Review: Country Hearts

Country Hearts by Cindi Madsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After being laid off city teacher Jemma Monroe takes the first available teaching job, in a small town town. Her first days are filled with inclement weather, strange livestock and grumpy cowboys.

Wyatt Langford is bringing up his daughter Bailey Rae alone after his wife left them for the big city lights. Since the divorce he's retreated into his shell, concerned only with caring for his daughter and bringing a smile back to her face. The last thing he needs is a city girl neighbour worming her way into his heart only to let him down again.

Jemma is a veritable child-whisperer, able to charm the naughtiest child in her class. The small town is charmingly cosmopolitan with country yoga classes and a cafe which creates weekly whimsical coffee concoctions. Bailey Rae is charmingly precocious and Wyatt is touching as the gruff cowboy who nevertheless braids his daughter's hair, buys her unicorn themed bric-a-brac and submits himself to tweenager films on Friday nights. But overall, it was too sweet, too predictable and didn't have enough tension to leaven the sugar. Even the school play Jemma directs is a Valentine special.

If you love a sweet small town romance, cute moppets, gruff cowboys and dedicated teachers this is the book for you.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Restoring Grace

Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ellie Summers is pregnant and has fallen out of love with her boyfriend who still seems to think he's a college student. She earns a living painting watercolours of houses for their owners. One day she meets Grace Soudley, the owner of a beautiful William and Mary era country house. The two become unlikely friends and Grace offers Ellie a place to stay.

Grace is divorced from a serial-monogamist older husband. She inherited the house from her godmother but her older siblings inherited the furniture. After the divorce her ex-husband took all his antique furniture so Grace is living in a house with no furniture.

Ellie and Grace come up with a series of schemes to earn some money, including wine tasting and wine and dinner parties, but can love bloom in a sleepy village for a gun-shy divorcee?

Note to self, don't read Katie Fforde books back-to-back. The things I find charming become slightly irritating when you read books one after the other. Both of the heroes in this book were variously described as bossy and both of the heroines were happy to be infantilised, or if they weren't they made such stupid decisions that they deserved to be treated like children. Also, why do all of Kati Fforde's heroines seem to have such awful siblings?

I did enjoy this sweet English romance but next time I'll read something different as a palate cleanser before trying another Katie Fforde book.



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Review: Wolf's Bane

Wolf's Bane by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Logan and Kate Danvers get sent to Supernatural Summer Camp but what with strangely aggressive campers, weird sexual undertones, unknown supernaturals and camp leaders who seem to be fuelling the aggression.

As Kelley Armstrong has noted, this is part 1 of a two part story so it ends on a cliff-hanger but for a novella length book this certainly packs a punch, camp fires were never like this in my day!



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Review: Out with the Ex, In with the New

Out with the Ex, In with the New by Sophie Ranald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Gemma thinks getting a job at Clickfrenzy as a junior writer is the start of all her dreams coming true. Finally she'll be able to leave home and get a place in London with her long-term boyfriend Jack. BUt when she breaks the good news to Jack he tells her that he's resigned his job and is going to travel the world with his friend Olivia. Suddenly all Gemma's hopes and dreams are left for dust in Jack's wake, made even worse when he dumps her via email and announces that he and Olivia are an item.

Gemma tries to make the best of things, vlogging about hair and make-up to her small group of followers, coming up with imaginative posts about cats for work, and feeling desperately alone in a house-share in Hackney, until her tearful rant about being dumped by Jack goes viral and opens up a new world as a minor celebrity vlogger. Soon she's dating another vlogger, visiting the latest cocktail bars and endorsing products from carefully selected partner brands. But is the social media butterfly lifestyle any more fulfilling than meeting her mates down the pub? And when Jack comes home with his tail between his legs will Gemma choose her old life over the new?

