpBl8j8a85blEoPMp2fOG4qOhaU8N5h1FUTzfqkGywslYBH6xJKNhbNYzhrjUWH2dAs3ybuOCpOTF_WkR8pzFwbA6LHbwq9LzmlVYJZ2Vnsfy3wBMTxC4Rd_eNgGQG7jApN9i2UdbUrgonPn2tJFKw1DcoVQusWWN2qL6sGnSStdlpAqPk/s306/On%20the%20Plus%20Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="On the Plus Side cover" border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNbE0aaF9cDQpBl8j8a85blEoPMp2fOG4qOhaU8N5h1FUTzfqkGywslYBH6xJKNhbNYzhrjUWH2dAs3ybuOCpOTF_WkR8pzFwbA6LHbwq9LzmlVYJZ2Vnsfy3wBMTxC4Rd_eNgGQG7jApN9i2UdbUrgonPn2tJFKw1DcoVQusWWN2qL6sGnSStdlpAqPk/s16000/On%20the%20Plus%20Side.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781250837882<br />
Release Date: December 26, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plus-Side-Jenny-L-Howe-ebook/dp/B0BSD3X6DB" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-plus-side-jenny-l-howe/1142827019?ean=9781250837899" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/on-the-plus-side-8" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/On-the-Plus-Side-Audiobook/B0CPJWNPDP" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>Everly Winters is perfectly happy to navigate life like a good neutral paint color: appreciated but unnoticed. That’s why she’s still a receptionist instead of exploring a career in art, why she lurks but never posts on the forums for her favorite makeover show, On the Plus Side, and why she’s crushing so hard on her forever-unattainable co-worker. When no one notices you, they can’t reject you or insist you’re too much. <br /><br />
This plan is working perfectly until someone secretly nominates Everly for the next season of On the Plus Side. Overwhelmed by the show’s extremely extroverted hosts and how much time she’ll have to spend on screen, she finds comfort in a surprising friendship with the grumpy but kind cameraman, Logan. Soon Everly realizes that he’s someone she doesn’t mind being noticed by. In fact, she might even like it.</blockquote><br />
<b><i>On the Plus Side</i></b> is a story of being authentically yourself and finding love (self-love and romantic) along the way. Jenny L. Howe does an amazing job of representing a plus size heroine who loves herself but also struggles with her image. Everly is loud, bold, and an artist, but she’s repressed all three things for years. Content-ish to fade into the background, to modulate her voice, to work as a receptionist rather than go for a design job she wants, and secretly moon over a coworker, Everly is shocked to learn she’s been chosen to be on her favorite reality show, <i>On the Plus Side</i>. The show’s vibrant hosts are a whirlwind, pulling Everly outside her comfort zone and making her face what she’s hidden about herself. Also along for the ride is plaid-wearing cameraman Logan, who is better than any fantasy Everly had about her coworker. <br /><br />
I loved Everly’s journey. Her mother has pushed her to tame herself, to hide in the background, but Everly has a bold personality and style she wants to let shine. The reality show helps her reclaim herself and I loved that journey. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Everly show her art, to grow professionally as well as personally. As for the romance, she and Logan are an excellent pair. They have an easy chemistry and how can you not swoon over a guy who thinks you’re perfect just as you are? <br /><br />
<b><i>On the Plus Side</i></b> is a love story; self-love, romantic love, and the love between family, friends, and the community you build. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of Everly’s journey and I’m very much looking forward to reading more of Howe’s work. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-90903853665514468602023-12-27T17:19:00.000-08:002023-12-27T17:20:01.273-08:00Review: Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher<strong><em>Gwen & Art Are Not in Love</em> by Lex Croucher</strong><br />
Publisher: Wednesday Books<br />
Genre: LGBTQIA+ Young Adult Fantasy Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkNs_6BygJhyphenhyphenFQqK1LI2iFu96nq3HEpaeFlZfCQ9CUMofx2V5UnHGWkz8m8gvyP00O3NJKgQ1nsxx_sxFRSLjPSPeZStS8EJq3fX-Kos2Om13skY3oxzYDnhhTcYxnA22BpsXX_nIz4fN9PFmDbzzb2bAxs5EGt_8fcDcGtJ9idnD5-exVPnp__LC_QK5/s308/Gwen%20and%20Art%20Are%20Not%20in%20Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Gwen and Art Are Not in Love cover" border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkNs_6BygJhyphenhyphenFQqK1LI2iFu96nq3HEpaeFlZfCQ9CUMofx2V5UnHGWkz8m8gvyP00O3NJKgQ1nsxx_sxFRSLjPSPeZStS8EJq3fX-Kos2Om13skY3oxzYDnhhTcYxnA22BpsXX_nIz4fN9PFmDbzzb2bAxs5EGt_8fcDcGtJ9idnD5-exVPnp__LC_QK5/s16000/Gwen%20and%20Art%20Are%20Not%20in%20Love.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781250847218<br />
eBook Source: Publisher<br />
Audiobook Source: Purchased by Reviewer<br />
Buy it here: <a href=" https://www.amazon.com/Gwen-Art-Are-Not-Love-ebook/dp/B0B9KVJBYX " target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gwen-art-are-not-in-love-lex-croucher/1142464445?ean=9781250847225" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gwen-art-are-not-in-love" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Gwen-Art-Are-Not-in-Love-Audiobook/B0BGMPVTPH" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>It’s been hundreds of years since King Arthur’s reign. His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. The only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other. <br /><br />
They’re forced to spend the summer together at Camelot in the run up to their nuptials, and within 24 hours, Gwen has discovered Arthur kissing a boy and Arthur has gone digging for Gwen's childhood diary and found confessions about her crush on the kingdom's only lady knight, Bridget Leclair. <br /><br />
Realizing they might make better allies than enemies, they make a reluctant pact to cover for each other, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen's royal brother. Lex Croucher’s Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is chock full of sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans destined to make readers fall in love. </blockquote><br />
Hundreds of years after the famed fall of Camelot, England has a new Arthur and Gwen in <b><i>Gwen & Art Are Not in Love</i></b>. As you can guess from the title, our main characters are not about to be swept off their feet… At least, not by each other. They may be betrothed, but they loathe one another. On top of that, Gwen is hopelessly crushing on the kingdom’s lone female knight and Art is a general gadabout who finds himself swiftly falling for Gwen’s brother. What are two decidedly not in love nobles to do? Why not put aside their differences and cover for each other? <br /><br />
