Review: Just About Perfect by Leslie Kelly

Title: Just About Perfect
Author: Leslie Kelly

Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: March 17, 2021
Publisher: LK Books
ASIN: B09KSZ2JJ7

She's living a secret life

Sophie Winchester is the all-American small-town girl—Mexcept for her secret life creating mayhem as horror writer R. J. Colt. Nobody in her small town suspects she's anything except the nice church administrator. And she desperately wants to keep her secret!

He's a Cop Who's Sworn to Protect

Chief of Police Daniel Fletcher thought his new job in a small town would be a nice change from his big city past. But when notes about a murder land on his desk, and the target appears to be Sophie, he has to go right into protective mode. Fortunately, stcking close to a woman he's wildly attracted to--both day and night—isn't exactly a tough assignment.

But if Daniel learns the truth, can Sophie trust him to love the real her and not the sweet girl he thinks he's getting to know?

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Review: Dark 'N' Deadly by Tee O'Fallon

Title: Dark 'N' Deadly
Series: Federal K-9
Author: Tee O'Fallon
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: October 21, 2019
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
ASIN: B07XWZT7FY

ATF Special Agent Eric Miller and his explosives detecting K-9, Tiger, pull over a truck, the contents of which are explosive. Literally. More shocking, the driver is the kid brother of a woman he left behind. One who still haunts his days and his nights.

They’d never so much as kissed, but Tess McTavish never forgot the handsome, dangerous agent who vanished in a shroud of mystery. Now the last thing she needs is an ATF agent with his own agenda. Doesn’t matter that Tess and her brother are innocent. If Eric learns the truth of their past, they’ll never be free.

Eric’s drive for revenge against the man who targeted him and his colleagues in a deadly explosion still burns hot inside him. Another bomb is about to be detonated and he’s sure there’s a connection between that man…and Tess’s family. But Eric and Tiger will do everything they can to protect the woman he’s falling for from what’s coming...

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Review: Lock 'N' Load by Tee O'Fallon

Title: Lock 'N' Load
Series: Federal K-9
Author: Tee O'Fallon
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: May 28, 2018
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
ASIN: B07CWRYKPV

Crack CIA analyst Trista Gold is a whiz with the computer, but not so much with people. She hides behind her job, analyzing Top Secret code and making recommendations on national security. She doesn’t need a man in her life. But she will, very soon...

CIA K-9 officer Sgt. Matt Connors suspects that beneath Trista’s uptight appearance, there’s a sexy woman itching to cut loose. But he doesn’t dare act on his attraction. He’s a loner and always will be. Keeping away from Trista is a must-do directive. Until he doesn’t have a choice...

During a routine assignment, Trista stumbles across a cryptic exchange. She doesn’t think much of it...until someone tries to murder her—twice. Both times, Matt had been there to save her. But now she has to hide. And her new bodyguard, Matt, and his K-9 are the only hope she has against the powerful forces that want her dead.

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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: Say Goodbye by Karen Rose

Title: Say Goodbye
Series: Karen Rose's Interconnecting Books, Sacramento, CA
Author: Karen Rose
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: August 3, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
ASIN: B08MQM5G89

For decades, Eden has remained hidden in the remote wilds of the Pacific Northwest, "Pastor" keeping his cult's followers in thrall for his personal profit and sexual pleasures. But the Founding Elders are splintering, and Pastor's surrogate son DJ is scheming to make it all his own.

When two of Eden's newest members send out a cry for help, it reaches FBI Special Agent Tom Hunter, whose friend and fellow FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds and his sister, Mercy, are themselves escapees of the Eden cult, targeted by the Founding Elders who want them silenced forever. The three have vowed to find the cult and bring it down, and now, they finally have a solid lead.

Neutralizing Eden's threat will save captive members and ensure Tom's new friends can live without fear. But when his best friend, ex-Army combat medic Liza Barkley, joins the case, it puts her life—and their blossoming love—in danger. With everything they hold dear in the balance, Tom and Liza, together with Gideon and Mercy, must end Eden once and for all.

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Review: Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Suzanne Enoch, Amelia Grey & Anna Bennett

Title: Kissing Under the Mistletoe
Series: Wild Wicked Highlanders
Author: Suzanne Enoch, Amelia Grey, Anna Bennett
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: September 28, 2021
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ASIN: B08R2KVRN3

In GREAT SCOT by Suzanne Enoch, Jane Bansil knows she will never have a fairy-tale life. But even at three-and-thirty and well past marriageable age, though, she has to admit that the architect the MacTaggerts have hired could turn even a confirmed spinster’s head.

In CHRISTMAS AT DEWBERRY HOLLOW by Amelia Grey, Isabelle Reed has no plans to ever fall in love. Certainly not with Gate, a man who doesn’t live in Dewberry Hollow. She will fulfill her duty and help him keep his promise to have his ill grandfather back in London in time for Christmas dinner. The last thing Isabelle wants is for Gate to take her heart with him when he goes.

In MY MISTLETOE BEAU by Anna Bennett, Miss Eva Tiding is determined to cheer her widowed father with the perfect Christmas gift. Even if it means breaking into the home of the rakish earl who swindled Papa out of his pocket watch and pretending to date the earl for the Christmas season.

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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: Secrets of a Duke's Daughter by Samantha Holt

Title: Secrets of a Duke's Daughter
Series: The Duchess's Investigative Society
Author: Samantha Holt
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: March 8, 2021
Publisher: Helstone Press
ASIN: B08RXFSJR4

A duke's daughter must be prepared for whatever life—and love—throws her way...

Lady Cassandra Fallon is finally ready to take control of her life and join her late mother's investigative society. She's more than confident she can do the job—even when her first case involves a potentially deadly scandal. What she's not quite prepared for is her brother's attractive (and increasingly distracting) friend acting as her self-appointed bodyguard...