This is a bit of a bildungsroman, Gemma starts out as a naive young woman, her hopes and dreams are all built around her life with Jack and her unrealistic expectations that once she got a job she would be living like a character from Love Actually or Bridget Jones. Then she gets swept into the artificial world of vlogging, whilst doing her day-job, but the quest for posts at the expense of integrity feels false. Is Jack's return a wake-up call? Will Gemma choose celebrity romance with fellow vlogger Charlie or normality with Jack? Or is there a third way?

I enjoyed this novel, I liked the side plots and stories, in fact although there is romance it is definitely subservient to Gemma's voyage of self-discovery, the romance is almost an afterthought.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: My Best Friend’s Royal Wedding

My Best Friend’s Royal Wedding by Romy Sommer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Khara is a cocktail waitress in Vegas, working her way through college. Her BFF is getting married to a minor European royal and Khara is going to be the bridesmaid. She's used to grabby customers, drunks and frat boys who think she's easy pickings but the loud, obnoxious group of eurotrash trust fund kids take the biscuit, especially the one who just assumed she'd be grateful to sleep with him - arrogant pig.

Adam is minor eurotrash royalty, 'working' for his family's investment bank, sleeping his way round Europe, drinking and partying, until a friend's suicide acts as a wake-up call, but now he feels powerless and guilty that he didn't know how bad his friend felt. Now he's best man at his cousin's wedding and intrigued by the bridesmaid who seems to regard him with disdain.

If you liked The Princess Diaries, especially the sequel, or The Prince and Me (again especially the sequel) then this is right up your street. Tiny European principalities, entitled (literally) wealthy minor royalty and plucky Americans falling in love. Of course Khara has a great work ethic and principles despite having been brought up in a trailer park by a single mum. Of course Adam is a waster, despite having parents who are hard-working and principled.

This felt like a very young book, as an over 50 I am definitely not the target audience but it was a fun read (and I am a closet fan of The Princess Diaries).

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Chosen Mate

Chosen Mate by Katie Reus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet, sexy romantic novella between Alpha werewolf Malcolm and beta Leslie.

Leslie's ex was abusive and she barely escaped with her life. She has slowly rebuilt a life for herself and her son Elijah in Malcolm's pack. As she has grown in confidence she has fallen for the sexy Alpha, never dreaming that he has been slowly courting her for the past six months.

This was short but perfect, loved the way that Malcolm was going slow, trying not to spook Leslie after her last relationship. Loved the sexy Alpha caring for Leslie's son. Loved the soupcon of danger and suspense when the feral wolf encroaches on Malcolm's territory.

I received a free copy of this novella from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Highland Fling

Highland Fling by Katie Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jenny Porter is a virtual assistant. One of her clients sends her to Scotland to assess a textile mill which owes him a lot of money. Along the way Jenny meets cranky, entitled Scottish nobility, bad-tempered holiday-makers, troubled family members and the coldest house you can imagine.

This is classic Katie Fforde, sweet, slightly put-upon heroines, condescending boyfriends who are most definitely NOT the one, enigmatic heroes and a host of side characters each with their own story to tell. If I think about the plot carefully there are huge holes in it, way too many coincidences and a romance in which the protagonists fall in love with no provocation but I don't care, Katie Fforde novels to me are a form of escapism and I enjoy them. At least this time the hero's feelings for Jenny seemed clear to the reader, even if he did have a bad case of insta-lurve!

If you always dreamed of spending Christmas in a big old scottish house stuffed full of antiques with highland reels, kilts and more shortbread than you can shake a stick at then I'm sure you'll love it too.

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Review: Moonlighter

Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Four and a half stars, Sarina Bowen does it again!

This is the start of a new series and is a cross-over with Sarina's Brooklyn Bruisers series.

Eric Bayer is a successful hockey player for the Brooklyn Bruisers but he is considered the slacker in his family: his father and brother run a cyber security business so secretive he doesn't even know its name. He has six weeks holiday before the season starts but gets roped into acting as part bodyguard/part boyfriend for an old family friend, tech billionaire Alex Engels. Alex has to present to a tech conference in Hawaii and is three months pregnant by her abusive ex-boyfriend.

