Review: This Side of Dawn by Dara England

This Side of Dawn by Dara England

Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Some secrets you can’t walk away from…

One icy winter night Teagan Grant feels reckless…and desperate. But when she takes her fate into her own hands she may not survive long enough to regret it.

Teagan is about to learn that some secrets don’t die easily. Not when they belong to a cursed man who will do anything to ensure his darker side remains undiscovered. And it will take more than the break of dawn to save anyone who stands in his way.



Lena's Review

Living in an alley with trashbags is what her life has become. For months now Teagan Grant has learned to survive in the city. She expected a lot of things in living in the streets but never a man like J. Rotham. Living a day at a time and eating out of trash cans has made her feel desperate and Rotham is her salvation. The thing is that he scares her. Teagan has no idea what he is up to only that he is her ticket out of the streets. Working nights with him she starts to feel like something is not right with her boss. Yet instead of fear Rotham has started to become more than a boss employee relationship. A once in a lifetime at finally getting out of the streets could mean sacrificing her life. Can she risk it?

Dara England has once again created a tale of secrets, betrayal and deceit all in one story. Though it is short it packs a lot story in one package. Teagan is a woman who has had such bad luck lately and Rotham is the key to her comeback to life. These two are very strange yet through it all Dara England shows us love can appear in any way. Great job.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Paradise Mine by Ronna Gage

Paradise Mine by Ronna Gage

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Rae Anne Jamison and Landy Laurent have the kind of love most people envy--that is, except for Rae Anne's father, a high-powered political figure in Texas. But she and Landy ignore her father’s complaints and focus on their upcoming wedding, planning it for when Landy returns from the newly declared Operation Desert Shield.

Lonely and depressed without him, Rae Anne clings to a preplanned vacation in tropical paradise with him in a year, but when she receives word that he is missing in action and presumed dead, all hope is shattered.

After a few years, she gives up on finding an everlasting love and the life she had planned, and retreats to the open sea. On her sabbatical, she comes face to face with the love of her heart, who returns with less than a little happiness to see her. His eyes shine with anger, and the evidence of a festering wound he's desperately trying to hide is covered by the walls around his heart. If love endures all things, will time really heal all their wounds?


Lena's Review

They had a love that no one can separate? Well they thought it couldn’t be separated but Rae Anne Jamison never knew how it happened. For years she has always loved her Landy Laurent. He is her best friend and first lover. Knowing that he is dead she will not rest until there’s a body. To her Landy is a survivor and she knows in her heart he is still alive. Fate plays a trick on her and now when she is ready to give up Landy is there. RaeAnne has no idea why he torments her with his memory but somehow this time it doesn’t feel like a dream to her. Can she believe once again that she has Landy again in her life?

Years ago Landy Laurent fell in love with a woman who in his eyes was the one. Yet people around them wanted to separate them. Now years later he is back to find out why his RaeAnne gave up on him. For years he has waited and now that his chance is here the old hurts and pain are back. In his heart he knows RaeAnne can never cheat on him but somehow things change in life. Only one person wanted him gone and that is her father. He knows RaeAnne would never believe him that it was him who changed their whole lives. Can he convince RaeAnne that he has never stopped loving her? Will they ever have their own piece of paradise together?

Oh my god Ronna Gage has a way of bringing a story to life. I felt bad for RaeAnne in this book and the heartache she went through all these years. You can tell Landy is her only and always be love in life. Ronna Gage definitely did a great job in this book to the point where I didn’t want to stay away from the book. RaeAnne grabs your attention and her motivation to find Landy. Here is a woman who never stopped believing that he might be alive. Now Landy is one who takes a lot to convince but once he see’s his love there’s no turning back. Loved it and definitely worth getting for you have a story of true love never going out. Loved it!

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Dark Tide Rising by Kristin Miller

Dark Tide Rising by Kristin Miller

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Depend on a man? Never!

Emily McAllister wants nothing more than to control her own life, but when a vision of her best friend’s murder grips her, Emily’s forced to put her trust in the straight-laced sergeant responsible for closing the case. The police believe the drowning was accidental but Emily, haunted by dreams of the killer, knows better.

