Review: A Kiss From a Knave by Leslie Kelly

Title: A Kiss From A Knave
Series: Once Upon a Kingdom
Author: Leslie Kelly

Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: November 16, 2021
Publisher: LK Books
ASIN: B09JV7B8K2

Once upon a time, in a land very close to our own, a greedy queen amassed a vast collection of priceless stolen artifacts.

People from other lands suspected her thievery, but none could prove it. Once taken, their own precious items disappeared forever. A delicate hair comb, a pair of fragile glass slippers, a gilt-edged mirror, golden straw, magic beans, an enchanted ax, and an antique oil lamp were among her hidden prizes. The most precious of all was a goblet that had once held the very essence of life and death—the decades of dreams of an entire sleeping kingdom.

Now, a group of rebels is out to stop the evil queen's plans. They must retrieve the magical antiquities before she can use them to seize power over all the kingdoms.

It will take someone very special to do the job. For it takes a thief to catch a thief...and a knave to outwit a queen!

The greatest thief in the land takes on the challenge, but he isn't alone on his quest. When a beautiful woman from another world lands right at his feet, he knows he must protect her from the powerful queen. He tells himself he will someday get her home to her own land.

But when the time comes, how will Jack Harte ever let Allie go?

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Review: Snow Red by Ellis Leigh

Title: Snow Red
Series: Kinship Cove (Books & Baes)
Author: Ellis Leigh
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: October 5, 2021
Publisher: Kinship Press
ASIN: B09B7TH647

Siamese cat shifters are known to be chatty but I don’t always live up to that stereotype, mostly because talking means telling secrets. That’s not what I should be doing. I may have run away from my own version of the evil queen to hide among the shifters of Kinship Cove, but that doesn’t mean I’m safe quite yet.

Mirror Mirror, on the wall…how can I hide from my past when my fated mate is going to hunt to uncover it all?

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Review: Snow Blind by Cindy Gerard

Title: Snow Blind
Series: Stormwatch
Author: Cindy Gerard
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: January 9, 2020
Publisher: Daug Haus Publishing
ASIN: B07YGSFSPS

Winter storm Holly is the worst in eighty years bringing high winds, subzero temperatures and snowfall better measured in feet than in inches. The weather paralyzes everything in its path, but, in this storm, weather isn't the only threat.

It started out as a simple recon mission—then the worst happened. Recon evolved into an imminent threat and Rapid Response Alliance operatives, Cara Graves and Josh Haskins find themselves with less than 48 hours to circumvent a nuclear disaster. Fighting against the clock and the worst blizzard to hit the Midwest in almost a century, Cara and Josh, risk everything—including their feelings for each other—to stop what the terrorists hope will be Armageddon.

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Review: Snow Brides by Peggy Webb

Title: Snow Brides
Series: Stormwatch
Author: Peggy Webb
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: January 2, 2020
Publisher: Westmoreland House
ASIN: B07YL5NJS5

The storm sweeps in like a thief in the night...

Winter storm Holly is the worst in eighty years bringing high winds, subzero temperatures and snowfall better measured in feet than in inches. The weather paralyzes everything in its path, but, in this storm, weather isn't the only threat.

Maggie Carter’s life feels as unpredictable as the epic snowstorm sweeping the Northwest and bearing down on Minnesota. Her marriage to Joe is on the rocks and her daughter Kate is driving home from college for the holidays, perhaps the last they will ever spend together. As Maggie prepares for Christmas, the unthinkable happens. On the drive home her daughter vanishes. Even worse, she’s the third college girl to disappear near the frozen Superior Hiking Trail within the last two years. Is Kate trapped by brutal nature or is she in the hands of a monster? Maggie, a Search & Rescue handler, and Joe are galvanized into action. Can they find their daughter—and their way back to each other—before it’s too late?

