Sunday Post #2

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog.

I'm on my Pacific Northwest vacation right now currently in Oregon.  My husband and I started in Northern California and have been working our way up to our final stop in Washington.  The weather has been gorgeous until yesterday when it turned cloudy and foggy with a bit of rain, but that's been beautiful too.  I stayed mostly indoors reading by the fire today except for a walk out from our cottage onto the beach. Spotted some whales! 

Read:
Click on title for Goodreads link

The Wedding From Hell Part 1 & 2 were prequel novellas (free on Amazon) for J.R. Ward's upcoming book Consumed.  Both were really good, and I think they really added necessary background to the main couple's story in Consumed which I'm now reading and loving! Don't Touch My Petunia (fun title name!) was a disappointment after loving the first book Don't Call Me Cupcake.  Too much couple drama and the heroine was frustrating.  This is my second time "reading" Iron and Magic, this time by audio book and I loved it just as much as the first time around. The narration was fantastic! Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas was excellent, one of my favorite Katie Ruggle stories to date.  I really enjoyed The Guilty Dead even jumping in at the 9th book in the series.  Immortal Danger was sexy and fun.

Book Haul:

Click on title for Goodreads link:

Loving The Lost Platoon series by Monica McCarty so of course I snatched Out of Time up!  Can't wait to continue Cutler, Sutter & Salinas in Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz.  Mary Balogh's historical romances are full of emotion and great characters so I can't wait to read Someone to Trust.

Haven't watched any TV or movies while on vacation.  Been reading if I'm not touring a lighthouse or by the sea.  

Did you know that lighthouses had their own traveling library delivered?  Here's a picture of one of them below from the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon:  

They went through the books and then got a new batch to help with the solitary and isolated life that came with being a lighthouse keeper.

Reading on the deck with a mimosa:

Review & Giveaway: Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle

Publication Date: September 11th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Pages: 325

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo

About the book:

In the heart of the Rockies
In the arms of a cowboy
One white Christmas can change everything.

When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected danger to follow them to his childhood home...

Or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget.

Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town's resident eccentric, she's used to being lonely--until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he's always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn't take long before she's in danger of falling for him and his rambunctious kids. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas...

My Thoughts:

Steve Springfield was a secondary character from Katie Ruggle’s previous series and he now has his own story.  As a firefighter in the past two series, he’s moved back to his home town of Born, Colorado on the family ranch to escape the dangers that went down back in Monroe.  Raising his four children as a single dad offers enough excitement without adding murder and mayhem to the mix.  Back home, he and the family are very busy with their Christmas tree business and gift shop.  The ranch sounded so very picturesque, making buying a Christmas tree a memorable experience, hauling the tree with horses and selling unique Christmas gifts in their shop.  

Steve is still a firefighter, although a volunteer one now, and this is how he runs into the beautiful, but painfully shy Camille.

Camille had a mad crush on Steve while in high school.  He was good-looking and popular, but also very kind. Even if Camille didn’t have anxiety interacting socially, she was three grades behind Steve and so they didn’t cross paths much back then.  Now that he’s back in town and circumstances have thrown them together, Camille is falling hard for Steve and his kids.  Steve is even more irresistible than he was in school, and his kids are unique and intelligent.  Somehow with all her social awkwardness, she just clicks with them. 

I loved Camille and Steve! Camille got so nervous around Steve and would just babble whatever came into her head. Words would just spill out of her mouth before she had time to edit, and I would just laugh! It was hilarious!  She was sweet, awkward and endearing.  Luckily, Steve wasn’t the type of guy to play games so Camille’s forthright admissions worked out well for them.  Steve’s kids were fun, and I enjoyed seeing Camille get to know them and get close.  She fit right in! 

The fires in Borne added an edge of danger to the story, culminating in an action packed, thrilling conclusion. I was surprised to find out the identity of the culprit! Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas was a heartwarming, sweet romance, set in a beautiful Christmas Winter wonderland, but was also a suspenseful story that put me on the edge of my seat more than a few times.  Loved the mix!

4.5 Suns

Connect with Katie Ruggle:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

The people of Sourcebooks Casablanca are giving away 3 copies of Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas! Fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  Good luck!

Review & Giveaway: The Guilty Dead by P.J. Tracy

The Guilty Dead by P.J. Tracy

Publication Date: September 11th 2018 by Crooked Lane Books

Pages: 325

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Gregory Norwood, wealthy businessman and close friend of Minnesota's leading candidate for Governor, is found dead on the first anniversary of his son's drug overdose. It seems clear to Detectives Gino and Magozzi that grief drove him to suicide.

Until they find the second body.

As the seemingly open-and-shut case becomes a murder enquiry, the detectives begin to delve into the dark secrets of one of the city's most powerful families. It seems the murders are not the first in the Norwoods' tragic story - and they won't be the last...

My Thoughts:

Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth, homicide detectives of the Minnesota Police Department are called out for what they think is a routine sign-off on a suicide. The victim is Gregory Norwood a wealthy businessman on the one-year anniversary of his son’s overdose. The situation turns into anything but routine after reviewing the facts of the scene, and the discovery of another body.  What they find is a tragic history and many twists. 