Police sergeant Mark Thurgood is interested in facts, not premonitions, and he’s tried to steer clear of the ocean since rescuing two lives from its icy clutches. But when danger threatens the free-spirited Emily, he’s determined to stay by her side.

It isn’t until Emily finally begins to trust Mark that she realizes her reaction to him may be more than physical attraction. But when a detail emerges from the murky veil of her dreams she questions if the man she’s fallen for is actually a killer.


Lena's Review

Emily McAllister just experienced her cousin’s death. She has no idea how it happened but she felt the breath leave her. Now she is determined to find her killer no matter what happens to her. The only thing standing in her way is the arrogant, stubborn yet sexy officer handling the case. She has no idea why Mark Thurgood hates her or the ocean. Yet every time she tries to find her cousin’s killer he is in the way. One minute he thinks she is some psycho and the next he can’t get enough of his kisses. The killer is still out there and the harder she tries to find him or her more of a target she is. Emily has no idea why she is having these visions but knows that her cousin’s death was no accident. Can Emily find the killer before they find her? Will she ever know real love with a man like Mark?

Police Officer Mark Thurgood is man who gets his work done yet is afraid of many things. His biggest fear is the ocean and it torments him each day. Years ago he lost his best friend to the ocean and since them he has felt guilty. Knowing that Emily’s cousin died by the tides he wants nothing that to find the killer. Emily though is one woman who enchants him and fears him. Her visions about the murder are accurate and it scares him how much she knows. Emily knows information that no officer knows except him. Mark knows everyone in the force thinks he’s lost it since his best friend’s death. This is his last chance to prove he still has it in him but afraid that he will lose Kat. Can he find the killer before it is too late?

Mark and Emily two people who are searching for the same thing but find attraction is hard to deny. The death of her cousin scares her for the killer is still out there. Now Mark is a man who knows his time at the force is ending. This homicide is his last chance to prove he still has it in him. Yet what made the book suspenseful was knowing the killer was watching their every move. Kristin Miller has a way of bringing the reader into the action right at the beginning never slowing the story down. The attraction between them is strong and the killer on their every move makes them hotter than ever. Loved it and can’t wait for more.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Trust in the Lawe by Stacey Joy Netzel

Trust in the Lawe by Stacey Joy Netzel

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Book One in The Colorado Trust Series

Kendra Zelner has three brothers: Eight-year old Noah she's determined to protect, Joel who has no clue she exists, and Robert who wants her dead.

With reason to be distrustful of cops, she takes Noah and flees their Manhattan home for Joel’s ranch in Colorado. Under the pretense of needing a job, she plans to hide out until her twenty-fifth birthday, when she’ll inherit her trust fund and legally gain custody of Noah away from Robert’s greedy hands. Unfortunately, her brother’s sexy, infuriating ranch manager insists on demolishing her defenses and digging into her past.

Colton Lawe has good reason to suspect Joel’s beautiful, long-lost sister isn’t what she seems—the little liar stole from him! He silently vows to expose her secrets, but long hours together on the ranch fosters a closeness and fiery attraction neither of them expects. Can Kendra trust Colton with the full truth before Robert finds them?



Lena's Review

Kendra Zelner is on the run not just her but for safety and for the care of her little brother. Her half-brother, Robert Zelner, will do anything he can to make sure they both die. She didn’t mean it to happen but stealing was the only key to her survival. Kendra expected a lot of things but never thought her long-lost brother would welcome her with open arms. Meeting him after all the struggling she done so far is like peace for her. Not only does she feel at peace but her little brother, Noah, seems to have opened up with Joel and his family. Joel is definitely the big brother she has always dream of but didn’t expect his best friend, Colton Lawe. Here is man who can ruin everything for her with Joel. Family is important to her and if she can escape from Robert and become 25 before he finds her than everything will be well. The thing is that she can’t stop the sexual attraction she feels for Colton. Can she keep her and Noah safe before it is too late?

Colton Lawe knows a liar when he sees one and that is Kendra Zelner. Not for a minute does he believe her stealing his wallet was a coincidence. Something about her appearance as his best friend’s sister doesn’t seem right. Another thing that doesn’t seem right to him is why she is determined to work in the barns when she screams of money. Kendra is all city girl and he knows she is hiding something. The more he’s with her harder it is to fight the sexual attraction. Each day with her is making him see what has been missing from his life and that’s love. Joel and Brittany are already smitten with her and little Noah and already he is enchanted with her. Can he figure out Kendra before Robert finds her? Can he risk his heart again to a woman?

