Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A book with romance, sex and a happy ending. Enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Beyond Friendship by Marlyn Love
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brian owns Six-Pack, the hottest nightclub, and is the perfect bachelor. He is Mr. One Night and won’t even entertain anything more with someone. Brian is about to act on his impulses when he sees Amanda for the first time. Until he finds out she’s his best friend’s younger sister that is. Amanda is a successful entrepreneur and knows Brian is off-limits, even if she feels their chemistry and longs for more than friendship.
Can Brian set his fears aside before he destroys every chance for happiness?
Beyond Friendship is emotional and pull on your heartstrings for so many reasons. Marlyn Love does a great job making the reader feel so many emptions and getting drawn in to the relationship between Brian and Amanda.
House of Blood and Whispers by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I am OBSESSED!! I was immediately drawn in by the cover art and then was captivated by the writing. I could not put this book down. I was on pins and needles the whole time I was reading this book. I cannot wait to read more from this author!! It was amazing and I could not get enough of this story!!
This the fourth book in this series and it did not disappoint!! I couldn’t put it down and when I had to I couldn’t wait to pick it back up once I got home from work. This story is all about Alice and James. They are both artists but one creates paintings while the other one writes. Alice is wanting to get her parents and the town off her back about her settling down whereas she isn’t really wanting to settle down quite yet. James (the famous painter) moved to Buckeye Falls, Ohio to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York and try to find a new muse to help him with his painters block. From the moment they meet, you just know that there is love there, but do they realize it is really the question. I promise you that this book will make you laugh, cry and be all in your feels as you read all about James and Alice.
Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This the fourth book in this series and it did not disappoint!! I couldn’t put it down and when I had to I couldn’t wait to pick it back up once I got home from work. This story is all about Alice and James. They are both artists but one creates paintings while the other one writes. Alice is wanting to get her parents and the town off her back about her settling down whereas she isn’t really wanting to settle down quite yet. James (the famous painter) moved to Buckeye Falls, Ohio to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York and try to find a new muse to help him with his painters block. From the moment they meet, you just know that there is love there, but do they realize it is really the question. I promise you that this book will make you laugh, cry and be all in your feels as you read all about James and Alice.
This is the first book in this series! This story is about Max Sanchez and his ex-wife Ginny. So make sure that you read this one first, otherwise you will be a little confused like I was. I absolutely loved this book!!!! Max is a chef who met Ginny while in school. He moved back to Buckeye Falls, Ohio once his parents decided to retire and move to Florida. Ginny is a marketing genius for a company in New York (which is where she moved to, she fled Buckeye Falls and Max). The question is now, do they still love each other and it is really worth the risk with a possible heartbreak again? I had wondered this through out the story. It seemed like they… I really don’t want to spoil the book. Please remember to read this one first and then book 2.
This is the first book in this series! This story is about Max Sanchez and his ex-wife Ginny. So make sure that you read this one first, otherwise you will be a little confused like I was. I absolutely loved this book!!!! Max is a chef who met Ginny while in school. He moved back to Buckeye Falls, Ohio once his parents decided to retire and move to Florida. Ginny is a marketing genius for a company in New York (which is where she moved to, she fled Buckeye Falls and Max). The question is now, do they still love each other and it is really worth the risk with a possible heartbreak again? I had wondered this through out the story. It seemed like they… I really don’t want to spoil the book. Please remember to read this one first and then book 2.
No Amends by Angela Lam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was definitely not expecting this book to go the way it does. It will pull you in and you’ll follow this triangle of a love story. The twists are very much coiled. It is a great suspense story with Tang and Dee.
No Amends by Angela Lam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a gripping read which kept me hooked until the very last page. This was a real page turner of a psychological thriller, with a dark F/F romance and plenty of mystery and suspense. The mystery element comes from not knowing who the stranger is who was in the fatal car accident at Hangman’s Bend. Meanwhile, writer Tang Young is suffering with writer’s block and also feels guilty for something she can’t tell anyone, even her girlfriend Layla. Tang and Layla’s relationship is going through a difficult spell, when Tang begins a forbidden romance with Dee. However, Dee is not being very honest with Tang and isn’t exactly who she says she is. Once the stranger is identified other truths are revealed, no spoilers, I recommend reading this book!
Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the 4th book in this series, though it can be read as a stand-alone. This book is another great addition to the series, and makes me wish I lived in Buckeye Falls. In this book, we follow Alice Snyder as she tries to decide what the future holds for her now that she is done with her multiple college degrees, and is back home trying to get over the end of a relationship. What Alice doesn’t expect is to come across James Gibson, a talented and highly sought after artist from New York City who moves to Buckeye Falls with the hopes of recuperating from his failed marriage, and finding the spark to continue his artwork. When Alice and James meet and the town of Buckeye Falls starts spreading rumors that they are dating, Alice convinces James to go along with it, to give her space and time to breathe and figure out her future. If you are in the mood for a guaranteed happily-ever-after, with good world building and many great main and supporting characters, I would definitely recommend this book and this whole series.
Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the 4th book in this series, though it can be read as a stand-alone. This book is another great addition to the series, and makes me wish I lived in Buckeye Falls. In this book, we follow Alice Snyder as she tries to decide what the future holds for her now that she is done with her multiple college degrees, and is back home trying to get over the end of a relationship. What Alice doesn’t expect is to come across James Gibson, a talented and highly sought after artist from New York City who moves to Buckeye Falls with the hopes of recuperating from his failed marriage, and finding the spark to continue his artwork. When Alice and James meet and the town of Buckeye Falls starts spreading rumors that they are dating, Alice convinces James to go along with it, to give her space and time to breathe and figure out her future. If you are in the mood for a guaranteed happily-ever-after, with good world building and many great main and supporting characters, I would definitely recommend this book and this whole series.
Beyond Friendship by Marlyn Love
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Beyond Friendship is the third book in the Irresistible series by Marlyn Love. This book follows the story of Brian, an eternal bachelor with a fondness of beautiful women and Amanda, the sister of Brian’s best friend. When the two cross paths there is an instant spark, which only seems to grow, despite Brians protestations about how the two would never work out. When the pair finally discuss their feelings, it seems like it is all going well until a series of events unfold which scares Brian into thinking that this isn’t the right path. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I really liked this book, I found Amanda to be really likable, she is a strong woman and I really liked that. Brian needed a bit of a push in the right direction but ultimately was a good guy. I would recommend this book if you like the friends to lovers genre.
Beautiful Dangerous by Becky Flade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an amazing thrilling story! I loved this and sped through it like a demon. The book is filled with many tense times and action/suspense filled moments. I did struggle figuring out who is behind this mess so that even adds more excitement to the story for me. All of the characters are well done and they surprise than excite me as the story progresses. I do have a favorite moment and it’s during a fight between Hannah and Doyle. I won’t say what was said and done but I loved that whole scene.
I did read this out of order for the series. It can be read as a standalone as I had no problem following along. I think the other books characters were filtered in but they are placed as minor characters. I would love to read more in the series.
Beautiful Dangerous by Becky Flade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an amazing thrilling story! I loved this and sped through it like a demon. The book is filled with many tense times and action/suspense filled moments. I did struggle figuring out who is behind this mess so that even adds more excitement to the story for me. All of the characters are well done and they surprise than excite me as the story progresses. I do have a favorite moment and it’s during a fight between Hannah and Doyle. I won’t say what was said and done but I loved that whole scene.
I did read this out of order for the series. It can be read as a standalone as I had no problem following along. I think the other books characters were filtered in but they are placed as minor characters. I would love to read more in the series.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lady Aubrianne is betrothed to Lord Roger as a payback for an old debt from her family. Once she is married its not the happily ever after she accepted, her new husband is cold and not a nice man, but as time goes on she decides to be the focal point of their people but when someone from her past comes into there town she does not know how to process this.
