Spellbound Seduction by Halley Larkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved this book. Arabella is a wonderful character. Excellent story line. Now to find and devour the first book of the series.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book that I have read from this author and I was not disappointed. I love, LOVE, mafia Romance books. I’m a big fan of contemporary romance books and with this being a mafia one, I was in heaven. I was on the edge the entire time reading it. I had a hard time putting this book down long enough to go to work and bed. I’m excited to read the next book in this series.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57543576-degrees-of-innocence” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Degrees of Innocence (Prestian Series, #1)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616856954l/57543576._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57543576-degrees-of-innocence”>Degrees of Innocence</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16229360.Via_Mari”>Via Mari</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5174342167″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Katarina meets a man while she was trying to save a man that passed out at the bar . The man she meets at the bar is her boss, she is working on a project . You have to read the rest of the book to see what happens next . I can’t wait to read more from this author.<br />
<br/><br/>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/40000500-lacy-mercado”>View all my reviews</a>
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Chase and Katarina are interesting characters. After reading the synopsis of the book, and actually reading it, I feel like I’ll need to read the next book in the series to understand them both better. They both have so much backstory that will later be built on, and it leaves an element of mystery for the reader. The characters do an amazing job coping and handling everything thrown at them throughout the story. If you enjoy series that build on the previous books, this is definitely a story that I would recommend. If you don’t, I truly believe you’re missing out.. haha
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first in the series; and the first book I have read by this author. It was a little slow to start, but by mid book I was well and truly hooked. I felt that the author was a little uncomfortable writing the sex scenes, especially initially, but it did improve the further I got into the book. I felt that the language used in the sex scenes didn’t match the rest of the book – just my opinion though.
Overall, this was a good book and I will definitely read the next book.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions #1) by Via Mari
This isn’t the first book I’ve read by the author. Degrees of Innocence is the first book in the Cruel Deceptions Series. The author has a way of writing and each book gets better.
Katarina is on a business trip and on the first night there she ends up saving someone. She does CPR and saves a man’s life. She runs into someone and she may be falling for him. The quote I chose for Katarina is: “That I am attracted to a man I’ve known less than forty-eight hours. I don’t know anything about you, except your name, you frequent the island, you’re a little overbearing, extremely handsome, and that your eyes smolder and jaw sets when you get annoyed. I don’t date much, and it’s all a little overwhelming if I’m honest.”
Chase helps Kate do CPR on a man. He doesn’t want to let her know that he owns the company she’s working at. Before her team can get there he lets her know not to hate him. The quote I chose for Chase is: “Katarina, I don’t want our first time together to be rushed, and you need to finish working. Now go before I change my mind, take you into the bedroom and do terrible and shocking things to you.”
Highly recommended for Mafia Romance lovers.
Snow in Love by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Snow in Love by Libby Kay
This is the first book I’ve read by the author.
Connor is working with a friend. He then realizes that his friend already plans on training someone else. The only problem is that the other person is a spoiled brat. The quote I chose for Connor is: “And you didn’t want to upset the golden apple cart, right? I’ll go take a break. See you both later.”
Sienna was promised a vacay, but her parents have other plans. She’s upset with it and gets even more upset when she learns that she’s not going to be alone. The quote I chose for Sienna is: “You promised me a vacation. You promised if I won gold at nationals, I could have the holidays to rest. I need the downtime.”
Highly recommended for Contemporary Romance lovers.
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch is a fantastic read. I had a hard time putting it down.
Emma is out tending to the fence lines. Her horse gets scared and ends up hurting itself. She finds a cave to sleep only to wake up and find that she’s in a hidden village. Right there on her family’s land. The quote I chose for Emma is: “I’m going to lie still and hope the poison doesn’t travel to my heart. Here’s what’s going to happen. The symptoms of shock are clammy skin and confusion, and I may pass out. Do you understand, Kai? I may go into a deep sleep, but leave me here on the ground. Don’t move me. Do you have any herbs with you?”
Highly recommended for Western Women’s Fiction lovers.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a beautiful book because it tugs at your emotional well-being while taking you on a ride with the characters you feel apart of. You’re torn between fighting how you feel (drawn from the characters and both their sides) or to wish and overcome all of it for a risk at love or more. But it’s not as easy as you’d think. This is only the beginning and I’m down to go down the rabbit hole to see where this leads.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57543576-degrees-of-innocence” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Degrees of Innocence (Prestian Series, #1)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616856954l/57543576._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57543576-degrees-of-innocence”>Degrees of Innocence</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16229360.Via_Mari”>Via Mari</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5168006880″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This story had a good plot to it and I was pulled into the story from the start. The author did a good job with moving the book forward and developing the characters a bit. Katarina is on a business trip in Aruba gearing up for a week long meeting about the development of a new medical facility. Chase is a wealthy businessman that had contracted the company Katarina works to oversee said project. As I moved through the first few chapters and saw the interaction between these two it was evident there was a mutual attraction. It was hard to tell whether Chase knew that Katarina was working for him from the beginning or if he found out through the interaction in the emails. She though was surprised to find out whom she had been corresponding with when he showed up to do his part for the meeting. Will she be willing to move forward with their relationship after being lied to? Will there be a happily ever after?