Stacey Jo Netzel has done it again in this beautiful tale of survival, passion and learning to trust people. Kendra is a woman who has tried her hardest to keep her little brother. Family is definitely important for her and she won’t let anyone near her especially for help. Now Colton is a man who needs someone to love him like Kendra. These two are so in need of love and trust. They’re both afraid to let go and fall in love and Stacey Jo Netzel did a great job in showing us that they belong together. One word for this book is wow and hope for more of this series to come. Great job.

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Dark Tide Rising by Kristin Miller

Dark Tide Rising by Kristin Miller

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Depend on a man? Never!

Emily McAllister wants nothing more than to control her own life, but when a vision of her best friend’s murder grips her, Emily’s forced to put her trust in the straight-laced sergeant responsible for closing the case. The police believe the drowning was accidental but Emily, haunted by dreams of the killer, knows better.

Police sergeant Mark Thurgood is interested in facts, not premonitions, and he’s tried to steer clear of the ocean since rescuing two lives from its icy clutches. But when danger threatens the free-spirited Emily, he’s determined to stay by her side.

It isn’t until Emily finally begins to trust Mark that she realizes her reaction to him may be more than physical attraction. But when a detail emerges from the murky veil of her dreams she questions if the man she’s fallen for is actually a killer.


Lena's Review

Emily McAllister just experienced her cousin’s death. She has no idea how it happened but she felt the breath leave her. Now she is determined to find her killer no matter what happens to her. The only thing standing in her way is the arrogant, stubborn yet sexy officer handling the case. She has no idea why Mark Thurgood hates her or the ocean. Yet every time she tries to find her cousin’s killer he is in the way. One minute he thinks she is some psycho and the next he can’t get enough of his kisses. The killer is still out there and the harder she tries to find him or her more of a target she is. Emily has no idea why she is having these visions but knows that her cousin’s death was no accident. Can Emily find the killer before they find her? Will she ever know real love with a man like Mark?

Police Officer Mark Thurgood is man who gets his work done yet is afraid of many things. His biggest fear is the ocean and it torments him each day. Years ago he lost his best friend to the ocean and since them he has felt guilty. Knowing that Emily’s cousin died by the tides he wants nothing that to find the killer. Emily though is one woman who enchants him and fears him. Her visions about the murder are accurate and it scares him how much she knows. Emily knows information that no officer knows except him. Mark knows everyone in the force thinks he’s lost it since his best friend’s death. This is his last chance to prove he still has it in him but afraid that he will lose Kat. Can he find the killer before it is too late?

Mark and Emily two people who are searching for the same thing but find attraction is hard to deny. The death of her cousin scares her for the killer is still out there. Now Mark is a man who knows his time at the force is ending. This homicide is his last chance to prove he still has it in him. Yet what made the book suspenseful was knowing the killer was watching their every move. Kristin Miller has a way of bringing the reader into the action right at the beginning never slowing the story down. The attraction between them is strong and the killer on their every move makes them hotter than ever. Loved it and can’t wait for more.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Lady and the Beast by Gail MacMillan

Lady and the Beast by Gail MacMillan

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Shipwrecked, Lady Kathryn Sheffield wakes in New Brunswick, Canada, to find a hulking beast leaning over her. Her intended destination was Jamaica, to an arranged marriage she didn’t want. The Beast, Hamish McDonald, needs to be rid of this Lady as soon as possible. His life in hiding due to a false accusation is in jeopardy. But who is deceiving whom? Between their growing love, the secrets, and a price on both their heads, will there be happiness for The Lady And The Beast?


Lena's Review

Lady Kathryn has no choice but to hide. Her family wants her to marry an arrogant, selfish elder man to mend her ways. With nowhere to hide she tries to keep her identity a secret in the little town of New Brunswick. She expected safety but not falling in love with a man like Hamish McDonald. Something about him speaks that he is an honorable man, protective and desirable. He is silent but somehow she has gotten to him she knows for a fact. He says he is no gentleman but Kat knows he is hiding something. Hamish cares about the people in the village and the way he mends them in need shows he is a caring man. Yet through it all Kat is afraid of her family finding her. Can Hamish protect her even then?

