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Rising Star by Susannah Nix – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Rising StarRising Star by Susannah Nix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rising Star is the first book that I have read by Susannah Nix and if this book is anything to go by, it won’t be the last of her books that I’ll read.
As well as being a great romance novel, Susannah Nix tackles the sensitive subject of sexual harassment and she does it really well.
TV extra and PhD student Alice Carlisle is going through a hard time. She’s struggling with her PhD due to the unwanted attention she’s getting from one of her tutors. Her tv extra job is coming to an end and her flatmate wants her out.
Rising star Griffin Beach has a predicament, he needs a dog sitter while he’s away making his new film. Who better to do the job than Alice, an extra on his tv show who adores his dog, although he’s pretty sure that she doesn’t like him.
I really loved both of these characters. In particular I loved how Alice dealt with the issue of unwanted attention from Dr Gilchrist. This issue was handled so well by the author. The insights into what is going through Alice’s head give you so much love and empathy for her character. Griffin is such a sweet guy and him and Alice are so awkward around each other at first as they both try to deny their growing attraction to each other. Although, being a guy, he does make a few mistakes, but hey, we can’t all be perfect.
This is a book that I would definitely recommend to others.

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Souls Collide:Collide Series Book 3 by Kristina Beck – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Souls Collide (Collide Series #3)Souls Collide by Kristina Beck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Souls Collide is the 3rd book in the Collide series by Kristina Beck. Each book can be read as a stand-alone. I hadn’t read either of the first two books in this series but after reading Souls Collide, I’ll definitely be looking to read the others as this was a definite 5 star read.
Souls Collide is an opposites attract story. Alexa and Kent are about as opposite as you can get but this is not just your typical run of the mill opposites attract story. This book is filled with suspense that will keep you gripped to the very end. There are also many twists and turns in the story. Just as you think you’ve sussed out what Kristina Beck had in mind for these great characters, the story will turn and leave you open mouthed, wondering what the hell just happened.
Police officer Kent Hayes has watched his mother die from cancer and is now going through the horror again as his beloved sister Abby is now fighting this brutal illness. One thing Kent hates is the pharmaceutical industry so when he meets the beautiful Alexa, who happens to be a very successful pharmaceutical rep, he really wants to hate her. Shame his traitorous body didn’t get the memo. While Kent is moody and not the most fun person to be around, Alexa is a complete ray of sunshine and totally lights up every room she walks into. When Alexa is threatened by a stalker, Kent realises that he will do absolutely anything to keep her from harm.
This is a fantastic read and the characters are so well written that you can’t help but fall in love with them. I will definitely be seeking out the first 2 books in this series.

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The Debt Collector: An Underground Bad Boys Romance by India Kells – Review by Karyn Taylor

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The Debt Collector (An Underground Bad Boys Romance)The Debt Collector by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy hotness!! The Debt Collector by India Kells is a scorching hot read. The heat literally radiates off the page. I have previously read, and enjoyed, books by this author, so it was a no brainer that I was going to love this book too.
Dr Tessa Freeman is an ER doctor who helps women who have fallen into the sex slave trade escape from their ‘owners’. As a result of this she is captured by the leader of the slave trade business.
Locke is a sort of mercenary who is trying to bring the slave trade down by pretending to be part of it. When Tessa is captured, Locke does a deal to bring Tessa into his ‘ownership’
What follows is a very hot, steamy story where Tessa and Locke can’t help but submit to their attraction to one another. But this is no simple love story. Locke is also having a sexual relationship with his best friend Gage. Trying to fight his feelings for Tessa he pushes Gage and Tessa together and the 3 of them indulge in some rather steamy sex sessions. Sessions that will leave you very hot under the collar (and in other places too).
If you are very open minded and enjoy a good steamy read then this book is perfect for you.

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Leaving Jackson Wolf by P.A. Kane – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Leaving Jackson WolfLeaving Jackson Wolf by P.A. Kane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leaving Jackson Wolf is a young adult novel by P.A. Kane about a teenage boy coming of age. This is a genre that I very seldom read but was intrigued by the blurb and decided to give this novel a try. I must add that I’m so glad I did. I really enjoyed this story.
Jackson Wolf is a biracial (Black mother and white father) teenage boy growing up in a predominantly white area. His mother walked out years ago leaving Jackson with his alcoholic father Mickey. Let’s just say that Mickey will not be winning any Father Of The Year awards. Mickey is violent towards Jackson and can often be racist towards his son.
I really found Jackson to be a very inspiring young man. He’s had a really crappy start to life but he has a really wise head on his shoulders and has a fantastic outlook on life. His growing friendship with James McDougal, who has been the object of many school bullies is a very large part of this story and I loved reading about their friendship and how they both grew to rely on each other and supported each other through some very hard times. When the 2 boys first interacted with one another, you would never have guessed that they would become firm best friends.
This is a really heart-warming read about coming of age and I’m really glad I stepped away from my usual tried and trusted genres and gave this book a chance.