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Review: Black Ice by Regan Black

Title: Black Ice
Series: Stormwatch
Author: Regan Black
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: December 26, 2019
Publisher: Getaway Reads
ASIN: B07YJ8Z45R

The storm sweeps in like a thief in the night...Winter storm Holly is the worst in eighty years bringing high winds, subzero temperatures and snowfall better measured in feet than in inches. The weather paralyzes everything in its path, but in this storm, weather isn’t the only threat.

Evelyn Cotton deals poker at the Silver Aces casino in Deadwood to keep the family adventuring business in the black during the off-season. News of the storm barreling closer has the casino packed with locals pushing their luck and travelers who are stranded. When Wyatt Jameson, her high school sweetheart, sits down at her table it’s all she can do to keep her hands to herself. For more than twelve years she’s dreamed of choking the life out of him for running away to the Army without giving her so much as a goodbye kiss.

Wyatt isn't back in town for a reunion, though seeing Evie reminds him what sacrifice means. He's been looking for purpose since an injury ended his Army career. Now, the FBI has recruited him to infiltrate a crew planning to steal a fortune in diamonds, including the famous Mae West Solitaire currently on display at the Silver Aces. The thrill of being needed and the hefty payday if he succeeds easily override the risk of dredging up the old memories and heartache he left behind.

But when the thieves up their timeline due to the storm, Evie gets caught in the crossfire and Wyatt's plans are turned upside down. He has to win her over -and fast. Without her expertise they might not survive long enough for him to tell her she's the woman he's never stopped loving

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Review: Frozen Ground by Debra Webb

Title: Frozen Ground
Series: Stormwatch
Author: Debra Webb
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: December 5, 2019
Publisher: Pink House Press
ASIN: B07YDWSTCH

The storm sweeps in like a thief in the night...Winter storm Holly is the worst in eighty years bringing high winds, subzero temperatures and snowfall better measured in feet than in inches. The weather paralyzes everything in its path, but in this storm, weather isn’t the only threat.

Abbey Gray, a NYT bestselling suspense author, is burned out. She needs time away from the madness of deadlines and personal appearances as well as her big city life in New York. Returning to her small hometown in Montana to hide herself away, she attempts to dive into her next novel. Abbey hopes the solitude will kickstart her muse but a murder next door gets in the way. The murder stirs painful memories from the past of another murder—Abbey's mother. Can the eerily similar details of her neighbor's murder help Abbey remember the truth about the past before she becomes the next victim? With the storm charging toward her hometown, there is no escaping what's coming.

Sheriff Garrett Gilmore has known Abbey and her family his entire life. In truth, he’s probably been waiting for her to come back, knowing it likely wouldn’t happen or maybe he just has commitment issues. He can’t worry about that at the moment, he has a homicide to solve and a murderer to catch, all with the storm of the century bearing down on Montana. Survival is all that matters.

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Review: Betrayed by Your Kiss by Laura Landon

Title: Betrayed by Your Kiss
Author: Laura Landon

Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: March 24, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
ASIN: B00OIBPIYA

It should have been the happiest night of her life...

Lady Olivia Sheridan knows one thing: she has loved Lord Damien forever. But when her beloved is accused of fathering another woman’s child, Olivia’s world is shattered in ways she never thought possible. Especially when Damien’s accuser sets a huge price on his head, and Olivia discovers Damien’s death will be the only outcome...unless she does the one thing he will never forgive her for doing.

When Olivia’s plan to save him goes disastrously, dangerously awry, Damien doesn’t think he’ll ever see the light of day again and, with bitterness, he realizes that the woman he loves is capable of the ultimate betrayal.

Now, four years later, Damien has returned. His eye is on one thing: seeking revenge for what Olivia did to him. Only his heart may get in the way...

Because hell hath no fury...like a man betrayed.

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Review: Seduce Me Tonight by Katherine Garbera

Title: Seduce Me Tonight
Author: Katherine Garbera

Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: January 19, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
ASIN: B00SHS9KUS

WOO ME...