<br/><br/>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/106111308-charlisa-wahtomy-alba”>View all my reviews</a>
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Strangers Kate and Chase meet by chance over saving a life tourist at the hotel. Realizing the chemistry between them, Kate risks putting work aside and having a little fun, little does she know Chase is the man she will be working for. You will enjoy the read of a very shy independent woman falling for a man who is very overprotective and detail oriented. The author does a good job with the love line of the characters and even adds a little mystery and suspense and ends with a HEA.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, it is unlike a dark mafia romance that I have read in the past. This story is about a woman named Katrina who is in Aruba for a week-long “business meeting” she is running. She is helping a big wig corporation change the face of hospitals. Her story starts when she is physically saving the life of another customer staying in the hotel. A gentleman, Chase, comes to assist her; we later find out this man owns the hotel and is the enterprise in charge of Katrina’s project. These two have instant chemistry, but she is shocked to find out that he is her present boss. Because of past experiences, she is completely against this, but for some reason just cannot do without him. During her stay, she starts to spend a lot of physical time with Chase and the two produce a bond that neither has experienced before. This bond is strengthened when she is attacked, twice. Katrina learns quickly what it is like to be in a relationship with a wealthy, possessive man.
The story itself has many twists and turns. Many times you never see them coming. This is considered a mafia romance, but for much of the book, you would have no idea that that is the genre. The concept of Chase having ties to the underworld of society is not a storyline for much of the book. Do her past history, his secrets and over-possessiveness build a recipe for disaster? Even though there is a lot happening in the book, it was enjoyable. There is much spice, with a side of erotica. The characters are enjoyable to see grow together. Katrina is a woman figuring out what she sexually likes, while Chase is awakening her senses. The two have great flirtatious ways and playful banter. I am interested to find out what will occur in the rest of the series.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Right after saving a life, Kate finds her own life in danger. Luckily, Chase is there to help keep her safe. However, when Monday rolls around, Kate finds out that Chase is her boss. She has definite feelings about dating her boss but he has stronger feelings about letting her go. Between keeping her safe and the job the two are doing, Chase and Kate have more than enough to fight about (and reason to make up.)
Opinion
I’m a big Via Mari fan and jumped at the chance to start reading a new series. While parts of this story seem old and familiar, Mari writes it so well that those parts fade into the background. I loved the instant attraction the two had and Chase’s drive to keep her safe, even with Kate trying to barter down to what she felt was reasonable. This series has promise and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, especially with the father she never knew.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Degrees of Innocence
Via Mari
This was such a good read. I loved the banter between the two main characters, Katarina and Chase. This book kept me reading until the very end. I loved the dichotomy of the alpha male and the strong female. I also loved how the title was in play throughout the book. It really had me looking at the various degrees of innocence that one possesses. Finally, this book left me hanging with several questions. Which I think was smart of the author to do as it definitely has me wanting to read book two in the series right now!
Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. Return to Gallanvaig is the second book in the Beyond A Quirk of Destiny Series. This was a great read and I enjoyed it.
Calum is worried about everyone. The Genies are back and they’re trying to destroy everything. He and his friends try to find a solution for it. Can they save everyone? The quote I chose for Calum is: “It must be difficult. I mean, this is your home, you were born here and have lived your whole life here. It must be hard to just leave it all behind to settle somewhere else.”
Highly recommended for Dystopian lovers.
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Murder on Oak Street (A South Shore Mystery #1) by I.M. Foster
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. Murder on Oak Street is the first book in A South Shore Mystery Series. The book had me hooked from the beginning.
Daniel loved his job and had a good woman by his side. Or so he thought. She left him standing at the altar. So he moves on and the first case that he gets doesn’t sit right with him. Seeing that it falls back on his desk about the time another murder happens makes him wonder if they’re connected. The quote I chose for Daniel is: “Then I’d say my guardian angel was working overtime.”
Highly recommended for Historical Crime lovers.
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays: A Grinchy/Sunshine Holiday Romance by Susan Renee
This isn’t the first book I’ve read by the author. Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays is a fun little read. I love holiday romances and this one was my favorite of the season.
Tenley or TJ on PAR as she’s known on her podcast. She doesn’t really believe in love. She is practical. So when she’s offered an all paid for trip to Hawaii she takes it. She wants the cash, but that doesn’t mean she’ll get it. The quote I chose for Tenley is: “Yeah, but when it does happen. They just readjust or put them back on. They don’t break to the point of being unwearable and now everyone is enjoying the let’s-look-at-Tenley’s-boobs show.”