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Beats Of The Heart (Lyrical Odyssey Rock Star Series Book 1) by Charli B Rose – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Beats of the HeartBeats of the Heart by Charli B. Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Noooooooooooooooooo!!! How could Charli B Rose do this to me? You get all built up and fall in love with these 2 characters and then you are left with that cliff hanger!! I cannot deal with how this book leaves you.
Beats of the Heart is a beautifully sweet, heartwarming love story. Our 2 main characters Izzy and Dawson totally worship the ground that each other walks on. Their love for each other is so deep and seemingly unbreakable. Best friends since the age of six and now 3 years into a relationship with each other, Izzy and Dawson are loving life and have so many plans for their future together.
Dawson is the frontman of a hugely successful rock band. The record company want the band to appear single and therefore more accessible to their hordes of adoring female fans, so Dawson and Izzy have to keep their relationship secret. As photographs of the couple start to emerge, life gets tough for Izzy and Dawson.
Do Izzy and Dawson get their HEA? That is the million dollar question and I can’t wait for the second book in this series to come out to find out the next instalment in Izzy and Dawson’s story.
A word of warning, if you read this book before the second book comes out then be prepared to scream when you finish the first book as you will definitely want to jump straight into book 2.

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Reckless: A Steamy Contemporary Romance Anthology by Mika Jolie, P. M. Carson, Kylie Stewart and Sharla Lovelace – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Reckless: A Rock star/Older Woman/Younger Man/Billionaire/Second Chance/Fling to Forever/Suspense/Romance AnthologyReckless: A Rock star/Older Woman/Younger Man/Billionaire/Second Chance/Fling to Forever/Suspense/Romance Anthology by Mika Jolie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4 stand-alone stories.
4 authors I’d never previously read.
Taking a risk? Yes.
A risk worth taking? Yes
Reckless is an anthology of 4 novellas all about taking a risk and acting a bit reckless in life. All 4 are very different stories and I loved them all. A brilliant introduction to 4 brand new authors.
Layla’s Chance by Mika Jolie tells us the story of Layla who is disillusioned with life and heads to Martha’s Vineyard to spend her 40th birthday alone. There she meets the much younger Chance, famous rock star and they instantly hit it off. In this story we go through Layla’s journey as she fights with herself over to do what’s sensible and what her heart wants.
Dirty Martinis by P. M. Carson tells us the story of Drew and Rachel who had been carrying out a torrid online love affair and finally meet in person. Will sparks fly in real life as they had online?
Into The Deep by Kylie Stewart tells us the story of Gemma and Grayson. When Gemma moves back home after a failed marriage she meets Grayson (who she had a crush on back in school) when she views his house. This story has the added bonus of some light BDSM.
The Spy Who Kissed Me by Sharla Lovelace is a romantic suspense story. Ava is a lawyer working for a crooked boss, Dominic is an ex spy who is trying to bring him down. This brings them together with explosive results.

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Forgetting Ophelia (Friendships & Secrets book 2) by Julie C. Gardner – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Forgetting Ophelia: A Novel (Friendship & Secrets, #2)Forgetting Ophelia: A Novel by Julie C. Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forgetting Ophelia is the 2nd book in the Friendships and Secrets series by Julie C. Gardner. Each book in the series is a stand-alone. This was my first time reading any of this author’s work and I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
The book begins on Ophelia’s (Lia) birthday and 5th wedding anniversary. What was expected to be a night of celebrating turned into a nightmare for Lia as her beloved husband Jake announced that he was leaving her. The rest of the book takes us on Lia’s journey as she comes to terms with the end of her relationship and tries to find herself. I have to say that I really loved Lia’s character. The reader really gets into Lia’s head and you can’t help but feel the heartache and pain along with her. Not only the end of her marriage but also the relationship (or non-relationship) she has with her mother Regina. So many times I really wanted to give that woman a slap. It must be said that this is one thing that I love about an author, their ability to make me really hate a character.
As Lia starts to find herself we are introduced to a couple of possible future love interests for her in Declan, the father of one her students, and Caleb, her mother’s next door neighbour. I love that the ending was quite open ended but gave you a good insight as to what the future held for Lia.