Larkin has been sent to uncover any wrong doings with Lord Roger, but when he enters the palace and sees the woman he has dreamed about ever since the first look he can’t believe it. So when his investigations may led to Anna he confronts her which upsets her and then they become allies trying to find out the real dealings behind Lord Roger.
This is not my normal genre I read and sometimes there is a book which surprises you which is always brilliant to find, this book was one of those nuggets. The story was well written and flowed with the drive of the story and the main characters held your attention while I devoured this book.
The character of Anna was such a strong character and was a great for the passion within the story and the character of Larkin was a brilliant compliment to the character of Anna and there forbidden love angst was great and also heart-breaking. I loved the secondary characters in the book and added an extra layer to this complex story.
As this is the first book I have read by this author, I would love to read the next book in this series and maybe I have found a new genre to read.
Chasing Cheer by Heather Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book. It was such a great holiday romance, it has me wishing it was almost Christmas. If you’re looking for a book to put you in the holiday mood, this is it. The idea about needing “cheer” to light up the North Pole is fantastic, I liked Holly’s little stories of places she usually frequents to get cheer. In this book the elves don’t make toys, they make dreams, which I loved. I felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie with how easy the chemistry came between Holly and Ash, it didn’t feel rushed; I felt that seeing Holly interact with other characters made their romance flow nicely. I do wish we could have gotten an answer about the magic in Emerald Hollow but I still enjoyed the book and recommend to anyone looking for a clean romance with a happy ending.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book sucks you in from the first page and doesn’t let you go until the end. The heroine is one a lot of women can relate to and her strength inspires. The romance is just enough and I love the HEA.
Saint Con by Seelie Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Connor O’Brien is a former priest turned street lawyer and advocate for the homeless. Jessica Knight is a corporate attorney who happens to run into “Saint Con”, quite literally. He’s a bit forward in his mannerisms and before they know it, as soon as they run into each other, they are separated. Jessica has a bad feeling about this and is about to swear men off indefinitely when new information comes to her attention that changes everything. Will Con ever return to her?
This was a gripping novella that keeps you in suspense. The story is intriguing and engaging throughout. One minute I was a fan of Con’s, the next minute I wasn’t. This is one of those I couldn’t put down until I finished it.
The Man In Black by L.R. Liverpool
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book has such amazing character and world building. I felt like I could get lost in the world, and like the people there we so well thought out, it made the easy to identify. While this book isn’t something I’d normally read, I thought it was a great story. It’s a bit slow to start in my opinion, but it was a great read, none the less. I do recommend this book if you like a book with western theme, a little romance and mystery.
Review By
Manda Kelly
Chasing Cheer by Heather Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a hallmark of a story this book turned out to be. I loved the fairytale love story within this book. But also the story of bringing Christmas magic to a small town that is a hallmark town already. I could see this book being a movie and brining it all to life.
Holly is in charge of capturing Christmas Cheer and keeping the spirit alive in the North Pole. She happens across a flier for a festival in a small magical town in Oregon. Little did she know how her life was going to change with her arrival to Emerald Hollow.
When Holly fills her Cheer meter so quickly upon her first trip to Emerald Hollow. She agrees to come back and help with the Christmas Faire. Things turn south and the real question is will Christmas Magic be saved? Will love win out and will Holly be able to tell the truth?
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was immediately attracted to Wild Lavender because of the beautiful cover. I was really surprised by how much I was captivated by the story right from the start. Aubrianne, or Anna as she likes to be called, a strong, independent, warrior of a woman from Chevlain, was married in an arranged marriage to Lord Roger of Stolweg, in a marriage that was supposed to be mutually beneficial. Roger provided lumber/aid that Chevlain needed, and Aubrianne brought the amazing Chevlain horses for a breeding program. Little did anyone know what a cruel, manipulative, abusive man that was Lord Roger. Definitely look up your trigger warnings if your a sensitive reader before starting this book. Lord Roger ended up doing unspeakably cruel things to Anna, the people of Stolweg, and her family. The book really progressed for me once Anna starts plotting how to save herself and become the warrior she has always been, and when Larkin entered the picture. This was a very enjoyable story.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was kind of weary to read this book in the beginning. I am not normally a fan of historical novels but the fact that it also is classified as a fantasy convinced me to give it a go. I am happy I did. The book is set in the Kingdom of Aurelia. My only issue is that it’s a little too political for my liking.