When Lord Luke promised his best friend he'd keep an eye on Cassie, he meant it. But the brazen and entirely too alluring woman she's become is a far cry from the mischievous, freckled girl she used to be. Luke knows a lowly viscount has no business longing for (or touching) a duke's daughter. But against all reason...he does...

She craves independence. He only craves her. An epic battle of the sexes is at hand. But will love be enough to get them to happily ever after? Cassie and Luke will soon find out...

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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: 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: The Mummy Returns by Max Allan Collins

Title: The Mummy Returns
Series: The Mummy Chronicles
Author: Max Allan Collins
Read copy: Mass Market Paperback
Published: April 1, 2001
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN: 0425179265
ISBN-13: 9780425179260

THE EVIL RETURNS
Hidden deep in the Egyptian desert, the mummified remains of Imhotep—accursed High Priest of Osiris—are uncovered once more by his loyal followers. Brought back to life, Imhotep sets out to find the legendary resting place of the very first pharaoh—the Scorpion King—and unleash an unstoppable army of evil upon the earth...

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES
Nine years after their adventure in the desert, daring ex-legionnaire Rick O'Connell and archaeologist Evelyn Carnahan are happily married, with their precious son accompanying them on a dig in the desert. What they accidentally discover is the key to locating the Lost Oasis of Ahm Shere, where the undead army of Anubis awaits the order to destroy mankind, and the hideous Scorpion King awaits those who will challenge his power. Now, Rick and Evelyn find themselves in a deadly race against Imhotep and his sinister minions, with the fate of all humanity—and the life of their son—hanging in the balance...

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Review: The Mummy by Max Allan Collins

Title: The Mummy
Series: The Mummy Chronicles
Author: Max Allan Collins
Read copy: Mass Market Paperback
Published: May 1, 1999
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN: 0425169480
ISBN-13: 9780425169483

Rick O'Connell, dashing American and legionnaire, is in Egypt looking for a good time. His discovery of the Lost City of the Dead is a fluke—but to British librarian Evelyn Carnarvon it's the archaeological find of the century. The city contains all the treasures of Egypt and possibly the secrets of life and death. Leading Evelyn's expedition deep into the Sahara isn't exactly easy money, though, as Rick must dodge death traps, escape the jaws of man-eating beetles, and even duel a hook-handed mercenary. And just when he's caught his breath, a long ago evil returns from the grave—with a taste for human flesh...

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Review: Black Hills by Nora Roberts

Title: Black Hills
Author: Nora Roberts

Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: July 7, 2009
Publisher: Berkley
ASIN: B002AU7MFY

Cooper Sullivan spent the summers of his youth on his grandparents’ South Dakota ranch, sharing innocent games and stolen kisses with the neighbor girl, Lil Chance. Now, twelve years after they last walked together hand in hand, fate has brought them back to the Black Hills.

Coop has left his fast-paced life as an investigator in New York to take care of his aging grandparents and the ranch he has come to call home. Though the memory of his touch still haunts her, Lil has let nothing stop her dream of opening the Chance Wildlife Refuge, but something...or someone...has been keeping a close watch. When small pranks and acts of destruction escalate into a heartless attack on Lil’s beloved cougar, memories of an unsolved murder in these very hills have Coop springing to action to keep Lil safe.

Lil and Coop know the natural dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. But a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts has singled them out as prey...

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Review: Ruthless by Gillian Archer

Title: Ruthless
Series: True Brothers MC
Author: Gillian Archer
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: April 12, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
ASIN: B018CHA1D8

Every girl needs a guardian angel—even if he wears black leather. In the first novel of her scintillating True Brothers MC series, Gillian Archer introduces readers to a sexy-as-sin biker...and the woman wild enough to tame him.

After dinner with the most arrogant man in the world, Jessica Miller is shocked when her blind date tries to maul her in the parking lot. Enter “Zag”: the brooding, bruising alpha male who jumps off his motorcycle and teaches the jerk a lesson he won’t forget. After getting one taste of a bad boy who lives on the edge, Jessica’s hooked. Zag’s willing to give her the ride of her life. But she needs to wrap her arms around his powerful chest and hold on—tight.

Zag knows firsthand that the True Brothers MC isn’t for the faint of heart. He only intends to show beautiful, innocent Jessica a few cheap thrills to satisfy her curiosity. But the more he lets her in, the more Zag comes to depend on her gentle touch to help heal the wounds that he’s been denying for so long. Now, a rival gang has set its sights on Jessica, and Zag must step up once again. He just hopes he can go the distance to protect the woman he loves.

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Review: Honey Bear by Ellis Leigh

Title: Honey Bear
Series: Kinship Cove (Mates & Macarons)
Author: Ellis Leigh
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: October 14, 2018
Publisher: Kinship Press
ASIN: B07JFF3LRD

Sometimes the happy in happily ever after is relative. Or related. Sort of. The third slice of sweetness from the Cake-ily Ever After bakery in Kinship Cove will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.

I’m supposed to be the nice sister. The good one. The girl everyone can count on and who rallies the troops whenever one of us needs a little boost. I’m not supposed to be anything other than sweet. I’m not the one secretly pining for a man twice my age. A man who shifts into a bear at whim and runs the whole darn town with a calm sort of confidence never before seen in Kinship Cove. But I do pine. I pine hard.

And when I make bad decisions because of that, I become the sister with a burden bigger than she can carry.

And a secret.

What would you do if you needed money fast? What wouldn’t you do?

I won’t sell my body. So instead, I’ll sell the closest thing I can—to whoever has the right amount of cash.

And I’ll cross my fingers and hope the bear shifter who refuses to see me as anything other than sweet never finds out.

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