Tag Archive | romance

-Letter J- Boarlander Cursed Bear #bearshifter #romance @aprilAtoZ #atozchallenge

Apr12

J is for Joyce (T.S. Joyce)

Boarlander Cursed Bear (Boarlander Bears book 5)

Synopsis
Clinton has had a problem with the Boarlander shifters pairing up with mates. He has said mates bring problems. However, when his first love and mate comes to town, he cannot stop himself from being with her. He is even convinces himself that their past can stay hidden since she has no memory of their time together. They can finally have their bright future.

Alyssa dreams of a boy who was very important, possibly the love of her life. When she meets Clinton, they have a connection like no other. It is crazy that she’s in love with a guy she just met. But Alyssa wants to know his secrets.

Opinion
This story had so many layers. Up until this point from what I knew of Clinton in the previous books in this series, I was prepared not to like Clinton because he was such a jerk. I knew that his attitude has to have been based in some bad experiences. I thought that his trauma better be severe for me to feel sorry for him after all he put everyone else through.

Image result for this better be good meme

Reading Clinton’s history and getting the full story almost made me cry. Saying he went through so much does not adequately express it. It was heart wrenching. I do not usually get emotional over books, especially FANTASY, but this story got me in the feels.

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I am speaking in vague terms because I do not want to give anything away. It is necessary to read the story and not know what’s going to happen in order to get the full effect.

Clinton was thoroughly redeemed for all his douchebaggery.

I had mixed feelings about Alyssa. She seemed okay to me but I was not sure how I felt about her reaction when certain things are revealed. She comes around but I was feeling so sympathetic towards Clinton that I wish she had been more understanding sooner than later.

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY. The is a entertaining standalone bear shifter story. For the FULL experience, I recommend reading the whole series like I did.

Book details
Print Length: 238 pages
Series: Boarlander Bears
Heat Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

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-Letter H- Texas Wildfire (Texas Heroes book 1) #western #romance @aprilAtoZ #atozchallenge

Apr10

H is for Hunter (Sable Hunter)

TEXAS WILDFIRE by Sable Hunter

4heart
Synopsis
Titan has been in love with his captain’s wife since he first saw her. He did not know she was married at the time. Once he found out, he made sure that he did nothing that might be perceived as improper. He is content to lover her from afar because he is too honorable to break up her marriage.

Makenna has no options. Her husband is abusive and she fears for her life. Everyone thinks that he is great which only exacerbates her isolation. What helps her cope is the fantasies she has about Titan, wishing she had married him instead.

When Titan finds out about her dire situation, it makes him wish that he had done something sooner.

Opinion
I really liked this book because it addresses the number one question people ask a person in an abusive relationship: “Why did you stay?” This is a true to life situation.

Makenna thought she did not have any options and was resigned to being abused. She lived in her fantasy world because that was better than dwelling on the fact that she married a man with Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde persona.

There are 2 issues that I usually deduct points (1) being on the rebound (2) one of the main characters being legally married.

Technically I think that she is not on the rebound because she has not been in love with her husband for years. She would leave if she was not in total fear for her life.

Yes, on paper, she is still married, but considering he is trying to kill her, I did not penalize the story’s rating. Even with the budding emotional relationship, Titan and MaKenna were still respectful to the fact that she was married when it came to getting physical.

Overall, I am glad that Titan and MaKenna have a HEA, but I wish that her ex suffered more than he did. I hate bullies.

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TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY! I think the author handled this topic in a very gracious way. All the while, she highlighted how domestic violence can occur and subtly emphasizes why victims need so much moral support instead of people turning a blind eye.

Book details
Series: Texas Heroes
Paperback: 252 pages
Heat Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

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-Letter D- Seb by Cheryl Douglas #romance #review @aprilAtoZ #atozchallenge

Apr5

D is for Douglas

Seb (Steele Brothers #3)

3heart

Synopsis
Seb restores old cars and has a reality show.
Skylar asked Seb to restore her uncle’s car because (1) he is a fan of the show and (2) he is seriously ill. She does not have the money to pay for the restoration but she offers to work for him to pay off the debt.