Lady Anna was arranged to be married to Lord Roger. As soon as they wed, he turned out to be an abusive man treating her like absolute crap. This did not make Anna cower, if anything it made her stronger which I really appreciated. She spent a lot of time with her horses to escape the man she married. When Anna was only 16 years of age, she met a man by the name of Larkin and sparks immediately flew. Years go by and she doesn’t hear from him again until he is sent by the King to investigate Lord Roger. The King has reason to believe Lord Roger is committing treason.
I loved Anna as a character. She is strong, sweet, caring and independent. She endured so much in just two years. Most people would break at the treatment she received yet she lived on, raising her horses. She treated them like gold and the way that the author described them, they sound majestic. Who doesn’t love a sweet horse Lady warrior? This book is very well written and very detailed. You could vividly see the world and the characters with the amount of detail written.
Liar, Liar by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Liar, Liar
By: Winter Austin
Once again, Winter Austin delivers an amazing story filled with suspense that will keep you reading late into the night. Winter Austin is one of my favorite authors due to the fact that she writes believable stories filled with well developed characters. Each of these characters is flawed in a way that is believable and you find yourself invested in the characters as well as the plot line. Each book can be read as a standalone, however, I recommend reading each one because there is backstory on the characters that definitely develops throughout the earlier books. Book 4 focuses on Sheriff Hamilton. He was hoping to have some quiet time to himself, however, a body that was discovered has different plans. Liza is an FBI agent who is following a suspect who is taking her back to Eider. Eider is somewhere she’d rather not be. However, she finds herself entangled with this body that was discovered. As she works on the case with Sheriff Hamilton, she realizes there might be something else worth returning to Eider for. I definitely enjoyed this story and truly recommend it as I do all Winter Austin books! I cannot wait to see what will happen next with the cast of characters in Eider, Iowa.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
**trigger warning** Lord Roger is a pompous jerk who thinks he can get what he wants, when he wants, and however he wants it. He saw his arranged marriage to our lovely Aubrianne as nothing more than a business deal that would give him whatever he wanted. I was almost in tears when I read what happened on their wedding night. She deserves so much better, and he never in his life could ever deserve her fiery spirit.
Aubrianne is a beautiful wild spirit. She breeds, tames, and cares for the horses that someday become used for war and the guard. She’s one of a kind. The type that can provide what most others can’t.
This is one of those lordship books. Like you get to see how things are behind the scenes in the workings of the court and nobility. It has a fantastical side of it as well that draws you in, and it makes you wonder what’s coming next and what it all means.
Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Faking the Fall
By: Libby Kay
This is the fourth book in the Buckeye Falls Series by Libby Kay. This book has a setting of the wonderful small town of Buckeye Falls. Buckeye Falls has all the charm of a small town but also all the downsides of a small town as well. Including the local gossip and everyone knowing everyone else’s business. That’s where this book picks up. Alice is the talk of the town, she has always had a wild streak and that leaves all the neighbors talking. And if she ever wanted to forget anything she has done, she can forget about it because everyone loves to remind her. She is returning to Buckeye Falls after some time away and is ready to become a more mature version of herself. James is an artist who has definitely hit a bit of a dry spell. As fate would have the two of them cross paths and sparks fly. One thing that Libby Kay does is create a charming romance that definitely has charming small town vibes. I love that each book focuses on its own couple so they function as a standalone but there is some overlap because they take place in the same town. I have read each and every one and I hope there is more to come from this series!
Truck was a fireman, while on duty he was caught in a burning building that almost ended his life. Spiritually that is, he can’t ride, he can’t work, all was lost. Until help was sent to him. He is angry and wants nobody around. Allie volunteers to go see him. To be his friend, to give him reasons to come back to the MC.He is scarred and broken. But Allie does all she can to motivate him. So that is all you get, no spoilers. Because this story is a romance of a different kind. One that will keep you glued to the story. I recommend you read the series in order. The author has once again impressed me with her writing. The story is a fast paced rollercoaster of emotions. I loved it, it’s well written and easily keeps you reading. I look forward to the next in this series.
