JD Frettier gave us side-splitting laughs with her first installment in The Green Room Chronicles Book #1, Desperately Seeking Sixty-Nine. One again, Frettier delivers the hilarious scenes and romance fit to take you on one crazy trip to the ‘green room’. This is sort of like the equivalent to “purgatory”. I won’t lie, I kind of want to make a stop at the Green Room when I go. Between the upgrade options available for the body, the spa, quirky counselors to encourage all ideas (good and bad), and a team of ladies ready to be the besties to stand behind you while you exact that last plan of revenge from beginning to end. Yeah, I want to go!
Linda White never figured she would be where she is. She had just reached her middle point in life with all the financial security she could have ever asked for. Until her two-faced husband not only dies but his death reveals he had been leading a life of cheating behind her back, but they are buried in debt up to their ears. Couldn’t be worse right? Well…
Let’s just say Linda finds herself in the Green room. It isn’t long before the women there hear her story and a plan is hatched to get some much deserved revenge. Setting the scene for a lot of laughter and maybe even a few tears. I found myself reading this rather quickly and being super absorbed within the storyline from the very first page. I am highly anticipating the next adventure to come from the Green Room! Thanks so much JD Frettier!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-13 09:16:452018-10-18 09:19:10Linda Gets her Groove Thing (The Green Room Chronicles Book #2) by J.D. Frettier – Review by Liz Vrchota
Caroline Walken was a completely new author to me. I was not sure what to expect going into this novel and went in with a completely blank slate. I didn’t read the reviews or blurbs, the front cover simply drew me in. Frankly, the lot of her available covers drew me to the author, I was kind of on one of those one-click late night binges.
This story gave us a backstage pass to the world of a woman that is grasped tight within the disease of Alzheimer’s. We get to follow along on her journey through her eventful life, each and every twist and turn in the road that has led her to where she is today as a mother and grandmother. All the family secrets and drama unfold within the pages of this novel and keep the intrigue well encompassing throughout. Usually when novels jump from past to present time it is difficult to follow it can be tricky to keep up with, this was not the case in Behind the Fan.
I look forward to seeing what else is in store behind each of the other gorgeous covers that grace the novels from Caroline Walken in the very near future. I would like to see her explore a bit more of the romance part, seems she has a knack for that particular writing style. Overall, a solid four-star read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-12 10:16:492018-10-24 10:17:43Behind the Fan by Caroline Walken ~ Review by Liz Vrchota
Okay, so this is a difficult review for me to write because I normally adore, absolutely adore, Katheryn Berla’s novels and the words for the reviews just flow freely for me. Unfortunately, when it comes to The Kitty Committee, things just continuously fell short for me. The plot was there, and it was strong. Immediately upon reading the blurb and knowing the author I was sold and ready to dive into this novel. However, when I got a good 25% in I was so completely frustrated. I saw where Berla was going with Grace, but there was nothing about her that was connectable. I kept waiting for this big explosive event or ta-da moment and it just really wasn’t ever there for me. She really seemed like unnecessary filler to me. Then there were those lovely time jumps. Out of NOWHERE. It just completely threw me off guard, tossed me around, and then confused the holy crap out of me. Quite frankly, it lost me, made it near impossible to want to finish, yet I did, and I truly don’t know what for. What happened here??? So with that all said, Katheryn Berla usually writes with a message behind her novels. A strong plot that usually has a mission to make you think long and hard, yet you don’t even know realize that you are doing so. I will say that I can see where this was trying to go. Women are mean ya’ll. We are. We love fiercely and we can sometimes love so fierce it can cause pain unintentionally. I believe that is was she was trying to portray here. I may be wrong. Anyways, on to the next adventure, and awaiting the next one with Katheryn at the helm! Happy reading!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-12 10:15:122018-10-24 10:16:30The Kitty Committee: A Novel of Suspense by Kathryn Berla ~ Review by Liz Vrchota
Usually I am not a major fan of historical romances but, the first one in the Romancing the Spies series from Laura Barnes, Rescued By the Captain, was actually a really gripping read for me so I was back for more with Rescued by the Spy. This one was not too bad, but not my favorite of the two.
In Rescued by the Spy we get the story of Raina LeClair and Charles Mallory. Raina is on a mission to find out who is responsible for killing her family. When she finds them she has a particular plan in place for them. Charles is on his own mission to find someone, only his is to find the person responsible for his own kidnapping. He was also left for dead. There is one small hitch to this scenario, he fell for his kidnapper, and it just happens to be Raina. Turns out Raina feels for Charles too but knows that she can’t be all that he needs. Will they be able to figure out how to make a relationship work and to trust each other?