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Healing Danger (A Fortis Security Novel: Book 1) by Maddie Wade – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Healing Danger (Fortis Security #1)Healing Danger by Maddie Wade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Healing Danger is the amazing first book in the Fortis Security series by Maddie Wade. All books in this series can be read as a stand-alone although there is a continuing story running throughout and the series centres around the same group of characters. I however, would recommend that you read the whole series, purely because it is a fantastic series with truly outstanding characters. I first discovered this series by reading books 6 and 7 in the series. I loved these so much that I just had to go back to the beginning and see where it all began.
Healing Danger is our first insight into the world of Fortis Security. The Fortis team is made up of ex SAS and Black Ops soldiers with amazing talents. This team is much more than just your ordinary security company though.
This book centres around Fortis employee Dane Bennet and school teacher Lauren Cassidy. Lauren’s best friend Claire, who is the wife of Fortis employee Daniel has recently been murdered. In trying to find Claire’s killer, Lauren’s life is in danger as all suspicions lead to Lauren’s evil father who Lauren and her mother had escaped from when Lauren was a child. Lauren has a gift and her father wants her back to be part of his plan to rid the world of all the weak people and start a new world.
Lauren and Dane have both secretly had feeling for each other for years and now that Dane is trying to protect her their relationship moves to a whole new level, especially when Lauren is kidnapped.
This book is full of mystery and suspense that will keep you gripped from the beginning to the very end and also the added element of romance which makes this book a fantastic read. Thoroughly recommend.

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The Changeup (Resort Romance Book 6) by Mary Billiter – Review by Karyn Taylor

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The Changeup (Resort Romance Book 6) by Mary Billiter – Review by Karyn Taylor

The Changeup (Resort Romance #6)The Changeup by Mary Billiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Changeup is the 6th book in the Resort Romance Series by Mary Billiter. Each book can be read as a stand-alone. I had previously read one of the other books in the series, Wine Thief, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Changeup was also a really good read and I’d definitely read the others in this series too.
The changeup is a murder mystery with added romance. Although it’s a murder mystery, I also found much of the book to be light hearted. I really loved the characters in this book, not just Rebel and ‘McHotie’ Ryan, the 2 main characters but also Rebel’s workmates who have a large part to play in the story.
When you’ve just moved to a new area under the witness protection programme the last thing you want on your first week at your new job is to find a dead body but that’s exactly what happens to Rebel Roberts. Her knight in shining armour is delivery guy Ryan McHenry, a trainee police deputy, who is there when she finds the body of former police deputy Bernie Thomas.
What follows is a great story in which Rebel and Ryan, with the help of Rebel’s colleagues, try to work out why Bernie was murdered and also what dodgy dealing are going on at the hotel they are working in.
I would definitely recommend The Changeup, and the rest of this series to anyone who enjoys a good romance with a little intrigue added.

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Only This Tuesday: A Copper Mills Novella by Melissa Keir – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Only This Tuesday: A Copper Mills NovellaOnly This Tuesday: A Copper Mills Novella by Melissa Keir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Only This Tuesday is a Copper Mills Novella by Melissa Keir. I had never read any of this author’s work previously and was very impressed by this novella.
Often in novella’s there’s just not enough time to fully develop the characters but Melissa Keir did a fantastic job in creating some amazing characters, from the 2 main characters Tuesday and Blake, to the adorable secondary character Gil.
Tuesday is a wonderful, caring woman who is starting a new life in a new area, running a food truck called Tuesday’s Tacos. She has a very inclusive attitude and offers Gil, who has learning difficulties a job.
Blake is the local mayor who loves the local community and will do everything to help the area prosper.
When a complaint I made about Tuesday hiring Gil, Blake steps in to sort out the friction. There is an instant attraction between Tuesday and Blake. The chemistry between them is sizzling.
I really loved this story and devoured it in a few hours. My only disappointment is that this book is a 120 page novella. I could have read more and more about these fascinating characters.

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Shoot Me: A Lie To Me Novel by Lynda Filler – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Shoot Me (Lie to Me #2)Shoot Me by Lynda Filler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shoot Me is the second book in the Lie To Me series by Lynda Filler and it follows on straight from where the first book Lie To Me ended. Well, 3 weeks after the first book ended. You could technically read this book as a stand-alone but I’d strongly advise that you read Lie To Me first as this book will make much more sense if you have read what preceeds this story.
I struggled a bit with the first book and gave it 4 stars as it was written from many points of view. This book is written from the point of view of only a few characters and thus I found it much easier to follow and therefore enjoyed this book much more. Not saying that I didn’t enjoy the first book as I did. I just enjoyed this one more.
This book starts with Layla still mourning the end of her relationship with Mateo and struggling to move on. When she receives a call from her publisher offering her a deal to write another 2 books as they loved her first one so much, she moves to Guadalajara to research her next book. Here she gets caught up in the seedy world of cartels and often finds herself in danger. She makes many new friends, most of which are male, and continues to ‘indulge’ herself in hot young men.
I really enjoyed the journey that the author took me on in this book and hope that there will be more to come from the Lie To Me series.