This isn't just a romance between a hot hockey player and a pregnant tech billionaire (who also happens to be a childhood friend), there's also industrial espionage to contend with. If I'm totally honest I thought this was a bit too obvious and I have my suspicions about Mr Smith, an unresolved point which will perhaps act as a segue into the next book which I suspect will involve Eric's brother Max and his beautiful second-in-command.

Anyhoo, as I repeatedly say I would read the back of a cereal box if Sarina Bowen wrote it, she has such a great way of creating memorable characters and I loved the way she defied my expectations about the romance between Eric and Alex after Hawaii.

Eagerly awaiting the next book in this exciting new series.


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Review: The Fixer: The Last Romanov

The Fixer: The Last Romanov by Jill Amy Rosenblatt
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Warning, this novel ends with nothing really resolved.

Katerina Mills has decided that she needs to disappear, too many people want her dead or want something from her, but she needs one big payoff. Unfortunately she seems to be caught in too many snares with psychotic or murderous clients demanding the impossible, or more than she is willing to do. Her relationship with her BFF has deteriorated and the cop she briefly dated has gone a bit stalkery/trying to protect her 'for her own good'. Oh, and little does she know that she has become a liability to the shadowy organisation that she works for and they have decided to eliminate her.

I devoured the first two books, I thought they were gritty and fresh and fast-paced but unfortunately partway through this book I suddenly had a revelation - every man in the book is either in love with Kat or obsessed with her or does her ridiculous favours just because she asks. Literally every single one. She's just that much of a special snowflake. Also, it's been a while now but Kat doesn't seem to be any better at this job, she just relies on Winter (or one of her myriad other men) to rescue her all the time. My final gripe, there are so many threads with different people trying to kill/own/kidnap Kat that I totally lost the plot of who was who, there was one fight scene where the point of view changed from inside to outside to inside again just so that we could see the different people fighting.

Will I read the net book? I don't know.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Unexpected Lessons in Love

Unexpected Lessons in Love by Lucy Dillon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's Jeannie and Dan's wedding day but Dan gets injured on the way to the wedding and Jeannie starts to realise that maybe she doesn't know Dan very well at all.

As Dan lies in hospital Jeannie starts a new life in a new village alone, trying to understand this man she was going to marry based on stories from his family and friends, trying to find a motivation for herself.

Given the blurb it's difficult to say more without giving away huge spoilers.

I enjoyed this, I enjoyed the characters and the plot (albeit I knew how it was going to end - but that's romance for you). It's got loads of dogs and wedding dresses and ukuleles, perfect feel-good reading. Although having said that there were some very teary moments when reading this novel.

This is the first book I have read by Lucy Dillon and I thoroughly enjoyed - I will look out for more books by this author.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Playing with Fire

Playing with Fire by Kate Meader
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eli Cooper is the Mayor of Chicago, young, single and hot he's up for re-election but by refusing to dance to his largest donor's every whim he's made an enemy.


Alexandra Dempsey is used to holding her own, the only daughter in an Irish catholic family and a female firefighter to boot she doesn't stand any nonsense. When she rescues the Mayor she finally expects to receive the recognition she deserves, until Eli twists the truth and makes it look like he rescued her!

Their press ratings are phenomenal so Eli, kinda sorta suggests that his donor (and Alexandra's brother's father-in-law) will sue her and the Chicago Fire Department for destroying his car if she doesn't do whatever is necessary to make his campaign better.

I'll be honest, I read this a few weeks ago and didn't have time to write a review. I'm going through the early books in the series and they don't disappoint hot and steamy (even away from the fires) there's drama and intrigue, family feuds and hot-headed Irish men.

Does what it says on the tin.

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Review: The Play

The Play by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Hunter Davenport has vowed to steer clear of women and devote all his energy to hockey but he is all kinds of tempted by Demi, his partner in a year long school project. Demi is in a long-term relationship with the son of her parents' friends, things haven't been great for a while but she won't be tempted by a hot hockey man-whore's smooth talk.

I enjoyed this NA college sports romance but I have to say I didn't get the feels for Hunter and Demi the way I have with some of Elle Kennedy's other couples. It all felt a bit formulaic.

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Review: Hit & Run

Hit & Run by Freya Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Rosie Perkins has a minimum wage job cleaning a motel in Grand Junction. One night she witnesses a car it and kill a homeless man. Jake Hutchison is a security specialist, hired to provide security for an out-of-control actor starring in a film shooting in Grand Junction. They have orders to do whatever is necessary to keep the film on track, even cover up the manslaughter of a homeless man. Interviewing the staff, Jake is convinced that Rosie knows something, but he is also convinced that she won't report anything to the police, but then it seems someone wants to kill Rosie to cover up the death.

I enjoyed the plot but I did struggle with Jake's morals (as I think he did), being willing to cover up a murder just to ensure a multi-million dollar movie stays on track seems morally bankrupt to me. Also, the way that Jake was willing to intimidate and threaten a woman in a precarious financial position was repugnant.

As you can tell, I struggled with this novel a bit in the beginning, but by the end I was drawn in as much as ever by the characters and the storytelling.

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Review: Doing Time

Doing Time by Jodi Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Four and a half stars.

If you enjoyed Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's series then I'm sure you'll love this new series too.

For centuries the Time Police have brutally stopped any time travel, the last ditch attempt to stop the universe imploding from the meddling in history of corporations, countries and individuals who just want to know Saturday's winning lottery numbers. But now the major threat has gone the Time Police find themselves dinosaurs, the proverbial sledgehammer to crack a nut. The Commander is trying to change the Time Police, less killing of anyone in a five mile vicinity and more proportionate response, but the old guard don't want to change.

Three oddball new recruits join the Time Police: Matthew, a man who was kidnapped by a time-travelling criminal who took him to Victorian England and sold him as a chimney sweep. Matthew is the son of the notorious Max (from St Mary's) but has eschewed St Mary's for the Time Police. Then there is Luke, the spoilt playboy who's own father bribed the Time Police to take him for two years to teach him a lesson (think military school in the future. Finally, there's Jane, a runaway from her grandmother, she is short and timid - hardly the image the TIme Police want to promote.

Inevitably Like, Matthew and Jane become a team, because none of the other recruits want to work with them, their approach may not be orthodox but somehow they manage to successfully complete their first two assignments.

Who doesn't love a group of misfits succeeding despite their ineptitude? Throw in Julius Caesar, a giant rabbit and a 21st Century family and I was hooked. Loved this start to what promises to be a fun new series with all the humour of St Mary's.

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Review: Off Limits

Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emily Burnham was a spoiled rich brat, obsessed by possessions and shallow as a pond, then her brother fell in love with someone from outside their privileged circle and she started to see her life for what it really was. Now she's trying to be a better person, trying to do what's right.

One day Emily accidentally runs over a customised bike, late for an interview with the goalie for the New York Rangers, she promises to pay for the damage she caused but then her mother withdraws access to her trust fund when Emily refuses to get back together with her abusive ex and declares journalism as her major. So Emily offers to work for the grumpy biker for free to pay off her debt. The grumpy biker is Nixon Caldwell, brother of the goalie, ex-marine, now suffering from PTSD after an incident that cost his best friend his legs.

This is a cute romance, reformed rich girl working for a living, traumatised vet dealing with his PTSD, romance and angst in equal measures.

Free on Kindle at the time of writing.

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Review: A Favor for a Favor

A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stevie moves to Seattle for a new job as a sports physiotherapist, but when she decides to surprise her boyfriend Joey (on her birthday no less) she finds him playing away from home. Her brother, captain of Seattle's NHL expansion team (I Have no idea what that means so I am typing blind), offers her his apartment that he gets as part of his job and she stumbles into the apartment late at night, with only half her luggage, sobbing and alone - only to be insulted by a half-naked man from the apartment opposite.