Teagan or TJ Mack the Love Guru has challenged someone he’s never met to come to Hawaii with him. He doesn’t tell her they’ll be acting like a couple or sharing a room. Can he convince her that the idea of love isn’t a bad idea? The quote I chose for Teagan is: “Ohhhh. You wound me, Babe. But just keep in mind, I don’t fucking share, Tenley. Nobody puts their hands on my girl but me.”
Highly recommended for Holiday Romance lovers.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. If I had a Magic Wand is a fun little read. If you’re a new mom to be or a mom of several this will make you feel loved.
This book I couldn’t choose a quote from because the entire book would be the quote. This book made me and my little one smile. I remember thinking along the same lines as the author.
Highly recommended for Kids and Family lovers.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Jan Pratt
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. Amaleigha and the Big Idea is a great little read for you and your family. Amaleigha reminded me of my daughter at that age.
Amaleigha is a five year old who likes being outside. She likes to be in nature. She runs around with no shoes because she likes it. She wants to share her special place. She gets her family to help her out and they build a Barefoot Park. I couldn’t choose a quote for Amaleigha because the entire book gives you exactly what you’d need.
Highly recommended for Kids and Family lovers.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this romance. There is just the right mixture of hot steamy passion and danger to make this a great read.
The characters are really well written and I love the connection between them the constant flirting and teasing really adds to the story. I could understand both sides of the arguments when it came to certain areas. Kate is a strong and independent woman so when she meets Chase and he trys to take over and protect her I can understand her resistance but at the same time I also understand Chase’s need to protect her.
The twist in the story is one I did not see coming and I was very surprised at how it worked out.
Kate is tasked with working alongside Chase to build a new medical facility. She has always said she would never mix work with romance but when she falls for Chase she doesn’t even realise who he is. Now it is too late for her to walk away but little does she realise that just being with Chase puts her in danger but not for the reason you would think.
Overall, despite the push and pull there is no denying the love and passion between Chase and Kate and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for them next.
Road to the Mansfield by CB Laurence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Road to the Mansfield: Express Investigations Series #1 by CB Laurence
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. The author sure knows how to write. Road to Mansfield is the first book in the Express Investigations Series.
Francie left her home because her mom was dying. She didn’t know at the time that her momma was sick. It wasn’t until after she got to her new home she learned the truth. Now she’s being investigated because people around her keep dying. The quote I chose for Francie is: “I don’t know how I would have survived without you. It’s because of you Miss Claire doesn’t sell me. Not so far, anyway.”
Highly recommended for Historical Crime lovers.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I can’t believe it ended like that with the revelations just coming out like that. So much T just spilled there at the end by mom. How can she just drop bombs like that and then disappear back home??? How does that affect Chase and Kate? Does the truth about Kate’s father become a bigger part of her life?
This book has reeled me in. I have to know what happens next. If I wasn’t already a fan of this author, I would be now!!
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was mesmerizing. Steamy scenes, very descriptive. Crazy plot twists, very unexpected. Chase is a powerful CEO who is rich, attractive, professional, and smart all at the same time. And he is absolutely in love with Katarina. Katarina is a strong, independent business woman who has made a great life for herself. When she meets Chase, she doesn’t know who he truly is as he sweeps her off her feet. Can their love make it through all of the twists and turns? Attempts on her life, a rich boyfriend, and a beautiful getaway. Who knew someone’s life could change that much that fast?
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The romance in this novel started almost immediately and I admit that I initially struggled to stay engaged, however as the chapters progressed and the tensions grew it gradually reeled me in.
I think what I found the most difficult was the interactions between the main characters, it didn’t seem to fit the way I would expect one to talk to someone they’re interested in – but overall, I was still able to enjoy the story.
As the truth was revealed and seeing how the characters were forced to confront their own issues and their misgivings about their relationship I was pulled into the story and able to ignore my initial misgivings.
The events that take place and the dangers Katarina faces are what make this book for me and as the first book in the series, I can see how promising this couple is.
I do plan to read the rest of the series as I did enjoy it, and the interactions improved as the books progressed so I am hopeful that the next books will continue on the same path and that the mafia part is explored in more depth.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read by the talented Via Mari; the synopsis was interesting and made me curious. The first page had me hooked, Katarina, better known as Kate, is in Aruba for a work conference on a new project. When a stranger suddenly needs medical attention and she performs CPR, before another man appears to help her. That happens on Friday night shortly after she arrived at the resort.