Designing and running a unique and successful family oriented South Carolina resort has been Alexandra Haughton’s passion. She’s not about to allow her crown jewel to be bought and revamped by a huge conglomerate even if CEO, Sterling Powell, personally arrives, champagne and contract in hand to try to persuade her to change her mind. He’s handsome, smart and wields a devilish smile that promises serious bedroom skills. Alexandra’s interest is caught, but not for making a sale. Her body may be on offer but not her hotel so Sterling needs to up his game.

RESIST ME...

Sterling Powell is determined to add Alexandra Haughton’s celebrated resort to his balance sheet, and the minute he sees her sexy lips mouth ‘no,’ the red flag of challenge has been waved. He’s never backed down from a challenge, and it’s clear that his persuasive skills need to extend outside the boardroom. Alexandra Haughton requires some serious exploration of reintroducing to life’s most delicious pleasures—moonlit beach walks, candle-lit dinners and skin scorching kisses. No one said he had to play fair, and he doesn’t intend to. Only when sizzling sex isn’t enough and Sterling wants a more permanent merger, does he realize this is one challenge he can’t afford to lose

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Review: Stealth by Janie Crouch

Title: Stealth
Series: Omega Sector
Author: Janie Crouch
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: August 10, 2020
Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
ASIN: B08DJ3VDL1

She never expected to see her old flame again. Or be kidnapped by him.

The wrong place at the wrong time; that's the only way Sophia Reardon could explain her predicament. She wasn't even an FBI field agent and now she was being taken hostage. By her ex-boyfriend Cameron Branson. The moment Sophia walked into his undercover operation, Cameron warned her that his employers would want to break her. So keeping her by his side, pretending not to have feelings for her, was the best way to maintain his role in the dangerous organization, and the only way to keep them both safe. Because if they got their hands on her, she could expose him and his secrets. And then they'd no longer have any reason to keep her around.

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Review: Widow's Tale by Maureen A. Miller

Title: Widow's Tale
Series: Victory Cove
Author: Maureen A. Miller
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: March 25, 2008
Publisher: Maureen A. Miller
ASIN: B00147RWB8

Serena Murphy was losing her mind.

Every night Serena stood on the deck of O'Flanagans Tavern, searching Maine's rugged coast for a sign of her husband's body. Though he was pronounced lost at sea, Alan Murphy still haunted her as only his malevolent spirit could. In the loft above her tavern, Serena hears footsteps pace across her living room floor, yet when she turns, no one is there. Alan would not let a little thing like death stop him from tormenting her. If she could just find his body, surely this torture would stop.

It had been ten years since Brett Murphy saw his sister in-law, although the separation was by design, to avoid temptation. Now Brett was in Victory Cove, not to declare his feelings for Serena, but to discover the truth about his brother's death. In doing so, he must battle Serena's ghosts, both real and contrived.

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Review: Blade of Death by McKenna Grey

Title: Blade of Death
Series: Kyndall Family Thrillers
Author: McKenna Grey
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: March 6, 2017
Publisher: Trappers Peak Publishing
ASIN: B073DH1T48

He'll strike when she least expects it.

Alexa Kyndall, an FBI special agent, has seen too many vile and unrepentant people escape justice. After coming off a harrowing kidnapping case, she visits her hometown of Stewart's Crossing while on a two-week vacation.

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Review: Seasoned With Love by Melinda VanLone

Title: Seasoned With Love
Series: Bellamy Sisters
Author: Melinda VanLone
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: May 4, 2021
Publisher: WrittenHouse Publishing
ASIN: B09474BD4B

Carrie Collins didn’t know she was craving something sweet until Dr. Ben showed up on the menu.

Carrie Collins, the head chef at Belhurst Castle, is not looking for a relationship. She’s made it into her forties encumbrance free and raised her nephews. Settling down and creating a family is not on her menu. So when the hunky new doctor wafts into town, she expects to watch the feeding frenzy from afar. But after one meal at her restaurant, Doctor Ben is interested in a lot more than Carrie’s admittedly excellent cooking.

