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The Happily Ever After Bookstore by Bernadette Marie – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Happily Ever After BookstoreThe Happily Ever After Bookstore by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming contemporary romance novel, with three interwoven stories all based around the ‘Happily Ever After Bookstore’. The owner of the bookstore is Leona, and she not only loves finding readers the right book, but also the right partner, even if the pair might not know that they are destined to be together. When Sadie enters the bookstore to ask for Leona’s advice for a holiday romance, she knocks into Charlie McGowan, who seems out of his element. Sadie and Charlie soon discover that Leona has “accidentally” given them the wrong bags. As they meet to swap bags, will they fall for the bookstore owners matchmaking. Leona is at it again, when author Fiona Gable and her ex-husband, Price Richter end up in the town at the same time. Having been married and both loved and lost the couple split up, but maybe finding each other under different circumstances might change everything.

Leona may be skilled at pairing other people together, but she’s never found love herself, after all the bookstore is her true love. However, when Jon Ford is sent to fix some repairs in the bookstore, Leona wonders if she may have actually found her own happily ever after. When Leona learns that Jon comes with baggage, in the form of a three year old and a four year old, she’s not sure if she’s ready to take on a man, and a ready made family as well as her bookstore, but she definitely deserves her own happily ever after. This was an enjoyable and engaging read which kept me happily entertained and turning the pages. This wonderfully written novel, had a lighthearted and romantic storyline with very likeable and relatable characters, all set in a bookstore, the perfect combination!

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The Vardoger Boy (The Forerunner Saga Book 2) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Vardoger Boy (Forerunner Series)The Vardoger Boy by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was looking forward to reading this second book in the series, and I was not disappointed, as the epic adventures of the Agneson Clan continued. Set in Danelaw England, in 878, and the Vikings are at war with the last Saxon Kingdom, and as the Danish forces assemble for war on Wessex, the loyal Agneson Clan heeds the call to join the Great Viking Horde. This entertaining and enjoyable epic saga is a mix of historical fantasy and supernatural suspense, and it had me gripped from start to finish. Forerunner Thorfinn has his own adventures and dangers to overcome, as he learns that the Nine Realms are full of surprising hidden folk, and to earn his place aboard the Viking’s ship he must accept a mast troll’s quest. I was fully immersed in this story as the descriptive narrative along with the historical details really brings the setting and era vividly to life. This is a fast paced and exciting read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

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Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove Book 1) by Shannon Nikole – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove #1)Finding Starlight by Shannon Nikole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was completely immersed in this enjoyable and engaging small town romantic suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary romance in which Ellawyn Calloway moves to Quimby Grove, in Pennsylvania to make a fresh start, having left her old life behind. Ellawyn becomes friends with Benji, the elderly owner of ‘Starlight Books’, a quaint bookstore café, where she spends her time. When Benji’s grandson Beckett Walden returns to Quimby Grove for a visit, she can’t deny their connection, especially when Ellawyn learns of a devastating threat to Starlight Books, and so offers to help Beckett run the store.
As the couple get closer, Ellawyn finds herself letting her guard down, however, unknown to her a stalker is wanting to get her alone and she is in danger. I loved the characters, especially the likeable and relatable Ellawyn, and I thought Beckett was perfect for her. Their chemistry really sizzled off the page, leading to some steamy scenes. The small town feel of Quimby Grove really came across in the descriptive narrative, bringing the setting vividly to life. The storyline was full of drama, suspense and plenty of romance keeping me happily turning the pages. I look forward to the next book in the series.

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The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical cozy mystery, which had me hooked from page one. Set in 1862, our heroine, Alyssa Chalmers is one of a group of Victorian emigrants, who have arrived in British Columbia, having traveled by boat from Australia, to be brides. However, Alyssa is a very reluctant bride, but luckily she is a rather good intrepid sleuth, who all her friends turn to when there is a murder. The victim is the hotel owner in the prospectors’ town “Run’s End”, and along with the dead body, the gold which is stored there is also found to have something wrong with it. All the brides turn to Alyssa to find the murderer. However, the killer is both desperate and cunning and the epidemic outbreak complicates things further. The storyline had me gripped and the plot twists and turns kept me guessing until the last page. The characters are all wonderfully detailed, but Alyssa is particularly likeable and relatable and I was so engaged with her, that I felt I was solving the case alongside her. The descriptive narrative along with the added historical details bring both the setting and the era vividly to life. I could not put this book down, and I look forward to future books in this series, and I particularly look forward to meeting Alyssa Chalmers again!