Just when you thought that all was enough confusion to figure out…. BOOM… it gets a whole lot more confusion. I almost felt like these two could have their own spinoff miniseries. For me, this is what drug down this novel and made it a bit difficult for me to follow and read. I am hesitant going into the third novel.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-11 10:17:592018-10-24 10:18:45Rescued by the Spy (Romancing the Spies #2) by Laura A. Barnes ~ Review by Liz Vrchota
This is the second book in the Redclaw Security series from McKenna Dean, and my very first read from her. I didn’t have any issue reading this as a standalone other than I am sad that I hadn’t had the experience of reading the first book yet! I will be remedying the situation as soon as possible! I may just be one-clicking all that is available from Dean as well! Before I jump too much into the book, can I just say how delicious this cover is? I don’t know if it is the eyes or arms, or everything…. I don’t know I just love it. It drew me in and had me barely able to let go even after the last words.
In Ghost of a Chance we get a lot in a little package. Everything from the super-natural, suspense, secrets, betrayal, romance, and more! All of it is done meticulously and the flow makes things easy to follow, I was never confused as to what was going on.
When a brutal winter storm hits Sarah’s farm she is forced to work with Casey for a change to care for the horses. Despite the cold outside the heat between the two is building to a sultry fire. Will the secrets that each of them are holding inside ruin any chance they have at a romance together? Maybe the secrets hold more answers than they will ever know? I fell in love with these two! I can’t wait to see what will come in book three!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-10 10:19:022018-10-24 10:19:51Ghost of a Chance (Redclaw Security #2) by McKenna Dean ~ Review by Liz Vrchota
I will admit I was hesitant going into reading this novel. I ADORE thriller novels. Love the gore and scares, and by all means give me all the twisted intrigue, mystery, with a twisty plot. I want to believe this could be real so I can be scared. See, we live in a pretty scary world already. One, where just watching the daily news is enough to make me want to put three locks on my door and cameras in my home with a fully loaded gun in my nightstand. So what really confused me was when I began to really get into this novel, was all those one star reviews that had me so hesitant to pick up a thriller novel from an author that I adore. I have several points I need to make because it has been really weighing on my mind here. First, Meghan O’Flynn is a clinical therapist and a mother. Can you imagine the horrors she hears and sees on a daily basis while having to go home and live a “normal” life and be a nurturing mother? I struggle as a mother with the guilt of knowing I brought a child into this world that is slowly, each day, becoming more and more depraved to a point where I fear to go to even the grocery store. She gets a backstage pass to this stuff. So yeah it isn’t so shocking to envision the phrase so often used to describe such shocking writing…
“Thomas grinned like a fifteen year old girl with a cock in her ass.”
Umm… you apparently don’t read, watch TV, or go to the mall, etc. I have heard phrases like this be slung around, all too much, sadly in one form or another. This is supposed to be from a depraved person and depicts a state of mind. It is crucial character development.
Second, gore and sex is definitely a major role is this book. Now I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It isn’t a necessary aspect for a thriller book, but for this storyline it was necessary to have the details in order to fulfill the plot. Given that nugget of information you can decide whether you’d like to give it a try or not, but don’t rule it out completely just because it is a part of the story until you consider that. It is not done in distaste or overwritten and everything has its place. I can think of many great horror movies that were amazing because they managed to be detailed with gore and violence to a realistic point. It made the movie realistic and feel as if it happened not was a written script. Those are the ones that get you. Famished does this, and that is a difficult feat!
With that said and out of the way, and if you have decided to keep going you are in for one hell of a thrilling ride. I picked this up about 8:45 at night, it was raining (again) and I just needed something to help me unwind to get to sleep. I had no idea that I would be reading well into the night and devouring this book in one sitting. In fact I am actually typing this review very sleepily at 4 am because I awoke with a start from a disturbing dream (those darn scary bedtime stories) and had to do something to distract myself for a bit. This book is still very much on my mind and I am sure it will be for quite some time. Luckily, Conviction, the second book is available now so I am off to dive right into it after this. I think I am going to skip out on those reviews this time! Happy reading, and scary dreams! Thank you so much Meghan O’Flynn for the bloody amazing thriller!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-07 15:32:372018-10-12 15:34:23Famished: An Ash Park Novel #1 by Meghan O’ Flynn – Review by Liz Vrchota
I must admit I had such high hopes for this installment in The Gilded Flower Series from Vivian Winslow. Don’t get me wrong, I did really enjoy it, it was quite the rollercoaster that I have come to expect from Vivian, but for me personally, Violet just fell short. I was just left, I don’t know, the only words I can really think of are, wanting more. I needed more from Violet. She really didn’t have that evolution of character that I had hoped she would have had. In fact I had found the secondary characters to have more epiphanies and life changing moments, such as her father who I previously thought of as a dirty scoundrel but ended up changing all my thought of him. Violet just kept making all these confusing decisions, without much reason and then was so shocked with her outcome, like really? What did you expect to get? In the same point, I do get her mentality of trying to protect herself by building her walls like a fortress. Problem with that is though, when our walls are so thick, even the good can’t get in. Buckle in and get ready to go for a wild ride as you read through the journey of Violet’s life of love, betrayal, and so much more.
Wild Violet: This was where we get the first of many twists and turns in Vi’s story. Definitely nothing that was predictable, which made things very intense and drew you into the story pushing you further into reading on to find out what would happen next and find out how things would work out. Bonus: unexpected and delicious man candy to read about!
Hidden Violet: This was a details and secrets book. This is where we got all the juicy insights and what answers that we do get are really divulged in Hidden Violet. I feel as if this is where I had hoped a few more questions that I had would have been addressed. Maybe the disjointed effect came for me with the major decision Vi makes and the future coming into play fast after we just wrapped up getting bits of her past. I think that might have been it, but I am not sure. I had hoped that things would become a bit clearer in the final book of Violet’s story. So onward into the night I read, desperately seeking answers.
True Violet: I am left speechless with this book. There is a lot to talk about with this one honestly, but almost all of it would give away just about all of it. I can tell you I felt just about all of the emotions on the chart while reading it. It is a good thing I love my kindle, like absolutely love it, because it was close to being a projectile object at times. Other times I found myself on the brink of sobs one moment and laughing out loud the next. It was crazy times but worth it. I may still be in the dark on a few things but overall this was still a solid four star read and I will be back for more. Fingers crossed there is some more of Vi in our future??
I am a big cover art person. I don’t necessarily let it determine whether I will or won’t read a book, but I sometimes won’t even pick up a book to read the synopsis if the cover looks ‘boring’ or ‘unusual’ to me. I would have to say this book falls in that category. I am not a huge fan of the shifter genera of novels in general. I was drawn into this with the thriller and the historical timelines that were depicted. My major suggestion would be to redo the cover art. It would really draw in a whole new crowd of people who are the type that buy based solely off of the cover art. My other would be that this books flow was choppy. It had me at several moments questioning where I was and what was happening. With these things noted the novel had great solid backbones and the plot was strong. I fell in love with the characters and the ideas scene building.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-07 10:22:202018-10-24 10:22:59Shifter’s Pride by Laura Hawks ~ Review by Liz Vrchota
Oh Mylanta! I hit the jackpot with this novel from Lori Sizemore! Not only do I now have a new author to love and obsess over, binge read, and stalk, but I now have a new favorite top five rom-com read of 2018! That gorgeous eye-popping cover drew me in before I even got swept away by the blurb. It was an instant one-click impulse buy, kind of like that gamble impulse you get at the slots in Vegas. From page one I was hooked and the rush was steady until the very end.
Everyone, well for most of us, has parents that want only the absolute best for us, everything that they had and all the things they wish they could have had. Layla Rosas’s father is no different. Except in the era, the 1950’s, he is reasonable in expecting his daughter to find her soulmate and find her pleasure in pleasing her husband and future children by meeting their needs. Basically being that perfect housewife. I was envisioning that picture-perfect barefoot and pregnant woman with the perfectly browned turkey, steam rising from it, in the pan in her gloved hands and the bright cherry smile on her face with the seamless makeup and the perfect coiffed curls. The cover model for Better Home and Gardens in 1958. Anyways, Layla is far from this picture perfect gal. In fact the picture she has is what will get her in the situation that brings Jace Russell into her life. This picture and her fear of being institutionalized for her behavior leads her to take drastic measures. What will happen when fate decides to throw its hands into the equation as well? Is there a chance that everyone will get a bit more than they all wagered for?