<b><i>Gwen & Art Are Not in Love</i></b> starts off a bit slow as Art and Gwen clash, but it picks up steam as the two come together to, well, not be together. I really loved Gwen and Art’s growing friendship over the course of the story – it’s likely my favorite thing about the book. Gwen is formal and grumpy, but it hides a loneliness I don’t even think she sees at first. Art is impulsive and rarely serious, but his jokes cover a lot of pain. I liked seeing the two of them come into their own over the course of the story. I listened to this story on audiobook, and I feel like this is definitely a case where the narrators added to the story. Sarah Ovens hit the right notes as Gwen, but Alex Singh really made Art come alive for me. I’m not sure if I’d have enjoyed Art as much as I did had I just read the book. Singh brings such personality to the role that he really elevated it for me. <br /><br />
A romp with gay best friends would have been a solid story for me because Gwen and Art could be so much fun. But there’s romance here as well. Gwen has a major crush on Bridget and Art can’t help but fall for Gabriel. I do wish we’d have gotten Gabe and Bridget’s points of view because that would have rounded out the story much better. Still, as it stands I enjoyed seeing our protagonists fall in love, overcome obstacles, and take a risk on letting their true selves show. <br /><br />
I won’t spoil the story, but I will say that in the last quarter of the book <b><i>Gwen & Art Are Not in Love</i></b> takes a turn from fun romp with romance and adventure to violent and quite dark, with political machinations taking center stage in the final act. I can see what Lex Croucher was building to so I can’t say it came out of nowhere, but the shift in tone felt abrupt and I’m not sure I was satisfied with how the ending came about, but your mileage may vary. <br /><br />
I had mixed feelings about <b><i>Gwen & Art Are Not in Love</i></b> but overall I think it was entertaining. The middle of the book was delightful but the slow beginning and the change of tone at the end weren’t really my cup of tea. Still, there’s a lot to enjoy about this story – I love what Croucher did with the Arthurian legend and the friendships in this book were top-notch. Gwen and Art may not have been in love, but the themes of love, family, and finding the courage to stand up for who you are shine through this book. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> I purchased the audiobook and received the eBook 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-43384442822504650072023-12-18T18:38:00.000-08:002023-12-18T18:45:28.481-08:00Review: A Lady’s Rules For Ruin by Jennifer Haymore<strong><em>A Lady’s Rules For Ruin</em> by Jennifer Haymore</strong><br />
Series: The Lions and the Lilies, Book 2<br />
Publisher: Entangled: Amara<br />
Genre: Historical Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFukukGT9D3sq-tyGUy9u6s8vgxzhUk5khbf0L9LaPT4GSW70l-PgUDQLjSoIYj4u5ihTYfa912mgc22UHY9nfM88a61Xx1Q21TmI99R-gUR5vQT6Zo83K7v_S6hDtlueMEb6HHCHX5d6NznYSBj-D76tfzm9p9LdgpqAsWu0MzqTjmI0uvR7ofu11WBVp/s300/A%20Ladys%20Rules%20For%20Ruin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="A Ladys Rules For Ruin cover" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFukukGT9D3sq-tyGUy9u6s8vgxzhUk5khbf0L9LaPT4GSW70l-PgUDQLjSoIYj4u5ihTYfa912mgc22UHY9nfM88a61Xx1Q21TmI99R-gUR5vQT6Zo83K7v_S6hDtlueMEb6HHCHX5d6NznYSBj-D76tfzm9p9LdgpqAsWu0MzqTjmI0uvR7ofu11WBVp/s16000/A%20Ladys%20Rules%20For%20Ruin.jpg" /></a></div>
ISBN: 9781649374516<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ladys-Rules-Ruin-Jennifer-Haymore-ebook/dp/B0BSD5FQH4" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1142919380?ean=9781649374516" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-lady-s-rules-for-ruin" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://entangledpublishing.com/books/a-ladys-rules-for-ruin" target="_blank">Entangled</a><br />
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<blockquote><b>She’s found the perfect plan to avoid marriage…</b><br /><br />
Miss Frances Cherrington has long been criticized as independent and prickly. And she’s fine with it. Truth be told, she’d prefer to be a spinster—damn her family’s desires. But it’s a conversation with the devilishly handsome yet highly infuriating Earl of Winthrop that inspires the perfect escape from her nuptial troubles. Frances could ensure that no one will marry her—by happily ruining her own reputation…<br /><br />
The Earl of Winthrop knows more about ruin than anyone suspects. He’s just uncovered a secret that would tear his name—and everything he’s worked for—to the ground. Certainly, marriage is out of the question…to say nothing of his growing attraction to the forthright and delectable Miss Cherrington. <br /><br />
Though all London is abuzz with Frances’s “disgrace,” she’s determined to use her freedom however she sees fit. Even if it means spending more time with a man who sets her body on fire. But when Frances’s misdeeds catch up to her, the ruinous disaster she finds herself in blazes out of control, taking all of her options with it.</blockquote><br />
An earl who any marriage-minded woman would set her sights on falls for a woman determined to remain unmarried in <b><i>A Lady’s Rules For Ruin</i></b>. Jennifer Haymore’s second Lions and the Lilies story follows a dashing earl with secrets and a “ruined” young lady embracing her freedom. <br /><br />
Frances doesn’t want to marry and she sets about making sure she ruins her reputation. With that accomplished, she’s free to find what actually interests her in life. But her outings keep putting her in the path of the Apollo of the <i>ton</i>, the Earl of Winthrop. The dashing earl should be shallow and irritating…and yet he’s anything but. Evan has been charmed by Frances from the start; her prickly exterior doesn’t faze him. But then his life takes a turn when he discovers his deceased father’s secrets. Not only does he have half-brothers he never knew of, but what he has learned about his father makes him determined to remain unwed. <br /><br />
While Frances and Evan both claim to never want to marry, it’s clear to see that they’re made for each other. They simply click and Evan’s newfound brothers help bring them together. Jasper, Bobby, and Mark are endearing and I loved seeing Frances and Evan bond with them. The romance is slow to build as much of the story is focused on family drama, but Haymore still made Evan and Frances’s connection strong. It did take me a while to get into the story because of the slow start, but once things got moving I was hooked. <br /><br />
<b><i>A Lady’s Rules For Ruin</i></b> is an entertaining romance with a hero and heroine who are easy to like. Frances and Evan are both at a crossroads in this book, but they find their way together, making a family before they are even aware of it. All in all I enjoyed this entry in the Lions and the Lilies series and I am very much looking forward to seeing Evan’s remaining friends find love. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-82072923627031031092023-11-30T20:13:00.000-08:002023-11-30T20:16:04.751-08:00Review: Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston<strong><em>Born to Be Badger</em> by Shelly Laurenston</strong><br />