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Unlikely to Tell (A Parker Lake Novel Book 4) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Unlikely to Tell (A Parker Lake Novel Book 4)Unlikely to Tell by Olivia Sherwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in this series, I was really looking forward to this latest novel and to reading Karen’s story, and I was not disappointed. I loved being back in Parker, Oklahoma, with its small town living and as usual I was fully immersed in the setting due to the descriptive narrative. Karen Posey is the local school teacher and she enjoys a simple, quiet and uncomplicated life, and although her natural beauty has attracted the attention of every man in Parker, Karen remains irrevocably unavailable. Karen believes she is destined to be alone and has developed a wall of defence around her heart in order to protect her, and the secrets she lives with.

However, a chance meeting with a man in the town’s grocery store may just change everything for Karen. Brody Cooper left Parker as a shy, nerdy kid but has reinvented himself and is now a successful, confident alpha male, who’s also rather sexy. Brody has had to return to his hometown to figure out his future, as his hard built career is in jeopardy due to no fault of his own. The last thing on his mind is love, but then he meets the rather aloof Karen whilst shopping and his interest is instantly piqued. Now he just has to win Karen over with his self confident charm, if she will let him. The characters are wonderfully detailed, and I felt like I was there with the likeable and relatable Karen and Brody. I was definitely cheering them on hoping they would get their HEA. The heartwarming storyline flows well and kept me happily turning the pages, and left me thinking about the characters long after I had finished the last page. A wonderfully written story and a enjoyable and engaging read.

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Squid (Moto X Book 5) by Brooke May – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Squid (Moto X Book 5)Squid by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this contemporary romance which is book five in the ‘Motto X’ series, but it can be read as a standalone story. Levi Crowe is best known for being a good time, party boy, with plenty of money and a body that women drool over. His weekend ‘black outs’ are legendary and provide a good laugh to everyone, but him. Underneath, Levi is worn out and unhappy, but it’s not until the same women, the one he can’t get out of his head, continuously rejects him, that suddenly Levi wants his life to change. Levi manages to get his life back on track, and is happier, but then, the women who rejected him, Kindle James, comes into his life. When both their careers are at stake Levi has to prove himself, but not only to Kindle. Can he really be a functioning adult though, especially when he attracts the attention of a stalker. This fairly quick read is full of great characters, and a storyline which kept me happily turning the pages. An enjoyable and engaging read, and I’m now keen to read the previous books in this series.

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As Close to Perfect by Maria Jane – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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As Close to PerfectAs Close to Perfect by Maria Jane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an enjoyable and engaging contemporary romance with a heartwarming storyline and great characters. Having been burned by a string of jocks before, Bree creates a hard rule-no dating athletes. Bree also comes up with a list of guidelines so that her heart does not get broken again, “As per the rules, coffee meetups don’t count as dates, lunch doesn’t count as a date, there will be no physical displays of affection until after a real date, and no sex until he commits to an exclusive relationship”. When she meets the tall and muscular Nate, he is basically a clone of all the guys that have hurt her before. Then, Steven comes along, and it’s as though Bree has ordered the perfect man, yes he’s muscular, but not too tall, and he’s definitely more mature, and is focused on his career.
When Bree finally gives into her feelings, she can’t deny the chemistry between them, and they are happy as a couple. However, they soon discover that being a couple is more than just the two of them. With family, religion, location, and money all becoming factors in their relationship, the pair need to meet in the middle, but can they? I definitely recommend you read this book to find out! I loved the likeable and relatable Bree and the chemistry between her and Steven sizzled off the page. I was cheering them on hoping they would both get their HEA.