Soon Stevie and the hottie across the hall are playing some kind of sick underwear display as they pick up their newspapers from the mat each morning, until that is Stevie discovers that the hottie is her brother's team-mate (and arch enemy) Bishop. But when Bishop strains his groin Stevie has the greatest solution, she'll help rehab Bishop in return for a recommendation from a hockey player that isn't her brother.

There's plenty of snarky attitude from Bishop and Stevie, lots of swearing and lots references to Bishop's peen - after all the man does wander around his apartment dressed only in his underpants - but then that's exactly what I expect from a steamy hockey romance. If you like a bit of attitude, over-protective big brothers, underpants with funny sayings, and scorching hot hockey players I'm betting you'll love this fun and flirty romance - it brings the heat to the ice!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Christmas at the Edge of the World

Christmas at the Edge of the World by Kate Hewitt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laurel is looking after her 14 year old nephew Zac after her sister Abby checks herself into rehab. Abby and Laurel have seen each other since Abby left home to go to university when she was 18 years old, now over 20 years later Laurel is stuck with an anti-social monosyllabic teenager who has just been expelled from his very expensive private school.

Ever the optimist, Laurel decides to take Zac to Orkney, a place she remembers spending several idyllic summers before her mother died. She hopes that her great aunt's cottage will somehow get through to Zac where she has failed.

But Orkney in Summer is very different to Orkney a week before Christmas. Her aunt's cottage isn't what she remembers, the stove won't work and there's an eccentric farmer waving a shotgun!

This is a lovely feel-good holiday romance, not too sweet with plenty of whisky to warm the insides. Recommended for those who like Hallmark Christmas movies, grumpy farmers with a heart of gold and wrenching teenagers away from their digital devices!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher Tule in return for an honest review.

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Review: Saving the Sheriff

Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Second chance romance between a widowed single dad sheriff and his wife's BFF.

Cash Hill is bringing up his daughter after his wife's death. What no-one knows is that his wife was leaving him and she died in a car accident on her way to see her ex-boyfriend. Cash and his daughter have both been affected by his wife's death, he distrusts his ex-wife's friend.

Holly always liked Cash, but her BFF slept with him to get revenge on her ex, and got pregnant. Now she's back in town and wants to get to know her god-daughter but Cash wants nothing to do with her, until he realises that Holly is the only person who can make his daughter smile.

I enjoyed this small town, second chance romance, I liked the characters and the plot drew me in.

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Review: Yours In Scandal

Yours In Scandal by Lauren Layne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Four and a half stars.

What happens when the Mayor of New York falls for his arch-rival's wayward daughter?

Now okay, I've got allergies this morning and my eyes have been watering since I put my mascara on but I don't think it's a coincidence that they started watering harder (that doesn't sound right) when I got to "the big moment" in this book.

Addie Brennan left New York and dropped off the radar after her wild-child party lifestyle got her publicly disowned by her father, the Governor of New York. Now she's returned, reinvented herself with a new image and a new name, Adeline Blake, party planner to the rich and famous.

Mayor Robert Davenport has been trying to live up to the memory of his late father who died at a very young age. His entire adult life Robert has been tying to emulate his father and be the best Mayor he can, that means no scandal, no sleaze, no dirty tricks, but as his second term draws to a close and he sets his eyes on the Governorship he realises that he is also lonely. Then Robert's less than squeaky clean campaign manager spots that Adeline Blake is non other than Addie Brennan and spots an opportunity to get some dirt on the Governor. Robert reluctantly plays along but finds the prickly, buttoned-up party planner to be intriguing and a breath of fresh air.

Soon it's difficult to tell who's zooming who - but can love win in politics when appearances mean everything?

