[Review]: "Sweet Surrendering"

Sweet Surrendering by Chelsea M. Cameron

Publication Date: October 15th 2013 

Series: Surrender Saga, 1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

She’s his boss. He doesn’t care. This office isn’t big enough for the two of them…


When Rory Clarke ends up hiring the guy she spent one steamy night with to be her administrative assistant, she's determined to keep things professional.

Lucas Blaine has other plans for her. He wants Rory, and it’s hard to resist his stunning blue eyes, chin dimple and the way he fills out a suit. Everywhere she looks, there he is, giving her a panty-melting smile and pulling her away for the most amazing (and satisfying) sex she’s ever had in her life.


What starts off as one sexual encounter turns into multiple trysts in and out of the office and the lines she’d tried to draw so carefully are blurring. But the closer they get, the more Rory realizes that there are things about Lucas she doesn’t know, things he’s hiding from her. She’ll have to decide if she can surrender to her feelings or get out while she still can.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK 

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My Review:

[Review]: "Deeper We Fall"

Deeper We Fall by Chelsea M. Cameron

Publisher: DRC Publishing (January 24th, 2013)

Series: Fall and Rise, 1

Genre: New Adult Contemporary

 

Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart.

Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.

Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face.

Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves "To Kill a Mockingbird" as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen.

The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

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My Review:

[ARC Review]: "My Favorite Mistake"

My Favorite Mistake by Chelsea M. Cameron

Publisher: Harlequin HQN (August 27, 2013)

Series: My Favorite Mistake, 1

Genre: New Adult (Contemporary)

Two secrets. One bet. Who will break first?

Taylor Caldwell can't decide if she wants to kiss her new college roommate or punch him.

On the one hand, Hunter Zaccadelli is a handsome blue-eyed bundle of charm. On the other, he's a tattooed, guitar-playing bad boy. Maybe that's why Taylor's afraid of falling in love with him, or anyone else. She doesn't want to get burned, so she needs him gone before it's too late.

Hunter himself has been burned before, but Taylor's sexy laugh and refusal to let him get away with anything make her irresistible. Determined not to be kicked out of her life without a fight, Hunter proposes a bet: if she can convince him she either truly loves or hates him, he'll leave the apartment;and leave her alone.

But when the man behind Taylor's fear of giving up her heart resurfaces, she has to decide: trust Hunter with her greatest secret, or do everything in her power to win that bet and drive him away forever.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

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My Review:

[ARC Review]: "Straddling the Line"

Straddling the Line by Sarah M. Anderson

Publisher: Harlequin (May 7, 2013)

Series: The Bolton Brothers, 1

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Category)

 

She Only Wants to Belong

 

CFO Ben Bolton has enough on his plate running his family business. But when lovely Josey White Plume enters his office, his priorities shift. He refuses to let such a compelling woman walk away. The chase is on.

All her life, Josey has sought one thing: to fit in with her Lakota family. She has no time for some sexy rich guy's pursuit. But she can't stop thinking about Ben—wanting him…kissing him. Yet falling for a wealthy outsider will destroy everything she's worked for—unless she can find a way to straddle the line between his world and hers.

 

 

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK | Publisher | ARe

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My Review:

Josey White Plume stands in two worlds---yet neither one fully embraces her. She's too "white" to be accepted by her Lakota tribe, yet not enough to fit in outside of the rez. What's a woman to do? She has to find a way to live in both worlds, to find out who she really is. Her family and people are important to her, but so is being able to fit in.


Ben Bolton can understand where Josey's coming from. Oh, sure, he may not have the exact same problem, but he, too, knows how difficult it can be to straddle two lines. In his case, it's a balance between keeping his family together and standing up for what he wants, living his own life. Easier said than done when he has a father who's word is law, an older brother who prefers to let his muscles do the talking, and a younger brother who is an annoying pain in everyone's ass, not caring about the family business or how it really runs. After meeting Josey, he realizes that it's time for him to stand up to them all...either they come to an understanding, or the family is broken forever.