Series: The Honey Badger Chronicles, Book 5<br />
Publisher: Kensington<br />
Genre: Paranormal Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI4FQk_fvMP7rYWb1YCmPO6Zx2KyEgpmikNOvcWLhPhUcWu31NPGcao0Ce-X8OCJZnK9rCz4xdf9-540lBrXrfcEDOPw0kLUnEVMO97ehfrp2ypgvpv_0GF0UVnwjeqIFh3wytcK9FmYtqkY3DFZ7dSUnaHA1iS0-Zhf6wVH2KQzFryuZvwAIvlJ_7EFw/s300/Born%20to%20Be%20Badger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Born to Be Badger cover" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI4FQk_fvMP7rYWb1YCmPO6Zx2KyEgpmikNOvcWLhPhUcWu31NPGcao0Ce-X8OCJZnK9rCz4xdf9-540lBrXrfcEDOPw0kLUnEVMO97ehfrp2ypgvpv_0GF0UVnwjeqIFh3wytcK9FmYtqkY3DFZ7dSUnaHA1iS0-Zhf6wVH2KQzFryuZvwAIvlJ_7EFw/s16000/Born%20to%20Be%20Badger.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781496730176<br />
Release Date: November 28, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Born-Be-Badger-Shifter-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0BZBGM4NH" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-to-be-badger-shelly-laurenston/1143144824?ean=9781496730190" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/born-to-be-badger" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Born-to-Be-Badger-Audiobook/B0CNDFWW3N" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>Emily “Tock” Meyerson-Jackson is on a mission to rid the world of shifters trafficking humans for hunting and cash. And now that she’s narrowed down her suspects to a brutal coalition of male lions, nothing will get between this honey badger and her prey—not even a dog-loving Tiger with absolutely no time management skills. Doesn’t matter that Shay Malone is ferociously adorable. With a war brewing between cat families, Tock doesn’t have time to lounge around with a football-playing tiger shifter. But when she realizes the coalition is also responsible for the death of Shay’s father, she’s forced to partner up with the flirtatious feline…<br /><br />
Revenge is most definitely on the menu for Shay and his tiger shifter brothers. But when it comes to Shay’s alluring partner in crime-solving, so is seduction. Tock might be a bad-ass of a honey badger, but she’s awfully cute when she’s flashing her fangs, which she’s pretty much doing all the time these days. Good thing revenge is a dish best served hot. Because when it comes to Tock, Shay knows just how to turn up the heat…</blockquote><br />
<b><i>Born to Be Badger</i></b> is a wild ride filled with action, adventure, and big personalities. Shelly Laurenston’s newest entry into her ever-expanding shifter world is seriously fun. <br /><br />
Tock is a honey badger who is no-nonsense and obsessed with time. She’s blunt to a hilarious degree and has a way of just taking care of things that I really liked. Shay is a tiger with soft, squishy feelings, absolutely no time management skills, and a daughter to get to math camp on time – even when bad guys are after him and the woman he’s supremely attracted to. Tock tries to ignore him at first, but you can’t ignore a tiger trying to get your attention. Shay and Tock just click from the start and I loved them together. They’re funny, her relationship with his daughter is sweet without being saccharine, and I just enjoyed reading about them. Their romance is slow burn and understated to the point that I wish there had been a bit more time devoted to it, but I honestly didn’t mind too much because I just liked them together. There’s an easy chemistry between them that makes them stand out and the two of them stand on their own without being overwhelmed by the giant personalities of the sizeable supporting cast. <br /><br />
<b><i>Born to Be Badger</i></b> continues several plots from the Honey Badger Chronicles and Laurenston’s other shifter series, but doesn’t entirely have one of its own outside of Tock and Shay’s understated love story. Normally this would bother me but it kind of works in this book because the daily lives of Tock, Shay, and their friends and family are interesting on their own. I liked seeing Tock and her teammates continue their chaotic (sometimes bloodthirsty) ways and Laurenston introduces several interesting plots that I expect to see continued in future books. So in terms of the series, it’s a bridge book, maybe even filler, but it doesn’t feel that way. Quite simply, this book is <i>fun</i>. There are shenanigans, dozens of shifters, and intriguing hints of what’s to come. I had a blast reading <b><i>Born to Be Badger</i></b> and it’s zany, frenetic energy, unique characters, and Laurenston’s entertaining storytelling make it a book I’ll enjoy over and over. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-40469534042323353452023-11-21T21:56:00.000-08:002023-11-21T21:57:47.407-08:00Review: There Should Have Been Eight by Nalini Singh<strong><em>There Should Have Been Eight</em> by <a href="http://nalinisingh.com/" target="_blank">Nalini Singh</a></strong><br />
Publisher: Berkley<br />
Genre: Thriller <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqLuT5Niu824qOcdqioEB1NF6O-WE83eRTm9vyEEc4d6hdJkTAkZBJvTTwKX0afyvCG6yUaztqjsUo-THhi1zqXu87HUxDSTV5D1MfB8mcOiK-XEo35FUchufKrmBqy1Ws-BrtT5GVJfq8Q3ltjXLoTbX54lCHl6bJBzxG66_HhlXO3t0SzssrRyK9-7B/s302/There%20Should%20Have%20Been%20Eight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="There Should Have Been Eight cover" border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqLuT5Niu824qOcdqioEB1NF6O-WE83eRTm9vyEEc4d6hdJkTAkZBJvTTwKX0afyvCG6yUaztqjsUo-THhi1zqXu87HUxDSTV5D1MfB8mcOiK-XEo35FUchufKrmBqy1Ws-BrtT5GVJfq8Q3ltjXLoTbX54lCHl6bJBzxG66_HhlXO3t0SzssrRyK9-7B/s16000/There%20Should%20Have%20Been%20Eight.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9780593549766<br />
Release Date: November 21, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/There-Should-Have-Been-Eight-ebook/dp/B0BWHLFCJ5" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/there-should-have-been-eight-nalini-singh/1143321206?ean=9780593549773" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/there-should-have-been-eight" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/There-Should-Have-Been-Eight-Audiobook/B0BXJVTHSF" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
<a href="http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2008/01/nalini-singh-book-order.html" target="_blank">Nalini Singh Reading Order</a><br />
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<blockquote><b>Seven friends. <br />
One last weekend. <br />
A mansion half in ruins. <br />
No room for lies. <br />
Someone is going to confess. <br />
Because there should have been eight…</b><br />
