Waiting on Wednesday: The Final Move by Victoria Denault

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

I love a good hockey romance, so of course that alone would catch my eye. I read Victoria Denault's last Hometown Players book, Making a Play, and even though it was hit-or-miss for me, the excerpt from The Final Move has me incredibly excited to get my hands on it. I really want to see how Devin and Callie work out :)

Title: The Final Move
Series: Hometown Players, Book 3
Author: Victoria Denault
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever Yours
Release Date: December 8, 2015

Book Description (from Amazon.com):

Hockey legend Devin Garrison thought he blew his shot. But his relationship with Callie Caplan just went into overtime.

Sexy, rich, and one of the biggest stars in the NHL, Devin Garrison has always been the one who had it all. That is until his marriage falls apart and he realizes he has to start over. If he's honest, there has only been one woman who ever really excited him-Callie Caplan. They shared a night that was hotter than the late-summer sun, but in an instant-Callie was gone, pretending it never happened.

Callie Caplan isn't the wild child people think she is. It's true she's avoided relationships, but only because she's seen how crazy love can be. And her messy, imperfect life is crazy enough without opening her heart to a man-even one as picture perfect as Devin. But when fate brings them back together-just as they need each other most-Devin is determined to convince Callie that what she's feeling is real. And this final play may be their chance at forever...

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Review: The Rebel by J.R. Ward

The Rebel by J.R. Ward
Series: The Moorehouse Legacy, Book 1
Publisher: HQN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780373776306
Source: Publisher
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5 out of 5
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link
J.R. Ward Reading Order

For Frankie Moorehouse, White Caps is more than just a Bed & Breakfast. It’s her childhood home…and it’s falling to pieces. Frankie’s worked herself to the bone trying to keep her parents’ legacy going, while supporting herself, her sister and her grandmother, and she’s barely making ends meet. And when her chef up and quits one night, it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Nate Walker is the rebel in his family. He’s not a corporate suit, but a chef making his own way in the world. While driving through the Adirondacks, Nate’s car breaks down, and he’s forced to hoof it to the nearest residence, which just happens to be White Caps. The disastrous kitchen that greets him puts Nate in his element, but beautiful, frosty Frankie Moorehouse knocks him off-balance. He convinces her to hire him for the summer, but the more time Nate spends around Frankie, the harder it is for him to imagine leaving her. What will happen when the summer comes to an end?

J.R. Ward may be known as a powerhouse paranormal author, but she’s every bit as strong in the contemporary romance genre. THE REBEL is an utterly fantastic book, filled with love, passion, hardship, discovery and humor. I love this book, plain and simple.

Frankie and Nate are two characters who don’t take the easy road in life, but work long and hard – and often against the odds – to achieve their goals. They’re people that you not only have to like, but respect. The romance between them both fires the blood and warms the heart, making for a wonderfully satisfying love story. In addition to Nate and Frankie, Ms. Ward brings the entire cast of supporting characters to life in THE REBEL so perfectly that I felt like I could simply fall into the story. I cared about these characters and their struggles, so I was invested in THE REBEL and finished it wanting to dive into THE PLAYER and THE RENEGADE, the other two Moorehouse siblings’ books.

For those unfamiliar with THE MOOREHOUSE LEGACY series, THE REBEL is a re-issue of BEAUTY AND THE BLACK SHEEP, which Ms. Ward wrote as Jessica Bird. I’m ecstatic that the Moorehouses’ stories are back in print, for this is a series that’s not to be missed!


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

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

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Waiting on Wednesday: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

Lisa Kleypas could write a shopping list and I'd be excited to read it. Fortunately for me, my Waiting on Wednesday pick is Ms. Kleypas's upcoming historical romance, Cold-Hearted Rake (first in an as-yet unnamed quartet). I LOVE Ms. Kleypas's historicals (Devil in Winter is one of my all-time favorite books) and I'm so, so excited she has returned to the genre.

Title: Cold-Hearted Rake
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Lisa Kleypas Reading Order

Book Description (from Amazon.com):

A twist of fate...
Devon Ravenel, London's most wickedly charming rake, has just inherited an earldom. But his powerful new rank in society comes with unwanted responsibilities...and more than a few surprises. His estate is saddled with debt, and the late earl's three innocent sisters are still occupying the house...along with Kathleen, Lady Trenear, a beautiful young widow whose sharp wit and determination are a match for Devon's own.

