Monday, August 12, 2019

Melinda's Mini Reviews for August

Melinda has a few mini reviews for you today, from DNF to 4 1/2 Stars.



Under Currents by Nora Roberts
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (July 9, 2019)
Genre: Romantic Suspense


For both Zane and Darby, their small town roots hold a terrible secret. Now, decades later, they've come together to build a new life. But will the past set them free or pull them under?

Zane Bigelow grew up in a beautiful, perfectly kept house in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Strangers―and even Zane’s own aunt across the lake―see his parents as a successful surgeon and his stylish wife, making appearances at their children’s ballet recitals and baseball games. Only Zane and his sister know the truth, until one brutal night finally reveals cracks in the facade, and Zane escapes for college without a thought of looking back...

Years later, Zane returns to his hometown determined to reconnect with the place and people that mean so much to him, despite the painful memories. As he resumes life in the colorful town, he meets a gifted landscape artist named Darby, who is on the run from ghosts of her own.

Together they will have to teach each other what it means to face the past, and stand up for the ones they love.



Where to Buy*:
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Melinda's Review:



This book needs ALL the CW because there is intense violence in it. On the page domestic violence against children and wives. CW for stalking, violence, and death later as well.



I’m normally a big fan of most titles by Nora Roberts and her other pen name, JD Robb. I like both her romantic suspense, traditional romance, and paranormal romance. But this book didn’t work for me from the opening chapter to the very end. I kept hoping it would veer off to a story I could root for but it just never happened for me.



The domestic violence portion of the book was intense and felt very disconnected from the rest of the book for me. And the main plot point wraps up around 55% and a subplot picks up shortly after that I had zero interest in. I only finished because it was a Roberts book and was hoping for it to pick up, but with the cartoonish villains it never did.



2 Stars







American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera
Publisher: Carina Press; Original edition (May 20, 2019)
Series: Dreamers, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance -- Queer, M/M


Fairy-tale endings don’t just happen; they have to be fought for.

New York City social worker Camilo Santiago Briggs grew up surrounded by survivors who taught him to never rely on anything you didn’t earn yourself. He’s always dreamed of his own happily-ever-after, but he lives in the real world. Men who seem too good to be true…usually are. And Milo never ever mixes business with pleasure…until the mysterious man he had an unforgettable hookup with turns out to be the wealthy donor behind his agency’s new, next-level funding.

Thomas Hughes built a billion-dollar business from nothing: he knows what he wants and isn’t shy about going after it. When the enthralling stranger who blew his mind at a black-tie gala reappears, Tom’s more than ready to be his Prince Charming. Showering Milo with the very best of everything is how Tom shows his affection.

Trouble is, Milo’s not interested in any of it. The only thing Milo wants is Tom.

Fairy-tale endings take work as well as love. For Milo, that means learning to let someone take care of him, for a change. And for Tom, it’s figuring out that real love is the one thing you can’t buy.



Where to Buy*:
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Melinda's Review:



I really love this series by Adriana Herrera and this one starts out with a BANG so be prepared for some steam just fyi! Tom and Milo have major chemistry in this book, as a social worker and a billionaire who have to work together but also figure out how to maneuver the financial issues that separate them. I love them together and their romance is both sweet and hot, just the way I like it.



What I loved in this book was the exploration of Milo’s relationship with his mother, and his mother’s depression. I thought that was particularly well done. I also really love how much Herrera celebrates the Dominican Republic culture in these books. The friend group that unites this series of books is still tight-knit even though they’re not local to each other anymore and that shines through as well.



4 1/2 STARS! 







Hour of the Wolf by Dana Marie Bell
Publisher: Carina Press (July 22, 2019)
Series: Maggie's Grove, 5
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Book five of Maggie’s Grove

Iva and Noah want to enjoy their reclaimed bond, but first they have to kill the most powerful of demons…or die trying.

Not much worries Noah Wulfenbach, one of the most powerful shifters in North America, but questions about Iva Yamauchi’s recovery had made him anxious. He was vigilant in his caring for his mate, sitting beside her tree, talking to it—to her. Now that she’s back, Noah’s relief is matched only by his desire to drag the feisty dryad to his house to complete their mating bond.

Iva is ready to make up for lost time, especially with the delicious Alpha Prime of the werewolves, her fated mate. She and Noah had only just recognized their connection when she was injured and broken, forced to retreat to her tree. She’s curious and excited to find out just how firmly she’s tied to Mr. Tall, Dark and Growly.

Before Iva and Noah can explore the depth of their connection, supernatural hunters threaten the population of Maggie’s Grove. Together with the other town rulers, the fated pair must slay the demon-possessed leader of the hunters. Iva and Noah just found each other; they’re not ready to say goodbye…but they may not have a choice.




Where to Buy*:
More Info:



Melinda's Review:



I picked up this series last year during #Rombklove and fell in love with the unusual paranormal small town with dryads and vegetarian vampires. It’s so fun and the characters are amazing. I was so excited for this release and this ARC in particular because Iva is one we’ve watched go through a lot in the series and I wanted to see her HEA badly! But I couldn’t even finish this because nothing seemed to make sense. Iva and Noah’s relationship was incredibly easy with no barriers which does not jive with the rest of the series at all. There also seemed to be inconsistencies with previous books in the series which bothered me. I’ll still continue with the series but hope the rest return to the earlier sense of fun and romance.



 DNF 







Thanks for the reviews, Melinda! 



Enjoy!



Until Next Time,











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