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PREMEDITATED: A Trust Betrayed, Lives Sabotaged, A Love Undaunted (Agents of Justice Book 2) by Susanna Haymond – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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PremeditatedPremeditated by Susanna Haymond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced crime thriller, which had me hooked from start to finish. Anti-drug activists are being targeted by someone using the very substance they fight against. DEA Agents Grant Rourke and Josh McKenzie are assigned the case, and need to discover who’s behind this string of drug-related crimes, and make sure that the fatal doses of ‘kronilan’ are taken off the streets. However, the person behind the ‘kronilan’ distribution starts targeting the Agents family and friends, including Anne, the fiancé of Grant’s ex-partner and former DEA Agent, Greg Nelson. Grant and Josh need to find the culprit before it’s too late. This was a real page turner and the exciting storyline, along with the likeable and relatable characters kept me happily turning the pages. The plot twists kept me gripped and guessing until the end. I am keen to read the previous book in the same series now.

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Everything to Me (Playing for Keeps Book 2) by Lauren Fraser – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Everything to Me (Playing for Keeps Book 2)Everything to Me by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable and engaging sports romance which was a real page turner. Kendall has been in love with her brother’s friend forever, but he’s always seen her as his friends annoying sister. However, things change when professional baseball player, Pete Saunders, agrees to let Kendall stay with him while she’s in town. Although Pete is known as a bit of a player, he’s never broken the ‘bro-code’ before, “Rule number 1- don’t touch your friend/teammate’s sister. Rule number 2- see rule number 1”, but Kendall is way to tempting for him. Kendall and Pete start a relationship behind her brothers back, but Pete only does casual and he doesn’t believe in true love, so have they even got a future. I liked Kendall and Pete as they were likeable and relatable characters, and their chemistry really sizzled off the page. I also enjoyed how their relationship developed throughout the story. The storyline was fairly fast paced and the out-of-bounds relationship theme kept me happily turning the pages.

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Tickety Tock (Wicked Warriors MC Arizona Chapter) by Manda Mellett – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Tickety Tock: Wicked Warriors MC Arizona ChapterTickety Tock: Wicked Warriors MC Arizona Chapter by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this MC romance with a spooky, paranormal twist and plenty of drama and suspense. I was so immersed in this story and the world of the ‘Wicked Warriors MC’, I literally could not put this book down!

MC member, Dwarf is used to women overlooking him for his ‘brothers’, but he would like to find a women who only wants him. Dwarf definitely didn’t expect to find her by being literally swept of his wheels by her. Angry about his downed bike and injury he doesn’t immediately notice Raven, but once he does the chemistry is instant. Raven is scared and running away when she runs into Dwarf and knocks him off his bike. She doesn’t expect him to believe her as to why she’s scared, but he soon experiences the fear for himself.

Dwarf didn’t believe in ghosts, and neither did his MC brothers who come to the couple’s rescue, but Dwarf has to admit that there are things that can’t be explained. The characters and the setting are brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative, and the storyline and plot twists made this a real page turner. I thought Dwarf and Raven were a great couple who deserved to find love, and were likeable and relatable characters. I loved the added spooky element to this MC romance, and I look forward to future books in this series.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This romantic suspense novel was a real page turner and I was hooked from page one. Selena Hernandez discovers that she was brought to the United States illegally as a child, and in order to become a legal immigrant, she must return to Mexico, a country she does not know. Selena meets Wyatt Demko, an embassy employee whilst at the US Embassy asking for help with a visa. Wyatt is happy to help Selena, but the more they discover about her past which includes connections to a notorious and dangerous drug cartel, Wyatt’s own carefully planned life is upended. Having escaped a hard upbringing in a Wisconsin trailer park, Wyatt has worked hard for his stable career with the State Department. However, he also wants to keep Selena safe, and maybe win her heart at the same time.
As Selena fights to be allowed to return home to the US, her complicated situation becomes an international affair, whilst she’s stuck in a unknown land. Wyatt and Selena only have a few days to attempt the impossible, including hiding from the brutal drug cartel and the corrupt law enforcement, to make a daring getaway. This novel kept me gripped from start to finish with its fast paced and action packed storyline, and plot twists that kept me guessing. The characters were likeable and relatable and I felt engaged with them, and the settings from the streets of Mexico City to the sandy beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula were brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative. The chemistry between Selena and Wyatt really came across in the writing and I liked how their relationship developed. This was an enjoyable and exciting read, full of drama, suspense, and plenty of romance.

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer Caribbean Suspense Book 1) by Nicholas Harvey – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer #1)Deadly Sommer by Nicholas Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed crime thriller, which had me hooked from page one. Nora Sommer’s is new to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, and her first case is definitely not one she will forget. Nora is first on the scene when the daughter of a wealthy businessman goes missing, she is then ‘chosen’ by the kidnapper to complete four treacherous challenges. The crime is then live-streamed on the internet for everyone to watch as Nora faces the dangerous challenges, whilst the kidnapped girl’s life depends on her success. However, it’s not just the girls life on the line as Nora undertakes this difficult case. The storyline is full of drama and suspense, whilst the plot twists kept me guessing. Nora is a strong main character, who is likeable and relatable and I felt engaged with her throughout the story. I literally could not put this book down, it’s a real page turner.

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Coyote’s Road Trip by Laura Koerber – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Coyote's Road TripCoyote’s Road Trip by Laura Koerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A dystopian fantasy set in a post-climate change future, in which a coyote shapeshifter goes in search of a new home. Shapeshifter and guardian spirit of a desert valley in Nevada, Jim, is forced to leave his home, due to the heat and drought which has caused the death of his friends. As he journeys through the Pacific Northwest looking for a good place to live, he meets people along the way. Jim ultimately discovers a new purpose for his existence following his road trip. This is an original story with a dystopian setting and an intriguing storyline which also has a climate change warning to it. Jim is a unique character who I felt engaged with throughout the story. The post-climate change dystopian future really came vividly to life from the descriptive narrative and world building.

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Ancient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy by Tamara Agha-Jaffar – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Ancient Reflections: A Mythic TrilogyAncient Reflections: A Mythic Trilogy by Tamara Agha-Jaffar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this trilogy of stories based on timeless tales from Mythology, but retold with a new perspective. Each story is told from the females point of view, giving a voice to the women who made the stories, such as, “Homeric Hymn to Demeter, the Odyssey, and the Epic of Gilgamesh”, so memorable. By retelling these tales of myth and adventure, both the ancient world and the world of gods, monsters, and the otherworldly, are made relevant to todays readers. I was hooked from start to finish and I felt completely immersed in the stories, due to the wonderful descriptive narrative, the fascinating historical details, and the relatable characters. An enjoyable and engaging read.

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The Wolf’s Shadow (The Lycanthropy Files Book 1) by Cecilia Dominic – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Wolf's Shadow (The Lycanthropy Files #1)The Wolf’s Shadow by Cecilia Dominic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable and exciting urban fantasy novel, which kept me hooked from start to finish. Epidemiologist Joanie Fisher is having a hard time, her boss both fires her and ends their affair, her lab burns down, and then she discovers that the estate she’s inherited is infested with werewolves! Joanie was working on cutting edge research, looking into wolves physical changes and having been approached by a particularly handsome shifter, who begged her to continue her work, she discovers a sinister conspiracy. Working hard to then find a cure, Joanie puts her own life in danger, as a shadowy figure lurking in the background, will resort to murder in order to stop her developing a treatment for the wolfish disease. Joanie is definitely a strong female character who I felt engaged with throughout this fast paced story. The descriptive narrative brings the setting to life, and I felt immersed in Joanie’s world. I look forward to the next book in the series.

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Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse (The Forerunner Saga Book 1) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review By Jennifer Gordon

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Thorfinn and the Witch's Curse (The Forerunner Series #1)Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which is a mix of Viking and Saxon history, legends, adventure and a touch of fantasy, resulting in a real page turner. Set in the Viking Kingdoms of ninth century England, our young hero Finn, is living a normal, ‘Danelaw’ life. He practices his martial skills, does his chores and follows his brothers around, listening to scary stories of “ghostly curses, witches, soothsayers, and dangerous were-creatures”. Meanwhile, his father is plotting his apprenticeship and his family is preparing for a grand wedding. Everything changes for Finn, when his uncle sails home from the North having been exiled, and the the, “ghost of an ancient mage sits sentinel over his clan’s freehold”.

A witch’s curse then comes alive when a mishap turns Finn into a ‘Vardoger’, haunted by his own forerunner ghost. Suddenly the scary stories become a reality for Finn and he discovers a new realm beyond Midgard. Having to find his courage, a timid Finn struggles being a boy by day and a ghost by night, who even his own clan fears. As the witch is still hunting for revenge, Finn must defeat his enemies and save his uncle, whilst learning to live with his new half ghostly existence, and survive numerous murder plots. The descriptive narrative brings the setting vividly to life, and the added historical details make the era come alive as well. I loved the characters, especially Finn, who I felt engaged with throughout the story and I was really rooting for him! This was an exciting and engaging read, and I look forward to finding out what Finn and his clan will do in the next book.

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A Long Kiss Goodbye (Onyx & Mercury Book 2) by H.D. Thomson – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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A Long Kiss GoodbyeA Long Kiss Goodbye by H.D. Thomson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable and exciting paranormal romance with plenty of suspense to keep any reader hooked. When Avery is brutally attacked, there is no motive, and no suspect. Then days later when a neighbour is found dead, the second mutilated body to be found, it’s presumed that a serial killer is on the loose in Scottsdale. When Avery learns that her attack was not random or normal, she does not know who to trust, she even sees her next door neighbour, Luys act of kindness as being sinister. Meanwhile, Luys has his own secrets and a past he wants to keep hidden.
When Avery is attacked, Luys knows that a killer deadlier than any human is to blame, and that he needs to protect her. Luys knows that if he trusts Avery he will be exposing his dark history. With a killer, “filled with a seething need for vengeance”, on the loose the couple join forces to find the killer, knowing they might not survive. As their attraction grows they start to wonder if a relationship between them is doomed from the start. The characters were well defined and the chemistry between Avery and Luys really came across in the narrative. This had a fast paced storyline with plenty of plot twists and turns that kept me happily turning the pages.

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Phoenix’s Ascent (Hera Force Book 2) by Winter Austin – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Phoenix's Ascent (Hera Force: #2)Phoenix’s Ascent by Winter Austin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable and exciting military romantic suspense with plenty of drama and action, that kept me hooked from page one. Nadia Roth, code named ‘Phoenix’, was part of an all female black-ops group named ‘Hera Force’, tasked with bringing down terrorists. Following her teams last disastrous mission, Nadia suffered a traumatic brain injury, causing her memory loss. So when she meets Ex-SAS operative Mitch Edwards, who is on the run having been framed for treason by someone in the British government, in a bar in Cancun, Mexico, she doesn’t recognise the man she had an affair with. Meanwhile a maniac is developing a fantastical drug and wants a test subject who fits all the parameters.

Reinstated Hera Force linguist and assassin, Nadia and Mitch partner up to find out who has framed him. Nadia is drawn to Mitch and a memory stirs in the back of her mind, especially as her Hera teammates seem to remember him. Unknown to the team, they have a traitor in their midst who’s been revealing all their secrets to the enemy. An enemy who wants to procure the special drug and Nadia as the test subject. When the team find themselves trapped behind enemy lines, lives are at risk and Nadia still does not remember Mitch. This was a gripping page turner of a read, with great characters, and an engaging storyline, all brought together by the descriptive narrative, which made me feel immersed in the story. I would recommend reading book one first, so you have more of an understanding of the backstory to the ‘Hera Force’, but I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed and romantic novel.

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Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Bake OffBake Off by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book two in the series about Cat Anderson and her magical baking for YA, and it was nice being back with Cat. Cat is a very likeable and realistic teenager who not only has the usual ‘growing up’ issues, but she has also discovered that, ‘something’ happens when she bakes, something magical. In this story Cat wants to learn more about her ‘gift’, as now she knows what her baking can do but not why or how. To find the answers Cat and her family go on a road trip to the family bakery in Arizona, for Thanksgiving. However, instead of finding the answers to all her questions, Cat finds herself under suspicion and in the middle of a bakery showdown. Cat and Robyn soon learn that reckless baking, emotions and magic is a recipe for disaster. This is a fun and lighthearted read with a quirky and unique storyline, and a great main character in Cat. I was hooked from page one, and I felt engaged with the characters and immersed in the story due to the descriptive narrative. An enjoyable read for both YA and adults alike.

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The Wish-Eater by Claire Luana – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Wish-EaterThe Wish-Eater by Claire Luana
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This fantasy romance had a fairytale feel to it, which held me captivated from start to finish. I liked the added folklore elements to the storyline, and I felt immersed in the world the author has created, due to the descriptive narrative. The suspense really built as the story went on, and the journey to find the mythical, wish-granting creature, which is shrouded in myth continued. I liked the main characters, Elodie and Sebastian, and really felt for them, especially Elodie and her wish to have a child and become a mother. Elodie’s desperation for a baby really came across in the story, and I felt as though I was there with her and Sebastian when they embarked on their dangerous quest to find the ‘Wish-Eater’. This was a heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story which dealt with a sensitive issue, in Elodie’s wish for a baby. An engaging read, which I recommend.

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The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Scent of GardeniasThe Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a coming of age novel set in America during the 1940’s, and follows one women who is determined to overcome her circumstances and make a better life for herself. I was gripped from start to finish by this historical novel, and due to the authors descriptive narrative and added historical details I felt transported back in time, and was fully immersed in Margaret’s world. Margaret Rose is a determined young women with big dreams and aspirations, who just wants to escape her domineering father and her family’s poverty. Margaret elopes with an older man in the hopes of breaking away from her father, but shortly afterwards war and tragedy prevent her from achieving her ambitions, as the US enters WWII. When her husband’s ship is torpedoed during the war, Margaret trains as a nurse in order to make a future for herself.

However, she then finds out that she is pregnant and so must quit to have the baby. In desperation the young, widowed Margaret who now had no income to support a child marries again, but this man takes her far from home and leads her into more disaster. Margaret must rise above her misfortunes to create the life she deserves. I was captivated by this heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story from page one, and literally could not put this book down. This poignant novel tells the story of a Twentieth-Century woman, struggling to make something of herself during a time when society did not make it easy for women. I loved Margaret, who is an extremely likeable and relatable main character. I found that the storyline flowed well and the plot kept me happily turning the pages. I recommend reading the authors note, as it turns out the book is inspired by her mother’s true story. An enjoyable and engaging read.

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The True Purpose of Vines (The Winemakers Book 1) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The True Purpose of VinesThe True Purpose of Vines by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable and engaging historical romance which had me hooked from start to finish. Set in Portugal during the 1870’s, and Julia Costa is the best winemaker in Douro, but following her husband’s death she has gained his substantial debt, and is at risk of loosing both her vineyards and with them her legacy. Julia was expecting someone to come for what she owes, but was not expecting handsome Englishman, Griffin Maxwell. Griffin agreed to travel up the Douro river to chase a reluctant debtor, in order to gain a partnership with Oporto’s largest trading firm, but he was not expecting to come face to face with headstrong winemaker, Julia. Julia introduces Griffin to the vibrant Portuguese culture, but even as the couple fall in love with one another their different roots and cultures clash. After all Julia is not the ‘proper Englishwoman’ he intended to marry, and Griffin is an arrogant man who came onto Julia’s lands thinking he was entitled to them, but resisting each other is difficult.

The couple must put aside their differences and work together when the vineyards are in danger from a mysterious plague. In the end they must decide to either allow their cultural differences to keep them apart, or fight for love. This is a wonderfully written and obviously heavily researched, heartwarming historical romance novel. The beautiful settings are brought vividly to life and along with the historical details I felt transported to Portugal in the 1870’s, and felt fully immersed in the story. The characters are likeable and relatable and I loved the slow burn romance with an enemies to lovers theme between Julia and Griffin. The mix of winemaking, Portuguese culture, amazing settings and of course romance made this a real page turner and one which I definitely recommend.

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Reigning Hearts: The Complete Series (Books 1-5) by KG Fletcher – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Reigning Hearts: The Complete Series (Books 1-5)Reigning Hearts: The Complete Series by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this boxed set of five full length, standalone contemporary romances, and I ‘binge read’ them all. Each story is wonderfully written with likeable and relatable characters, a fascinating storyline, and a plot which has just enough drama along with the romance. The main characters always have plenty of chemistry which of course leads to some steamy scenes. The whole series took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and I felt completely immersed in each heartwarming story and engaged with all the characters.

In ‘Run to the Sea’, Thomas and Emeline are childhood friends who become lovers in a beach romance. Ginger and Doctor Jonathon Walden are the couple having a second chance at love in a small town setting in, ‘Stars Fall From the Sky’. Billionaire heiress Fiona meets bartender Chris in, ‘A Sun So Bright’, which has an enemies to lovers theme. ‘I’ll See You Again’, is a Scottish rock star, opposites attract romance when Nicky and Mac meet. Then single Dad and Christmas lover Giovanni Sentieri meets ‘Grinch’, Amber in, ‘A Cold Creek Christmas’.

This was an enjoyable and engaging series of romances which kept me hooked from book one until book five!

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Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 2) by Winter Austin – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, #2)Hush, My Darling by Winter Austin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A gripping crime thriller full of plot twists and turns that kept me both hooked and guessing until the last page. This is book two in a series featuring, Eckardt County Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit, and Deputy Lila Dayne, however I read it easily as a standalone story. Two years ago Lila survived an attack by a serial killer, but is haunted by dark memories following her many surgeries and rehab. Even as Lila begins to get back to normal, she can still sense him watching her. Meanwhile Sheriff Elizabeth Benoit is determined to bring down Eckardt County’s corruption, but then two bodies are discovered, bearing striking similarities to the serial killer’s victims.
One has a very personal message for her department, and sadly the pressure gets too much for Lila and she pushes everyone away. As Elizabeth tries to stay connected to Lila, the killer is closing in on his next victim and he seems to want to finish what he started. Lila must overcome her fear and trust those around her, as Elizabeth and her deputies desperately try to catch the killer. This is a tense and immersive read, and you can feel the suspense mounting with each chapter. An engaging read which I recommend, and I am keen to read book one in the series now, and hoping for a book three!

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The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy Book 1) by Rowan Rossler – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Cruiser (The Hustlers Trilogy, #1)The Cruiser by Rowan Rossler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An entertaining and engaging read, which kept me happily turning the pages. Millionaire, playboy, and Monaco’s most notorious yacht designer, Morgan de Rohan-Chabot, is known as a maverick, with a ‘bad boy’ reputation. Although this means the handsome man with attitude is trouble with a capital T, it also makes him Vandana Hillman’s perfect public relations challenge, after all she is, the Queen of Luxury PR. Morgan needs Vandana’s help to land him a conservative Saudi Prince as a client, and so invites her to join him in Monaco for ten day’s. Needing a distraction from her own life, she accepts. The glittering shores of Monaco, and the glamorous lifestyle of those who live there is brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative, making me feel immersed in the storyline. I loved the characters, both Morgan and Vandana are likeable and relatable, and their chemistry definitely came across in the narrative, and sizzled off the page. This attraction led to some steamy scenes, I also enjoyed the witty banter between them. It’s a slow burn romance with a promised HEA, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

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Unabridged (Lovestruck Series Book 2) by Melinda De Ross – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Unabridged (Smart & Sassy in the City, #2)Unabridged by Melinda De Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unabridged (Lovestruck Series Book 2) by Melinda De Ross
4 of 5 Stars
An enjoyable and entertaining romantic comedy which kept me happily turning the pages, wanting to know if it had a HEA or not. Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone story. Journalist Angelina, moved to Seattle to pursue her career, but is then surprised to find that the man she left behind, Blade Spencer, is her new editor-in-chief at ‘Unabridged magazine’. Everyone thought Angelina was stupid to leave the rich, handsome Blade, who happened to be in love with her, but she knows that she did it for him, and is determined to keep her secret.
Unfortunately, that means that Blade just thinks she left him for selfish reasons, which makes him being her boss difficult. However, she’s not the only one with secrets and Blade has one of his own, which then causes complications for the couple once they realise they are still attracted to one another. This is a fun, lighthearted and witty story with likeable and relatable characters who definitely have chemistry, which leads to some steamy scenes. The storyline has enough drama in it that you can’t help but keep reading to find out whether Angelina and Blade will get their HEA or not.