They met when they were teenagers. Now they’re adults, and time has been kind to some and unkind to others—none more so than to Bea, the one they lost nine long years ago. <br /><br />
They’ve gathered to reminisce at Bea’s family’s estate, a once-glorious mansion straight out of a gothic novel. Best friends, old flames, secret enemies, and new lovers are all under one roof. But when the weather turns and they’re snowed in at the edge of eternity, there’s nowhere left to hide from their shared history. <br /><br />
As the walls close in, the pretense of normality gives way to long-buried grief, bitterness, and rage. Underneath it all, there’s the nagging feeling that Bea’s shocking death wasn’t what it was claimed to be. And before the weekend is through, the truth will be unleashed—no matter the cost…</blockquote><br />
<b><i>There Should Have Been Eight</i></b> is a tense, claustrophobic thriller that is incredibly addictive. I have mixed feelings about the mystery, but I have to give Nalini Singh high marks for making this a real page-turner. Her writing is dark, evocative, and the mystery is compelling though your milage may vary on how you like the resolution. <br /><br />
Luna has had the same group of friends since she was a teenager, but now the group of eight is down to seven. Bea, bright, shining, beautiful Bea who Luna was obsessed with is long gone. At a get-together in a remote estate, things start to go wrong. And as they’re trapped, the past comes rearing back to life as secrets, betrayals, and a twisted web of deceit comes to life. <br /><br />
Luna is an interesting narrator. Her obsession with Bea remains strong, even years after her death. How she views her remaining friends – Darcie, Ash, Nix, Kaea, Aaron, Vansi – plus Aaron’s fiancée, Grace, isn’t quite objective. She’s a photographer, and though the lens gives her some distance she isn’t unbiased and her obsession with Bea makes her dig into old wounds. Luna is also losing her sight, and the impending loss of her vision has her questioning what she sees in the shadows, in some expressions. The questions she has around Bea’s death come raging back during this trip as the ghosts of the past are stirred up. <br /><br />
Luna isn’t the only one fixated on the past. Things start happening, pranks that escalate to true harm, as the storm that locks the group in at the estate rages on. Some of the group are blameless, some are not, but all are in harm’s way; no protection of innocents in this story. Singh starts off easy then ratchets up the tension until the climax. The revelations come fast at the end as the tale spins slightly out of control. For such a tightly written novel the way everything came together (key in a mystery) felt a bit off. The ending didn’t quite work for me, but that could be chalked up to reader preference. <br /><br />
<b><i>There Should Have Been Eight</i></b> drips with gothic mystery and Singh’s talent for writing an engaging thriller is on display. Not every bit of the story worked for me, but I found it wholly compelling nonetheless. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-27230553931331395442023-11-20T16:17:00.000-08:002023-11-20T16:17:19.091-08:00Review: Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan<strong><em>Do Your Worst</em> by <a href="https://www.rosiedanan.com/" target="_blank">Rosie Danan</a></strong><br />
Publisher: Berkley<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Elements <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J_GZzcFu5_-vDy4DzPRp4AS0xfuetgIrR21swxCyR-AkHMa5ekklO0afQSK6hsi9jCm9qvNvb0Cw97imJrplQ2GE57eJDdNX-QgZaYYGsB13h3rf0Y4BU2b7qvaL04Xsc7RSH2ajX4zb0TBTun-hO6LfeceAMvs67P1Mpi9d5XTgcSYW5rT16iLJegKJ/s309/Do%20Your%20Worst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Do Your Worst cover" border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J_GZzcFu5_-vDy4DzPRp4AS0xfuetgIrR21swxCyR-AkHMa5ekklO0afQSK6hsi9jCm9qvNvb0Cw97imJrplQ2GE57eJDdNX-QgZaYYGsB13h3rf0Y4BU2b7qvaL04Xsc7RSH2ajX4zb0TBTun-hO6LfeceAMvs67P1Mpi9d5XTgcSYW5rT16iLJegKJ/s16000/Do%20Your%20Worst.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9780593437148<br />
Release Date: November 14, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Do-Your-Worst-Rosie-Danan-ebook/dp/B0BVTM2ZTQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/do-your-worst-rosie-danan/1143072783?ean=9780593437155" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/do-your-worst-1" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Do-Your-Worst-Audiobook/B0BXFGPP7V" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>Riley Rhodes finally has the chance to turn her family’s knack for the supernatural into a legitimate business when she’s hired to break the curse on an infamous Scottish castle. Used to working alone in her alienating occupation, she's pleasantly surprised to meet a handsome stranger upon arrival—until he tries to get her fired. <br /><br />
Fresh off a professional scandal, Clark Edgeware can’t allow a self-proclaimed “curse breaker” to threaten his last chance for redemption. After he fails to get Riley kicked off his survey site, he vows to avoid her. Unfortunately for him, she vows to get even. <br /><br />
Riley expects the curse to do her dirty work by driving Clark away, but instead, they keep finding themselves in close proximity. Too close. Turns out, the only thing they do better than fight is fool around. If they’re not careful, by the end of all this, more than the castle will end up in ruins.</blockquote><br />
<b><i>Do Your Worst</i></b> is seriously hot, tons of fun, and incredibly addictive. A bold and bright curse breaker + a stalwart archaeologist determined to repair his reputation = one heck of a good time. <br /><br />
Riley Rhodes is determined to be the first person in her family to turn curse breaking into a legitimate business. An opportunity to break an ancient curse in the Scottish Highlands is perfect. What she doesn’t expect is there to be a grumpy archeologist determined to get her kicked off the site. It’s been less than a year since Clark Edgeware faced betrayal and a massive career setback. He’s committed to rebuilding his image and the last thing he needs is some quack – no matter how distractingly sexy – messing up his job site. Clark and Riley are each determined to make the other leave, but with the help of the curse, they’re about to learn firsthand why enemies to lovers is such an enduring trope. <br/><br />
Riley and Clark are both a delight for different reasons. Riley is energetic, smart, and brave; she’s faced more criticism than you can imagine and she’s got tough skin. That doesn’t mean no one can get under it – Clark sure does. Clark is a gentleman in the streets and I bet you can figure out what that means in the sheets. He’s grumpy and still stinging from the wounds of betrayal when he meets Riley. Though he tries to get her fired, he can’t help but be drawn to her and what she shows him starts to open his mind. Clark has been hurt and the wounds not yet healed, so my heart broke for him a couple of times over the course of the story. I loved watching both he and Riley come into their own. They each have a journey to make individually as well as one to go on as a couple. <br /><br />