At the same time the Monkeewrench team, a private cyber security/investigative company/expert hackers (from what I gather) are on high alert after their contact in the FBI enlists their help searching for terror suspects because the FBI knows something big is about to happen but can’t narrow down the suspects or target.

This is book nine in the series and I haven’t read the previous books, but it wasn’t necessary for the current mysteries.  There were some personal relationships that I didn’t witness from the beginning, Grace (a Monkeewrench specialist) and Leo Magozzi’s (a Minnesota Homicide Det.) was featured prominently here, but still it was more of a side story than the main gig.  And their scenes were very touching even without reading about them previously.  I’d like to go back and find out how they came together.  Grace seems to have issues from the past that makes it difficult to let people in, yet she’s with Leo and having his baby. Love more history!

This was very much a crime procedural, the homicide and terror cases being front and center, with bits of personal relationships featured.  I’m a sucker for a good crime procedural, solving the crime right along with the detectives piecing things together.  I had a character under suspicion early on which panned out, but I wasn’t sure of their motivations, so I had fun getting to the whys. 

The Guilty Dead was a fast-paced page turner with danger, action, and revelations at every turn!  Thrilling and entertaining!  I’m interested in going back and reading from the beginning!

4 Suns

The lovely people of Crooked Lane Books generously provided a copy of The Guilty Dead to giveaway to one lucky reader.  Fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win.  The giveaway is open to US Residents only.  Good luck!

Review: Immortal Danger by Cynthia Eden

Immortal Danger by Cynthia Eden

Publication Date: August 28th 2018 by Kensington Publishing

Pages: 352

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

WHO NEEDS AN APP WHEN YOU CAN PAY IN BLOOD?

Once, Maya Black was a badass cop patrolling the streets of L.A. She still keeps the city safe, but these days her bad guys of choice include demons, werewolves, and assorted nocturnal scum. Something Maya knows a thing or two about. She's a vampire--and not thrilled about it. Payback meet bitch.

Adam Brody hopes Maya is as dangerous as they say she is. He needs her to help rescue his niece Cammie from a ruthless band of vamps, and he's willing to pay--in blood. Trusting her is another matter. Adam has never met a vampire who doesn't lie. Then again, he's never met anyone like Maya, who fills him with a desperate need that ignites into explosive, no-holds-barred encounters . . .

"A wild, adventurous ride readers will love!"
--New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight

My Thoughts:

When his niece is kidnapped by a vicious group of vampires Adam Brody seeks out Maya Black’s help to find her.  Even though Maya is a vampire herself she has a fierce reputation of taking out the bad guys, vamps, demons, whatever kind of creature. 

Maya was a police officer when she was forcibly turned into a vampire, and she hates her kind because most of them are murdering fiends with no conscious.  She thinks Adam’s mission will probably get him killed, thinking he’s just a human, and she doesn’t want to be part of that.  However, Adam’s willing to pay and he’d probably go off on his own anyhow so Maya’s stuck.

Adam and Maya are very distrustful of each other as they join forces, but there’s a spark of attraction brewing between them from the beginning. Adam can’t stand vampires, but he can tell Maya is different, and despite her prickly demeanor she truly cares about people.  Adam he can’t help but admire her strength and skills taking on baddies twice her size and kicking ass!  Maya assumes Adam is a helpless human and he lets her think that, but Adam is much more.  I won’t spoil things by telling you what he is, but I thought it was pretty cool!

In between all the action and danger Adam and Maya battle with their desires. At first, it’s animal attraction, irresistible and desperate, but they start to fall for each other a little more with each passing day.  Cynthia Eden writes some truly hot stuff and whether it be her romantic suspense or paranormal stories, she has her romances dialed to sizzle! Adam and Maya were no exception!

Immortal Danger was fast paced, full of action and a lot of fun. It looks like this story was originally published back in 2009, as the start of the Night Watch series, but may have been updated.  Maya and Adam’s story wraps up, but the series continues centering on other characters.  I plan on getting to the next book soon.

3.5 Suns

Sunday Post #1

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog.

I'm excited because this is my first time doing a recap on Waves of Fiction! 

It's been a busy Summer.  We've (hubby and I) been renovating our home and we're almost done with the downstairs. We have a major project left, painting the kitchen cabinets, which we're doing ourselves (Ack! Wish me luck!).  We won't be tackling it until we get back from our vacation road-tripping the Pacific Northwest coast for 3 weeks.  Not much time for reading lately, but I hope to catch up a bit on our trip.

Read:

Brooklynaire, The Governess Game and Magic Triumphs were my favorites.  I've waited a long time for Nate and Rebecca' romance and Brookynaire was wonderful! I listened to the audio which was fantastic with both a male and female narrator. Magic Triumphs was an awesome end to an amazing series! It deserves a re-read so I'll be listening to the audio with my husband while on our road-trip vacation. You can hardly go wrong with Tessa Dare's historical romances! So clever, funny, and steamy! 