I had such a good time reading this novel. I found myself laughing out loud several different times until it hurt. I needed a great feel good story and something light hearted. For me it was one of those great rainy day reads that I curled up in my cozy spot with some hot tea and a warm blanket with. I promptly bought the paperback after I finished the ebook so that I could pick it up and reread it in the future and enjoy the visual view in for many years to come. Now on to find out what happens next in the Viva Las Vegas Series, My Big Fat Vegas Wedding. I’m just super excited it is already available to read now! Happy reading!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-07 10:21:142018-10-31 11:13:05My Fake Vegas Boyfriend (Viva Las Vegas Book 1) by Lori Sizemore ~ Review by Liz Vrchota
I will admit I was hesitant going into reading this novel. I ADORE thriller novels. Love the gore and scares, and by all means give me all the twisted intrigue, mystery, with a twisty plot. I want to believe this could be real so I can be scared. See, we live in a pretty scary world already. One, where just watching the daily news is enough to make me want to put three locks on my door and cameras in my home with a fully loaded gun in my nightstand. So what really confused me was when I began to really get into this novel, was all those one star reviews that had me so hesitant to pick up a thriller novel from an author that I adore. I have several points I need to make because it has been really weighing on my mind here. First, Meghan O’Flynn is a clinical therapist and a mother. Can you imagine the horrors she hears and sees on a daily basis while having to go home and live a “normal” life and be a nurturing mother? I struggle as a mother with the guilt of knowing I brought a child into this world that is slowly, each day, becoming more and more depraved to a point where I fear to go to even the grocery store. She gets a backstage pass to this stuff. So yeah it isn’t so shocking to envision the phrase so often used to describe such shocking writing…
“Thomas grinned like a fifteen year old girl with a cock in her ass.”
Umm… you apparently don’t read, watch TV, or go to the mall, etc. I have heard phrases like this be slung around, all too much, sadly in one form or another. This is supposed to be from a depraved person and depicts a state of mind. It is crucial character development.
Second, gore and sex is definitely a major role is this book. Now I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It isn’t a necessary aspect for a thriller book, but for this storyline it was necessary to have the details in order to fulfill the plot. Given that nugget of information you can decide whether you’d like to give it a try or not, but don’t rule it out completely just because it is a part of the story until you consider that. It is not done in distaste or overwritten and everything has its place. I can think of many great horror movies that were amazing because they managed to be detailed with gore and violence to a realistic point. It made the movie realistic and feel as if it happened not was a written script. Those are the ones that get you. Famished does this, and that is a difficult feat!
With that said and out of the way, and if you have decided to keep going you are in for one hell of a thrilling ride. I picked this up about 8:45 at night, it was raining (again) and I just needed something to help me unwind to get to sleep. I had no idea that I would be reading well into the night and devouring this book in one sitting. In fact I am actually typing this review very sleepily at 4 am because I awoke with a start from a disturbing dream (those darn scary bedtime stories) and had to do something to distract myself for a bit. This book is still very much on my mind and I am sure it will be for quite some time. Luckily, Conviction, the second book is available now so I am off to dive right into it after this. I think I am going to skip out on those reviews this time! Happy reading, and scary dreams! Thank you so much Meghan O’Flynn for the bloody amazing thriller!
Hopelessly Devoted was a great kickoff to what I imagine will be a wonderful MC series from AM Myers. I usually fall quickly for MC series, often intrigued with the dark and twisted mixed with kind and sweet souls. The concept makes for some great storyline opportunities! Myers pulls out all the stops with this one and weaves the perfect amounts of dark and twisty with sultry, sorrowful, and sappiness within the story of Allison James and Logan Chambers, well Storm.
I loved Allison. She is feeling strong in her role as a columnist. Even more so she is using her strength to embrace her independence because she is so over the dating scene. She would rather live a lifetime alone than deal with the heartache of another brutal breakup. She has been there, done that a few too many times. This is until she meets the brooding and handsome Storm. Suddenly, all of her good intentions are out the door and her heart decides to take a leap of faith just one last time.
Storm used to serve in the military and sub sequentially suffered a great loss. The hole he felt and lack of family and love he sought was soon fulfilled when he joined the MC. This particular MC’s cause to help women in dire need fulfills an even deeper desire within him. He is a good soul but he is deeply guarded and doesn’t take to people outside of his MC family easily, actually not at all it would seem. When he first meets Allison he wants to say no out of respect at the very least, but he can’t deny the sexual tension looming between them. And she clearly doesn’t lack the desire to give the idea a go.