I really enjoyed Straddling the Line! A quick read, it set up the Bolton family, and I look forward to seeing Billy and Bobby find their HEA (though I'll admit, at this point I'm a little uncertain about Bobby---in this book, at least, the only thing I wanted to do to him was kick him out the door...but I'm willing to keep an open mind, I think Anderson may be able to turn him around.)


I loved Josey, loved watching her struggle to keep her two heritages strong. It's not easy, and I felt for her. We all want to be accepted, in one form or another. Ben was great, too. He was the right combination of a bad-boy type, complete with the motorcycle, but he was also responsible and reliable, trying to be the rock foundation and glue for his family, taking the place of his mother.




3.5 STARS! Sarah M. Anderson delivers another great contemporary, proving that she can write great tales whether it's cowboys or bikers, Native Americans or just your typical guy next door. This was my third book from her, and I know that I'll be reading many more! For a quick read, one that's both sweet and a little sexy, be sure to pick this one up!




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I received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Have you read any of Sarah M. Anderson's books? Which one has been your favorite so far?

Enjoy!


Until Next Time,

  


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "Anything For You"

Anything For You by Jessica Scott

Publisher: Tormia Creatives (February 1, 2013)

Series: Coming Home, 1.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

  From the author of Because of You comes an all new Coming Home short story.

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams. But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever.

Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive.

As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves.

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site

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My Review:


A quick, but well done, add on to Jen and Shane's HEA, Anything For You will please any fan of the first book. I loved this one, and I was happy to see the two work things out. Scott's humor came through again, especially from Vic (Carponti) while giving Shane a bad times about his vasectomy decisions:

 

“Jen is going to kill you. You know that, right?” Vic Carponti took a long pull off his ever-present Dr Pepper. “I think she has first dibs on your balls. You don’t have exclusive use over them any more.”

 

  (And a few pages later...)

“So, back to the more pressing matters, are you going to gift wrap your nuts and put a little bow on them and say, ‘Here baby, for Valentine’s Day, I’ve sacrificed my manhood’?”

 

Shane shook his head and tried not to laugh. “There’s something the matter with you. You know that, right?”

 

“Sure. My traumatic brain injury is acting up again.” Carponti turned toward the door as it opened. “Speaking of nuts, here’s my wife. I need to get mine out of her purse.”

Really, I've already said it, but I'll say it again--I'd love to have a novella about Vic and his wife. Some sort of prequel perhaps. Anything. I love Vic and his gruff-ness and humor.


4 STARS! If you haven't picked up Scott's books yet, I highly recommend doing so--you could even start with this novella, you won't be lost, but I would say reading Because of You first will make your reading that much more enjoyable. For funny, yet very emotional, military romances, pick up these books today!



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I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

*Note: The quotes used belong to Jessica Scott; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim them in anyway.

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Have you read any of Jessica Scott's books yet? What did you think of them? If not, are they on your list now? They should be! :)

Enjoy!   



Until Next Time


,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[ARC Review]: "What Happens in Scotland"

What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston

Publisher: Avon (February 26, 2013)

Genre: Historical Romance

 

Jennifer McQuiston’s debut historical romance, What Happens in Scotland, is a lively, romantic adventure about a wedding that neither the bride or the groom remembers.

Lady Georgette Thorold has always been wary of marriage, so when she wakes up next to an attractive Scotsman with a wedding ring on her finger, it’s easy to understand why she panics and flees. Convinced that Georgette is a thief, her may-be husband, James McKenzie, searches for her. As both try to recall what happened that fateful night, they begin to realize that their attraction and desire for each other is undeniable. But is it enough?

Fans of Sarah MacLean and Mary Balogh will enjoy this utterly charming historical romance from award-winning author Jennifer McQuiston that features unforgettable characters and a satisfying mix of adventure and passion.