Enemies to lovers isn’t my favorite genre but Rosie Danan could make it so if they were all written like Clark and Riley. I absolutely loved the crackling chemistry that lit up the page – <b><i>Do Your Worst</i></b> is seriously hot. Add in a mystery revolving around how to break the curse, research that takes some very sexy turns, family drama, and entertaining hijinks and you’ve got one wonderfully entertaining story. I finished Riley and Clark’s story eager for a re-read and I cannot wait to see what Danan comes up with next! <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-3199055821299936772023-11-13T20:21:00.000-08:002023-11-13T20:23:06.348-08:00Review: Inheritance by Nora Roberts<strong><em>Inheritance</em> by Nora Roberts</strong><br />
Series: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 1<br />
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Elements <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCxwyUXx0ScAzrWpBu6KHA8wtTl61Q1vO_Ga3TiYuQvus58JQvTJ3L41Wq2xiRXk3KDwYa0o1MeQYKl8gS8O-_Iw1IC8fac_Yh1lNS-MLHHW9AU5i-QbJXj-n6zhVaVPMrSLLugkosq6VfEwpDUvPt8aAGVUXX9aVy3nVIXonUZqGhs4gAG0nsJRxXI2q/s304/Inheritance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Inheritance cover" border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCxwyUXx0ScAzrWpBu6KHA8wtTl61Q1vO_Ga3TiYuQvus58JQvTJ3L41Wq2xiRXk3KDwYa0o1MeQYKl8gS8O-_Iw1IC8fac_Yh1lNS-MLHHW9AU5i-QbJXj-n6zhVaVPMrSLLugkosq6VfEwpDUvPt8aAGVUXX9aVy3nVIXonUZqGhs4gAG0nsJRxXI2q/s16000/Inheritance.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781250288325<br />
Release Date: November 21, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inheritance-Lost-Bride-Trilogy-1-ebook/dp/B0BQGJRBFV" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inheritance-nora-roberts/1144166784?ean=9781250288332" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/inheritance-166" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Inheritance-Audiobook/B0BVKV9765" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote><b>1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…</b><br /><br />
Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about—and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth—and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light. <br /><br />
Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease—and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…</blockquote><br />
After her engagement ends and her career takes an unexpected turn, Sonya MacTavish is ready for a fresh start. What she doesn’t expect that to entail is an inheritance from an uncle she never knew existed. Said inheritance includes a stunning Victorian manor on the Maine coast that comes with, shall we say, unearthly residents. Seven brides were lost, one per generation. Their spirits and others are anchored to the house… Along with an evil that lurks, displeased with Sonya’s arrival. With her best friend, Cleo, beside her, and handsome lawyer Trey for support, Sonya starts to unravel the mystery of Lost Bride Manor. <br /><br />
<b><i>Inheritance</i></b> is engaging, interesting, and at times richly atmospheric. Nora Roberts has opened up her Lost Bride trilogy with an utterly addictive beginning.<br/><br />
Sonya was easy for me to like from the start. She takes a few hits, but she’s strong, smart, and determined. With the support of her loved ones, she gets a fresh new start when she moves to Maine. She didn’t expect to fall in love at first sight with the manor she inherited, nor the charming town nearby. She also didn’t count on her new ghostly roommates. It takes a while for Sonya to believe, but I loved learning about the ghosts and their different personalities alongside her. The son of her late uncle’s best friend, Trey Doyle has had a lifetime to become accustomed to the hauntings of the manor. Trey is sexy, kind, and supportive – how could Sonya or I resist him? He and Sonya just click from the start and though <b><i>Inheritance</i></b> is only the beginning of their story, I definitely can’t wait to see where Roberts takes them. <br/><br />
Along for the ride are Sonya’s best friend, Cleo, and Sonya’s newfound cousin, Owen. Sparks fly between the two and – as with our main couple – I’m very much looking forward to seeing where Cleo and Owen go. I enjoyed the various love stories in this book, from the love of family to that of friends to the possibilities of what’s to come and to love lost but lingering. I don’t want to say too much about the ghostly residents or the Big Bad as much of the fun of the story is learning things alongside Sonya. <br/><br />
<b><i>Inheritance</i></b> is beautiful, sad, and hopeful all at once. It’s got some creepy vibes (if you’re easily spooked like me) and a touch of gothic atmosphere. This is not a self-contained book, however; it’s the first part of a much larger story and ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed <b><i>Inheritance</i></b>. It was easy for me to get caught up in the story; I loved the world and the journey Sonya and company are on so far. I cannot wait to see what happens next! <br/><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-42089084371119254802023-11-11T17:11:00.000-08:002023-11-11T17:11:39.147-08:00Review: Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa<strong><em>Plot Twist</em> by Erin La Rosa</strong><br />
Series: The Hollywood Series, Book 2<br />
Publisher: Canary Street Press<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4I0TuwafSpPByhwLOyFWyTQE9b44ON8kLk493AHsZ5QTvDhoPZC4I0NVrPRXhtPtL7YKrEcOGJ5drimpfdCWIYlKCTJEek0pP6AtHS7PROhj1-DQQXIKczA1Ja2-XnfMMHOHQvQenlfIFpo3hoZf7IadzD3CEeECSykv92cFropwqBrs6qTyRLTBrB8w/s301/Plot%20Twist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Plot Twist cover" border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4I0TuwafSpPByhwLOyFWyTQE9b44ON8kLk493AHsZ5QTvDhoPZC4I0NVrPRXhtPtL7YKrEcOGJ5drimpfdCWIYlKCTJEek0pP6AtHS7PROhj1-DQQXIKczA1Ja2-XnfMMHOHQvQenlfIFpo3hoZf7IadzD3CEeECSykv92cFropwqBrs6qTyRLTBrB8w/s16000/Plot%20Twist.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781335458117<br />
Release Date: November 14, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Plot-Twist-Hollywood-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0BBMZDMDJ" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/plot-twist-erin-la-rosa/1142766775?ean=9780369736680" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/plot-twist-6" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Plot-Twist-Audiobook/B0BHFCRMWC?eac_link=8yJB75VQgdYW" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote><b>She’s written off more than she can chew…</b><br /><br />
Romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret just went viral: she’s never been in love—and it’s ruining her reputation. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer’s block: reunite with her exes (including her last girlfriend Carla, the one person she could have loved) to learn why she’s never fallen in love, and document it all for her millions of new online followers. <br /><br />
Luckily, Sophie’s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose—a former teen heartthrob—has social media all figured out and is willing to help. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s an anonymous online crafter, a hobby that helps him maintain his sobriety. No one knows about his complicated relationship with alcohol, and with a family that’s Hollywood royalty, Dash has to steer clear of scandal. <br /><br />
As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals Dash’s pottery kiln. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships, and Dash isn’t sure he’s stable enough for the commitment she deserves. So Sophie suggests what any good romance author would: a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely a strictly casual relationship won’t cause any trouble…</blockquote><br />
Romance author Sophie Lyon’s big secret has just gone viral: she’s never been in love. After a hit debut novel, she’s got a terrible case of writer’s block and – when combined with her recent TikTok revelation and a looming deadline – she’s in trouble. Her solution? Go back through her exes and see where things went wrong. Along for the ride (somewhat reluctantly) is her sexy landlord, Dash Montrose. Dash is Hollywood royalty, but he’s quit acting to focus on maintaining his sobriety. He doesn’t want any upheavals to his carefully constructed peace and Sophie is a whirlwind filled with complications. But the two of them are drawn to each other and the longer Dash spends helping Sophie the more impossible their mutual attraction is to resist…<br /><br />
Erin La Rosa leans hard into tried-and-true romance tropes in <b><i>Plot Twist</i></b>. You’ve got grumpy + sunshine, best friend’s brother, only one bed…it’s cute and fitting when you have a heroine who’s a romance author. I had mixed feelings about Sophie and Dash’s story but overall it was fun. <br /><br />
Dash was an easy hero for me to like. He’s Hollywood royalty and being shoved into acting from a young age didn’t help him in the slightest. He’s a recovering alcoholic, less than two years into his sobriety and he’s focused on that. He’s holed up in his home, using crafting as an outlet while he tries to determine what direction he wants his life to take. I was rooting for Dash and even though he’s (very slightly) grumpy I found him an endearing hero who was there to cheer on and bolster Sophie. His family life is messy and I wish we’d explored the dynamics there a bit more because it was interesting and had potential. <br /><br />
Sophie is a hot mess in the beginning of <b><i>Plot Twist</i></b>. Her looming deadline is weighing on her and she can’t capture the magic of her bestselling debut. I never fully connected with Sophie, but I liked that she eventually started to realize that maybe she was part of the problem when it came to her past relationships not working. She’s messy, flawed, and screws up, but takes the time to realize her flaws and doesn’t balk when her best friend and sister point them out. She and Dash have good chemistry and it made their romance work. It’s sweet and sexy, with some good humor thrown in (Richard the squirrel made use of his cameos). <br /><br />
La Rosa makes the most of the romance tropes she employs and that’s generally fun. That being said, some of the drama – especially at the end of the book – felt forced and rushed when it could have been woven in better over the latter half of the story. There were real issues in this book that gave it depth and could have been explored more to take this from good to great. And while I didn’t mind all the TikTok references, I’m worried this book will start to feel dated quickly. While <b><i>Plot Twist</i></b> didn’t dazzle me, I liked it and La Rosa’s writing enough that I’ll be on the lookout for more of her work. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-34129330386734881562023-10-02T19:47:00.002-07:002023-10-02T19:47:47.894-07:00Review: Highland Surrender by Heather McCollum<strong><em>Highland Surrender</em> by Heather McCollum</strong><br />
Series: Sons of Sinclair, Book 5<br />
Publisher: Entangled: Amara<br />
Genre: Historical Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hl2IT3fcmuYPIU1w4104dTC9ig-Ov6fsl-GC4ux44XLlTlLaOqM5hXKhiKGmD6q3WuMrS5cpWaWH4ot9iv7EbTGormGdSzcxClOxNdXfUdqtVMUHzZ_5KANiLS1mQ9wbs5janibzNN4xwP0lXSJFJ8uVXTbtVyeZxxErmYUXe_b8hgB-piBYvCJCtG68/s300/Highland%20Surrender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Highland Surrender cover" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hl2IT3fcmuYPIU1w4104dTC9ig-Ov6fsl-GC4ux44XLlTlLaOqM5hXKhiKGmD6q3WuMrS5cpWaWH4ot9iv7EbTGormGdSzcxClOxNdXfUdqtVMUHzZ_5KANiLS1mQ9wbs5janibzNN4xwP0lXSJFJ8uVXTbtVyeZxxErmYUXe_b8hgB-piBYvCJCtG68/s16000/Highland%20Surrender.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781649374950<br />
Release Date: October 24, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Surrender-Sons-Sinclair-Book-ebook/dp/B0BSD4DH2S" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-surrender-heather-mccollum/1142856547?ean=9781649374950" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/highland-surrender-3" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://entangledpublishing.com/books/highland-surrender" target="_blank">Entangled</a><br />
<a href="http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2020/10/heather-mccollum-book-order.html" target="_blank">Heather McCollum Reading Order</a><br />
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<blockquote> With his family’s honor on the line, Norse warrior Erik Halverson has no choice but to follow the orders of the royal house of Denmark. Now he must follow his destiny—and royal command—to sail to Scotland, find his enemy’s weakest link, and abduct her. Their mistake, of course, was thinking the Sinclair lass wouldn’t fight back. <br /><br />
From the moment her four brothers took control of their clan, Hannah Sinclair has learned to stand tall and defend herself. So when a big, brawny, and admittedly handsome warrior tries to abduct her, she isn’t about to give in. And the more he tries, the more she’s determined to make it as hard as possible...and enjoy it all the while. <br /><br />