The chemistry between these two was insatiable to say the least! Several times I caught myself trying to cool the blush off of my face with my hand as I read. They both faced some very realistic struggles that often go undiscussed because no one wants to talk about the ‘ugly truths’. I enjoyed how each of their stories turned out to unfold and blended into the current and what possibilities may lie ahead for these two. I look forward to book two in the series, Addicted to Love.
Mya O’Malley is not a new author to me, but I must confess this has to be my absolute favorite novel she has published so far, and I have read all but two of her others. That is really saying a lot coming from me as I am not normally a fan of historical romances of any sort. The dates and things jumping back and forth from present day to the past often is just not easy for me to follow and therefore makes it hard to enjoy the book. O’Malley really does this transitioning effortlessly and smoothly. I had no troubles following what was going on and I was quite engrossed in the entire story. So much so that I found myself staying up well past my bedtime to finish this novel. I had to know how the story was going to work out.
Adelia MacGregor lived with her husband, Augustus beside a lighthouse. Augustus is not the man that Adelia married. He has become reclusive and distant, even a bit jealous. Ultimately Adelia was now living in fear of her husband.
Fast forward to 2017 and we meet Hope and her bestie Tracy. They now inhabit this house that is beside the elusive lighthouse. Hope is pulled towards this lighthouse. So much so that she often has a very difficult time leaving it for very long. There is just something about this lighthouse that is nagging at her. She decides to look into its past and in the process she meets Cloony. Cloony is a local bartender and also pulls at the attention of Hope. What Hope ultimately discovers will be far from anything she could have ever imagined.
I had no idea what to expect with this novel, and the ending threw me for a loop, but made sense in the end. Overall the story flowed beautifully and was a gripping mystery I found myself deeply engrossed in from the very beginning to the end. I look forward to seeing what else is to come from O’Malley in the future, and to going and reading the other two that I have not read yet from her available now.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-09-05 10:24:252018-10-24 10:25:19The House that Adelia Built by Mya O’Malley ~ Review by Liz Vrchota
I adored the first book in The Gray Ghost series, Broken Circle, so I had high hopes for this next novel, Eye of the Storm. Amy McKinley did not disappoint. I was hooked from the very first chapter to the last word of the last page. I sincerely wish that I could give this a few bonus stars but since I can’t the max of five will have to do. I don’t believe that it is necessary to read the first book, but why not?
In Eye of the Storm we have the story of Mari Dias. Mari is one heck of a strong woman. She has had to learn how to be for a long time. Her life was anything but easy. Growing up in the way that she did and the environment has taught her a lot. But her time in the Columbian Jungle will not be as easy as she thought it would be. In fact this will be the catalyst of big changes for Mari.
Chris Shaw also finds himself in the Columbian Jungle under duress. First major problem is that he is hanging, literally in a tree, wrapped in his shredded parachute. Secondly, he has no idea who he is. Not even so much as his name. He does eventually notice in his moments of awareness that there is a beautiful woman, Mari that is trying to help him the best that she can. Will Chris be able to trust that she is safe? Especially since he can sense that something about her isn’t as it seems. Will these two find a romance and a future together during their time in the jungle? Or will this be the end of everything for the both of them?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-29 08:40:542018-11-08 08:42:09Eye of the Storm (Gray Ghost #2) by Amy McKinley – Review by Liz Vrchota
I Can Kill is an electrifying thriller from Angela Kay. I have never had the pleasure of reading her work before, but I can say without a doubt that this will not be my last time doing so. Thrillers are hard books, in my opinion, to write. There is a fine line between needing a lot of information to make the thrill easy to follow, get lost in, and enjoy, and the overwriting that sometimes becomes an issue with thriller novels. You need the details, but you don’t need to know what kind of laundry soap the character uses. Some of the most seasoned and well known authors make do this all the time and it really affects my ability to enjoy the story. Angela Kay manages to paint the scenes with great detail, so that you feel as if you are watching this unfold in real life. But even better is that she doesn’t overdo it. I wasn’t confused or bored one moment while reading the book.
The novel is told from the points of view of several different people. This helps you see things from every different angle and makes the novel flow flawlessly. There were twists and turns throughout that kept me guessing and shocked from beginning to end. The characters themselves are realistic and relatable, a very positive attribute for the novel.