This was divine, still obviously Lauren Layne but a different track from her more recent novels which have become a little formulaic. I don't think I could ever get Robert confused with any of her other heroes - he stood out as a charming, principled, uber-sexy guy, and Addie was great as the woman trying to put her past behind her. L.O.V.E.D it. Thrilled to see that this seems to be the start of a new series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Hidden Blade

Hidden Blade by Pippa DaCosta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Think hard-boiled PI with a pantheon of ancient gods as clients, a cat goddess as an ex-wife and a mortal enemy as his PA.

Ace Dante was kicked out of the underworld and forced to live in the mortal realm. He is responsible for banishing gods and demons when (usually) stupid college kids think it would be a laugh to summon them. Then his ex-wife Bastet hires him to look into the murders of pregnant women under her protection, an investigation which uncovers all sorts of dirty secrets.

I really enjoyed this, it was kind of a mash-up of all sorts of genres and face-paced and didn't take itself too seriously. I feel like this is either a follow up series or maybe there was a prequel novella as there seems to be lot of past history which isn't really explained.

Overall, really enjoyed this and would happily read the next one.

Also, it was free on Kindle!

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Review: An Everyday Hero

An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Greer Hadley isn't winning at life. After leaving her small town to make it big in Nashville she's returned a decade later having blown her last big chance only to find her boring boyfriend in bed with another woman. Then to top it off she has one too many tequilas to drown her sorrows and ends up being sentenced to community service at a music therapy centre for veterans and their families.

Greer gets two of the most difficult cases: Ally Martinez, a teenager whose father died and has turned to petty theft and general surliness as a way of acting out her sadness; and Emmett Lawson her former high school crush who has returned from combat missing a leg.

This could have been formulaic but in Laura Trentham's steady hands the romance and the humour are well-balanced and the angst is pretty low key. I loved the snarky interactions between Greer and her two awkward clients, the way that she never knows from day-to-day whether they will see her again, her tough love brand of therapy whilst struggling with her own issues.

All in all I absolutely devoured this novel - just loved it!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: An Everyday Hero

An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Greer Hadley isn't winning at life. After leaving her small town to make it big in Nashville she's returned a decade later having blown her last big chance only to find her boring boyfriend in bed with another woman. Then to top it off she has one too many tequilas to drown her sorrows and ends up being sentenced to community service at a music therapy centre for veterans and their families.

Greer gets two of the most difficult cases: Ally Martinez, a teenager whose father died and has turned to petty theft and general surliness as a way of acting out her sadness; and Emmett Lawson her former high school crush who has returned from combat missing a leg.

This could have been formulaic but in Laura Trentham's steady hands the romance and the humour are well-balanced and the angst is pretty low key. I loved the snarky interactions between Greer and her two awkward clients, the way that she never knows from day-to-day whether they will see her again, her tough love brand of therapy whilst struggling with her own issues.

All in all I absolutely devoured this novel - just loved it!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Conspiracy of Ravens

Conspiracy of Ravens by J.C. McKenzie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Raven Crawford is in a bad place. Her ex-boyfriend declared bankruptcy and stiffed her with his $50,000 bank loan that she co-signed, now he's a doctor and she's had to give up college and work with her father in his detective agency to (barely) meet the bills.

There are two dark fae lords looking for her twin brother Bear, and they won't believe her when she says she doesn't know where he is. He's stolen something very valuable and both fae lords want it back.

This book has got a great world-building mythology. The fae broke into the mortal realm and started fighting over possession. Only Odin managed to stop the fae completely decimating humanity but the cat is well and truly out of the bag when it comes to the others. Raven and Bear are half-brother and sister to fox shifters but the two of them are actually half-fae, although they never knew their father.

Where I felt this fell down a bit for me, and got half a star knocked off, was that the romance overwhelmed the mystery. I wanted to find out where Bear was, and what the stolen object was, but I got a lot of shower sex and lusting after a fae lord.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this and I would like to read the next book in the series.