Opinion
The story moves along well but Skylar makes some unwise decisions that negatively affect the relationship. As always, I try to give the girl the benefit of the doubt, but in this case I think Skylar made an idiotic move. She knows Seb is a hottie with a great personality, but she would make poor decisions to mess that up.

brain
I think when there is instalove (as in the case in this story), neither party should be disappointed when there is a lack of trust.
They went from strangers to love in 0.2 seconds even though he is commitment shy. Now her feelings are hurt because he does not trust her.
It’s her OWN fault!

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I understand how it happened, because I have a friend who did something very similar. However, that does not excuse the fact that Skylar should have realized that withholding information could lead to loss of trust. I think that Seb had a good basis for falling in love with Skylar, but I understand how he had been hurt before would affect his view of her actions.

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY. And I say that even though I know you are probably going to be rolling your eyes when you get to the bad decision making on Skylar’s part. Plus, there were a couple of surprises that will make you wonder where the story is going. This book is part of a series and I am ready to read more about the Steele brothers. They all seem very yummy!

Book details
Series: Steele Brothers
Heat Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Print Length: 237 pages
Publication Date: November 10, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

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-Letter B- Craved by the Bear #bearshifter #romance #kindleunlimited @aprilAtoZ #atozchallenge

Apr3

B is for Bolryder

Craved by the Bear  by Terry Bolryder

Synopsis
Rock cannot stay in Bear Canyon and yet the woman he loves does not ever want to leave. That does not stop him from asking her to marry him every time he gets drunk. It is like their favorite joke. But when it seems that she needs a man in her life, Rock wants to get her set up with the right guy. However, his bear argues that she is his forever mate.
Rosalyn “Ros” has been in love with Rock for years and pining for him. He always comes back, but she knows that one day he will leave for good. She is trying to protect her heart and enjoy the time she has with him at the same time.

Opinion
I read “Sheltered by the Bear” so I know a little of the back story to what Rock and his brothers suffered as children. I gave Rock a lot of leeway with his decisions because I knew that he was trying to avoid dealing with the emotional trauma that he experienced.
Though he did not want to deal with his deeper emotions, he still was trying to do the right thing by Ros and take care of her the best way he thought possible. To him, that meant trying to hook her up with a “good man/bear”.

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While the basis for the trauma is heavy (child abuse), the overall tone was not dark. For example, it was funny that everyone humored Rock with his matchmaking exercise, all the while knowing that he really was the only man for Ros. I am glad that he had real friends like Francis calling him out on his BS.

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Ros was a heroine who was very understanding and compassionate of his situation. That does not mean that she was anyone’s doormat. She pushed Rock’s buttons a time or two as well. It made for great chemistry.
Overall, I loved this story. Plus, this is a story of friends to lovers (my favorite trope). Winning in my book!!!!
P.S. Terry I hope you continue to feel better. Love reading your books. And Francis needs his own story. After Ryland of course.

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY. This story is unique in the way that the hero and heroine approach their situation. While the plot is somewhat predictable, Rock’s antics are entertaining enough to keep your interest.

Book details
Series: Trapped in Bear Canyon Book 2
Heat Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Publication Date: February 13, 2017
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

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Cover Reveal: Perfect Scents @authorvtaylor #amreading

Mar20
PERFECT SCENTS
by Virginia Taylor
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: 9/26/2017
Two unsuspecting lovers stumble upon the blueprint for love . . .
Calliope Allbrook takes a job in
lovely, sunny Adelaide, Australia, hoping to lose herself in her work
as a balm for her broken heart. And if it weren’t for the handsome
hunk renovating the house next door, Calli would never even have
looked up from the garden she is designing for her latest client. But
rugged Kellen Dee is just the cure the beautiful heiress needs. After
all, he has no idea who she is, so he certainly won’t see her as a
meal ticket. Then there’s the fact that Kell’s deliciously
sexy—and incredibly good with his hands . . .
From the moment Kell takes her in his
arms, he knows Calli is more than just a fling. Then the blue collar
bachelor learns he’s not sharing his bed with just any woman, but
the wealthy daughter of the man who could make Kell’s construction
business a success—and Kell the kind of well-heeled man worthy of
Calli’s love. But he’ll have to be careful his ambitions don’t
trip up his heart . . .
After training at the South Australian
School of Art, Virginia worked in an advertising agency. This segued
into re-training as a nurse/midwife before meeting the man of her
dreams, marrying and producing two children.
Over the years Virginia has been a
theatre set painter and designer, but now she fills her days as a
full-time writer.