Aiden and Shaun are partners in putting together the pieces of an investigation of a sadistic killer. Things are becoming more and more dangerous for them, especially when the killer decides that Aiden is a new target of his. Every bit of the stress of the job is affecting the relationship between Cheyenne and Aiden. Much like in real life we tend to bring home our frustrations with everyday work and take it out on our partner. It isn’t fair but in the end it can make us stronger and deepen the love for the person. This added a completely new dimension to the story. The ending is not at all like how you think it would end. Better than in fact, well in my case anyway. I am especially excited to get the next book and hope that we get to see the love story of Shaun and Laura, as well as the case of the Carnation Killer. I hope it isn’t too long of a wait! I am now in a serious book hangover and in need of the next thriller to devour!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-29 08:38:582018-11-08 08:40:22I Can Kill by Angela Kay – Review by Liz Vrchota
I am so unsure of where to start with this novel from Kelly Mooney. I had never picked anything of hers up before so she was a new author to me. I was pretty intrigued by the synopsis and bright and slightly steamy cover candy, so I decided to give this a shot. Now, I won’t say I hated it, because there were some pretty strong and good ideas played out in the book, just maybe not quite everything that I had hoped it would have been.
The first major issue for me was the main male character, Preston. What a skank. I say skank because this man is everything that makes a woman cringe on a bad date. Despite his good looks, overwhelming riches, and outgoing personality, he still manages to make me want to throw up a little in my mouth. Preston continuously made me think of a phrase my grandmother used to say… “That man has legs in every corner of the town.” I know not the classiest thing, but hey, Preston is far from it to begin with, and this is sadly true. He is a womanizer and he has a new conquest in his bed at the end of each day.
With all that said, Preston is well aware of his lack of substance and quality in his lifestyle. He knows that there is something missing, or someone, he just isn’t sure when he will find it. Boom, predictable and a bit more of the disappointing factor, he meets the sassy Summer, and she is the one he has been looking for. Summer is a strong willed woman. I felt that she was justified in her wariness of Preston and I totally get it. However, when Preston proves every worry wrong Summer is still a stubborn pain in the bum. I kind of wanted to give her a wake-up call several times. Sometimes, people deserve a second chance, especially when they try so hard to prove that they are trying to change for the better. I get that there is turmoil but I was frustrated with her the majority of the time.
I am glad that I stuck it out to see what would happen in the end. It did come to a conclusion that I could live with and fairly much enjoyed. I will definitely be interested in seeing what else is available from Kelly Mooney in the future. Especially, if she avoids the overzealous man skank issues. Overall for the writing strength that did keep me reading till the end, the final pieces coming together to help ease the pain of the process, and the happy ending I am still impressed with a four star read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-29 08:36:052018-11-08 08:38:36The Dirty Rooster by Kelly Mooney – Review by Liz Vrchota
I went into this book with a completely open mind and I am glad that I did. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the way the author wrote and told the story, you were engrossed in the characters more so than how the characters are choosing to live their lives. This is definitely NOT for anyone under the age of eighteen. It contains some pretty graphic scenes with kink. Despite all of this I really loved the book. It is just a shy of 140 pages, but it is a jam-packed story that had me hooked from beginning to end in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down until I found out how things would work out for Charlotte.
Charlotte is in a desperate situation. She needs a job and a roof over her head. Eventually getting an interview and a job at Gordon’s leads her to meet Benton. Benton has been looking for a ‘little’ to fulfill his fantasies and the moment he lays his eyes on Charlotte he knows he needs to at least try introducing her to the world he lives in. After showing her all about age play, which is when adults choose to live their lives as a teenager, a child or an infant under the care of a person they have selected to take the role of a mom or dad. The story really does push off from there and explores a lot of things that goes with this lifestyle as well as what would possibly drive one to seek out said life.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-29 08:33:142018-11-08 08:35:38Charlotte: Dr. Richards’ Littles #7 by Pepper North – Review by Liz Vrchota
Normally I would have never even picked up this book just based off of the cover. I tend to avoid the covers that look like a Harlequin romance novel, simply because they do not keep my attention. However, I am glad that I chose to read some of the reviews and then give it a chance. It was a pretty decent read for a rainy day.
There is a lot of intrigue, action, drama, and of course pirates that will keep you reading till the very end in one sitting. It may not have been my typical choice of novel but the author, Laura Barnes, made sure to keep things relevant and interesting. I found myself relating to Ivy even though historically she is far different from myself.