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Eastern Shore Swingers Books 1-3 (Boxed Set) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Eastern Shore Swingers Books 1-3 (Boxed Set)Eastern Shore Swingers Books 1-3 by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Eastern Shore Swingers boxed set contains the first 3 books in the Eastern Shore Swingers Series by Phoebe Alexander. These 3 books are Fisher Of Men, The Catch and Siren Call. Due to the nature of the material of these books they are intended for a mature audience only. The sex scenes in these books are very explicit and many of them contain multiple partners. If that’s the kind of book that you usually enjoy then this box set is exactly what you are looking for.
These books are set around a swingers’ sex club in Ocean City, Maryland. A club where just about anything goes, and usually does!
Although there is a lot of explicit sex in these books, each book has much more to offer than just sex. In the first book Leah is conflicted as she has had a very religious upbringing and the idea of being a swinger goes against everything she believes in but she loves Cap and wants to be in his life. In the second book Paisley is a larger than life lady in more ways than one. I love how she embraces her curvy voluptuous body and isn’t scared to show exactly what she’s got. In the 3rd book Siren Call, Phoebe Alexander tackles the difficult issue of physical abuse.
These issues are dealt with brilliantly with the author, making these books a fantastic read. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone who loves a good sexy read.

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The Killmores (Killmores Book 2) by Martha Sweeney – Review by Karyn Taylor

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The Killmores (Killmore #2)The Killmores by Martha Sweeney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Killmores is the thrilling conclusion to the Killmore Series by Martha Sweeney. I am totally in love with this book and the series as a whole. Martha Sweeney has written a fantastic series. This book is not intended to be read as a stand-alone. You need to read Killmore first.
This book had absolutely everything. It was action packed from the very first page and filled with so much suspense and angst. You will be on the edge of your seat throughout. After reading the first book I said that I thought that Laurie was the most amazing bad ass female lead I had ever read. She didn’t disappoint in this second book, in fact she became even more sassy. Although we did see a more vulnerable side to her in this book but this made her character even more endearing. I also fell more in love with Aiden in this book. For such an alpha man, he can also be a total sweetheart too.
The Killmores will take you on the most amazing rollercoaster journey. There are so many ‘what the hell!’ moments. There are also moments where tissues may be required.
If you haven’t guessed it, I LOVE this book and would recommend this series to everyone.

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Killmore (Killmore Book 1) by Martha Sweeney – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Killmore (Killmore #1)Killmore by Martha Sweeney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Killmore is the explosive first book in the Killmore duet by Martha Sweeney. These books are not intended to be read as standalones and you will need to read them in order, to understand the story.
This book totally blew me away and I was gripped from beginning to end. Thankfully I have the second book, The Killmores, to jump straight into as I can’t wait to see how this story concludes and how many twists and turns it will take us on, on the way there.
Heroine of the book, Laurie has to be one of the strongest female characters I’ve ever read. She is totally kick ass awesome and takes absolutely no crap from anyone. Starting off as the wife of a dodgy cop who pimps her out to a major Mexican crime lord, she then goes into witness protection only to discover that her next door neighbour is an even bigger crime lord. Then federal agent Aiden Killmore pretends to be her boyfriend to be able to spy on her neighbour. Totally hacked off with hoe she’s been treated by the feds in the past, Laurie does everything in her power to make life hell for Aiden. Through time Aiden breaks down a couple of the many walls she has built around herself and their fake relationship becomes real. However Laurie’s life is still at risk and life is far from easy for Laurie and Aiden.
This is a series that I’d highly recommend to other readers. This first book had me on the edge of my seat and I’m so excited to see what happens next.

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Born To Fight (Can’t Resist You Book 1) by Brittany Anne – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Born to Fight (Can't Resist You, #1)Born to Fight by Brittany Anne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Born To Fight is the first book in the Can’t Resist You series by Brittany Anne. I had never read any of this author’s work before and after reading Born To Fight I’ll definitely be reading more.
Born To Fight is the story of Hunter and Rain who are thrown together when Rain saves Hunter’s life after a brutal attack from enemy forces. Hunter is the leader of the resistance who are trying to take back power from the UNR who are in control of the USA.
The chemistry between Hunter and Rain is instant. Rain has lived in a bunker alone for 2 years after escaping from her brutal husband, the leader of the UNR. Rain keeps her identity a secret as she’s scared of what would happen if the resistance knew her true identity.
This story had me gripped from the very first page and continued to keep me gripped right up to the very end. There are so many twists and turns, just when you think you know what’s going to happen, the author shocks you and takes you on a different journey.
Both Hunter and Rain are very strong characters and have suffered so much adversity in their lives. You really can’t help rooting for them and hoping that they will get their happily ever after.
Having thoroughly enjoyed Born To Fight, I’m really looking forward to see what the next instalment in this series brings.