 

 

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK | Publisher

More Info:

Author's Site

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My Review:

Jennifer McQuiston's debut, What Happens in Scotland, is an entertaining historical, and one that is, in my opinion, a little different from most historicals. How many do you know of where the hero and heroine meet during a drunken night (which is an unusual state for both of them), pretend marry, wreck havoc on the town, and then get married for real? Only to wake up in the morning with no memory of any of it? And add on some family issues, on both sides, and a man trying to kill the hero (and steal the heroine) and you have a recipe for crazy, but in a good way. :)

 

I giggled a few times, while Georgette was trying to piece together the events; the way that a few of the men worded what happened, it sounded like she had done some very horrible, and intimate, things with them. Come to find out that instead it was all very innocent. On a side note, I was very happy to see her standing up for herself and taking control, something that she did not have when she was married before.

 

James...ah, what a wonderful hero! He's tough, but he's honest. He works hard for his money, and doesn't want it just handed to him. And he has a beard. Oh yes. ;)

 

4 STARS! Overall, a lovely debut, and one that I truly enjoyed. I can't wait to see what McQuiston offers us next (Cameron's story, I hear, which I look forward to!). There may have been a few bumps along the road, but not enough to keep me from enjoying this one. If you want to have a (scandalous) good time, be sure to pick up What Happens in Scotland!

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I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


 


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "Seduced by the Gladiator"

Seduced by the Gladiator by Lauren Hawkeye

Publisher: Avon Red (January 29, 2013)

Genre: Erotica (Historical)

 Author Lauren Hawkeye returns to Ancient Rome in her second erotic romance featuring sexy, fierce gladiators—and the women they love.

Lilia is the rarest of commodities—a champion female gladiator. But success has come with a price: shunned by her peers and desired by hateful men like Gaius, the brother of the emperor, Lilia is at the mercy of those around her. Only her heart is impenetrable.

After Christus, a warrior with the body of a god, is sold to the ludus that owns Lilia, she finds herself forced to defend her position and to guard her body and heart against the erotic sensations only he can bring. Beneath the tantalizing flesh of the gladiator, Lilia finds a man determined to protect her, to love her.

But when Gaius reveals a challenge for the gladiators of Rome—an epic battle to the death—Christus and Lilia must fight to win their freedom, their lives . . . and each other.

 

 

Where to Buy*:

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My Review:

I loved this book!  It wasn't a typical historical, but I've come to expect this from Lauren Hawkeye. Instead of visiting the balls of the London ton, I was taken back to the times of the gladiators, and I loved every shocking, raw moment of it!

 

Lilia was a wonderful heroine, very strong, but not so strong that she can't learn to lean on someone else when need be. I found her story very interesting, I guess I never thought about a woman as a gladiator. In fact, as this is written from the 1^st person, I was a bit taken back when, around 4 or 5 pages in, I realized that this mighty gladiator was, in fact, a woman. Entirely my fault for not reading the summary first. ;) Oh well, it may have surprised me, but in a good way.

 

Christus..ah, what a wonderful hero. So dangerous. So tortured. Such a strong man, forced into slavery and treated like a caged lion, brought out to fight, to stare at, but not worthy of anything. I almost cried when he told Lilia about his past. He so deserved a HEA, Lilia as well, and I was happy to see them reach it.

“Have you thought that, by letting someone in, you will be stronger than you are alone.”

~Christus

 

 

I can't tell you how much I loved this quote. Not only did it fit so beautifully, as Lilia was so hesitant to let someone in, thinking that the only way she could stay strong was by keeping that wall up. But this quote...it really hit home with me, perhaps due to some personal issues I've had lately. Regardless, I thought this simple quote, while perhaps not the sexiest one in the book, was the perfect one to describe Seduced by the Gladiator. And when he then tells her a few paragraphs later that she needs to accept that she's no longer alone, she's his...I melted!