Book Haul:

I almost passed on Fight or Flight, but after reading the book description again I caved.  I can't resist a good antagonistic romance! Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my favorite historical romance writers so I was thrilled to hear she's writing a new romance series! Not the Duke's Darling is the first book.  Carolyn Brown's cowboy romances are filled with down-home charm, sage advice, and always make me laugh! I got my library audio copy of Tailspin today. Yay! Just in time to listen to on my road-trip! Hubby has enjoyed Sandra Brown in the past so I hope this entertains us on some of the long stretches. 

Watched:

I didn't read either book, although I have a copy of Before I Fall somewhere. I thought both movies were well done.  To All the Boys I've Loved Before was a happy feel good movie, just my kind!  Before I Fall was powerful, fascinating, and visually beautiful.  I wasn't a fan of the ending...Did it have to end that way?!

I'm currently in East Bay San Francisco at my daughter's house for a long weekend.  Busy, but stole a few hours with my Kindle this afternoon outside:

It was mostly warm this afternoon, but I felt a cool nip in the air after a while, and the leaves are already starting to fall but it was a gorgeous afternoon!

How was your week?

Review: Good Time Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Good Time Cowboy (Gold Valley #3) by Maisey Yates

Publication Date: August 21st 2018 by HQN

Pages: 480 (including bonus short story at the end)

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

In Gold Valley, Oregon, forbidden desire just might turn into the love of a lifetime…

When Lindy Parker lost her cheating husband, she gained a vineyard. She’ll do anything for Grassroots Winery, including teaming up with the hottest devil she knows, rancher Wyatt Dodge. Wyatt is her ex’s friend and has an ego as big as the bulls he rides. But in spite of that, disciplined Lindy has always wanted him…

Lightning struck Wyatt Dodge the first time he saw Lindy Parker. But there were two problems with that: she was married to his friend, and Wyatt doesn’t do strings. But now Lindy is free, and the two of them can finally explore the heat that’s burned between them for so long. But can Lindy make this good time cowboy decide on forever?

My Thoughts:

Wyatt and Lindy have been squaring off since they first appeared as side characters in previous books. Wyatt’s been pushing Lindy’s buttons while she tried to freeze him out and keep her distance.  Too bad for Lindy that they’re partnering up for business because they’re about to get a lot more time together.  Lindy’s promoting wines and tours through her vineyard using Wyatt’s horses, and Wyatt is featuring the experience as an excursion available to his new ranch/inn guests.  There’s been a love/hate thing going on between these two because of the history and that’s about to come to a head.

I love how Maisey Yates gets to the heart of her characters and their motivations, and that’s part of what makes them so hot is that you get their emotions before there’s anything physical between them.  There’s a delicious buildup between Lindy and Wyatt!  Loved that even though there were some bumps in the road for their relationship there wasn’t any over-the-top drama.

I’m really looking forward to Grant’s romance, because that man deserves some loving! And I really hope there’s a romance for Bea and Dane! She’s got such a massive, intense crush on Dane that I’m a little afraid her heart might get squashed, but I’m crossing my fingers that he finally opens his eyes to Bea!

4 Suns

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young-Updated E-book Cover Reveal

I've loved the On Dublin Street series from the beginning so I'm excited to be able to share the new cover and the first chapter from Braden's POV! Yum! See below for his perspective, along with links to buy the book.  If you've never picked up the series you're missing out! Each book focuses on a new couple and all are addictive, funny, emotional, and super hot! 

Buy links:  

Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play

Also, COMING SOON by Samantha Young:

Can't wait to read what sounds like a fun antagonistic romance!

Pre-order links:

Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Nook, Indiebound, Books a Million, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play

Connect with Samantha Young:

Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Review: The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2) by Tessa Dare
Publication Date: August 28th 2018 by Avon
Pages: 384
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

He’s been a bad, bad rake—and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson

The accidental governess.

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart... without risking her own.

The infamous rake.

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling... and he’s in danger of falling, hard.

My Thoughts:

Alexandra Mountbatten can’t get the Bookshop Rake out of her mind after he plowed into her knocking a mountain of books out of her hands and shining his devilish grin at her. Six months later Alex runs into him again when she’s out servicing clocks.  She hasn’t set out to become a governess but a mix up throws her into the position looking after Chase’s two orphaned wards.

Chase is a rake, seducing women left and right, trying to forget his deficiencies, and the fact he feels unworthy of his title.  He feels he’s in no position to be guardian over two young girls. Chase needs a governess to educate the girls enough to send them to boarding school, but the little hellions have chased every hire away. When Alexandra walks through his door and calls him out on his rakish behavior he knows he’s got the perfect candidate to whip the girls into shape. 

Rosamund and Daisy were delightful! Two little mischievous girls desperately in need of structure and love.  The daily funerals cracked me up!    

Chase and Alexandra each have lessons to learn in love and in life, and their education is wonderfully sensual, and steamy! 

Loved The Governess Game!  Tessa Dare writes with clever humor and heart, getting to the motivations of her characters making you feel their pain, hopes and dreams as they fall in love.  I can’t wait for the next in the series, Penny’s romance?

4.5 Suns

Connect with Tessa Dare:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads