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CORPORATE CHRISTMAS by BERNADETTE MARIE – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Corporate ChristmasCorporate Christmas by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this heartwarming festive romance which really put me in the Christmas spirit. This fairly short story was packed full of drama and romance, and took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I fell in love with the two main characters, Chloe and Jason and I also fell in love with the extremely Christmasy setting of Aubrey Heights. Author Marie really bought both the characters and the setting to life with her descriptive narrative and it helped make me feel immersed in the story. The storyline flowed well making this an enjoyable and engaging read. Having just landed the biggest client of her career and for the company she works for Chloe Richardson is convinced she will be offered the promotion she’s been working so hard for. Chloe is shocked and upset when she meets Jason Mitchell who has just been employed for the job she thought was hers. As well as being angry she also can’t help but like the handsome and charming Jason. Jason was looking forward to starting his new job and starting a fresh but was unaware that he was taking someone else’s job, especially the beautiful and intriguing Chloe’s job. When things get worse and she looses her job Chloe returns to her childhood home in Aubrey Heights, where Christmas is celebrated in a tourist wonderland. Jason follows her to Aubrey Heights with the intention of winning her heart but a series of misunderstandings concerning ex boyfriends and Chloe’s numerous job offers complicate things for the couple. I was cheering them on hoping they would get their Christmas happily ever after. This story really gave me that feel good factor and left me full of the Christmas spirit.

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The Kissing Bough (Forbidden Loves) by Madelynne Ellis – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Kissing Bough (Forbidden Loves, #1)The Kissing Bough by Madelynne Ellis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this steamy Regency ménage by Madelynne Ellis. Our heroine, Viola Marsh is a young women who after a misunderstanding has been forced to live an austere life, locked away in her old nursery with her spinster aunt constantly watching her. Her family have basically given up on her and her brothers only give her attention when forced to, due to the social etiquette of the times. Viola’s highlight is on Christmas Eve when she is allowed to take part in the tradition of wassailing, having been abandoned by her older brother Viola carries on with her tradition of standing under the ‘Kissing Bough’. It is here that cousins Percy Gilling and Lord William Ricborough come across Viola poised beneath the mistletoe on the snow-covered hilltop. Following a kiss from William, the pair escort her home and when they meet again at her families ball that evening Will and Percy confide in Viola that although Will’s intentions towards her are honourable he and Percy have a close and unique relationship, and they require a very particular woman who can satisfy both their needs. A shocked Viola has to decide whether to take a chance on their proposal or return to her lonely and quiet life in the nursery.
The author really bought the Regency era to life along with all the varies etiquette’s that young ladies had to live by. I really felt for Viola and was cheering her on hoping she would get her happy ever after. The chemistry between Viola, William and Percy really came across in the story and led to some rather detailed steamy scenes. An enjoyable and engaging read and I look forward to reading more books by Madelynne Ellis.

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The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight Book 2) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Singer and Her SongThe Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable and engaging historical fiction novel set in the kingdom of Mitanni. Uqnitum is a singer from a famous musical lineage but the fall of their city to the Assyrians costs her the life of both her husband and her youngest child. Along with her widowed daughter who is pregnant they flee to the court of Ugarit. However Uqnitum feels guilty over her part in her husband’s death and this affects her increasingly unhinged personality and she becomes dangerous. This is a wonderfully written and detailed novel, the narrative brings both the time period and the setting alive. The main characters are likeable and the storyline has enough going on in it to keep the reader happily turning the pages.

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Fighting for Us (Love is Worth Fighting For Book 1) by Bella Emy – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Fighting for Us (Love is Worth Fighting For #1)Fighting for Us by Bella Emy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This contemporary sports romance with a festive feel took me on an emotional rollercoaster, I found it to be an enjoyable and engaging read. Both of the main characters have difficult and sad pasts and both are likeable characters and very realistic and relatable which made me feel invested in their story. Lorenzo is an MMA, ex-Navy SEAL, single dad who sadly lost his wife, having been left alone to raise their baby girl Lorenzo had to change his routine of late night sessions at the gym for changing his baby girls diapers all by himself. Having accepted that he would be alone bringing up his daughter he is surprised when he meets Clarissa and he suddenly realises he may find love again. Clarissa believed that love and happily ever afters only happens in books after her perfect life with a loving fiancé, wonderful family and friends and a job she adored was turned upside down when her fiancé walked out on her. After years cursing the male species everything changes when she meets Lorenzo. The couple decide that maybe love and each other is worth fighting for after all. I was hooked from start to finish with this holiday romance and loved Clarissa and Lorenzo and how their relationship developed throughout the story. The backstory of each of them was interesting and I liked reading the book from both of their point of views. Their chemistry really came across in the narrative which led to some steamy scenes. This is book one in the ‘Love is Worth Fighting For’ series and I look forward to reading future books in this series.

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Wildfire (The Broken Bow Book 2) by Ashley A Quinn – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Wildfire (The Broken Bow Book 2)Wildfire by Ashley A Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wildfire (The Broken Bow Book 2) by Ashley A Quinn
4 of 5 Stars
This was an engaging and emotional romantic suspense which had me gripped from the first page. Main character Tara Miller is home again after years away travelling the world and she’s determined to put her painful past behind her but she’s being stalked. With the distraction of her family and a new restaurant Tara finally feels she is healing. Then, she meets Jace Travers and the more Tara try’s to avoid him the harder it gets. Jace moved to Silver Gap, Colorado to become the Chief Deputy in order to avoid the memories of his wife and daughter. However, Jace is instantly intrigued by the sister of his Sheriff, Tara and her attempts at trying to avoid him just make him even keener to learn more about her. But when Tara’s past comes back to haunt her things turn deadly for them both.
I found myself immersed in this story and felt engaged with the characters all of whom were well defined, and I found the fiery and strong Tara who is a real survivor particularly likeable and relatable. I enjoyed the romance elements of the storyline and the chemistry between Tara and Jace did come across in the narrative. Quinn really made the characters and the setting come alive with her descriptive writing and the suspenseful plot moved the story along at a fast pace. I found that I could not put this book down and read late into the night, always a sign of a good book. I look forward to reading the previous book in ‘The Broken Bow’ series and any future ones.

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Revel (The Howl Series Book 1) by Alden Elway – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Revel (The Howl Series, #1)Revel by Alden Elway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This paranormal wolf shifter romance has plenty of action, drama, mystery and suspense which had me hooked from start to finish. Revel Finley is a female wolf shifter and as a female her pack has certain expectations of her and although she is loved she is also controlled. The forest is her sanctuary and the place she can be and feel free. One rule is not to be spotted by humans, so Revel is concerned when she is spotted by conservation officer Jaime but then she breaks another rule when she realises that Jaime is her mate. Shifters are forbidden from having a human mate but secrets are hard to keep within the pack especially when a new wolf the arrogant and annoyingly good looking Daniel seems to be following her around. However, when hikers start to go missing in her forest and then bodies are found with injuries that look like an animal attack things become dangerous for the whole pack. Wolves have been spotted too close to town and the locals have started rumours and Revel and the pack worry that the humans will learn about them, the wolf shifters. Revel also has to face the truth about who she really is.
This is a fast paced and action packed novel with a wolf shifter storyline but with a twist. The mystery elements of the plot kept me guessing until the end and I was gripped by the whole story. The narrative flows well making it an easy and enjoyable read and I felt engaged with the characters who really come alive, as does the setting due to the descriptive writing. I liked the main character, Revel as she was both likeable and relatable and I enjoyed the forbidden romance element between her and Jaime, who’s chemistry really came across in the story. I look forward to future books in this series.

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Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Second Chance eX-masSecond Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this sweet and steamy Christmas romance which had me hooked from page one. Although a fairly short book it was packed full of, romance, emotions, family dramas and wonderful characters. Set in a small town called Blissful, childhood sweethearts Ally and Archer get a second chance at love when Archer returns to his hometown after leaving the military. Archer is determined to win back the women who he left behind but has always loved but Ally can still not get over the heartbreak she suffered when he left her. Archer gets a big surprise when he meets Ally’s daughter Glory and realises that when he left Ally she was pregnant. Although Ally is happy for Archer to spend time with and get to know his daughter she is less keen to spend time with him herself, despite his best efforts and that of his Mum who is a doting Grandmother to Glory.

When a steamy kiss leads to an even steamier night together they both recognise that the chemistry they shared is still definitely there and as they spend time together as family leading up to Christmas Ally realises that she has always loved Archer and still does. Archer has a Christmas Eve gift for Ally that he hopes will ensure that they can both let go of the past and have a happy future together that lasts beyond Christmas Day.

Full of Christmas magic and the festive spirit this is a lovely lighthearted and heartwarming novella. I loved all the characters and they all added to the overall story. The chemistry between Archer and Ally sizzled off the page. The author made both the characters and the setting of Blissful at Christmas time really come alive. The narrative flowed well and I felt immersed in the story. An enjoyable and engaging Christmas romance with a real feel good factor.

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The Nearness of You: A British celebrity, standalone love-at-first-sight romance by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Nearness of YouThe Nearness of You by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable and engaging standalone story which had me happily turning the pages late until the night as I could not put it down once I had started reading. I fell in love with the characters and so then felt invested in their story and I was fully immersed in their world. The storyline is a love at first sight, opposites attract romance between Lauren and David and it also involves their worlds of music and fashion colliding. Lauren Rose sings classic love songs in posh hotel lounges as well as teaching theatre to kids whilst waiting for her big break. British supermodel David Randle is in need of a break from his successful modelling career and the launch of his high-fashion debut cologne, Drive. The couple first meet when Lauren is singing at the hotel David is staying at for his sister’s wedding. Their instant attraction and chemistry, which literally sizzled off the page, led to David inviting Lauren to New York. Lauren is then worried that she might be a distraction to his fashion shoot to promote his new cologne and his assistant is also trying to interfere with their new relationship. The celebrity couple have to learn to navigate the world of fame and fashion or their relationship could be over before it really began.
This is a wonderfully written heartwarming romance between two likeable and relatable strong characters. It is fairly fast paced and has, romance, drama and suspense, all of which had me hooked. The narrative really brings the characters to life as well as the worlds of music and fashion which make a great backdrop to the story. The book contains some very sexy scenes between the couple and so is recommended for adult readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and as usual was not disappointed with a book by K.G. Fletcher.