 

4.5 STARS! Emotionally gripping, physically demanding, Seduced by the Gladiator is a perfect read! But be warned—it is not for the faint of heart. It's gritty, raw and rough, sticking to the real Rome of the past. If you prefer your historicals to be more tepid, look somewhere else, because this one is not for you. But if you want to try something new and exotic, this is the author to keep your eye on. Two gladiator books so far and I'm hooked, fascinated by the love stories she weaves during such a hard, but shockingly intriguing era! For a wickedly sexy and wonderfully intense story, be sure to pick this one up! Fair warning though: read this one at home... I wanted to finish reading it so bad, I took it with me. Let's just say that as steamy as this is, I could not stop myself from blushing, wondering if the people sitting next to me where reading over my shoulder...If so, they sure got an eyeful! :)

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I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

*Note*: The quote used is property of Lauren Hawkeye, and TBQ's Book Palace does not claim it.

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I love my typical historicals set in Scotland and England...but once in a while I love to find a new setting and era to explore. If you do, too, I would highly suggest trying Seduced by the Gladiator, as well as her previous book, My Wicked Gladiators.

Enjoy!


Until Next Time,

   
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[ARC Review]: "Confidence Tricks"

Confidence Tricks by Tamara Morgan

Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (February 12, 2013)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Asprey Charles has always assumed he would one day take his place in the family art appraisal and insurance firm. “His place” meaning he plans to continue to enjoy his playboy lifestyle, lavish money on his Cessna, and shirk every responsibility that dares come his way.

But when a life of crime is thrust upon him, he is just as happy to slip on a mask and cape and play a highwayman rogue. After all, life is one big game—and he excels at playing.

Poppy Donovan vows that her recent release from jail will be her last—no more crime, no more cons. But when she learns that her grandmother lost her savings to a low-life financial advisor, she’s forced to do just one more job.

It’s all going smoothly until the necklace she intends to pawn to fund her con is stolen by a handsome, mocking, white-collar thief. A thief who, it turns out, could take a whole lot more than money. If she’s not careful, this blue blood with no business on her side of the tracks could run off with the last thing she can afford to lose. Her heart.

Warning: This book contains masked crusaders, a remorseless con woman, and plans to boost a ten-million-dollar painting. Expect high speeds and fast hands.

 

 

 
Where to Buy*:

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My Review:

The trust-fund boy and the sassy ex-con....extreme opposites, yet in the end they're perfect for each other. Can they help each other out...without ending up in jail?

 

I'll admit that Morgan surprised me a few times. I was just as clueless to what was going to happen next as the characters. For throwing in a few plot twists that even I didn't see, I'm giving Morgan two thumbs up. Just when I thought I knew what the plan was, and which side the characters were on, she'd change it. Well done!

 

I loved Morgan's last two books, absolutely loved them. She has a great writing style that flows. I've come to expect plenty of great laughs, great wit, and raunchy jokes.

 

But that was missing from much of Confidence Tricks. Sure, there were a few small jokes, but nothing like the previous books. And that, I think, was my biggest disappointment

 

4 STARS! Overall Confidence Tricks is a great choice if you want a contemporary filled with cons and thefts, sneaking and spying. Plenty of twists, a few witty spots, and a hero the reader will no doubt fall for. I liked it, but I think my favorite Tamara Morgan book still involves brawny Highland Game competitors. :) But perhaps I'm just biased...

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I received an eARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.

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Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

 

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "A Wild Night's Bride"

A Wild Night's Bride by Victoria Vane

Publisher: Breathless Press (April 25, 2012)

Series: The Devil DeVere, 1

Genre: Historical Romance

What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestrated by a bored and machinating rake? With the devil in charge...there will be hell to pay!

She’s a lonely lady down on her luck... Phoebe Scott, alias Kitty Willis, is a struggling Covent Garden actress with a bruised heart and a closely guarded secret.

He’s steadfast and eminently respectable.. Sir Edward Chambers, Ned to his intimates, is guilt-ridden over his beloved wife’s death and avowed to live out a rustic and mundane life … of celibacy.

With the devil in charge — there will surely be hell to pay. Devil in disguise, Viscount Ludovic DeVere, is determined to return his best friend, Ned, to the land of the living. His meddling machinations result in a night of mind blowing passion after which “dull dog Ned” awakes to find himself in the King of England’s bed!

 

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | ARe

More Info:

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My Review:

A Wild Night's Bride is a quick historical romp, one filled with scandal and wagers.

I had a few doubts about the way Phoebe went about to get a protector, as well as Ned's failure to remember anything about their night together (although he knows he loves her), but overall I still really liked this book. I look forward to the rest of the series, curious to see how some of the other characters' stories turn out.

Random Rant---It didn't really hit me until the very end of the book, but Phoebe is only 4 years older than Ned's daughter. That's just...wrong, in my opinion. Or perhaps “odd” is the more accurate word. After realizing this, it changed my opinion on the couple a bit. That would make her (Phoebe), only a toddler when Ned married and had a child. And now they're married. o.0

3 STARS! Although I may not have loved this one, I still liked it; it was a quick read and I found it entertaining at times, what with all the scandals going on. If you want to try something a little different, pick this one up!



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I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

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I will still continue this series, it's kind of interesting the way so many of the characters' stories tie in. :)

Enjoy!





Until Next Time,


 


*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "Deck the Halls with Love"

Deck the Halls with Love by Lorraine Heath

Publisher: Avon Impulse (December 18, 2012)

Series: The Lost Lords of Pembrook, 2.5 [novella]

Genre: Historical Romance [Christmas themed]

 

A Lost Lords of Pembrook Novella

Christmas is a time for miracles … and second chances at love.

In her dazzling first Season, Lady Meredith Hargreaves gave her heart to Alistair Wakefield, the Marquess of Chetwyn, only to have it shattered when he proposed to another. And now that he's free to pursue her? It matters little, because she's on her way to the altar, heartbreak be damned.

Chetwyn once set aside his dreams in favor of duty and honor. But as Christmas approaches, he is determined to put his own desires first and lure Lady Meredith back into his arms, where she's always belonged.

First he steals a dance; then he steals a kiss. But when they find themselves alone in an abandoned castle during a snowstorm, reignited passion consumes them both. And Chetwyn will have one last chance to steal back Meredith's heart, once and for all.

 

 
Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK | ARe | Publisher

More Info:

Author's Site

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My (Mini) Review:

A sweet, quick story of second chances. Who can resist such a tale? :)

He's already broke her heart and left her once. Can he convince her it was a stupid mistake? Will she see that with Chetwyn there is passion--and love---and with Litton there is only cold duty and being wanted for her dowry?


Favorite Quotes:


This---sigh...

“I won’t give up,” he said. “Not until Christmas.”

“Why that particular day?”

“Because your love is the only gift I wish to receive.”

 

 


And this one just shows you the wit in the story as well. :)

 “…Please return to the manor, Chetwyn. I’m out here alone because I need solitude.”

“Are you rethinking your plans to marry Litton?”

“I’m rethinking my decision to not knock my skates against your thick skull.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “At least you are thinking of me.”

“Good God, but you are vexing,” she stated before tromping off.

 

 

 


3.5 STARS! A perfect Christmas novella, one that will get a few sighs from the reader. Easily read in one sitting, this one is great for those few precious minutes you get between the hustle of the holidays!




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I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

*NOTE* The quotes used are property of Lorraine Heath, and TBQ's Book Palace does not claim them.





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I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

What's your favorite holiday read? Or do you avoid them like the plague?

Personally I don't typically read many Christmas themed romances, but it's not that I have anything against them. So if you have an all-time favorite one to recommend, please do so! :D


Enjoy!




Until Next Time,


 

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Blog Tour Review]: "Broods of Fenrir"

Broods of Fenrir by Coral Moore

Publisher: Bared Teeth Publishing (November 19, 2011)

Series: Broods of Fenrir, 1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shapeshifter Brand Geirson was raised to rule the Broods of Fenrir, but he refused his birthright. Instead, he killed their brutal leader–his own father–and walked away.

For hundreds of years he’s avoided brood society, until a werewolf kills an innocent human woman and Brand finds himself dragged back into the violent politics of the shapeshifters. When the two brood women who mean the most to him come under threat, he must take up the throne and risk becoming the kind of vicious bastard his father was, or let the broods descend further into chaos–taking the friend he swore to protect and his lover with them.
Contains Strong Language, Violence, and Sexual Situations.
  

 

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Add it on GoodReads! | Find the Series

My Review:

I am a huge fan of fantasy in any shape, but especially when it comes to shifters. I can honestly say it's been a while since I came across one that made me excited for the genre again. Broods of Fenrir did just that, and I couldn't put it down! Now, this may sound cliched, but coming from me, it's not. Lately I've been picking up and putting down books like crazy because not many have held my interest.

This one did and then some!

Brand can be the King of the broods...if only he can step forward and take the crown. His sire, the previous king, was a viscous bastard of the worst degree. When Brand finally broke free of his father and killed him, he walked away from the throne, vowing never to take the position. Now, centuries later, he finally realizes that by turning his back on the throne, he turned his back on his people. Can he fix the clans, who are stuck in the past and treating women and weak members as slaves, or will he die trying?

I truly loved this book. The writing pulled me in from the very start. There's just something about Coral Moore's writing—it flows very easily, and makes the reader wish to continue. I'm definitely adding her books to my list in the future!

 

Brand's tale does have a bit of romance to it, but it doesn't take center stage all the time, and I was okay with that. I loved his possessiveness, not just to Dagny, but everyone under his protection. He could have easily been like his father, drunk on power but with no honor. Instead he became very much the perfect hero.

 

4 STARS! For a captivating shifter tale, one that pulls from old Norse tales a bit, Broods of Fenrir is sure to be a hit with fans of the genre! I will be recommending it to others, and I am anxious to read book two ,as I'm hoping many of the secondary characters pop up again, or better yet get their own tale!

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I recieved an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Be sure to follow the rest of the tour! :)

Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

 

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "Offside"

Offside by Juliana Stone

Publisher: Juliana Stone (September 30, 2012)

Series: The Barker Triplets, 1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

When hockey phenom Billie-Jo Barker returns home and decides to play in the local Friday night hockey league, all hell breaks loose. Not because Billie's talent is in question, but because Billie is a woman. And though these are modern times, some of the local guys still have a problem letting a girl into their 'men's club.'

Soon, Billie is at the center of a small town battle of the sexes, with everyone choosing sides. Her sisters. The townsfolk. Her friends. And yet, the only person whose opinion she cares about doesn't seem to care much at all. Logan Forest, the man who broke her heart when she was eighteen and the man she now shares the bench with every Friday night.

She's got a lot to prove and though Billie Jo Barker scores on the ice, will this girl ever score with the man of her dreams?
 

 

 
Where to Buy*:

Kindle

More Info:

Author's Site

Add it on GoodReads! | Find the Series

My Review:

Offside is my first Juliana Stone book, and even though it wasn't a perfect score (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun!), I'll still be coming back for more from this wonderful author!

I've not read many hockey romances—in fact, that only one I can think of was years ago, one of Luanne Rice's novels. Offside managed to add “sexy hockey players” to my endless list of book boyfriends. Even though Billie-Jo was meant to be the star of the arena, Logan wasn't too bad himself, though I do wish we could have seen a bit more of his talent and passion for sports. Billie's personality and presence came through pretty clearly, but Logan's didn't, which disappointed me a little.

The chemistry between Billie and Logan was great, the scenes very sexy. I loved that. And even outside the bedroom their relationship was done very well, and I loved watching the two of them fall for one another. Besides the steamy factor of the book, I also enjoyed some of the lighter, funny moments sprinkled throughout the book (such as Logan's one-eyed cat who has a thing for, ahem, watching the couple).

* Spoiler ahead! *

The one thing I wasn't too happy about was the drama over Logan's supposedly sleeping with Billie's triplet, Betty, in highschool. When, in reality, it was Billie pretending to be Betty in order to have sex with Logan, whom she had a huge crush on, but he never noticed her. She won't tell him, he won't tell her, so for most of the book they're tiptoeing around this big “secret” between them, and when the news is finally broken to Logan (by Betty, of course), he yells at her, believing that Billie must have done that often over the years to sleep with men who really wanted her other sister. I just couldn't stand the drama, and Logan pissed me off to no end when he reacted this way, especially since he should have known Billie would never do that.

