Book Review Groups

Murder In Disguise by Donn Taylor

Book Review Graphic

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from LitfuseLitfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Murder In Disguise by Donn Taylor was a good story.  This is the second book that I have read by this author, and I don’t think I will read any more by him.  I had such a hard time staying interested while reading this book because I couldn’t stay interested in the book.  There were a few parts that weren’t super boring, but the majority of the book was boring for me.  I am sure that this book would be a good fit for some people, but I tend to like books that are superfast-paced, and this book isn’t like that.  I know that people who like Christian novels will love this book because it doesn’t include any things that are gross and they are all around good books in that sense.  I am sure that is another reason why I can’t get interested in this book.  I read so many books in this genre that I know what I like and what I don’t like.  I did like the characters and the setting of the book but as I have said before it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

About The Book

Official verdict: Suicide.

But why would that vigorous department chairman kill himself? To avoid disgrace? Those rumored ventures on the dark side? Some other secret life? Visiting professor Preston Barclay wonders. But his questions bring no answers, only anonymous threats. He has enough problems already, proving himself on a strange campus while radical faculty does all they can to undermine him. Worse yet, that sexy siren assigned as his assistant complicates his courtship of the beautiful Mara Thorn.

While Press keeps asking questions, Mara’s research reveals a cancer of criminal activity that permeates the community and even the campus itself. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend’s name.

But can Press and Mara’s stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger…?

General Content (G): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language.

Donn Taylor portraits 12/7/07

About The Author

I’m working now as a novelist and poet, also teaching at writers’ groups and conferences. In a prior incarnation, I served in two wars with the U.S. Army. Afterwards, I taught English literature at two liberal arts colleges. The World’s Perfect Woman consented to honor me in marriage, and we enjoyed six decades together until the Lord needed another alto for His heavenly choir. I live in the woods near Houston, TX, writing fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics.

Buy A Copy

Add-On Goodreads

Let’s Be Friends

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Margaret Margaret

Love in Dublin by Jennifer Gracen

When an emotionally adrift single dad from Dublin meets an upbeat, free spirited American travel writer, opposites more than attract. She thinks she’s saving him… but as they fall into a passionate affair, they may learn healing goes both ways.

 One (1) lucky winner will receive a25 Amazon gif card! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Love in Dublin:

Title: Love in Dublin

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 31, 2017

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Series: The McKinnon Brothers

Format: Digital

Single father Colin McKinnon has roots and obligations that have kept him firmly in Dublin his entire life. He once planned to explore the world, but he was bound by duty and gave up on his dreams long ago. When he meets free-spirited American travel writer Maggie in a pub, he’s intrigued. She could help him get a taste of what he lost, rattle the chains of his self-imposed isolation. Instantly drawn to her light, beauty, and sense of adventure, Colin can’t stay away.

Maggie Spencer doesn’t just crave the open road, she needs it to survive. After a harrowing accident and life-changing loss, she rebuilt her life by exploring new places on her own. When she accepts a temporary job writing about day tours in Ireland, she falls in love with Dublin and the man she teaches to explore it. Through their daily adventures, they learn opposites do more than just attract—they can also help each other heal.

But can a man with deep roots keep a woman with wings by his side?

Available at:  Amazon Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

An excerpt from LOVE IN DUBLIN

Copyright © Jennifer Gracen 2017

As she opened her mouth to say goodbye and thank him for joining her, Colin asked her if she’d have dinner with him.

Her heart skipped a beat. The way he was looking at her… he didn’t want the day to end yet either. Maybe he was ready for more than she thought? “Dinner? But you just spent all weekend with me.” She tossed him a playful grin as she joked, “Aren’t you tired of me by now?”

“No,” he said. The corners of his mouth turned up, a hint of sheepish and a lot of sexy. He stood there patiently, just gazing down at her.

Her heart fluttered. God, he was adorable. A knotted up burly bear with a sweet, kind heart. And lips she was dying to taste. And beautiful blue eyes that showed there was so much more on his mind than the short, polite things he said.

The noises of the city—cars driving, people walking by and talking, horns and shouts on the air—seemed to fade away as she stared back at him.

“I have to admit,” he said quietly, “I do enjoy your company.”

Delight and want made her stomach give a wobbly flip. She finally gave in to the impulse she’d been squelching all day. She dropped her duffel bag to the ground by her feet, placed her hands on his shoulders, and stood on her tiptoes to sweetly brush her lips across his.

“What are you doin’?” he whispered against her mouth, his eyes wide.

“Kissing you in the middle of Dublin.” She pressed her lips to his softly and his breath

hitched. Loving that, she did that again, lips brushing against his with a feather’s touch.

“Confession: I’ve been wanting to kiss you all day.”

“Is that so?” Amazement sparked in his eyes. His hands slowly lifted to her face.