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Spring’s Showers (Romantically Seasonal Series) by C.A. King – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Spring's Showers: Romantically Seasonal: SpringSpring’s Showers: Romantically Seasonal: Spring by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable paranormal romantic comedy, which mixes gods, mythology, and romance, resulting in a quirky and engaging read. Cupid is fed up of the other gods thinking his ‘job’, of making couples fall in love, is easy. To stop being ridiculed and taken for granted he wants to prove to the others that helping people to fall in love is the hardest job. Cupid challenges them all to the bet of the century, “pitting deity against deity in a winner-take-all competition”. Each of the four challengers has to bring about the romance of Valentine’s Day, but in their designated seasons. Being spring, Mother Nature is first, believing that nurturing flowers and growing love is not that different. This is a fun, lighthearted romance with an intriguing storyline and fascinating characters, all of which made this a real page turner. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Finding Melodie and The Wedding Special Boxset by Laura Rossi – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Melodie Boxset (Melodie #1-2)Melodie Boxset by Laura Rossi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This special edition boxset contains two novels, featuring Melodie and ‘office guy’, (Isaac), and I was pleased to be able to ‘binge read’ them as the sequel picks up from the end of book one, so I didn’t have to wait to find out if the couple got their HEA. This opposites attract romance is an enjoyable and engaging read, with some really touching moments and then some laugh out loud ones. Set in London, the author has made the setting come alive through the descriptive narrative, making me feel immersed in the story. The quirky characters and intriguing storyline had me gripped from start to finish. Melodie, is a pink haired artsy-hippie, who plays guitar and sings under The London Eye, she always notices a guy that she’s named ‘office guy’, who she catches staring at her whilst she’s playing.
One day he actually walks up to her and they meet, Issac is her exact opposite, he’s a good, clean cut guy who works in an office, and definitely does not have pink hair. However, the pair becomes friends and then they fall in love, in book one, and then in book two the couple, who really are perfect for one another, are getting married. Unfortunately when their parents meet things do not exactly go to plan, as it seems not everyone is as happy about the couple marrying as they are. I loved Melodie and Issac, their chemistry sizzles off the page and I loved how their relationship developed throughout the two novels, and I really enjoyed their interactions with each other. A real page turner and a great read for some escapism!

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Deacon (Saints vs Sinners Series) by CJ Warrant – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Deacon (Saints vs Sinners Series Book 1)Deacon by CJ Warrant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A thoroughly enjoyable second chance at love romance which had me hooked from start to finish. When Deacon Saint returns to his hometown, Alama, Tennessee, having left ten years before to start his MotoGP racing career, he knew things could get difficult. After all, he’s mourning the tragic loss of his best friend, leaving behind his racing career, and dealing with his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. However, he did not expect to come face to face with the girl he’s always loved and who broke his heart, Olivia Bane. Meanwhile, Olivia was enjoying her perfect life, working as a nurse, having a group of great friends and a boyfriend who’s a doctor, and then Deacon returns and her life turns chaotic.
Suddenly, her boyfriend turns out to be a monster, she’s at risk of loosing her job, and worse of all, she’s at risk of falling in love with the person who previously broke her heart, Deacon. Deacon will need more than his, ‘good old Southern country charm’ if he’s to win her back! I loved the main characters, independent Olivia and, ‘smooth talkin’’ Deacon, and although their past has made them wary of one another, which comes across in the narrative, their chemistry also sizzled off the page. I felt immersed in the storyline, which had plenty of plot twists to keep me happily turning the pages, and I was hoping the couple would get their HEA. An entertaining and engaging read, which I recommend.

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Everwood Plantation by Stacy-Deanne – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Everwood County Plantation: BWWM Enemies-to-Lovers Billionaire RomanceEverwood County Plantation: BWWM Enemies-to-Lovers Billionaire Romance by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everwood Plantation by Stacy-Deanne
4 of 5 Stars
An enjoyable enemies to lovers, billionaire romance, which kept me happily turning the pages. A fairly quick read, but definitely a complete story with engaging characters and a setting, which was brought vividly to life through the descriptive narrative. Zenni and billionaire Colton Sage disagree over his plans to demolish a plantation, that turns out to be the only piece of history connecting Zenni to her past. As the couple fight and Zenni tries to save the land which her enslaved ancestors worked on, they also can’t deny their mutual attraction. However, they are at risk of the past preventing them from finding love with each other. I loved Zenni and Colton, and their chemistry sizzled off the page. I think the author did a good job of mixing African-American history with a contemporary romance in a short story.

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