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Holiday Terminal (Warren Family Holidays) by Gwyn McNamee & Christy Anderson – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Holiday TerminalHoliday Terminal by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a lovely second chance at love Christmas romance which left me with a feel good factor and put me in the festive spirit. When Penelope Barnes and son Max get stranded at a tiny airport in the middle of nowhere on Christmas Eve she thinks things can not get any worse but then Artemis Warren, her first love and the man who broke her heart walks into the terminal. Whilst Penelope has been transported back to being a teenager left on the beach wishing the boy would choose her, Artemis is happy to be reunited with the only woman he’s ever loved. Due to an emergency landing he’s been stranded as well and just wanted to go back to civilisation until he spots Penelope and hopes to turn the bad situation into the opportunity of a lifetime. However, old wounds can be hard to heal and both of them have created new lives and then there’s the secret that Penelope is hiding that will have consequences for both their lives. I loved Penelope and Artemis who were both likeable and relatable and I was cheering them on hoping they would both get their happy ever after, especially as it’s Christmas and a little Christmas magic was just what the couple needed. Max was also a lovely character. The storyline flowed well and the descriptive narrative made the characters and the setting come alive. I found the cold, snowy Christmas Eve to be a really Christmasy backdrop to the story. It was an enjoyable and engaging read which had me hooked from the start and I felt immersed in the story, making this a perfect book for the festive period.

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Santa Got Run Over by a Vampire: A Paranormal Romantic Comedy (New Orleans Nocturnes Book 4) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Santa Got Run Over by a Vampire (New Orleans Nocturnes, #3.5)Santa Got Run Over by a Vampire by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun, lighthearted paranormal romance with a festive twist, which put me in the Christmas spirit. As I have read the previous books in the ‘New Orleans Nocturnes’ series, I was already familiar with the main characters, Jane and Ethan from book one ‘License to Bite’. However, each book in the series is a standalone story although the characters do crossover. In this quick holiday story, Jane Devereux is adjusting well to her new life as a nocturne. She is married to the hottest vampire in New Orleans, Ethan, and is running a popular nightclub in the French Quarter. When she accidentally runs Santa Claus over the only way to save him is to turn him into a vampire. Jane then has three days to teach Santa how to be a vampire and then get him back to the North Pole for Christmas Eve. To complicate her life further, Jane’s father is visiting her for Christmas and she has not told him that she’s married or that she’s a vampire. It was fun being back with the “vamps of New Orleans Nocturnes” and I enjoyed catching up with Jane and Ethan as they are great characters. The storyline flows well, making this an enjoyable and easy read whilst the narrative brings the characters to life. The story has some laugh out loud moments and it’s a real page turner of a novel. I found this romantic comedy with a paranormal twist an exciting and engaging read. I look forward to future books in the series.

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Bake Believe by Cori Cooper – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Bake BelieveBake Believe by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this YA romantic comedy with a magical twist. Cat Anderson is a very likeable and realistic teenager who is happy with having a laugh with her friends and flirting with cute boys. Things become complicated for her when a scheduling mistake places Cat in a culinary arts class on her first day of 8th grade. It seems that ‘something’ happens when Cat bakes, something impossible or even magical. Cat’s not the only one in her family that this happens to, as her family have a big secret, one which is to fantastic to be real but can not be hidden any longer. This is a fun and lighthearted read which introduces some great characters, like the relatable Cat but also her friends and family all of whom bring something different to the story. The storyline is quirky and unique but it works and makes this novel a real page turner. I was hooked from page one and felt engaged with the characters and immersed in the story due to the descriptive narrative. An enjoyable and fun read.

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Cuckoo Clock – New York (Unbroken Bonds Book 3) by Elisabeth Marrion – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Cuckoo Clock - New York (Unbroken Bonds Book 3)Cuckoo Clock – New York by Elisabeth Marrion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this wonderfully written novel to be an emotional read but also a fascinating one. The novel tells the story of the first children to go to England on the Kindertransport from Doctor Esther Rosenthal’s point of view. Beginning in Kristallnacht on the 9th November in 1938, Doctor Esther Rosenthal’s husband has just enough time to whisper to her before the SA take him away, that Esther must leave Germany immediately. This is the start of her adventurous, dangerous and brave journey which saw her go through Holland, England, and then ultimately on to the USA. It is whilst Esther is in Holland that she meets a group of children that come from a Berlin orphanage and who are the first children to go to England on the Kindertransport. Esther and her father Mordechai join the children on their crossing and then accompany them to Harwich. At the outbreak of World War II the Kindertransport abruptly comes to an end, leaving many children still at Dovercourt Bay without a new permanent or foster home.
This was a heartbreaking story which concentrated on how normal people were affected by war, and how the innocent suffered but also how ‘ordinary’ people became hero’s and who in a time of violence and suffering really made a difference to other people’s lives. I found the story all the more powerful and poignant as it’s based on real people and events. The author obviously knows her history and this comes across in the narrative. Her descriptive writing really bought the settings and the era to life and I felt fully immersed and engaged in the story whilst I was reading it. The characters are remarkable and so realistic, relatable and likeable that I found myself thinking about them long after I had finished the book. Emotive and moving this was a page turner of a novel and one which I highly recommend.

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Aiko (The Heartstrings Series Book 1) by Brooke May – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Aiko (Heartstrings #1)Aiko by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel is a fantasy romantic comedy with little bits of history and myth sprinkled through it. I found this to be a fun, lighthearted read and the unusual storyline had me hooked from beginning to the last page. The story centres around Cupid and his arrow which with the slightest prick is meant to bring love in to your life. It turns out that Cupid does not work alone but has six beings which help him guide us mortals to love. However, Aiko is not a great Cupid and has been in exile for forty years for causing ‘the worst tragedy in human history’. Aiko has been given a second chance to prove herself and help humanity. Her assignment is Alejandro Gomez who on paper is everything that a woman could dream of, but only in looks. Alejandro’s romantic abilities are non existent and he’s not too keen on having Aiko’s help to begin with either. Meanwhile Cupid and the other five beings are just hoping that Aiko does not cause the world to end. This book has some really touching and heartwarming moments and also parts that our laugh out loud funny. The storyline flows well and the descriptive narrative really bought both the setting and the characters to life. I loved the fact that alongside the mortals there were other mythical beings living and helping to guide them. Aiko is a very likeable character and I felt immersed in her world whilst reading this novel. I am pleased that it’s the first book in a new series and look forward to the next instalment.

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Secure Boxed Set: Chase Security Series Books 1-3 by R.L. Dunn – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Secure Boxed Set (Chase Security #1-3)Secure Boxed Set by R.L. Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed all three novels in this box set, each book in ‘The Chase Security Series’ follows either one of the Chase brothers, Ian and Kieran, or a member of their team of former Navy SEALS and other military officers. The series is intended for readers 18+ due to adult themes and each story can be read as a standalone story, however I enjoyed ‘binge reading’ the whole set of books. Book one, ‘Secure Desire’ is Ian and Cassie’s Story and is a second chance at love romantic suspense. Whilst Book two ‘Secure Again’ is Martin and Elizabeth’s Story and sees Elizabeth’s high school sweetheart Marty coming back into her life and they try to rekindle their relationship but things are complicated by their ongoing investigations. Book three ‘Secure Heart’ follows Julian and Holly’s Story. Widower Julian didn’t think he would fall in love again until he meets indie artist Holly and her little girl. Each novel is full of drama, suspense and of course romance. The storyline’s had me hooked from start to finish and the plots kept me gripped and wanting to find out how each story was going to end. I loved the main characters in each novel and the author really made them come alive which made me feel engaged in their stories. I liked how their relationships developed and how their chemistry really came across in the narrative. Each novel is action packed and fast paced with likeable and relatable characters and I found the box set to be an enjoyable and engaging set of books. Highly recommended.

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Urban Justice (A Chicago Vigilantes Novel Book 2) by India Kells – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Urban Justice (A Chicago Vigilantes Novel #2)Urban Justice by India Kells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this novel to be an enjoyable and engaging read and the storyline and plot had me hooked from start to finish. The story is full of drama, action, suspense, violence and romance which made this a real fast paced, action packed page turner. Although book two in the ‘A Chicago Vigilantes Novel’ series it can be read as a standalone story, however I enjoyed the exciting first book in the series. In ‘Urban Justice’, Chicago is being dragged even deeper into darkness and the fearless ex cop Sloane Friday works with a few other select men to help guard her new home, as the Vigilante. When the deadly drug Phantom continues to spread claiming innocence life’s each night Sloane asks former Marine Professor Luke Radcliffe for help. Luke thought he had left behind the world of violence but as he is dragged back into the underground world of the criminals he discovers and admires the unique team of Vigilantes who are fighting in the shadows. As Luke and Sloane come together to save the people of Chicago they put their own lives in danger. The more time they spend together the more difficult they find it to deny their attraction to one another. As love blossoms between them in the darkness and violence that surrounds them the couple wonder if they can ever have a future together. The chemistry between Sloane and Luke literally sizzled off the page and the author really made the main characters come alive. Due to the descriptive narrative the setting was also bought to life and I felt fully immersed in the underground world of the Vigilantes. This was an exciting read and I look forward to future books in this series.

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Sweets and Santa (The Matchmaking Baker Book 2) by Rosie Pease – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Sweets and Santa (The Matchmaking Baker, #2)Sweets and Santa by Rosie Pease
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

‘Sweets and Santa’ is an enjoyable paranormal Christmas cozy mystery novella and part of ‘The Matchmaking Baker’ series, however it can be read as a standalone story. The storyline is packed full of mystery, magic, and matchmaking which is all happening at Christmas. It is Joanie’s first Christmas as a bakery owner and although she is confident with her perfect recipes she is less happy with her holiday window decorating skills. The festive spirit in the town of Heartwood Hollow is overshadowed when items start disappearing and when an engagement ring goes missing from the bakery Joanie’s reputation is at risk. Having believed her town to be safe baker and matchmaker Joanie wonders if it’s a prank or something more sinister. As well as trying to find the ring and win over the town with her cookies, Joanie is also concerned about the Christmas gnomes that get moved each night. Joanie needs some Christmas magic to help her work out the mystery and I was definitely left feeling full of the Christmas spirit having read this fun novella. An enjoyable and engaging read, I was hooked from start to finish and enjoyed solving the Christmas mystery alongside Joanie. I look forward to reading other books in this series.