Ivy is determined to save her brother. She is a strong willed woman and believes in jumping right away to accomplish what you wish to do. This does pose as a benefit as much as a deterrent. Something I too struggle with. She means well and eventually figures out her way, which is what really made me appreciate her character.
Marcus is madly in love with Ivy. His determination lies in protecting her. He never wavered in his love and devotion which made me love him. Too often guys are the jerks that have to evolve in a lot of romances. But this guy was consistent and I loved that about him.
Overall this was a great historical romantic read, with realistic problems to overcome before the characters can get that happily ever after they so desire. I was pleasantly surprised and look forward to reading the next book in the series, Rescued by the Spy.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-29 08:30:292018-11-08 08:32:38Rescued By the Captain (Romancing the Spies #1) by Laura A. Barnes – Review by Liz Vrchota
Won’t Let You Down is the 8th book in the Cedarville series from Bree Kraemer. It is a sweet contemporary romance that promises to make you fall in love with Cedarville and the people that live there. Each book is focused on a different couple so they can be read as standalone novels, or out of order. I would recommend that you read them all and in order though for a better enjoyment of the books. You really feel like you are visiting Cedarville each time you dive into a new couple’s story, and that is built by reading the entire series. Besides that, each book is an amazing read.
This book is centered on the story of Joy and Flynn. I really enjoyed these two. They are relevant and relatable for most of us that are trudging through life with a secret passion for a person we don’t feel we deserve or should be. Joy has serious trust issues. She finds things are easier when she keeps thing strictly physical and emotionless, most often resorting to one-night-stands and the ease of the one-time encounter. However, Flynn changes things for her when she starts to feel for him on a deeper level than just physically. Flynn is honestly the perfect guy to bring her out of her shell. He is patient and kind, aware of her worries and hesitations. He takes his time and gets to know the real her. Will it be enough though? Can he get her to see that they could have something great together if they just give it a chance? He knows that he ‘won’t let her down’ but can she ever believe it?
The gambit of emotions are felt while reading these two’s story. I found myself on the brink of tears, cheering for them when they were slightly starting to get somewhere, being angry when things were rocky, and blushing in heat at some of the hot steamy scenes that are well written. Overall, this was another great five star installment in the Cedarville series. I can’t wait to see what will come next in this idyllic little town I want so badly to visit.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-29 08:23:542018-11-08 08:29:52Won’t Let You Down (A Cedarville Novel #8) by Bree Kraemer – Review by Liz Vrchota
I know what you are thinking this book is about… that cover and title really draws your attention right away. I had never read anything from JD Frettier before so I had no idea what to expect. JD Frettier, you are a clever mind! I adored this fast read. At just under fifty pages we get a big story in a small package that makes you feel the gambit of emotions.
In Desperately Seeking Sixty-Nine you have the story of Bonnie McMillan. In the summer of 1969 Bonne and her husband meet at the infamous Woodstock. A life of hippie style love and sex, is what they have lived for a wonderful forty-seven years. All of that is changed and ripped away in one night of raunchy fun together. Bonnie finds herself in what they call ‘the green room’. She embarks on a mission to reinvent herself and find a way back to ‘sixty-nine’. What a journey it is too! I can’t wait to see what will come next in the second book in the series.
I became an instant fan of Vivian Winslow ever since I started reading her first book in the Wildflower Series, Blossoming Flower. That is a spinoff series of this one, The Gilded Flower Series. In the Dahlia Trilogy we have the three books that are centered on Dahlia. I would recommend that you read the first three books in the series, simply because it is an amazing journey following these women. It isn’t necessary however. One thing that I absolutely love about when an author releases all the books in a box set or trilogy, is that I don’t have to wait to find out what is going to come next forever. Especially when they are as epic as these stories. I also suggest picking up the next set, The Violet Trilogy at the same time you pick this one up, since it is already available.
Blue Dahlia: Book #1: We finally get to find out all about Dahlia, Lily’s twin that we read about in the first set of books in the Gilded Flower Series, The Lily Trilogy. I was really excited that I would finally get some answers to the questions that were spinning in my head about her after I finished her sister’s story.
We find that Dahlia is living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment of being in love with her man, Rodrigo. They both are looking forward to all the plans they have for the future together, especially their move to Miami. There is one obstacle, however, in her past that she needs to resolve before she can fully commit to Rodrigo the way that she wants to.