“Mm hmm.” Her heart started racing, adrenaline coursing through her. His fingertips stroked her cheeks as his gaze locked with hers.

She kissed him again, still soft and gentle, still testing, gaging his reactions. His body was tense, holding back, but his eyes revealed how much he wanted her. As usual, there was so much going on in those bright blues… but right now, desire was the winner there, clear as day. It gave her a rush and she shivered from it.

“Actually,” she said, “the full truth is, I’ve been wanting to kiss you for weeks.”

His gaze burned into her. His hands slowly swept along her jaw, then cupped her face.

“Well… if we’re being truthful, I’ve been wantin’ to kiss you for weeks too.”

“Then you should,” she whispered, smiling up at him. “I mean, I already kissed you first…”

About Jennifer Gracen

Jennifer Gracen hails from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her two sons. After spending her youth writing in private and singing in public, she now only sings in her car and is immersed in her passion for writing. She loves to write contemporary romance for readers who look for authentic characters and satisfying endings. When she isn’t with her kids, doing freelance proofreading, or chatting on Twitter and Facebook, Jennifer writes. She’s already hard at work on her next book.

Connect with Jennifer: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Margaret Margaret

Savage Of The Sea by Eliza Knight

USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight is back with the first in an all new swashbuckling

series, Pirates of Britannia: Lords of the Sea. SAVAGE OF THE SEA features a daring pirate

brotherhood, high-seas adventures, and unforgettable romance…

Rafflecopter for Savage of the Sea Blitz Tour Giveaway:

One (1) lucky winner will receive a Celtic jewelry box plus a signed print copy of  SAVAGE OF THE SEA! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Savage of the Sea:

Title: Savage of the Sea

Author: Eliza Knight

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 26, 2017

Publisher: Knight Media, LLC

Series: Pirates of Britannia: Lords of the Sea

Format: Print & Digital

When Highland pirate prince, Shaw “Savage” MacDougall was invited to a deadly feast, he didn’t know that saving a wee lass would forever change his future.

Lady Jane Lindsey, widowed at a young age, seeks refuge from her departed husband’s vengeful enemies. For five years, she’s held a secret that could cost her everything, including her life. When her safety is compromised, she reaches out to the only man who’s protected her in the past, and offers him a bounty he cannot refuse.

Shaw’s life is perfect. Whisky, women and mayhem. He wants for nothing—until Lady Jane presents a treasure he’d never considered possessing. Is he willing to risk his lethal reputation in order to save a lass he barely knows, again? Will she trust a pirate to see their arrangement through to the end? And what happens when perilous battles turn to sinful kisses? Who will save them from each other?

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Amazon Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

An excerpt from SAVAGE OF THE SEA

Copyright © Eliza Knight 2017

No more of a coherent thought other than she’d never been kissed like this before went through Jane’s mind. She should slap him, push him away, at the very least demand to be put back on her own feet and a good measure of space put between them.

But she did none of those things. Instead, she found herself winding her arms around his neck, parting her lips and sighing against his demanding lips. The spicy-salty scent of him surrounded her, doing something wild to her senses. Suddenly every part of her felt alive with a tingling fire that only seemed ready to burn hotter.

Parting her lips seemed to be a wicked invitation, for as soon as she had done it, his devious tongue swept along the open seam causing her to gasp.

Oh, sweet heavens, but that felt even more divine. Just that little lick sent a jolt rushing through her. And before she could catch her wits from it, he’d done it again, and again, and then her own tongue was reaching forward to test it out. She touched the tip of her tongue to his and could have been struck by lightning, so massive was the force of current that went rushing through her.

This was wicked, oh, so very wicked. And yet, she couldn’t make herself stop.

And did she have to? She’d given herself to this man. Had agreed to share his bed in exchange for him vowing she was his, a marriage that may end up being a total sham for all she knew. But that didn’t change the fact that she’d agreed to it, that in order to be saved from Livingstone, to keep the rightful king safe, she had invited this pirate to lay claim to her.

Lay claim to her, he was. There could be no doubt about it, the way he owned her body at that moment. She couldn’t move. He had her completely enthralled. Completely captivated. Intoxicated.

It was he who pulled away first. He who stared into her bemused eyes with a satisfied expression that she would have found overly irritating if she wasn’t so busy trying to find her bearings.

Shaw set her down on her feet and grinned at her as though he’d plucked a tart straight from her fingers and devoured it.

“I hope that satisfies your need,” she murmured, “for sealing deals.”

He chuckled then, a sound that caressed her nerves, but did very little in the way of calming her. In fact, it did quite the opposite. She licked her lips, trying to avoid looking at his mouth as she wanted him to very much kiss her once more. He might have set her down on her feet, but she was barely standing on her own. Every line in her body reached for him, wanting more of what he’d just given her.