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Lies That Bind (Logan McKenna Series Book 6) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Lies That Bind (A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 6)Lies That Bind by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having read the previous books in the ‘Logan McKenna Series’ and enjoyed them I was looking forward to this novel and was not disappointed. I personally think that the series has just got better and better. We are back with our heroine Logan McKenna, who along with Ben is buying a fixer-upper on the Oregon coast. Logan and her half-sister, Olivia who she has never met before investigate when Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Collins is found drowned in the pool of her family’s Depoe Bay hotel, ‘The Collins’. The police focus their investigation on Wade Ellis, Charlie’s fiancé who had both means and opportunity along with motive and no alibi. However, as Logan starts to dig she uncovers secrets and lies that bind the Collins and Ellis families together. Logan needs to uncover the truth before the murderer kills again. As usual I was hooked from page one by this page turner of a novel. The storyline flows well and the plot has plenty going on in it to keep the reader happily turning the pages. Logan is a great main character who really brings the story together and I liked the new addition of her half sister Olivia and the dynamic between the two of them bought another element to the story. The author has away of bringing both the characters and the setting alive through her detailed narrative which made me feel immersed in the story. Addressing the themes of mental illness gave more depth and realism to the story. I was gripped until the last page and I look forward to the next book in the series.

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Love Heels!: The TV news business can be murder (PJ Santini Series Book Three) by Lynne Russell – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Love Heels! The TV news business can be murderLove Heels! The TV news business can be murder by Lynne Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fun and lighthearted romantic comedy novel with an added crime mystery element which had me hooked from start to finish. It is book three in a series and personally I would recommend reading the previous books first, to be introduced to PJ and find out her backstory. I love the main character, private investigator and television news reporter, PJ Santini who the author really makes come alive and who brings the story together. When a divorce case turns into a homicide investigation it puts PJ at risk but it doesn’t stop her from investigating. Louboutin wearing PJ is a brilliant lead character as she is independent, feisty, sassy and not afraid to speak her mind and I fell in love with her whilst reading this novel. PJ’s crazy family all bring a different element to the story and the witty banter between the family members had me laughing out loud at times. The crime mystery element had me gripped and kept me guessing. The narrative flows well making this an easy read and the plot is action packed and kept me happily turning the pages. I found ‘Love Heels’ to be an engaging and enjoyable read and you can tell that the author really knows about the world in which she writes about as the, “first woman to anchor a regular network nightly newscast”. I look forward to reading future books in this series.

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Unwrapped by Evelyn Sola – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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UnwrappedUnwrapped by Evelyn Sola
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a lighthearted Christmas romance which I found engaging and enjoyable. Nick is running his Uncles business for him and so has to attend the Christmas party where he meets Miranda and slips her his phone number. Miranda and Nick have instant chemistry which leads to some steamy scenes between the couple when they meet up at his house the next day. The only problem is, Miranda is a daughter of one of his employees, Mona and the two really dislike each other. Miranda and Nick have to overcome many obstacles including interference from Mona but I was cheering them on hoping they would get their happy ever after, especially as it’s Christmas. ‘Unwrapped’ has a lovely heartwarming storyline with some great characters and a fun narrative all of which made this a page turner for me. It’s a wonderful festive read which I recommend.

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All I Want for Christmas by Vivian Fiano – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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All I Want for Christmas: Military Romance Short StoryAll I Want for Christmas: Military Romance Short Story by Vivian Fiano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘All I Want for Christmas’ is a short military romance with plenty of Christmas spirit. This is Kinsley and Brysen’s story, and Brysen is in the military and is away on a tour when he rings Kinsley to tell her the bad news that he won’t be home for Christmas as planned. A distraught Kinsley tries to plaster on a fake smile as her best friend Dina makes her attend a Christmas Eve party for the wives and girlfriends of the men away. No spoilers but Kinsley does have a nice festive surprise at the party which puts a real smile on her face. This story may be short but it’s full of emotion and drama. The author really made the characters come alive and I fell in love with Kinsley and Brysen and enjoyed reading the story from both their point of views. I also loved best friend Dina and would love to read her story. The storyline flowed well and the narrative was a nice mix of drama and lighthearted moments. I found this story to be an enjoyable and engaging festive romance with a “happy Christmas ending”.