This is where we meet Shane. Shane sounds like the ideal sexy man that most women dream of having a love affair with, no matter how brief. They were great together for a few years until they were shaken by tragedy. Dahlia is determined to settle things with Shane so that she can fully submit her heart to Rodrigo. One problem… The trip to tie up loose ends throws another fork in the road for Dahlia. They find themselves falling in love all over again, and are forced to make some pretty tough decisions.
How will things work out for these three, stuck in a spin cycle of confusing love? Just when you think you have it all figured out, you don’t and then the book is done. Here is where the bonus of a trilogy plays my savior. Black Dahlia: Book #2: This novel is where things get a little difficult to review for me. As an avid reader I understand how frustrating it can be to get the juicy details portrayed in a book review for a book you are dying to read. So this is what I am willing to give, not a bit more. I can promise it will be worth every moment of your time. Just when you thought you knew where this was going to go, Vivian Winslow throws one heck of a punch to the face. I screamed aloud at my kindle, rightfully warranting some odd looks from my family. But I pushed through. I had to know where this would go if it wasn’t going to go down the way I had thought it so very much was supposed to. Things don’t let up either in this little jam packed novella. Just as Vivian Winslow started to put all the pieces in place and slowly gained my trust that the world would be well again, she ripped that security out from under me. I couldn’t wait a moment to jump right into Red Dahlia. Again… trilogy and box set bonus!
Red Dahlia: Book #3: Holy cow! This was one heck of a ride from book one to this finale of Dahlia’s story. I have cried, laughed, yelled, and experienced many more emotions than I could list. Again, I can’t bear to let the secrets out in my review. I will tell you there will be redemption, maybe it isn’t exactly what you would hope it would be, but that is simply because this is the perfect way it should end. All the pieces are put back into place and hearts can begin to heal eventually. Everything is set up to introduce to you the next main character we will get to know, Violet.
Vivian Winslow has a knack for writing detailed and complicated plots with unsuspecting twists and turns. She does it flawlessly and I am always left with thoughts of the characters long after I finish the last page in the book. This trilogy follows in the footsteps of her other great novels and series, and exceeds all expectations. I can’t wait to find out what will come for Violet. I may proceed with a little more cautions this time though!
Paul DeBlassie III was a completely new author to me when I picked up Goddess of the Wild Thing. I was drawn in by the eye-popping cover art and the minimal but gripping description of the novel. I will not lie, I really wanted to love this book. I had high hopes but it just fell short for me. I had a really hard time wanting to push through the first 30% of the novel. It just was very slow to build up and get to that point where I was hooked. Once it did though, it was a solid four star read.
In Goddess of the Wild Thing we get the story of Eve. Now Eve has not had much luck in the love department. She struggles with the day to day monotony that most can relate to. Everything will change when she meets Sam. Will Sam be the one that will break her bad luck with love? What will happen to her everyday life when he introduces her to a whole new supernatural world?
Overall there is several different things going on in this book. We have the love triangle of sorts, fantasy and sci-fi type scenarios, and of course the ideals of good vs. bad, and good love vs. bad love. What will ultimately win out in the end? You will have to read for yourself to see just how it all comes together in the exploding final chapters.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-27 08:51:062018-11-08 08:52:24Goddess Of The Wild Thing by Paul DeBlassie III – Review by Liz Vrchota
Linda Burson has once more reeled me into the lives of Marcy, Brad, and Liam. Like I have said in my past reviews of this series, I normally get bored with series that are as large as this one. Taken by Surprise is the seventh installment. Even though this isn’t the conclusion, and appears to be far from it, I still keep coming back for more. These characters live with you long after you finish the novel. I can only imagine what it must be like for Linda Burson to live with these three and their supporting characters every single day.
Much like the last few novels, this one continues to divulge surprises that you never saw coming. Between weddings, love and its hardships, and everyday life obstacles, there is rarely a dull moment for the three. They continue to work on strengthening the relationship they have, regardless of how untraditional they may be they really believe they are doing the right thing for them, and I love that. Pick up Taken by Surprise after you have already read, in order, the previous six novels available in the series. You would not have a single clue what is going on if you were to just pick up here, and things would be quite confusing. I am anxious to see what life will throw these three in the next book to come,
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2018-08-27 08:49:372018-11-08 08:50:37Taken By Surprise (The Marcy Series #7) by Linda Burson – Review by Liz Vrchota
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Linda Gets her Groove Thing by J.D. Frettier