I received a free copy f this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating: A sparkling and hilarious romantic comedy

The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating: A sparkling and hilarious romantic comedy by Nina Kaye
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Liv has a high-flying job in PR and marketing until she is made redundant following a merger at her firm. It turns out that the job market has got a lot tougher in Edinburgh since she got her dream job and desperate to save her home she gets a job at a swanky hotel in the gin bar. A keen observer of others Liv finds the customers an endless source of entertainment and uses her powers to 'read' their behaviour. When her BFF from the estate suggests she tries to monetise her observations in a blog Liv begins to intersperse her observations on her customers with recipes for delicious gin cocktails.

I devoured this feel-good novel with cocktails on a business trip to Stockholm, apart from an insane desire for a delicious gin cocktail I found this a great escapist romance. I thought the romance was a bit obvious but I liked Liv trying to decide between the seriously hot toy-boy and her online commentator - style over substance.

Overall, if you like a good cocktail and a funny romance then I think you'll love this - at the very least you'll get some recipes for lush gin cocktails!

I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Raven's Moon

Raven's Moon by J.B. Dane
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 16%.

A writer casts a spell to bring her fictional paranormal detective into the real world. Meantime the character finds out that someone is killing supernatural creatures in the same way as the characters are murdered in his novels - is the writer copying the murders or could there be a more sinister reason?

I gave up on this book really early because I found the writing style grating. The fictional character, Bram, is a hard-boiled Sam Spade type of detective who uses magic to solve supernatural crimes in the novels. But he uses too many big words like sustenance when he's talking about being served bacon in a dive bar - it's food FFS. Also in only a few pages we have hellhounds, kitsune, trolls, vampires, Renfields, covens, Satan and two or three other creatures. It's too much, slow it down!

Overall, I think there could be a great book in here if you can push past the purple prose but I just couldn't get past it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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Review: Aurora Blazing

Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

This second novel in the Consortium Rebellion series focuses on Ada's sister Bianca von Hasenberg. Formerly married to one of her father's political allies she has returned home after her husband's death. What no-one knows is that her husband was the very definition of mad scientist and implanted nanobots into her brain which enable her to hear electronic transmissions such as messages and decrypt secure files. Now Bianca uses her skills to gather information and to help other unfortunate woman who are being forced into arranged marriages.

Bianca loves to torment her father's head of security, Ian Bishop and uses her special skills to feed him information anonymously, although she also fed him misinformation when he was trying to track down Ada.

Then in one night there is an attempt to assassinate Ada and her oldest brother is kidnapped. Bianca will need to pull on all her resources to rescue her brother before his disappearance escalates the war between House von Hasenberg and House Rockhurst.

I really enjoyed this second book in the series but it wasn't without its faults. It felt more of a romance than the first book and there seemed to be constant descriptions of what Bianca and her team were wearing - I get it when they are attending a masked ball but just day-to-day clothing? Nah, not necessary. Also, despite the very different scenario and the promising start, I felt there were too many similarities with the first novel(view spoiler)[: the bounty on Bianca's head; the run-in with Richard; the big showdown on NAD Seven (versus NAD Six in book 1); Ian being a Genesis Project soldier (hide spoiler)].

Overall, a fast-paced sci-fi, romance with a heroine with special powers and a super-human hero. I definitely want to continue reading the series - which sibling will be next?


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Review: Ray

Ray by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Single mom inherits a rundown B&B from her grandfather. But his will stipulates that she must restore the B&B and have paying customers within a year or she loses everything. With no money she's determined to tackle the task and make a new life for her and her daughter - then a quiet cowboy in the hardware shop offers to help …

There was nothing wrong with this, maybe the lack of romantic tension made this more of a meh than a yeah for me. I found the character of Ray just a bit boring and the villain was just too much like a cardboard cut-out. I suspect Jennifer Ashley also found Ray a bit boring because we also saw three other couples get together in the book, as if she didn't think Ray was interesting enough on his own.

A pleasant read but not one I'm likely to read again.

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