@kazbo5771

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A Must For Christmas (A Darling Cove Novella) by Deborah Garland – Review by Karyn Taylor

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A Must for Christmas: A Darling Cove NovellaA Must for Christmas: A Darling Cove Novella by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Must For Christmas is a Darling Cove Novella by Deborah Garland. It follows on exactly where Must Be Crazy left off. Although this novella could be read as a standalone, you will have much more enjoyment if you have read the 3 previous books. This is a fantastic series and I would encourage anyone considering it to jump in and enjoy.
Must be Crazy left us on Skye and Edward’s wedding night with Faith going into premature labour with her and Greg’s twin boys. This novella was action packed from the very first page with Faith going into labour and kept me on the edge of my seat right to the very end in the hope that all would turn out ok.
This novella brings back all members of the Mallory family who had gained our hearts in the first 3 books as they come together to celebrate Skye and Edward’s wedding then spend Christmas together, only to be thrown into turmoil when Faith has complications and goes into premature labour, leaving her life in the balance.
This novella will take you through a roller coaster of emotions as Deborah Garland is an amazing storywriter, giving us amazing characters to fall in love with. I’m praying that this novella is not the end of the Darling Cove Series.

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Ring Tru (Thick As Thieves Book 1) by Janice M Whiteaker – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Ring Tru (Thick as Theives Book 1)Ring Tru by Janice M. Whiteaker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ring Tru is the first book in the Thick As Thieves Series by Janice M Whiteaker. I had never read any of her work before this and was unsure what to expect. Lets just say that she gets a huge ‘thumbs up’ from me. I really enjoyed Ring Tru.
Tru has decided that it’s time to get away from her life as a high class thief but has one last big job to give her the money needed to go back to a ‘normal’ life. She’s pretending to be in love with filthy rich geriatric Ezra in order to steal a very valuable piece of jewellery from him and replace it with a quality fake made by her close friend Gretchen.
What she didn’t expect was to find her ex-husband Will also working for Ezra with a similar plan in mind. Will had left Tru a few years before in order to get her away from this lifestyle and was shocked to see her. Both realise that they are still in love with each other and plan together to swindle Ezra.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Will and Tru, him trying to protect her from harm and her fighting with her feelings for Will. She really wants to hate him for leaving her but can’t deny that she still loves him.
This book had me gripped wondering how (and if) they would finally manage to carry out their elaborate plan. In this book we get hints of a possible romance between Will’s friend Cooper and Tru’s friend Gretchen. I’m hoping we get more from these two in the next book in this series.

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Must Be Crazy (Darling Cove Book 3) by Deborah Garland – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Must Be CrazyMust Be Crazy by Deborah Garland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Must Be Crazy is the 3rd instalment of the Darling Cove series by Deborah Garland, following on from Must Love Fashion and Must Have Faith. Each book can be read as a standalone or as a series. If read as a series then you’ll need to read them in order to prevent spoilers. I had read and loved the first two books and this one was just as fantastic, if not more. By the end of Must Have Faith readers were crying out for Skye and Edward to have their own story and thankfully Deborah Garland fulfilled this need.
Skye Mallory is a successful lawyer with her own practice in Darling Cove. She’s always had her eye on handsome volunteer fire chief and architect Edward Mendelsohn. Meanwhile Edward has been fantasizing about Skye for a long time. When a fire at Skye’s home brings them together the sparks fly and they admit their feelings to one another. They are both smitten and are ready to embark on a serious relationship when they are torn apart by the fact that Skye’s biggest client is suing Edward, which is a major conflict of interests, resulting in Skye ending their budding relationship.
Is there a way that Skye and Edward can still be together without affecting her career? Will Skye put Edward before her career? Will they get the chance to get their HEA or are there just too many obstacles in the way? These and so many other questions are answered in this fantastic book which will keep you gripped to the very last page.
I loved this book so much that I really need to go back and read the first 2 again.

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Jesse (Glass City Hearts Book 3) by Desiree Lafawn – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Jesse (Glass City Hearts Book 3)Jesse by Desiree Lafawn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jesse is the 3rd book in the Glass City Hearts series by Desiree Lafawn. I was unaware that there were 2 book before this one but this did not affect my enjoyment or understanding of this book as each can be read as a standalone, although the same characters are present in each book. I would suggest reading them all as, if the 3rd book is anything to go by then I’m sure the first 2 will be equally as awesome and I’ll be sure to read them in the future.
This is the story of Jesse and Harlow. Jesse is running his dad’s bar after the death of his mother. Harlow is a single mum whose son (amusingly also called Jesse but is shortened to JJ) pees on Jesse when he’s caught short on the way to his mum’s job interview.
There is instant chemistry between Jesse and Harlow. This is a really heartwarming romance. Harlow hasn’t let any guy near her following her disastrous relationship with JJ’s dad and she’s too busy concentrating on getting a job to have a better life for her and JJ.
I’m a total sucker for an adorable kid in a book and I can say whole heartedly that JJ is a total scene stealer. He is just the most awesome kid and you can’t help but fall in love with him from the very first chapter.
This is one of those romance stories that make you all warm and fuzzy inside and I’d totally recommend it to others.