Hamish McDonald loves the little in New Brunswick. He has it all, people that love him, peace and his identity kept secret. Everything was great until he rescued a young maiden, Kathryn. She has no recollection of her identity but something tells him she is hiding something as well. His peace is gone and now all he can think about is Kat. Just when he is ready to confide his feelings she is kidnapped. Now that his time is running out he is determined to find her and reveal his real identity. Can he find and protect her before it is too late?

The Lady and the Beast by Gail MacMillan is definitely a modern day of the old tale as time. Yet Gail created a man who doesn’t want to turn into a prince. Now Kat is a woman who just wants her freedom not shackled to a man least of all an old one. These two are opposite from one another yet want one thing and that is safety. The storyline not only took my breath away in how far Hamish wants to keep his identity but how far he will go to protect his woman. Gail MacMillan did a great job in this book and can’t wait for more.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Scandalous Seduction by Paige Cameron

Scandalous Seduction by Paige Cameron

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

With her oldest sister married and her youngest sister celebrating her betrothal, most predict that Lady Tabitha Bartley, the bookish, plain sister, is doomed to be left on the shelf. She has seldom been noticed by the town until several bored gentlemen make an innocent wager regarding her and the Earl of Sterling Court.

Lady Tabitha overhears their conversation and decides to beat them at their own game. But she will take it a step further and seduce Lord Sterling. She has read all about seduction from the books in her father's library. Since she doesn't expect to marry, this is probably her only chance to have a tantalizing sexual encounter.

First, she must win the original wager and then make one of her own. Will Lord Sterling accept her challenge? What will be the prize for winning? And more importantly, can a lady seduce a gentleman and still be considered a lady?


Lena's Review

Lady Tabitha Bartley is content with her life. For 26 years she has lived out in the country just reading books and enjoying life. Yet everything changes when her sister gets engaged and she hears men talk. Her mother always told her it is never good to eaves drop yet in this case it’s going to turn her life upside down. She never thought she would be the belle of the ball yet something about Lord Sterling is making her feel free. The man makes her feel things that she has only read in her books. As a lady she is not supposed to reveal her desires or recklessness yet Sterling brings out all of these things. She is about to do something that is only mentioned in her books. It is a seduction she and a wager she knows she will win. Her mother wants her married but she has other plans. Can she win this wager?

Lord Sterling has met many women in his life but none like Lady Tabitha Bartley. His whole life has been centered in his home and work. His father recently passed and now he must marry to continue the earldom. What started as a wager into seducing the plainest, boring woman of the ton has turned to something he might not be able to handle? He never expected for the duckling to turn into an enchanting swan that has captured his attention. Tabitha not only sparks his interest but something about her makes him want to be her man. He knows it is wrong to seduce her but when she seduces him he can’t ignore her. A kiss from her is refreshing but also unforgettable. Can he win this wager or will he win more than a seduction from Tabitha?

Paige Cameron’s latest definitely is a breath of fresh air for this reader. I loved that Paige doesn’t care about the balls but just wants to read and lead a normal life. The problem is that her family wants her to be different and enjoy the parties. Lord Sterling is definitely the man that makes her bloom to a beautiful woman and introduces her to a passionate world. These two were great and though they are playing a game they find something better than a game. Love is all there through the end and its passionate than ever when they admit it is more than a game. Loved it.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Act Like We're In Love by Christi Barth

Act Like We're In Love by Christi Barth

Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

When two people make beautiful music together onstage, can their love survive once the curtain falls? Linnea Larson is willing to do anything to keep her family's Minneapolis dinner theatre from going under. Anything, that is, besides accepting a date from the Hollywood hunk her father hired to inject a dose of star power into their production of Guys & Dolls. It's a toss up whether his greatest claim to fame is playing a superhero on screen, or a super stud off screen. Neither fact convinces her he's got what it takes to share her stage. And thanks to a life long pact with her best friend, she never dates actors.