“That was just a taste, love, of what satisfies, but not nearly enough.”

“Shall we do it again then?” she asked in challenge, then felt the heat rush to her face for having spoken so boldly.

Shaw’s darkened gaze swept over her, bold and devilish, and right along with it her body quivered. He wanted her. And she… wanted him.

“Oh, sweet Jane, we shall do it again many more times.”

About Eliza Knight

Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty sizzling historical, time-travel and contemporary romance novels. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your- heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies.

Connect with Eliza at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Margaret Margaret

The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn & Elle Brookes

Book Review Graphic

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes was an intriguing book, to say the least.  I was hooked right from the first page, and I can’t tell you why I loved the book as much as I did.    This book did keep me one the edge of my seat throughout most of the book.  During the first few chapters, I did find that I was getting come of the characters confused, so I felt like I was going back and trying to keep everyone straight but it only lasted for a few chapters and then I was able to keep them all straight.  I love when authors in this genre of books have a woman as one of the leading characters because not many authors do.  I also liked that Saber was a strong woman and able to hold her own when it came to the story.  I wasn’t the biggest fan of Adrian through most of the book, but I love when that happens because it means that the author has made the characters life like and I always enjoy that.  If you love thriller type books than I am sure you will love this book just as much as I did.  They have it rated PG + M, but nothing in this book offend me in the least so I am sure that most people will be okay while reading this book.  If you have read this book what did you think of it?

About The Book

Book Title: The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn & Elle Brookes
Category: Adult Fiction: 306 pages
Genre: Suspense/Action/Romance
Publisher: Lisa Kolber
Release date: July 2015
Content Rating: PG + M (There is some, not much, bad language, sensuality, one alluded sex scene but not described, possible triggers for sexual abuse/non-consensual sex as a plot point, action-style violence)

Sabinne ‘Saber’ Darrieux’s father, the billionaire CEO of Frontenac Global Security has been kidnapped. His ransom is not cash in a numbered offshore account, or a briefcase of Bearer Bonds but something utterly unique, incredibly valuable, and until recently, hidden away from the world.

The kidnapper seems to know Saber very well and knows that the next day, through her work as an elite translator she will be in the same location as the Object. She must steal the Object and deliver it to the kidnapper to ransom her father.

Adrian Steele, a British Intelligence agent has just come off of two harrowing missions. Upon returning to London for a well-earned rest, he learns that his friend and fellow agent has been murdered in Moscow, but not before he made use of a unique Object as a mobile ‘drop site’ for the valuable intelligence he was carrying.

The drop site is traveling from Moscow to England. Steele insists on completing the mission to honor the death of his friend, Gerry Cornell.

At an ultra-chic quasi-diplomatic gathering in a mansion in Windsor, England, Saber and Steele meet and find themselves faced with a powerful, undeniable attraction. But at the moment, this compelling attraction is very inconvenient.

In reality, they are at the mansion to check out the security arrangements — for their own reasons — to steal the Object, a Fabergé egg worth thirty million dollars. But who will get to the egg first?

Fabergé eggs are very famous for their unique surprises. Saber and Steele are about to be very surprised, indeed.

And when Saber clashes with Steele; more than sparks will explode!

About The Author

LESLEY MERYN
Enjoyed an exotic, adventure-filled childhood, following her anthropologist father and travel writer mother to the farthest corners of the world. She later took inspiration from her Aunt Sophia Francesca and became the author of romantic adventure novels. She alternates her time between Los Angeles, and a family property located in Yorkshire England.

ELLE BROOKES
She is the author of the first two books of the Time Frame Series, LUST. MECHANICS. MINI COOPER. and SEX. COFFEE. TIME TRAVEL. Loves travel, discovering new foods to try, reading and writing. She currently lives in the central highlands of Costa Rica with her dog Pixie and her hedgehog Quiller.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Buy A Copy

Let’s Be Friends

Enter To Win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Margaret Margaret

Ty’s Heart by Selena Laurence

A single father must face his past when the woman who left him alone with his daughter returns to town, sparking a renewed attraction and fears for his daughter’s future.

Follow the release tour and enter to #win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or one of 5 Copies of Cade’s Loss

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Ty’s Heart
Series: California Cowboys
Author: Selena Laurence
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 24, 2017
Length: 60,000 words

She’s come back to steal his heart.

 Ty Jenkins is a good man. For five long years he’s devoted his life to his young daughter, Katie, giving everything he’s got to make sure she won’t miss the one thing she can’t have–a mother. When that very woman blows back into town, Ty’s world is turned upside down. He’d do anything to care for Katie, but caring for her gets complicated when he still has feelings for the woman who abandoned them both.