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Climbing The Walls (Hart & Cole Book 1) by Sasha T Y Fortune – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Climbing The Walls (Hart & Cole Book 1)Climbing The Walls by Sacha T. Y. Fortuné
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Climbing The Walls is the first book in the Hart & Cole Series by Sasha T Y Fortune and what a start to the series it is. I LOVED this book. This story gripped me from the very beginning and I just couldn’t put it down (such a shame that real life gets in the way and forces you to put it down).
The main characters are married coupled Kris and Nicole Gellar. Both have high powered jobs and are very opinionated which results in a tempestuous marriage. Kris is adorable, he worships his wife and dotes on their 2 children. Nicole is a self-confessed bitch and I really struggled to like her.
As with many stories with children, their 2 kids Nikita and Khailam stole the show at many points. Nikita is a very gifted child and I loved reading her antics, always wondering what words of wisdom were going to come out of her adorable mouth.
Reading the ups and downs of their marriage was gripping and you are taken on a roller coaster of emotions going through their journey.
This is definitely what is classed as a ‘page turner’ and I would highly recommend this book.

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Across From You by Amabel Daniels – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Across From YouAcross From You by Amabel Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Across From You is a hilarious romantic comedy from Amabel Daniels. This book had me laughing from the very first page all the way to the last. Amabel Daniels is a new author to me and after reading this book, I’ll be sure to read more of her work.
Manager of a stuffed toy store, Lexi Regan has sworn off men having just been dumped very publicly on Facebook. Her very public dumping has gone viral and she’s feeling humiliated. Add to this her bridezilla cousin Bev’s upcoming wedding, she’s having a rubbish time. Having been dragged by her friend to an art class, she can’t stop fantasizing about the nude male model they had to draw.
Jack O’Connell, work partner of Bev, had lost a bet at Bev’s fiance’s stag night and as a result had to do a stint as a nude model at an art class. While modelling he couldn’t keep his eye off the gorgeous brunette who was drawing him.
It’s a small world as Lexi and Jack find out as he’s the groomsman who is partnering bridesmaid Lexi at the wedding.
This is a story that proves that first impressions can often be very far from the truth. We find this out in a hilarious way as Jack and Lexi stumble from one mishap to another. I loved both of these characters. Lexi is hilarious. You can’t help but be intrigued as to what is going to come out of her mouth next. Jack is an absolute sweetheart and nothing like the player that Bev has made him out to be.
So if you are looking for a great rom com, I’d definitely recommend that you give ‘Across From You’ a go.

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Touchdown: A Steamy Football Romance (The Big Apple Series Book 1) by Alexa Summers – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Touchdown: A Steamy Football Romance: The Big Apple Series Book 1Touchdown: A Steamy Football Romance: The Big Apple Series Book 1 by Alexa Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Touchdown: A Steamy Football Romance is the first book in The Big Apple Series by Alexa Summers. I had never read anything by this author and if this book is anything to go by, I’ll be sure to read more as this is a fantastic book.
This book is well written and has great believable characters. Lexi Driver is an ambitious sports journalist at the top of her field in what is usually a male dominated world. Unlike other females in the same role, she got to where she was by damn hard work and being good at her job and not by offering sexual services to move up the ladder.
Brett Brock is a quarterback who has been playing second string to top player Dion but when Dion gets injured, Brett finally gets to show just how damn good a player he is.
When interviewing Dion in the locker room, Brett’s towel falls giving Lexi more than an eyeful. Unfortunately her cameraman turns and Brett’s crown jewels are shown on live tv for all to see. Brett is furious and is determined to bring down Lexi. However, what he didn’t foresee was that spending time with Lexi would result in him falling for her.
This is a fantastic story which keeps you gripped from the beginning right through to the very end. It also has a lot of humour, the banter between Lexi and Brett is hysterical at times. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like a steamy, funny romance.

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Our Unexpected Hope by Michelle Sullivan – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Our Unexpected HopeOur Unexpected Hope by Michelle Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Our Unexpected Hope is a beautiful, heartfelt contemporary romance that you will not want to put down. It is so different from any romance story I have ever read before. In so many romance novels the characters are either not looking for a relationship or are totally against relationships, looking for something casual instead. This story is totally the opposite from this.
22 year old Quinn wants a relationship like that of her parents. They are so deeply in love and both worship the ground the other walks on. Quinn wants someone to be her soulmate, the love of her life and who sees her in the same way.
Noah was abandoned at birth and was moved from foster family to foster family growing up. He’s never been loved. Like Quinn, he wants to meet the woman of his dreams, fall in love, have lots of babies and live happily ever after.
When Quinn, who is a photographer, is doing a photoshoot at the restaurant where Noah works, cupid definitely shoots off a few arrows. Both Quinn and Noah fall for each other very quickly and look forward to a perfect life together. However, true love never runs smoothly and Quinn is unable to have children.
Where will this lead Quinn and Noah? Will this be the end of their relationship or will Quinn and Noah get their happily ever after?
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I loved it. It was full of emotion and takes you on an emotional roller coaster. I thoroughly recommend Our Unexpected Hope.