Now Norway’s greatest warrior has a Highland hellcat on his hands, and Odin help him, he can’t resist her. But with the brutal Sinclair brothers coming after them, Erik is out of options. War is inevitable. And when a man is forced to choose between duty and passion, only one will win… </blockquote><br />
The sister of the infamous Sinclair Horsemen finally steps out of the shadows in <b><i>Highland Surrender</i></b>. I’ve been oh-so-hopeful that Heather McCollum would give Hannah Sinclair a chance to shine and she definitely does in this book. <br /><br />
Hannah is happy for her brothers and their wives and loves her nieces and nephews, but she’s lonely in the crowd. She wants a baby of her own but none of the men of her clan tempt her – not even the ones who may not be frightened of her legendary brothers. Enter silver trader Erik Halverson. The brawny Norseman is awfully fearsome for a supposed trader but Hannah isn’t going to let that stop her. She sets out to seduce him…only to find herself kidnapped. <br /><br />
Erik has been sent on a mission by Dowager Queen Sophie: he’s to kidnap Hannah and thus keep the Sinclair Horsemen under Sophie’s control. He doesn’t expect a strong and stubborn lass to fight back and knock him off his feet. Erik isn’t a bad person and his reason for doing Sophie’s bidding is understandable. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place and is trying to justify to himself why he’s doing something he knows is wrong. <br /><br />
The attraction between Erik and Hannah burns bright and hot and I liked how they went toe-to-toe with each other. Hannah has learned alongside each of her brothers and is just as brave and true as any of them. She’s Erik’s equal in every way and teaches him a thing or two along the way. If political machinations weren’t in their path, I imagine it would be mostly smooth sailing for this love story. But villains, politics, threats, and fears all make the road to happily ever after a rocky one for Hannah and Erik. <br/><br />
<b><i>Highland Surrender</i></b> is the fifth book in McCollum’s Sons of Sinclair series but you can jump in here if you haven’t read the others. There is a large supporting cast including Hannah’s brothers, sisters-in-law, a couple of mischievous children, and Erik’s brothers-in-arms who all have roles to play in the story. To her credit, McCollum never lets the supporting characters overshadow the main ones; not an easy feat with so many strong personalities. I liked all the different relationships and how each one shined and impacted the story. <br/><br />
<b><i>Highland Surrender</i></b> has passion, family drama, political intrigue, and romance. It’s an engaging story and a fitting end to the Sons of Sinclair series. <br/><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-77071974875796303092023-09-23T15:29:00.002-07:002023-09-23T15:48:32.783-07:00Review: Bare Essentials by Jill Shalvis and Leslie Kelly<strong><em>Bare Essentials</em> by Jill Shalvis and Leslie Kelly</strong><br />
Publisher: Harlequin<br />
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakoV0xDorGIJVvfgI2I1yLMy-aZ-ce_ofionAJLehFJN2GHpw4idamlhH7LNSz4jxf81_hGpGWUYZXYO1UySK6zIVlEwalxHxm994aMYE26SUgX33SqvI017QA6xxtT_NsR37F2ocLkeR-c6mdUfwcEseeQsewvvjbRsQnloSxcI8r0R3FYapcVO2lKFx/s306/Bare%20Essentials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Bare Essentials cover" border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakoV0xDorGIJVvfgI2I1yLMy-aZ-ce_ofionAJLehFJN2GHpw4idamlhH7LNSz4jxf81_hGpGWUYZXYO1UySK6zIVlEwalxHxm994aMYE26SUgX33SqvI017QA6xxtT_NsR37F2ocLkeR-c6mdUfwcEseeQsewvvjbRsQnloSxcI8r0R3FYapcVO2lKFx/s16000/Bare%20Essentials.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9780373430406<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bare-Essentials-Anthology-Jill-Shalvis-ebook/dp/B00H5I81JC" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bare-essentials-jill-shalvis/1129663070?ean=9781459256095" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bare-essentials-2" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781459256095_bare-essentials.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a><br />
<a href="http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2012/01/jill-shalvis-book-order.html" target="_blank">Jill Shalvis Reading Order</a><br />
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<blockquote><b>Naughty But Nice</b><br />
Lingerie model Cassie Tremaine Montgomery intends to have her revenge on the citizens of her hometown—starting with seducing the sheriff, Sean "Tag" Taggart. Tag, however, isn't cooperating. He's more than willing to set the sheets on fire with her, but he's asking for more than just sizzling sex…. He knows Cassie's not as tough as she pretends. And he knows she cares about him—even if she won't admit it. So he'll just turn up the heat until she concedes there's more between them than this red-hot passion. <br /><br />
<b>Naturally Naughty</b><br />
Kate Jones, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, is home. And she's got an agenda. To get revenge on the man who humiliated her mother, Kate's going to seduce that man's son—the town's golden boy, John Winfield Jr.—and then leave him drooling in a puddle of lust. However, when she finds herself seduced by a sexy stranger named Jack, little does she guess that the tables have just been turned…</blockquote><br />
<b><i>Naughty But Nice by Jill Shalvis</i></b><br /><br />
Cassie Tremaine Montgomery has returned home to Pleasantville with revenge on the brain. She grew up being called trashy and had unwanted advances made right, left, and center. She doesn’t expect that her first day back she’ll get pulled over by hunky Sheriff Sean “Tag” Taggart. Tag lights a fire in Cassie and the attraction is mutual. But while Cassie is fine with a no-strings affair, she isn’t keen on having a real relationship. Tag, however, is determined to make Cassie see just how good they can be together. <br /><br />
I’m a fan of Jill Shalvis so I was excited to dive into one of her backlist titles I hadn’t yet read. <b><i>Naughty But Nice</i></b> has a bold heroine and an alpha hero. Should be a simple matter of chemistry plus spice plus fun, right? Not so much. The people of Pleasantville treated Cassie and her family like garbage and sexualized her from a young age, so it’s easy to see why she doesn’t have fond memories of the place. The town she grew up in is no longer the same and Cassie’s walls slowly come down as she realizes that not everyone is out to attack her. That being said, the first half of the book just made me sad for Cassie. She was assaulted and insulted and people just focused on her looks and how desirable she was. That made even the attraction Tag felt for her less than appealing. The story did improve as it went on and I liked the friends Cassie made over the course of the story. The romance between her and Tag is heavily built on lust and was just so-so for me. I know Shalvis was aiming for deeper connection between the two but that fell a bit flat for me. Overall, <b><i>Naughty But Nice</i></b> was just an OK read for me. <br /><br />
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<b><i>Naturally Naughty by Leslie Kelly</i></b><br /><br />
Kate Jones is home and – like her cousin – wants revenge. Kate’s revenge is more specific: she wants to get back at the man responsible for a lot of her childhood hardships. However, with him gone the next best target is his son, J.J. Winfield. It’s a surprise to Kate that J.J. is none other than Jack, her one-night stand who she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about…<br /><br />
<b><i>Naturally Naughty</i></b> is a good girl going bad and it’s a lot of fun to read. Kate is known as the sweet cousin, but she’s got a lot of spice in her. The death of his father has opened Jack’s eyes to some of the problems in his family. He has a heavy weight on his shoulders trying to make things right. Kate knocks him off his feet as much as he does her. The two of them have a heaping dose of mutual attraction that no amount of good intentions can make them ignore. I liked watching them dance around each other; the sexual tension was entertaining and their chemistry made the pages fly by. I liked their happily ever after and this story definitely made me want to look for more of Leslie Kelly’s work. <br /><br />
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<b><i>Bare Essentials</i></b> is a duology of two cousins needing to confront their pasts in order to have a chance at a happier future. It’s sexy, entertaining, and though it had its flaws it was overall enjoyable. <br /><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102821413464769104.post-70392568648822093072023-09-11T13:13:00.003-07:002023-09-11T13:14:02.549-07:00Review: My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley<strong><em>My Rogue to Ruin</em> by Erica Ridley</strong><br />
Series: The Wild Wynchesters, Book 4<br />
Publisher: Forever<br />
Genre: Historical Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgm_nPeX2EOOOPjbnpo-ipwECVqlGUmRgvx4xHjkwEcWTOqBa3RWEUkNxG8CPXmD8WCaVEyslnlyhNuG66NH0yHWLepSiVT6ne3JJFXzsD_gzkM7Tt2KMvR8-ZOC0CNhHPR8OUGrPvXJKltWiC6tAkS-P3Kg2eoYEarFU9ckf6b1N2sODiSezmHGUBV85/s300/My%20Rogue%20to%20Ruin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="My Rogue to Ruin cover" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgm_nPeX2EOOOPjbnpo-ipwECVqlGUmRgvx4xHjkwEcWTOqBa3RWEUkNxG8CPXmD8WCaVEyslnlyhNuG66NH0yHWLepSiVT6ne3JJFXzsD_gzkM7Tt2KMvR8-ZOC0CNhHPR8OUGrPvXJKltWiC6tAkS-P3Kg2eoYEarFU9ckf6b1N2sODiSezmHGUBV85/s16000/My%20Rogue%20to%20Ruin.jpg" /></a></div>ISBN: 9781538726112<br />
Release Date: September 12, 2023<br />
Source: Publisher<br />
Buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Ruin-Wild-Wynchesters-Book-ebook/dp/B0BRJ6KMSW" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-rogue-to-ruin-erica-ridley/1142902675?ean=9781538726129" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/my-rogue-to-ruin" target="_blank">Kobo</a> | <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/My-Rogue-to-Ruin-Audiobook/B0BWGCV7CH" target="_blank">Audible</a><br />
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<blockquote>Marjorie Wynchester has always let her siblings take the lead when it comes to planning their investigations. But someone in London is trying to pass off counterfeits, and this time she's the only one with the skill needed to find the culprit. Soon, all the evidence leads her straight to Lord Adrian Webb. <br /><br />
Adrian is a roguish scoundrel of the first order, but he never meant to get caught up in a forgery scheme. Especially one that’s snowballed out of control. Now a blackmailer is out to ruin him, and the most alluring woman he's ever met is trying to put him behind bars. <br /><br />
Every time Marjorie thinks she has Adrian figured out, her assumptions turn on their head. He’s a heartless scoundrel. A loyal brother. A smooth liar. A good kisser. Er…wait… Is winning her affections just one more attempt to avoid the law? Or is it possible he’s not such a rogue after all?</blockquote><br />
The Wild Wynchesters have returned in <b><i>My Rogue to Ruin</i></b> and this time it’s artist Marjorie at the heart of their latest mission. Her target? Lord Adrian Webb, a scoundrel and rogue like no other. A man banished from England seven years ago, only to return and begin counterfeiting coins, preying on the Wynchesters’ vulnerable clients. Except, when Marjorie goes undercover she learns Adrian isn’t all that he seems. In fact, he’s not exactly a willing participant in this treasonous plot. Can she free him and save the day? More importantly, can she do so without losing her heart to the rogue? <br/><br />
<b><i>My Rogue to Ruin</i></b> is fast-paced and fun. Marjorie is one of the less outrageous Wynchester siblings, usually more at home in her art studio than out and about like her siblings. But lately she’s been feeling at loose ends. Her siblings are moving on, falling in love…their family is changing and Marjorie – for all that she loves her siblings’ partners – isn’t fond of change. Especially since she doesn’t know her place in this shifting world. Then a case comes along that she can finally take the lead on. Her art expertise has her going undercover to bring down a forger. And that forger is an artist who threatens to throw Marjorie off her game. <br/><br />
Adrian is a charming rogue, but he’s not a bad person. In fact, he’s quite a good person who has made a number of mistakes. He’s a loving brother who has been separated from his family for quite some time and he’s lonely. Marjorie brings hope and love back into his life. The two of them have sparkling chemistry that makes this book delightful. I liked that they were both clever, resourceful, and talented. They complemented one another quite well. And of course, close quarters make their slide into love quick and easy. It’s surviving the story’s villain that will be hard. Luckily for Adrian and Marjorie they have the whole Wynchester family to help them. The Wynchesters can be a bit over-the-top sometimes but in this book they didn’t overtake the main couple, which I really appreciated. <br/><br />
Erica Ridley’s Wild Wynchesters romances always have action, love, and family. <b><i>My Rogue to Ruin</i></b> is no exception and it’s entertaining from beginning to end. I finished Marjorie and Adrian’s story a well-satisfied reader and I’m very much looking forward to the final two Wynchester siblings getting their happily ever afters. <br/><br />
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<i><b>FTC Disclosure:</b> 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.</i>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08060132292515490870noreply@blogger.com0