Within 48 hours she has completely fallen for the stranger, Chase, that helped her Friday night, and he has fallen for her. Dancing the night away together on Saturday and exploring the island on Sunday. Finally, they kiss, and she asks for him to come into her room only for him to decline, for now. In the moment he strangely tells her to hold on to how she feels about him in that moment and remember it tomorrow. Confused she accepts his decline in the moment as she has a very busy night and her conference starting in the morning. At the same time the CEO of the company that has hired the firm she works for is emailing her, chastising her for working on the weekend while on a beautiful resort, and talks of renegotiating her contract so that she is not allowed to work on weekends. Monday morning everything changes, hurt, confusion and embarrassment are all Kate can feel when she sees Chase, the CEO, the man that hired her, walks into the conference room for the meeting and introduces himself.
Will Kate allow herself to break her rule of not getting involved with someone from work? Can she hold on to the intense feelings she has for Chase? What will happen when his secrets come out? The world the author creates is beautiful, but the characters are so relatable that you can’t help but wish everything works out. Less than 20% through the book I couldn’t help but look up the other three books in the series so I could continue this amazing story. I can’t wait to see how their story develops in book 2 Degrees of Acceptance.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love the back and forth banter between Chase and Kate, they had great chemistry from the start. I must say with the way Chase treats Kate I’m mildly jealous, because dang I’d definitely like to be her. The care and attention he shows her in all aspect is not something you find in men anymore. This was the first book I’ve read by Via Mari, but I can guarantee I will be reading more and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!!
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Degrees of Innocence is the first book in the series and focused on the possessive and protective Chase and his obsession, Katarina. They meet when Kate is saving a man’s life and Chase steps in to help her. Their relationship builds as they spend more time together until Kate’s life is threatened. Chase protects her with everything he has as her life is threatened multiple times. They also have to deal with Kate’s insecurities about having a relationship with someone she works with.
I love that Kate and Chase work well together. They are an adorable couple and it’s amazing to watch them deal with the situations together. I also love how protective Chase is over Kate and how much he does to make her happy. They are an amazing couple and I love seeing the way they work together. It was also interesting to read about who is trying to attack her and what is the reasoning behind it.
The things I didn’t quite enjoy is there is a TON of telling in this story. I believe this is one of the author’s earlier books and I can absolutely tell she’s gotten a lot better at showing instead of telling, but it does make this story a bit tedious when it comes to reading it. Also, there’s a lot of obstacles that are introduced that aren’t necessarily resolved or explained the best.
Overall, while it was definitely an earlier book of the author’s, it was still enjoyable and fun to read. I am happy to have read it and gotten a chance to meet Chase and Kate. A bit of a warning though – the ending kind of stops a bit abruptly. There isn’t really a cliff hanger, it’s more like the story was cut in half and it wasn’t completely prepared to be that way. The story is finished in a satisfying way for the main plot points, but there’s a lot that is going to get finished in the second book.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Degrees of Innocence is the first book in the Cruel Deceptions series by Via Mari, I found it a little confusing as it was described as a “dark mafia” romance and there is only one small mention of the mafia at the very end of the book, the content didn’t really match the description. However, it did have a good premise and I am assuming that the mafia connection is more prominent in the later books in the series. When Kate is sent to Aruba to head a week long planning retreat for her company she is not expecting to meet a charismatic stranger who makes her feel things she has never felt before. When it turns out that this stranger is also the CEO of the company she is there to meet she is torn between love and her career. When she then becomes the victim of a series of attempts on her life she is confused as to whether the attacks are random or something more sinister. I thought this book was ok, it didn’t have the mafia romance element I was looking for, but it did have a strong female lead and a domineering sexy billionaire.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
OH MY GOSH THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!! I am obsessed with mafia romances and this book was so wonderfully written I cannot put into words just how amazing it was! It started off with the main characters meeting while giving CPR to a patron in the restaurant and then from there the chaos ensued! Literally the tones of the book were amazing, and I could not wait to read the book when I would be on my lunch breaks or finally at home where I could read until my eyes could not read anymore. There were lots of twists and turns in this book that LITERALLY had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was to happen next! I cannot wait to read the other books in the series once they come out and to tell my friends about this! I think I just found my new favorite author!!
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Where can I find myself a hot, dangerous, protective hunk of man like the ones this author so eloquently bestows upon us? I really need to know. I took the time out of my busy schedule to cuddle up in my heated blanket with a hot chocolate and almost choked a few times from the steam that was coming off of these pages. The intensity of the emotions that run through this novels ink is incredible, and made me thirsty like no other novel has. I mean, perhaps the last novel I read by her but still.
I can never get enough of a strong female lead, either, and Katarina brings all of that to the table and more. Truly though, we all have our secretes, and if the person you love cannot accept you for all of you, are they really your true love? These strong characters, steamy scenes, and addictive world in which we dive into are incredible, and I cannot wait to read more. Highly recommend!