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Sailors Knot (Eastern Shore Swingers Book 4) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Sailors Knot (Eastern Shore Swingers Book 4)Sailors Knot by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sailors Knot is the 4th book in the Eastern Shore Swingers Series by Phoebe Alexander. I had loved the first three books in this series and had high hopes for this one. It did not disappoint in the slightest. If I’m being totally honest I’d say this is my favourite book of the series. I certainly hope that this series is going to continue. Each book can be read as a standalone but it’s such a fantastic series that I’d recommend that you read them all.
Casey Fontaine has been a major character from the first book in the series and I’m so glad that she’s got her own book. This book is set in the present time and in Casey’s younger years. We are told the story of Casey’s polyamorous relationship with two men, Gabriel and Joshua. As with all the previous books in this series there are some seriously hot sex scenes. No complaints from me there as they are so well written. In the present day we live through Casey’s treatment for breast cancer. This is a difficult area to write about and Phoebe Alexander does a fantastic job. When close friends Leah and Paisley come to visit, Casey tells them the story of her youth, making her reminisce about her times with Gabriel and Joshua. When Joshua unexpectedly comes back into Casey’s life is Casey finally going to get her HEA? Read this amazing book to find out.

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The Plot by Melinda De Ross – Review by Karyn Taylor

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The PlotThe Plot by Melinda De Ross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Plot by Melinda De Ross is a fantastic romantic thriller. On reading the blurb I thought that this book would be right up my street and I was so right. The storyline gripped me from the very first page and had me hooked until the very last page.
Yoko Hirano came to the US from Japan at the age of 18. She thought she was starting a new life working as a nanny, only to discover that couldn’t be further from the truth. She’d been brought by the leader of a triad to become a prostitute. 4 years on she’s seeking revenge and wants to bring Michael Chen’s organisation down.
When she gets a job with antique dealer Mark Chandler, she can’t believe her luck when she discovers that he has underground dealings with Chen and together they plan to bring him down.
The story of how they plan to bring him down is fascinating. It will have you on the edge of your seat wondering if their plan will work or if they will be discovered and feel the wrath of Chen.
I also loved the love story between Yoko and Mark. Having been forced into prostitution, Yoko despises men and sees sex as a cruel brutal act. It’s wonderful to see Mark break down these barriers and show her that sex can be a beautiful act between 2 people. It’s also lovely to see him gain her trust and eventually her love.
This is the first time I have read anything by this author and if this book is anything to go by, then it won’t be the last.

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Small Town Hero (Small Town Brides Book 1) by Kim Koby – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Small Town Hero (Small Town Brides, #1)Small Town Hero by Kim Koby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Small Town Hero is the first book in the Small Town Brides series by Kim Koby. It’s a very sweet and heart-warming read that makes you feel all good inside. It’s the first book that I have read by this author and I’m sure I will read more. I devoured this whole book in one day.
Rebecca is happily planning her wedding when she finds her fiancé in bed with her best friend. Still a virgin, Rebecca was saving herself for her wedding night. Devastated by her find, she drives off and keeps on driving. After driving for 10 hours she becomes stranded in Tennessee.
Ryan is at the petrol station she is stranded at and offers to assist her by putting her up until her car is fixed. What follows is a lovely story of two people who are so drawn to one another. Both have been hurt by previous relationships and are not looking for a relationship, especially as they live 10 hour away from each other but can’t deny the spark between them.
I loved these 2 characters and the interactions between them. I couldn’t help but hope that they would get their HEA. They certainly deserve one. I urge anyone who loves a good, sweet romance to read this book.