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Dreaming of Christmas: 5 complete, sweet holiday romances by Joanne Dannon – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Dreaming of ChristmasDreaming of Christmas by Joanne Dannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this collection of five heartwarming festive romances. ‘Dreaming of Christmas’ gives us five books in one, and each story was a wonderfully written romance which put me in the Christmas spirit. The five stories were all linked and were all about love, hope, family and of course the magic of Christmas. In ‘A Magical Christmas in Jerusalem’, sparks fly between Kiara Lonsdale and Jacques Lenoir, who runs a family tours business in Israel, over camel rides in the desert and mud baths at the Dead Sea. The couple must decide whether what they have is just a holiday romance or something more. ‘Another Magical Christmas in Jerusalem’, centres on Lucie Lenoir a tour guide in Jerusalem who is part of the family business. There is instant attraction between her and Tom Connor but Tom finds Lucie’s large family overwhelming and he’s never wanted a child of his own and Lucie does. The pair must either reach a compromise and have a relationship or just have a holiday romance. In ‘Christmas Kiss, New Year’s Wish’, Taylor Williamson has a massive crush on her best friend, Luca Bianchi but is afraid of ruining their twenty year friendship. Having shared a kiss or two at Christmas Taylor wishes their Christmas kisses will lead to more but Luca is about to return overseas for two more years.
‘Christmas Kiss in London’, introduces us to Amber who accidentally friends Stuntman Darcy Harris on social media but he lives halfway around the world, is a party guy and is younger than her. Darcy is interested in casual hookups where else Amber wants to settle down but there is a chance that their friendship can become love after sharing a snowy Christmas kiss in London. In ‘Christmas Kiss: But only for the holidays’, CEO Leo Turner needs a fake girlfriend for the holidays. Supermodel Jenna Williamson seems perfect as she’s not interested in settling down, however, when Christmas kisses become heated between the couple Leo realises that he can not meticulously organise everything. With a bit of Christmas magic their “arrangement” could become permanent. Each story has a lovely romantic storyline featuring some likeable, realistic and relatable characters, which made this an enjoyable and engaging read. The characters all came to life due to the authors descriptive narrative and the chemistry between the couples really came across as well. I could not put this book down once I picked it up and I fell in love with each story. This was a lovely romantic Christmas collection which is a perfect read for during the festive period.

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CLAIM ME NOW (Heron Harbor Book 2) by Lea Nolan – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Claim Me NowClaim Me Now by Lea Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having read, ‘Want Me Always’ book one in Nolan’s ‘Heron Harbor’ series I was looking forward to being back in Heron Harbor and was not disappointed. This novel can be read happily as a standalone story but the setting and some of the characters do crossover books. In this engaging and enjoyable story, Raven Donovan is married to her job as Vice President of her company and is not looking for a relationship. Raven is then utterly blindsided and distraught when a corporate takeover leaves her suddenly unemployed. She goes to stay at her family’s beach house on Heron Harbor Island just to get away from it all and she intends to be alone with a bottle of tequila until a very tall, dark and handsome stranger arrives. Jack Baines is the heir to one of the largest private equity firms on the East Coast and has his latest conquest under his belt. However, instead of feeling great he is finding that having to fire people is taking a toll on him and this feeling outweighs the thrill of the hunt he used to enjoy. Jack heads off to the beach for some alone time only to find a half naked, beautiful women in his rental. Thanks to a raging storm Raven and Jack decide to share the house. Following a steamy night which leads to an even steamier weekend the pair discover how mush they actually have in common. That is until the revelation that it is Jack who has just taken over Raven’s company threatens to come between them before their relationship has a chance to develop.
This is a wonderfully written heartwarming romance which takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster along with the two main characters. Both Raven and Jack are realistic and relatable characters which helped me feel engaged in the story. The storyline flows well and the descriptive narrative really brings both the setting of Heron Harbor and the characters to life. The plot has plenty of drama and romance in it to keep the reader happily turning the pages and I found I was hooked from start to finish. I definitely recommend this contemporary romance and I look forward to future books set in Heron Harbor.

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Fake Fiancé (A Second Chance Office Romance) by Amy McKinley – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Fake Fiancé: A Second Chance Office RomanceFake Fiancé: A Second Chance Office Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming contemporary romance by Amy McKinley. The second chance at love, office romance storyline was both realistic and touching and I read this book in two settings as I was completely engaged with the characters and the story from start to finish. Adeline Rossi has a dream job lined up in Italy, far from her home and she has high career aspirations. However, when she arrives in the ‘city of love’, she finds that her new boss is not very welcoming and although he is hot he’s also grumpy. Meanwhile, business tycoon Stone Crenshaw is being plagued by unsettling dreams and can not wait for the renovations on his historic hotel to come to an end. Complicating things further for Stone is the fact that he feels an instant attraction to his new hire, Adeline, who seems to be somewhat accident prone. Adeline suddenly has the role of fake fiancé added to her list of responsibilities when Stone proclaims they are engaged in order to help his business. The news of their engagement is not welcomed by everyone and when obstacles threaten to split the couple up they realise that their fake relationship might not be so fake after all. Stone then has to decide whether he will cross a professional line or risk loosing Adeline for good. This is a wonderfully written romance with two very likeable and relatable main characters in Adeline and Stone. McKinley really brings the characters to life with her descriptive narrative. The story flows well and I was fully immersed in the story, so much so I was cheering Stone and Adeline on hoping they would get their happy ever after. A great read.