Luke Powell has fame, fortune, and an endless string of women, but also a lingering dissatisfaction with his picture perfect life. Looking for a change, he escapes to his theatrical roots. What he finds are wary cast mates, a nervous best friend convinced the show will ruin Luke's career, and an adorable costar who stubbornly refuses to go out with him. Suddenly singing and dancing aren't the only challenges he'll tackle over the summer. Far from the spotlights of Hollywood, can he find happiness in the footlights of a tiny theatre?

Despite Luke dragging her into his daily paparazzi nightmare, Linnea can't deny her mounting attraction to his irresistible charm. And even if she's crazy enough to chance getting involved, their fling would have a guaranteed expiration date. He's leaving at the end of the run, and she's tied to her family's theatre. Why risk the inevitable heartbreak? Their job is to act like they're in love, but will they decide it's worth the leap to fall in love for real?


Lena's Review

Linnea Larson has waited all her life to take over the family’s theatre. The problem is that before she can she has to do one more play. Not just any play but one that involves a real life Hollywood superstar. Linnea has seen many things as a Broadway actress but none like Luke. He is arrogant, egotistical and yet she is attracted to him. Linnea knows that this career changes of his is all a ploy. Luke is just another actor thinking to stoop low to increase his popularity. Or is he? All her friends say why deny the attraction and just risk it have a little fun. Yet can she really fall for a Hollywood guy like Luke without losing her heart?

Luke is a superstar and loves acting. The problem is that lately he is not feeling the same adrenaline he had before. He is looking for something different and somehow he knows that Linnea Larson is the perfect woman for the change. His whole goal has always been on his career no time for any romance. The thing is that there is something about Linnea that gets him going and he is having a hard time. His main love has always been on the stage not in front of a camera and Linnea doesn’t believe him. Luke knows the passion and chemistry is there from her kisses. Can he convince Linnea that his love is real and not all just an act?

Act like Were in Love by Christi Barth was definitely a great treat to read. Christi Barth has a way with comedy and romance all in one making it real. I loved how Linnea keeps denying the attraction even though you can tell right away they love one another. Now Luke is definitely an actor with goals in his mind yet once a beautiful woman like Linnea enters and he sets everything aside. Definitely a great read and can’t wait for more from this talented author.

3 Tea Cups!

Review: A Matter of Some Scandal by Daisy Banks

A Matter of Some Scandal by Daisy Banks

Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Sometimes scandal is worth more than its weight in gold.

Love was folly, in Prudence Wellbourne’s innocence. Now well-coined, sophisticated and wiser, she can easily live without it. But the one man who holds the key to her stubborn heart calls that belief into question..

Fifteen years has done nothing to cool Argyle Clairmonte’s desire for Prudence. His reckless attempt to regain her love lands him in Newgate prison and the Bailey court. Only Prudence’s public admission of the truth, despite the scandal it will bring, can save him from the bitter consequences of his foiled plans.

Is hindsight the cure for love’s recklessness? Prudence must find an eloquent answer, or watch Argyle swing from The Tyburn Tree.



Lena's Review

He has loved her for so long and now it is time to make his move. The thing is that Prudence Wellbourne denies the attraction and love. For years he has stood aside while she married another and not that his chance is here something crazy will happen. Prudence swore that she would not fall for Argyle again. Years ago he broke her heart and now that he’s back she is trying so hard to stay away from him. Marriage to the late Lord Wellbourne has taught her to be nice, demure and not be wild like she used to be. Yet one kiss from Argyle and she is back to her old self. She expected a lot of things from Argyle but this next stunt just blows her mind away. Can she say the truth when it is needed to help him?

Argyle Clairmonte has always loved Prudence Wellbourne but one stupid thing in his life he ruined any happiness with her. He used to be Prudence’s friend and now has loved her from afar. Her marriage to Lord Wellbourne was a mistake and they both know it. Yet even though she married and now a widow he is determined to get his woman. The plan was simple and that was just to get her to admit that she still loves him. He’s done many things but this escapade is the silliest and dangerous thing he’s done. Yet in his heart Argyle knows this is the time he would be reunited with his one true love.

This is the first I have read from Daisy Banks and won’t be the last. Argyle is so smitten with Prudence and loved that he finally has a chance to make a move. The love is still there yet Prudence is stubborn all the way. Daisy did a great job in showing that even through denial love is stronger than ever between these two. Great job to Daisy for showing that even through years of separation love is always there.

3 Tea Cups!