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Georgia Pine (Southern Promises Book 3) by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Georgia Pine (Southern Promises #3)Georgia Pine by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Georgia Pine is yet another outstanding read from K.G. Fletcher. It is the 3rd book in the Southern Promises Series and I’ve loved all of them. All 3 books have a connection but can be read as a standalone as each is a complete story. I’d urge anyone to read all 3 books, not to help with any understanding of the story, but purely because this is a fantastic series that I’ve totally fell in love with and I know I’ll read them again.
In Book 2 we meet Stephen Kaufman who is Hart’s boss. We know that he’s a cheating scumbag with a beautiful wife and 4 gorgeous daughters. The book is the story of his, now ex-wife Jessica. Jessica is heartbroken by the breakdown of her marriage and is now doing everything she can to raise her 4 gorgeous daughters on her own.
Tim McGill is the gardener to the homes in the posh suburban area where Jessica lives. Hiding behind a beard and long hair, Tim is making a new life for himself, using a fake surname. In reality he’s Tim Ryan, huge star of the NFL whose mistake cost his side the Superbowl. When Tim catches Jessica having a breakdown the day her divorce papers arrive, he becomes her knight in shining armour, helping her with the girls.
As Tim and Jessica spend more time together they finally give in to the huge attraction they have for each other. This however causes a lot of friction in Jessica’s life. Her snobby parents and ex-husband are mortified that she’s lowered herself to be involved with such a lowlife as a gardener.
Again K.G. Fletcher has given us amazing characters. Jessica’s guts and determination to raise her little girls and make others see that Tim really is a good guy is endearing. Tim is just the most adorable man. The love he has for, and the way he treats her daughters makes my heart melt.
Will Tim’s secret get out? Will Tim and Jessica get the happily ever after that they deserve? I’m not going to answer those and spoil the story. Dig in and read for yourself and find out how it all ends.

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The Nearness Of You by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Karyn Taylor

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

The Nearness of You by K.G. Fletcher is a fantastic heartwarming romantic story. I have now read several book by this author and they are fast becoming one of my favourites. Everything I’ve read of theirs so far, I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Lauren Rose is a lounge singer in a bar in Atlanta. One evening after performing a very handsome man chats with her at the bar. He is in town for his sister’s wedding. The 2 hit it off instantly and he is drawn to her in a way he has never known before. On impulse, he invites her to be his date for the wedding. It turns out that he is David Randle, top male supermodel.
The chemistry between Lauren and David is electric and they quickly realise that what they feel could really become something special. However, there is the fact that he is a top model in the UK and she lives in Atlanta. Added to the mix is David’s assistant who will do everything possible to break the couple up.
I absolutely loved the characters of Lauren and David. It was obvious immediately to me that the author’s muse for David was British supermodel David Gandy. Well, that’s because I’m a huge fan of him. It was certainly no problem in picturing him in my head while reading this story.
With everything that seemed to be in the way to stop Lauren and David having their happily ever after, I was rooting for them from the very beginning. These 2 needed each other in their lives.
I would urge anyone to read this book. You will not be disappointed.

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Michael’s Heart by Lori Thomas Harrington – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Michael's HeartMichael’s Heart by Lori Thomas Harrington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Michael’s Heart by Lori Thomas Harrington is a beautifully written contemporary romance novel. I had never read any of this author’s work but I loved, and was very moved by, this book that I’m sure that I will definitely read more of their work. The characters and the story were wonderful and I was gripped by this book from the very beginning.
The story revolves around Colbie. Colbie is a classically trained musician whose life completely revolve around music and her daughter Lyric (love that name). She has entered a music competition to work as a music composer for a large TV company, which has a prize of $100,000 which she plans to use to fund a refuge for women and girls who have unplanned pregnancies and are needing support.
While on the operating table after a car accident Colbie briefly dies and in that moment meets the love of her life Michael. This meeting with Michael shapes Colbie’s life, both in her relationships and her music.
This is a beautiful story which explores Colbie’s life after ‘meeting’ Michael. We see how this shapes her thinking about life and relationships. In her new role with the TV company we then meet some new amazing characters who play a huge role in Colbie’s life, particularly Will and his daughter Sydney.
This story is so moving in parts that I would recommend that the reader has some tissues to hand. It really does tug at the heartstrings. A must read!

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Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises Book 2) by K.G. Fletcher – Review by Karyn Taylor

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Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises #2)Georgia On My Mind by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Georgia On My Mind is the 2nd book in the Southern Promises series by K.G. Fletcher. Although part of a series, these books can be read as a standalone. I would however urge any reader to read the whole series as the first 2 books are fantastic. Having previously read other works by this author, she is definitely become a major favourite of mine.
Our hero in this book is Hartford Parker, brother of Katie who was the heroine of book 1, Georgia Clay. Hartford, or Hart as he’s better known, is living at his sister’s house in Atlanta, having been fired in disgrace from his high powered job. At a friend’s birthday he comes to the rescue of Gia Bates who is the Marilyn Monroe party entertainer. There’s an instant chemistry between the 2. Gia is struggling to keep her dance studio business afloat and is working as an impersonator to earn extra cash.
I really loved both of these characters. Gia is so head strong and will do everything to keep her business from going under. I loved her grit and determination. Hart is an adorable guy who just wants to everything he can to help her.
I would highly recommend this book (and the rest of the series) as they are amazing stories with equally amazing characters who will draw you in from the very first page.

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