Review@cinful
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
TW: Rape/Domestic Violence. The first instalment of Nicole E. Kelleher’s Heart & Hand series, Wild Lavender, follows Anna who is married to Lord Roger but secretly in love with a man she had a moment with years prior, Larkin. The story focuses on Anna’s point of view but offers a few other perspectives as well. It is mainly Anna’s story focused on action, with her meeting Larkin again at the halfway point of the story. Anna is a strong main character and her relationship with Larkin has a level of understanding that you don’t always see in romance books. My favourite character was Anna and my least favourite character was Roger. I recommend this book because it has a slow start but a really interesting second half, a strong female lead, and a romance to root for. I also like the map of the fantasy world! “Neither of you should change for the other. Bend, yes. But not change. Besides, nothing is ever hopeless where love is concerned.”
Beyond Friendship by Marlyn Love
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Beyond Friendship
By: Marilyn Love
This is the first book I have read by Marilyn Love. However, it is the third in the series. It definitely reads as a standalone as I completely understood what was going on and hadn’t read any of the previous books. That being said, I am definitely going back and reading them now. Because Marilyn Love has wonderful character development skills and knows how to write a romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved Amanda and Brian and their incredibly complicated relationship. It has the best friend’s little sister element but it also has the irresistible elements of absolutely unbelievable chemistry. This book is absolutely wonderful and I recommend it to everyone. The characters are absolutely amazing!
Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the fourth book in this series. It’s a standalone but I recommend reading the series as the characters appear in other books. A very sweet read with a “Hallmark” feel. It has great characters and world building.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Anna is a strong headed and determined woman. Trained in many areas of education, healing and fighting. She faces so many trials that would break any woman, although, somehow she forges her way through each obstacle. Brave beyond belief for the people she holds near and dear to her heart. When she finds herself married to Lord Roger as per an agreement he made with her parents, she finds herself in a world filled with hate and deceit. Can anyone be trusted? Can she gain the respect of her new people.
Lord Roger can be very persuasive and charming when he is putting on airs. In reality he is a very sadistic and power hungry man. Anna is now in his hands and he will do as he wants with her. He will make you angry and feel hatred for him. This is brilliantly done by the author.
Larkin is the womanizer at the court of King Godwin. He has no plans whatsoever, to get tied down and married. The Queen and her sister try as they might to get him to see this will come to pass.
Anna and Larken find themselves together again in the future. They have both dreamed of each other since their first accidental meeting and almost kiss.
So much happens in this story that you will be wanting to read more and more.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wild Lavender was intriguing from the very start. Anna, newlywed to Roger, looks forward to starting her life with him at his home. Unfortunately, things seem off from the first few people she meets there and all too violently she learns just what kind of man her husband is. War is coming, and Anna must do what it takes to save her family and people. Larkin, a man from her past, is suddenly thrust right back into her life, and it may make things worse, or he may be who she’s been needing all along.
I enjoyed Anna’s resilience in this and her care and devotion to others. I look forward to seeing more from this series.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wild Lavender: A Fated Love Fantasy Romance (Heart & Hand Series Book 1)
Every now and again a cover catches my eye and I cannot refuse it when it calls to me. Not always lucky with the book, but I was for sure this time.
This was a tough time to live in, especiallyfor women. Women were treated like property, had to do what the fathers or husbands say without a fight. I wouldn’t have survived it. My mouth would have gotten me into trouble a lot.
I was hooked from the beginning. I will wake up at night sometimes and have a hard time going back to sleep like last night, I will read for a bit until I start getting tired. That plan backfired on me this morning. Instead of a few chapters I ended reading at least a quarter of it, forced myself to put it down since I had a busy morning and needed to function.
Worth every second of sleep I lost.