Speaking of Betty, she's a real bitch, and a slutty one at that. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to like her when her story is finally told, but who knows? Perhaps Stone can make me reconsider. I'm definitely curious about Bobbi and Shane's story, and I think I'm looking forward to it the most.

3.5 STARS! If you want a sexy sports romance with an interesting twist (the heroine as the sports star), pick up Offside! I truly enjoyed following Billie and Logan to their HEA, and although I have problems with one of the Barker triplets, I'll still pick up the next books in Juliana Stone's new contemporary trilogy!

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I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
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Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

 

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Blog Tour Review]: "The Navy SEAL's Promise"

The Navy SEAL's Promise by Soraya Lane

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Military)

With only 48 hours back on home soil for Christmas, United States Army Corporal Saskia Cullen is desperate to spend every minute with her young son. So when heavy snowfall closes JFK airport and she misses her connecting flight, she’s devastated. Until Navy SEAL Luke Gray offers to keep her company… and then does everything within his power to get her home.

Luke is back in the US on leave, waiting to hear the details of his next mission, and Saskia proves to be a pleasant distraction. And when he hears that she needs to get home to see her son, he’s prepared to do anything to help the sexy single mom. Trouble is, he hadn’t planned on falling for anyone, let alone a beautiful soldier about to return overseas.
 

 

Where to Buy*:

Kindle

More Info:

Author's Website | Add it on GoodReads!

My Review:

Who doesn't love a military romance? How about one where the hero AND heroine are both in the military? Bonus!

Saskia is on leave for Christmas—but she only has a few hours to spend with her son before she has o return to base. When bad weather hits and threatens to strand her at an airport, her worst fears come to life: missing this rare chance to see her boy...

Luke, a Navy SEAL and fellow passenger on Saskia's plane, can't help but intervene. He makes a promise, to himself and to her, that he will get her home to her son, even if he has to carry her there! Luckily he manages to “borrow” a military Humvee, and off they go!

But can the keep their hands off each other during the journey home? Of course not! :) This makes for a Humvee scene that I'm sure many have never even thought of!

Luke makes good on his promise, but all too soon they both have to get back. It'll be hard to keep up a relationship when they both have missions and duties to do, but this doesn't seem to be just a fling, and both are willing to make the promise to try.

The Navy SEAL's Promise was a wonderful, sweet romance; I loved the idea of the story, and Luke was a very nice hero. No complaints here!

I can only imagine how hard it must be to have both partners in a relationship in the military. One is bad enough, but both? Finding common time to meet as well as worrying about each other...talk about a bump in the road to HEA! But I loved it, it was my first time reading such a story, and I think Soraya Lane did a wonderful job.

4 STARS! My only real complaint is that the book (novella) was too short, and the few days that it covered seemed to move very fast. I wanted more! I wanted to learn more about Luke and Saskia, even her son. But what was there was very good, a quick tale of love. I will definitely be adding Ms. Lane to my list!

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I received a copy of this book from the tour host in exchange for my honest opinion.
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Enjoy!   





Until Next Time,


 

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[ARC Review]: "Until There Was You"

Until There Was You by Jessica Scott

Publisher: Loveswept (October 8, 2012)

Series: Coming Home, 2

Genre: Contemporary Romance--Military

He plays by the rules, she’s not afraid to break them. Now these two strong-willed army captains will prove that opposites attract . . .

A by-the-book captain with a West Point background, Captain Evan Loehr refuses to mix business with pleasure—except for an unguarded instance years ago when he succumbed to the deep sensuality of redheaded beauty Claire Montoya. From that moment on, though, Evan has been at odds with her, through two deployments to Iraq and back again. But when he is asked to train a team prepping for combat alongside Claire, battle-worn Evan is in for the fight of his life.