When the position of Head Surgeon opens up in Ben Murphy’s home town, the offer is too good to refuse. He’s looking forward to living close to his family again, even if he could do without their hints about him settling down and having kids of his own. Then he meets Chef Carrie and suddenly settling down looks a whole lot more appealing. Cute and quirky and very much her own woman, Carrie’s the partner Ben didn’t know he’d been looking for.

But small town relationships come with plenty of watchful eyes and a whole lot of expectations attached, and Carrie decided a long time ago that the traditional life wasn’t for her. Can Ben convince Carrie he wants her just as she is or will this whirlwind romance go stale fast?

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Review: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor by Max Allan Collins

Title: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Series: The Mummy Chronicles
Author: Max Allan Collins
Read copy: Mass Market Paperback
Published: July 1, 2008
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN: 0425223132
ISBN-13: 9780425223130

When dashing adventurer Alex O'Connell is tricked into awakening China's ruthless Dragon Emperor from eternal slumber, the reckless young archaeologist must seek the help of the only people who know more than he does about taking down the undead: his parents—Rick and Evelyn O'Connell.

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Review: Deadly Alliance by Maddie Wade & India Kells

Title: Deadly Alliance
Series: Alliance Agency
Author: Maddie Wade & India Kells
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: October 9, 2018
Publisher: Maddie Wade
ASIN: B07GS534M2

Fortis and Purgatory are both exceptional covert agencies composed of deadly operatives. With the Atlantic Ocean between them, they never thought they would ever collaborate until a series of horrible murders force them to unite.

As a former Navy SEAL, Shane Rhodes has suffered his share of tragedies but when his best friend’s little sister is murdered by a vicious serial killer, he takes it personally.

Emme Wallace is the perfect bait; she is also young, innocent and skilled. With both their teams behind them, they go after a lethal shadow set on revenge.

As danger brings them even closer, barriers are shattered and bonds formed until they realise that they are much stronger together than they are apart. But will their unique talents and skills be enough to survive a threat no one can see?

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Review: Shadow Killer by India Kells

Title: Shadow Killer
Series: NOPD Forensics Team
Author: India Kells
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: March 9, 2021
Publisher: Aces Press
ASIN: B08WWN5LC8

Two murder victims, two suspects without any memory of committing the murders, and a masterful killer that hides in the shadows of their minds.

Brandon Turner’s head is still spinning from taking a new job with NOPD and moving to a new city. Although New Orleans is fascinating, it’s not as enticing as Noelle, the curvy beauty who is as cold as ice. Brandon is determined to uncover why she hates him so much, but two strange murders soon require his full attention and Noelle’s professional opinion.

Noelle Breaux is a brilliant forensic scientist, but she’s tired of fighting against old school cops who think that being a woman makes you a burden within the department. A new commander and fresh recruits raise her hopes—and those of her Cajun friends within the forensic department—until the hunk that looks like a blonde Viking out of a romance novel seems to be way too friendly with the old guard and she quickly loses hope.

Two of Brandon’s best friends and former colleagues, Daxton Chambers and Cruz Livingston come for a visit with their wives, Mack and Mickie. When the women disappear without a trace, Brandon has a feeling their abduction is related to the strange series of murders he’s been investigating.

With time running out, Noelle and Brandon will have to work closely together to discover who the mastermind is behind the murders and rescue their friends. Along the way, they unravel a deception that goes deeper than they bargained for.

In a city where magic perfumes the French Quarter, and moonlight shadows danger, profound trust is the key to solving this murder case, but love may be the only way to stay alive.

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Review: On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

Title: On the Way to the Wedding
Series: Bridgertons
Author: Julia Quinn
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: April 25, 2017
Publisher: Avon
ASIN: B00UG8RP3G

A funny thing happened...

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...

She wasn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar...