Jodi Morgan has made a lot of mistakes in her life, and the biggest one of all was giving up her infant daughter the day she was born. But now she’s back in Big Sur, California, determined to be there for her girl however she can. What Jodi didn’t count on was the way she feels about Katie’s father. Between his devotion to Katie and his work-honed body, Ty is one hell of an attractive package.

As two parents begin a journey to do what’s best for their child, they rediscover the feelings they once had for one another. Can Ty trust Jodi not to leave again? Has she come to be part of Katie’s future? Or will she steal his heart?

 

Find out more at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Excerpt:
Ty stood and watched her as she gazed out at the ocean beyond the railing of the deck. He remembered the first time he’d laid eyes on her almost six years ago. She’d been standing behind the counter of his aunt’s coffee shop, all that pale blonde hair piled in a mess on top of her head. Her cornflower-blue eyes—eyes he knew as well as his own now—sparkled when she smiled at customers, and he’d felt it immediately. As if a bolt of lightning had struck him, he’d wanted that girl. He’d wanted that sparkle and glow to be for him.

And for a brief time, it was.

But now, as he quietly watched her, none of the sparkle was there anymore. None of the vibrancy that had been so magnetic when they’d known each other earlier. No, Jodi was different. He could see it in the set of her shoulders, the way she held her arms so tight against her body. Then she turned and looked at him, and it was in her eyes. It was breath stealing, the sorrow he saw there, but he steeled himself against it. Closed himself off and let a layer of armor wind around his heart and his body. Because no matter how sad she might be, she was here to upend his life, to try to take the single most important thing he had, and even if it made her sad for the rest of her life, he wasn’t about to give her what she wanted.

Katie wasn’t negotiable.

“You came,” she said, giving him a small smile as she turned more fully, the thin embroidered cotton dress she wore blowing around her thighs in the breeze.

Her hair was still that same shade of platinum it had always been—so rare for an adult to be that blonde naturally, but Jodi looked like the fae out of some Nordic fairy tale, all fair skin, white-blonde hair, and pale blue eyes. She was tall at five ten, he was taller at six two, and she was strong—long legs, wide shoulders, narrow hips—but buxom as well, a Viking warrior princess.

He gave himself a little shake, remembering that if she wasn’t exactly the enemy now, she sure as hell wasn’t his friend.

“Surely you didn’t expect me to find out you were in town and just ignore it?”

More from the California Cowboys!

Cade’s Loss

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Vaughn’s Pride

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

About Selena Laurence:
Selena Laurence is an award-winning and USA TODAY bestselling author who loves Putting the Heat in Happily Ever After. Her super sexy stories take place everywhere from rock concerts to family ranches, and her books can be found around the world in four languages, at libraries, bookstores, online, and in audio.

Selena lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she can often be found at a local coffee shop, hiking the trails, or watching soccer. At home Mr L, her kids, “goldendoodle” and “demoncat” keep her busy trying to corral chaos. A veteran Indie author, Selena also coaches writers through her blog and workshops on turning #Passion2Profession.

If you’d like to get to know her better, join Selena’s reader/reviewer group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/180909955632263/

Or subscribe to her newsletter and get FREE books: http://www.subscribepage.com/JoinSelena

You can connect with her online at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Margaret Margaret

Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty

Rescued Hearts Hope Toler Dougherty

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty was a sweet story.  I did get bored from time to time as I was reading but that always passed after a couple of pages, so I didn’t have a hard time finishing this book like I have had with other books.  I really liked Brett right from the start, but Mary got on my nerves from time to time.  I always got annoyed at how at times she acted because I felt like she was whiny and all Brett wanted to do was keep her safe throughout the entire book.  She reminds me of girls who act tough around people, but in the end, they aren’t tough in the least.  I really enjoyed this author writing, and it kept me interested in the book, but it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat like some other books have.  If you love mystery books than I am sure that you will love this book just as much as I did.

About The Book

Children’s clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball’s soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar- entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Beaten, bound, and gagged by the two thugs inside, Mary Wade loses hope for escape when a third villain returns with supplies.

Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Weighing the difference of ruining his three months’ investigation against the woman’s safety, Brett forsakes his mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind.

When Mary Wade’s safety is threatened once more, Brett rescues her again. This time, her personal safety isn’t the only thing in jeopardy. Her heart is endangered as well.

About The Author

Before writing novels, Hope Toler Dougherty published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children and environmental awareness to writing apprehension. A native North Carolinian, she likes cheering with her husband, Kevin, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football.

Things that make her happy include her four children, writing and receiving real mail, cooking, reading, books, book stores, book clubs, used book sales, libraries, crocheting, and traveling. Things that make her sad include washing dishes, de-cluttering, dusting, sweeping, mopping…

Buy A Copy

Add-On Goodreads

Let’s Be Friends

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Margaret Margaret