Strong, gutsy, and loyal, Captain Claire Montoya has worked hard to earn the rank on her chest. In Evan, Claire sees a rigid officer who puts the rules before everything else—including his people. When the mission forces them together, Claire soon discovers that there is more to Evan than meets the eye.

He’s more than the rank on his chest; he’s a man with dark secrets and deep longings. For all their differences, Evan and Claire share two crucial passions: their country and each other.

 

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | Publisher

More Info:

Author's Site

Add it on GoodReads! | Find the Series

My Review:

I knew going into this book that I would love it. I've heard nothing but praise about Jessica Scott's first book (Because of You). And everyone was right—Scott is truly talented, creating a wonderful, emotional story. I look forward to going back and reading her debut, as well as anxiously awaiting her next novel!

Claire and Evan's story is anything but easy. They each have a lot of personal baggage to overcome before they can have their HEA. At times, it seems almost impossible—between their demons and loyalty to the army, how can they work through their relationship? But in the end they do, of course, and the journey to that point is touching.

I loved that Evan wasn't a perfect hero. As Claire jokingly called him, he was Captain America, practically perfect, a man who follows the rules. But this is how he deals with his mistake from the past, the one that haunts him to this day—the one that he has inked onto his skin, both in memory and as penance....

Claire has her own secrets, and they've defined who she is today. Tough, but underneath it all she's unsure, lonely, and terrified to trust anyone again. I liked that about her, it made her more believable.

Plus, let's not forget Reza (Iaconelli), Claire's one true friend. He's very flawed.

Evan watched as Iaconelli worked his way through the formation. He trusted Iaconelli more than any other warrior in his formation. His skill on the battlefield was unnatural, but it kept his men alive, and Evan couldn't help but wonder at the cost of that skill. Had the descent into hell been worth it? Iaconelli was the warrior Ajax personified and more deeply flawed than any Greek hero. A nagging voice whispered in Evan's ear that Iaconelli was a grenade with the pin already pulled, simply waiting for the handle to be released to explode. "He needs help," Evan said.

 

Like Claire, I was frustrated with him, wanting him to stop. But she doesn't know how to help him without hurting him, their friendship, or his position. Evan, although not quiet as good a friend as Claire is, also cares for Reza, and struggles with how to help him.

Evan approached Iaconelli after the last vehicle rumbled out of the assembly area. He didn't know what he was going to say or even how to start.

It was an uncomfortable feeling for him. His goal was always to do the right thing. To follow the rules. But with Reza, the rules were no longer clear cut. Sure, it would look like an easy choice to someone who hadn't served. Turn him in, get him sent to rehab. But that would mean disregarding the combat awards on his chest, ignoring the nearly fifty months in combat he had served and reducing the hero who stood before him to little more than an alcoholic

 

I'm very curious about Reza—and I would love to read his story! :)

Until There Was You also had a playful air to it at times. Here are a just a few of my favorite quotes.





"Rexa said I should just tell you I'm crazy and ask you to put up with me." She pressed her lips together, biting back the sting of emotion. "But that's not really the entire truth." She breathed deeply, smiling tremulously. "I miss your cock when it's not around. And the rest of you isn't half bad, either."

 

And a few pages later (after a very nice smexy scene)...

Shaking her head slowly, she reached between their bodies. Slowly she slid her hand over his erection. "Does this mean I get to keep your penis around?"

"You can do whatever you want to it, so long as it doesn't involve hot wax or shaving."

"I shaved for you."

Evan laughed. "You've never seen a bald cock. It looks like a plucked chicken."

4 STARS! Jessica Scott has captured my attention, and I'm now a fan for life! Sexy yet playful, emotional and complex, Until There Was You is a great book to read, and one that I will be recommending to others! I'll admit I probably understood very little of the army lingo used, but I didn't mind—it added a depth to the story and showed me that this was written by an author who knows this world, rather than someone who just Googled a phrase or two. I look forward to many years of new books from Ms. Scott!

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I received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All quotes are property of the author, I do not claim them.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~




Enjoy!



Until Next Time,
 



*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!