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The Bullet Theory (Dr. Nolan Mills Book 1) by Sonya Jesus – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Bullet Theory (Dr. Nolan Mills, #1)The Bullet Theory by Sonya Jesus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was hooked from page one by this psychological thriller as it was full of drama and suspense. Eleanor Deveraux only has one thing left to live for and that is, revenge. When her fiancé suggests working together on a case to salvage their relationship, Eleanor ends up begrudgingly attending a session with therapist Dr. Nolan Mills. However, the only reason she completes his ‘homework assignments’ is because she wants the case files on the havoc causing proxy killer. Eleanor does not want to solve the case to stop the vigilante and his bullet messages, she wants to hire him. As he is known to be able to solve unsolvable cases, all she needs is the name of the killer. But when Eleanor discovers the identity of the killer and he gives her an opportunity to get her revenge she has to decide whether to take the shot or turn him in. This was a real page turner of a novel and very unpredictable with all the plot twists in it. The storyline flows nicely and the descriptive narrative really brings the characters to life making me feel fully engaged in the story. It was a gripping story full of drama and suspense but also romance and it took me on an emotional rollercoaster along with the characters. I particularly felt Eleanor’s pain and heartbreak and understood her need for revenge. This was a complex but enjoyable read which kept me happily turning the pages wanting to find out how it would end but equally not wanting the story to end.

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High Heels And Mistletoe (Kisses Under The Mistletoe) by C.A. King, USA Today Bestselling Author – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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High Heels And MistletoeHigh Heels And Mistletoe by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful opposites attract romance with a festive feel. It’s the perfect book to read to help get you in the Christmas spirit! Set during the festive season, It’s up to the magic of the season to bring unlikely couple Julietta and Luke together “with a little help from a pair of High Heels and Mistletoe” Julietta Romero can not go within six feet of mistletoe due to an allergy which she calls a family curse. Julietta works as a top executive at a prestigious marketing firm and has an impressive five year running record, without a single incident. She spends from January to the beginning of December working and then takes all of her vacation time at the same time. Only this year days before she’s due to catch her flight she is still working all hours on her firm’s biggest deal to date. Her boss will not let her go on vacation until the deal is signed, sealed, and delivered. The only problem is Luke Winslow will not sign off on the business deal even though his father has instructed him to do so until he is sure that Julietta will not escape his charms. Until Julietta, Luke did not want to settle down and have a serious relationship and in fact his relationships only lasted a night at the most as he loved women, parties and the holidays. However, having met Julietta all that has changed and he is ready to settle down and he is determined to make sure that she wants the same thing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas romance and I found myself fully immersed in the story and was cheering Julietta and Luke on hoping they would get their happy ever after. The main characters were great, they were both so likeable, in their own ways, and realistic which made them relatable. The storyline flows nicely and the narrative moves the story along at a good pace making it an enjoyable and easy read. The plot has plenty going on to keep the reader engaged and I literally read the book in a couple of sittings as I was so keen to find out whether the couple would get over all their differences and the misunderstandings and get together or not. I loved this heartwarming and uplifting book and it definitely put me in the Christmas mood.

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The North Wind Descends (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 4) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The North Wind DescendsThe North Wind Descends by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

‘The North Wind Descends’ is book four in, ‘The Lord Hani Mysteries’ series and having read the previous books in the series I was looking forward to this novel and was definitely not disappointed. It can be read as a standalone story, however I feel that the reader will enjoy the novels more if they are read in order. Set in ancient Egypt, around 1340 BCE, Lord Hani, an Egyptian Diplomat and his assistant Maya have another crime mystery to solve. Hani is confused when the king starts honouring him but he must not let that get in the way of discovering the identity of a man who was responsible for killing a foreign ambassador right under the roof of the Egyptian commissioner in Kumidi. As well as being a diplomat Hani is also a loving family man and so he is concerned when the queen of the new coregent gives him a special task which may involve Hani’s nineteen year old daughter as he does not want her caught up in court politics. Hani therefore must see justice done but in away that protects his family.

The authors knowledge and research shines through in her writing and I found the list of characters at the beginning of the book very helpful as there are a lot of characters to keep up with. The Glossary of Places, Terms, and Gods, is also a useful addition at the beginning of the book and one which I referred back to at times. The author really brings ancient Egypt to life with her wonderfully descriptive narrative and world building and this really helps set the scene for this novel. Hani makes a great main character as he is well defined and is both relatable and likeable and he really brings the plot together. The storyline flows well and the plot is fast paced and full of action, drama and mystery which had me gripped from start to finish. The twists and turns kept me guessing and I enjoyed figuring out the mystery element of the book alongside Lord Hani. I look forward to future books in this enjoyable and engaging series.

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The Devil’s Day (The Lucky Devil Series Book 3) by Megan Mackie – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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The Devil's DayThe Devil’s Day by Megan Mackie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book three in the ‘The Lucky Devil’ series by Megan Mackie, the storyline is set in an alternate Chicago where technology and magic are in competition with each other. This is an urban fantasy/cyberpunk novel with a fast paced storyline and some great characters. I thoroughly enjoyed being back with Rune and visiting her ‘Lucky Devil Bar’. I was pulled back into the alternate world that Megan Mackie creates and was I excited to join Runes adventures again. “You can always find help at the Lucky Devil” and Rune Leveau who rebuilt her own life there continues her Aunt Maddie’s legacy, in her memory. Rune is an emerging magical Talent and an ex corporate prisoner who is days away from having to defend her claim to the House of Magdalene, which includes the bar. Rune and her partner, St. Benedict, the cyber-spy are looking for a way to defeat the fire Talent, Abraxas who is her challenger when they uncover long kept secrets. The pair hope that these might hold the key to Rune’s claim. This is an enjoyable and engaging read which I would recommend reading as part of the series as the storyline does continue from the previous book, ‘The Saint of Liars’. It has an action packed and exciting plot which had me hooked from beginning to the end and includes some brilliant characters, especially Rune who is a great main character. The authors wonderfully descriptive narrative and amazing world building really bought both the characters and the setting to life and ensured that I felt fully immersed in the story.

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Scepter of Flint (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 3) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Scepter of FlintScepter of Flint by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

‘Scepter of Flint’ is the third book in, ‘The Lord Hani Mysteries’ series and having read the previous two books in the series I was particularly looking forward to this latest instalment and was definitely not disappointed. It can be read as a standalone story, however I feel that the reader will enjoy the novels more if they are read in order. I was pleased to be back with Lord Hani, an Egyptian Diplomat and his assistant Maya. This story was set during the Great Jubilee of the Aten, and Hani is sent to investigate when a mysterious series of tomb robberies occur and any witnesses to the robberies die. A dreadful plague is also ravaging the country and the palace where Hani’s physician daughter is. Hani has to make sense of what is happening between the tomb raids, the plague and Egypt’s ally, Naharin now being in the hands of a usurper. Hani also realises that he has an enemy, but who is it.
The author really brings ancient Egypt to life with her wonderfully descriptive narrative and world building and this really sets the scene for this novel. The authors knowledge and research shines through in her writing and I found the list of characters at the beginning of the book very helpful as there are a lot of characters to keep up with. Again Hani makes a great main character as he is well defined and relatable as well as likeable and he really brings the plot together along with Maya, who is another fascinating character. The storyline flows well and the plot is fast paced and full of action, drama and mystery which had me gripped from start to finish. I look forward to future books in this enjoyable and engaging series.

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Murder Makes Waves (Jack and Frances mysteries Book 3) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Murder Makes Waves (Jack and Frances mysteries, #3)Murder Makes Waves by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

‘Murder Makes Waves’ is a cozy crime mystery which is the third book in Radtke’s ‘Jack and Frances Mysteries’ series which are set in the early 1930s. Although part of a series this novel can be read as a standalone story. Main characters Frances Palmer, her fiancé Jack Sullivan, and Frances Uncle Sal, aka “Salvatore the Magnificent” are on the “Empress of the Sea”, on a voyage from Australia to England. It’s a dream come true for Frances and she’s looking forward to the glamour of the voyage and the mimosas and masquerades, however she wasn’t expecting a murder. Having been hired to entertain the passengers with their daring stunts and magic tricks they soon realise that the cheerful atmosphere does not continue below deck, which is full of larceny and jealousy. Following a costume ball a passenger is found dead and one of Frances’s new friends is accused of their murder. Convinced her friend is innocent Frances and Jack decide to investigate the case for themselves. The pair find themselves up against a cunning murderer and along with their new friends they must discover the truth among all the deception.
This was an enjoyable and engaging story set during the charm of the ‘Golden Age’ and the glamour of a voyage from Australia to England. The storyline is fast paced and the plot is full of twists which had me both hooked and kept me guessing until the end. The characters are all wonderfully defined and all add something different to the overall story. Thanks to the authors detailed descriptive narrative I felt fully immersed in the novel and look forward to reading the previous books in the series to catch up with Jack and Frances.

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Bonds That Beckon (Daughters of Anubis Book 1) by Kelli Kimble – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Bonds that Beckon (Daughters of Anubis, #1)Bonds that Beckon by Kelli Kimble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable and engaging YA paranormal novel and the first book in the new ‘Daughters of Anubis’ series by Kimble. Iris and her family move to a close-knit small town called Salvation in West Virginia where Iris just wants to fit in and graduate from Salvation high. However, her and her family are seen as newcomers and the other students don’t take to Iris as there is something a bit different about her. Having met the mysterious Mr. Anu, also an outsider, he offers Iris an opportunity she can’t refuse but soon he is telling Iris strange things about who and what she really is and is meant for. The residents of Salvation our quick to protect their own and when things go wrong Iris soon finds herself expelled from school, homeless and in opposition with the townspeople. After her father is arrested by the formidable Sheriff Stone things quickly escalate and in the midst of all this confusion she meets Jacob and feels drawn to him but is unsure if he feels the same. Iris starts to wonder if the things Mr. Anu told her about soulmates, and about herself our actually true, especially when she starts sprouting fur. This is a coming of age story about a young women who just wants to be accepted for who she is with a paranormal twist. I loved the characters who all added something different to the story and Iris is a relatable character who the author makes you really feel engaged with, which helped me become immersed in the story. I became hooked whilst reading this novel, the storyline flows well and the plot has plenty going on in it to keep you turning the pages. I look forward to book two in the series.

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