A clash of wills...
Kathleen knows better than to trust a ruthless scoundrel like Devon. But the fiery attraction between them is impossible to deny—and from the first moment Devon holds her in his arms, he vows to do whatever it takes to possess her. As Kathleen finds herself yielding to his skillfully erotic seduction, only one question remains:

Can she keep from surrendering her heart to the most dangerous man she's ever known?

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Review: When Somebody Loves You by Shirley Jump

When Somebody Loves You by Shirley Jump
Series: Southern Belle Book Club, Book 1
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780425279373
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

At heart, Elizabeth Palmer is a practical Jersey girl. And her life reflects that—until everything suddenly falls apart. In a bid to change her luck, the intrepid reporter accepts a job to write a story on a reclusive quarter horse breeder in Chatham Ridge, Georgia. To her surprise, she finds herself settling into the warm, inviting town—even joining the Southern Belle Book Club—and craving the company of the rancher she’s there to interview…

Hunter McCoy has good reason to keep his distance from the determined reporter. Tragedy has taught him to stick to things that don’t require his heart. But he can’t seem to resist the vulnerability he detects beneath Elizabeth’s tough demeanor.

But when Hunter is faced with the possibility of a terrible loss and shuts Elizabeth out, she will have to prove to Hunter that having somebody love you can heal all wounds…

Love can heal almost any wound in When Somebody Loves You. Shirley Jump’s first Southern Belle Book Club novel is a story of taking a leap of faith and risking your heart.

In a bid to live a vastly different life than her mother, Elizabeth Palmer has always played by the rules. When she finally can’t take her grey, responsible life anymore, she goes after her dream of being a writer and travels from New Jersey to Georgia to write an article on quarter horse breeder Hunter McCoy. Hunter also likes routine, and since the death of his fiancée, his ranch has become his world. Elizabeth’s arrival upsets his orderly life and the two of them find their worlds turned upside down by an attraction neither expected. It’s easy to like Elizabeth and Hunter – they are smart, hardworking people who each have vulnerabilities that tug on the heartstrings. They fit one another like lock and key, and though there is some arguing and sexual tension, it’s clear these two are made for one another. Indeed, there’s nothing to dislike about When Somebody Loves You, but I found myself wanting more. Everything is a bit too perfect and orderly, which is surprising since this is a story where the hero and heroine have to throw caution to the wind and risk their hearts for a chance at love. The story felt a bit too obviously structured, and though Elizabeth and Hunter were well developed, the supporting cast was largely two-dimensional. When Somebody Loves You has a lot of possibility, but the story never truly grabbed me and I wish it had a bit more depth. That being said, there are some sentimental moments that are truly touching and the story is enjoyable overall.

When Somebody Loves You is the first book in the Southern Belle Book Club series, but don’t expect to see much of said book club. This was a bit disappointing because I wanted to learn more about the book club members. Perhaps future books in the series will flesh out the secondary characters more. I enjoy Shirley Jump’s writing and though I had issues with When Somebody Loves You, it was a sweet, breezy read and I look forward to enjoying the next Southern Belle Book Club book.


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

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Sunday in Review

It’s update time again, just in time for the autumn reading season. And there are a lot of great reads coming this fall.

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written for Wit and Sin. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- This Book Will Change Your Life by Amanda Weaver (available 9/28/15)
- Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and R.C. Ryan (available 9/29/15)
- The Stolen Mackenzie Bride (Mackenzies & McBrides, Book 8) by Jennifer Ashley (available 9/29/15)
- Claimed (Outlaws, Book 1) by Elle Kennedy (available 10/6/15)
- Written in the Stars (Cricket Creek, Book 9) by LuAnn McLane (available 10/6/15)
- Against the Ropes (First to Fight, Book 2) by Jeanette Murray (available 10/6/15)
- All I Want (Animal Magnetism, Book 7) by Jill Shalvis (available 10/6/15)

All other new reviews:
- Making a Play (Hometown Players, Book 2) by Victoria Denault
- Devoted in Death (In Death, Book 41) by J.D. Robb

Upcoming reviews:
- The Conquering Dark (Crown & Key, Book 3) by Clay and Susan Griffith
- Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides, Book 6) by Jennifer Ashley
- Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley
- Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls by Jes Baker
- Down for the Count (Dare Me, Book 1) by Christine Bell
- Down and Dirty (Dare Me, Book 2) by Christine Bell
- The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett
- Unnatural by Joanna Chambers
- The Professional: Part 2 by Kresley Cole
- The Professional: Part 3 by Kresley Cole
- Wicked Ever After (Blud, Book 4) by Delilah S. Dawson
- How to Ravish a Rake (How to Series, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
- Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards
- Some Like It Hot (Rising Star Chef, Book 2) by Louisa Edwards
- Hot Under Pressure (Rising Star Chef, Book 3) by Louisa Edwards
- Air Bound (Sea Haven, Book 3) by Christine Feehan
- Earth Bound (Sea Haven, Book 4) by Christine Feehan
- It’s Only Love (Green Mountain, Book 5) by Marie Force
- His Game, Her Rules by Charlene Groome
- Captured (Fallen Siren, Book 0.5) by S.J. Harper
- Reckoning (Fallen Siren, Book 2) by S.J. Harper
- One Taste of Scandal (Redcakes, Book 2) by Heather Hiestand
- Base Instincts (Demonica) by Larissa Ione
- The Volatile Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons, Book 4) by Sandy James
- Breathe (In Vino Veritas, Book 2) by Lauren Jameson
- Linger (In Vino Veritas, Book 3) by Lauren Jameson
- When the Rogue Returns (The Duke’s Men, Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries
- How the Scoundrel Seduces (The Duke’s Men, Book 3) by Sabrina Jeffries
- If the Viscount Falls (The Duke’s Men, Book 4) by Sabrina Jeffries
- The Art of Sinning (Sinful Suitors, Book 1) by Sabrina Jeffries
- A Talent for Trickery (The Thief-Takers, Book 1) by Alissa Johnson
- When Somebody Loves You (The Southern Belle Book Club, Book 1) by Shirley Jump
- Archer (Hard Body, Book 1) by Debra Kayn
- Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz
- Before You Break (Between Breaths, Book 2) by Christina Lee
- There You Stand (Between Breaths, Book 5) by Christina Lee
- Caught Up in You (Loving on the Edge, Book 4) by Roni Loren
- Yours All Along (Loving on the Edge, Book 6.5) by Roni Loren
- Break Me Down (Loving on the Edge, Book 8.5) by Roni Loren
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- Keeping Secrets in Seattle by Brooke Moss
- While You Were Writing (Watkins Pond, Book 2) by Virginia Nelson
- Prince’s Gambit (Captive Prince, Book 2) by C.S. Pacat
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Soul Sucker by Kate Pearce
- The Fifth Favor by Shelby Reed
- Laugh (Burnside, Book 2) by Mary Ann Rivers
- Festive in Death (In Death, Book 39) by J.D. Robb
- Blood Magick (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, Book 3) by Nora Roberts
- Stars of Fortune (The Guardians Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
- Beauty’s Kingdom (Sleeping Beauty, Book 4) by A. N. Roquelaure
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, Book 1) by Nalini Singh
- Fighting the Fall (Beyond the Cage, Book 2) by Jennifer Snow
- The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings, Book 1) by J.R. Ward
- Takeover by Anna Zabo

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Review: This Book Will Change Your Life by Amanda Weaver

This Book Will Change Your Life by Amanda Weaver
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781633754317
Release Date: September 28, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Take a chance and change your life…

College is where Hannah Gregory plans to follow in her dad’s footsteps as a chemistry prodigy-except she bombs her first test. And now her future isn’t so certain. Worse, she’s not sure she wants it anymore. Salvation comes from an unlikely place – a used bookstore and the sexy Ben Fisher, the passionate college senior who works there.

Ben is trapped in a life mapped out for him. Trapped in a future career as a lawyer to make his father happy. Trapped pursuing a girl he doesn’t even like because she fits into a world he doesn’t want but can’t escape. But then he meets the beautiful and quirky Hannah. And for the first time, he knows what it means to truly want something.

So he gives in to being her friend. Then to wanting her. Then to kissing her. But freedom comes with a cost, and it isn’t long before their carefully planned lives begin to fall apart…

This Book Will Change Your Life is a bibliophile’s dream romance. Hannah and Ben are two endearing college students brought together by chance and who end up finding a connection through the magic of books. Their ensuing romance is bright, sweet, and so full of hope and promise that I wanted to read their story again immediately upon finishing it.

Hannah is a freshman who thought she had her life planned out. But when she fails her first chemistry test, she begins to question everything. When seeking shelter from a sudden downpour in a small bookstore, Hannah runs into Ben, a college senior whose clear love and enthusiasm for books changes Hannah’s world. Ben is shocked that Hannah doesn’t read for fun, and so he sets out to find a book that will change her life forever. And it does. The first book leads to the second, then the third, then more. Hannah suddenly finds her world expanded…and her heart in jeopardy. She and Ben become fast friends when they talk about the books he picks out for her, but she soon finds herself falling for him. The only problem is, Ben also has a life mapped out for him, one that includes a career he doesn’t want, and a different girl, one who’s suited to the life his father wants him to have. It isn’t easy for either Hannah or Ben to break free of their parents’ expectations – or their own ideas of how their futures should be. As for whether or not the books they read and talk about together change their lives…well, that’s something I’ll leave for readers to find out.

In Hannah and Ben, author Amanda Weaver has created two intelligent, interesting, vibrant characters who will grab your heart from the very beginning and not let go. It’s easy to adore them, to root for them, and the pages of This Book Will Change Your Life fly by because Ben and Hannah’s chemistry is electric and they themselves will charm the heck out of you. As any book lover knows, happily ever afters aren’t easy, but there’s no doubt you’ll be avidly turning the pages of Ben and Hannah’s story, wanting to see these two overcome the obstacles in their path.

I cannot express how much I loved This Book Will Change Your Life. Ms. Weaver’s love of books shines clearly through every page of the story, automatically drawing in anyone who loves to read. When you add that to a simply lovely romance between two incredibly appealing characters, it’s impossible not to love this book. This Book Will Change Your Life is a sweetly romantic read you won’t want to miss!


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

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Review: All I Want by Jill Shalvis

All I Want by Jill Shalvis
Series: Animal Magnetism, Book 7
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780425270196
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Jill Shalvis Reading Order

Pilot-for-hire Zoe Stone is happy to call Sunshine, Idaho, her home base. But her quiet life is thrown for a loop when her brother’s friend Parker comes to stay with her for a week. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent is a handsome flirt with a gift for getting under her skin. And the situation only escalates when Parker hires her to fly him around the area while he collects evidence on a suspected smuggler.

Now she has to live and work with the guy. But when they’re in the air, she sees another side of him. He’s driven, focused, and sharp. And while he enjoys giving commentary on her blind dates, she quickly realizes with a shock that it’s Parker who gets her engines going…

All I want is a Jill Shalvis hero! In Parker James, Ms. Shalvis has once again delivered a strong, sexy-as-sin, loveable hero – and this one adopts kittens. How could I not melt over Parker? This USFW special agent infiltrates and takes down wildlife trafficking rings and more, is a loving brother and good friend, and slides right into Zoe’s life, knocking down all her shields. Parker isn’t perfect, but he’s a perfectly delicious hero and deserves an equally amazing heroine to give him the love and sense of home he never knew he needed. He finds that in Zoe Stone, the sister of Parker’s friend Wyatt. Zoe is a hardworking, smart, quirky, funny as hell pilot. She had to take on far too much responsibility at a young age and she’s also been badly burned by love. This means she’s used to being the boss and is afraid to give her heart to anyone, least of all a man who is only in Sunshine for a short time. I absolutely adored Zoe, felt for her, and was rooting for her to take a chance on love with Parker. When she does…well, watch out, because All I Want gets seriously steamy.

All I Want doesn’t just have a sweet and spicy romance – it has laugh-out-loud humor too. Parker and Zoe have absolutely sparkling chemistry and their back-and-forth made me grin. And this wouldn’t be an Animal Magnetism novel without animals, so of course a lot of the humor comes from Oreo the Bernese mountain dog and two crazy kittens. Ms. Shalvis knows how to make readers smile one moment and melt the next, and this is definitely the case in All I Want. Add some scenes involving the James and Stone families and a dash of suspense in the form of an illegal antiquities dealer Parker is determined to catch and you have a truly well-rounded book, one that’s pretty much impossible to put down.

All I Want is the seventh book in the Animal Magnetism series, but you don’t have to have read the previous six books in order to enjoy Zoe and Parker’s story (though the series is fantastic). So whether you’re a longtime fan of Sunshine, Idaho or are visiting for the first time, prepare to sit back and enjoy a wonderfully entertaining romance.


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

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