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Review: Crave the Heat by Marnee Blake

Title: Crave the Heat
Series: The Smokejumpers
Author: Marnee Blake
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: January 15, 2019
Publisher: Lyrical Liaison
ASIN: B07DSZWR2G

Fan the flames of desire...

Smokejumper Dak Parrish has come home to Oregon to fight fires—and to mend fences with his family. He left the Warm Springs Tribal Reservation after feuding with his father. Now, with tribal lands threatened by an arsonist, Dak gets a chance to make amends by acting as a liaison between the reservation and the forest service criminal investigator—a woman who sparks a surprising and hungry flame in him.

After a trauma on the east coast, Heidi Sinclair left DC to start fresh as a criminal investigator in Oregon. But her first serious investigation provides one stubborn obstacle after another—including an arrogant firefighter she suspects knows more than he's saying. Though she tries to battle her attraction to Dak, it’s too late. As they track down the arsonist, someone will do whatever it takes to keep old secrets buried, even if it turns everything Heidi and Dak have fought for to ashes...

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Review: Tempt the Flames by Marnee Blake

Title: Tempt the Flames
Series: The Smokejumpers
Author: Marnee Blake
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: September 11, 2018
Publisher: Lyrical Liaison
ASIN: B078LJTYTF

Someone is bound to get burned...

Meg Buchanan is determined to prove she didn’t get the trainer job in Redmond, Oregon’s rookie smokejumper class because of her family’s long history as firefighters—or out of pity. But if teaching one of her own brothers isn’t challenge enough, she’s shocked to see Lance Roberts in the new class of recruits. Once her brother’s best friend, and her first, unrequited crush, he’s also the son of the man responsible for her dad’s death.

Lance is stunned to realize that this confident redhead is the stubborn girl he once dreamed about. There’s no way he can fall for her now. He needs to focus all his attention on his training—and uncover the truth behind the long-ago fire that killed both their fathers. But as the undeniable heat between them threatens to ignite, someone attempts to put an end to Lance’s amateur sleuthing—and his life...

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Review: The Scandalous Widow by Erica Monroe

Title: The Scandalous Widow
Series: Gothic Brides
Author: Erica Monroe
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: April 24, 2018
Publisher: Quillfire Publishing
ASIN: B079D2MSYK

Lady Jemma Forster knows all too well how ruthless gossip-mongers can be. She sacrificed her own happiness to restore her family's reputation. Her marriage of convenience to an affluent earl meant saying goodbye to passion, and any chance at love with the dashing lawman who set her soul aflame. She leads a sedate, practical life as the Countess of Wolverston. Until her husband is murdered, and the only man who can bring his killers to justice is her former love.

Bow Street Runner Gabriel Sinclair has spent the last three years trying to forget about smart, beautiful Lady Jemma, who broke his heart when she married his best friend. The Earl of Wolverston's death thrusts Gabriel and Jemma back together, as they work to find his murderer. Their investigation takes them into the darkest, most dangerous parts of London, with threats coming from all sides. They're perfect partners for solving crimes, but can they be partners in love too?

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Review: The Determined Duchess by Erica Monroe

Title: The Determined Duchess
Series: Gothic Brides
Author: Erica Monroe
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: March 27, 2018
Publisher: Quillfire Publishing
ASIN: B078P37N2Q

After the death of her beloved guardian, Miss Felicity Fields is left adrift, her future uncertain. Grief-stricken, she launches a plan to use her knowledge of alchemy to build a Philosopher's Stone, and bring back to life the woman who was like a mother to her. The last thing this blunt bluestocking needs is the return of Nicholas Harding, the Duke of Wycliffe and rightful owner of her home on the wild coast of Cornwall. He stirs an unexpected passion within her, and Felicity has had enough change in her life.

When they were children, Nicholas never understood his aunt's brilliant but unemotional ward, or her many strange scientific studies. He ought to take her back to London, so she can make a proper society match--except he can't stop thinking about her. But with the line between life and death blurred by Felicity's macabre experiments, can he convince her that she's no longer alone, and her proper place is by his side?

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