AudioReview: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

This has been a long time coming. I have been procrastinating on writing this review, and I have listen to this story a few times too. This is the final one I had to read for the Chicago Stars. I would recommend reading them in order, and not go the same route as me. However, if you do you would be alright, still not recommended.

We finally get Molly Somerville in This Heart of Mine, and she's all grown up. I guess it has been a bumpy road. She's suffering a bout of writers block for her bunny Daphne. She heads up to the cabin and that's where the trouble lies.

Kevin Tucker the young quarterback that is finally getting his chance to be the star. However, he can't seem to stay out of trouble. Basically, is told to go to the cabin and stay low. Again trouble arrives there.

Molly has always had a crush on Kevin, but she's always been invisible. Molly isn't invisible after her cringe worthy thing. Seriously CRINGE-WORTHY. They go their separate, but force into a marriage. Tragedy happens, and they are force to deal with it. At this time, they get to know one another, and love officially blooms. Yay, Daphne is starting to come out to play again.

I loved This Heart of Mine. It was a fun listen even with the cringe moment. I laughed and cried, and went on a roller coaster ride with Molly and Kevin.

Rating:
5 Stars

The Me I Used to Be by Jennifer Ryan (Review)

I wasn't sure about The Me I Used to Be, because I heard of lot mix reaction. However, I decided to take a chance on the story. Let me tell you the first part of the story ripped me to shreds. I didn't expected to need a box of tissues for the first 10 chapters of the book. Yes, grab that box, because you are going to need them to make it through the first half part of the story.

Evangeline is one tough cookie. She had to be strong for her family, and the sacrifice she made on their behalf. Her family was cruel, but they assumed the worst of her. With her strong will to survive, she was able to make new life for herself. Before she could do that, she had to conquer the past.

I absolutely loved Evangeline strength of character, and how she grew as a person. She also helped her family to grow and rebuild.

There's a lot going on in The Me I Used to Be. We have a young woman trying to take down the issue that caused her fall, and rebuild from that. We also see the conquering heroine find happiness in the end. She totally deserves it after what she been through. Definitely can be a book club selection. So much to talk about, especially when you have a protagonist like Evangeline. Groups can talk about why they think it was important for her to go to jail. A lot to talk about. The main focus of the story is Evangeline's growth, but there's romance that pop up in this story, and a little suspense. Jennifer Ryan does like to add a little of that to her story. Overall, a pretty good read.

Copy provided by Harper Collins

Rating:
4 1/2 Stars

Spotlight + Excerpt: Brazen & the Beast by Sarah MacLean

Brazen and the Beast
Bareknuckled Bastards, 2
Sarah MacLean
Avon Romance

July 30, 2019


New York Times Bestselling Author Sarah MacLean returns with the next book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series about three brothers bound by a secret that they cannot escape—and the women who bring them to their knees.

The Lady’s Plan

When Lady Henrietta Sedley declares her twenty-ninth year her own, she has plans to inherit her father’s business, to make her own fortune, and to live her own life. But first, she intends to experience a taste of the pleasure she’ll forgo as a confirmed spinster. Everything is going perfectly…until she discovers the most beautiful man she’s ever seen tied up in her carriage and threatening to ruin the Year of Hattie before it’s even begun.

The Bastard’s Proposal

When he wakes in a carriage at Hattie’s feet, Whit, a king of Covent Garden known to all the world as Beast, can’t help but wonder about the strange woman who frees him—especially when he discovers she’s headed for a night of pleasure . . . on his turf. He is more than happy to offer Hattie all she desires…for a price.

An Unexpected Passion

Soon, Hattie and Whit find themselves rivals in business and pleasure. She won’t give up her plans; he won’t give up his power . . . and neither of them sees that if they’re not careful, they’ll have no choice but to give up everything . . . including their hearts.

Excerpt: 

Darkness Rising by Katie Reus (Review)

We have finally come to the end of the Darkness series. We have seen a lot happening in this series. We have seen couples find love, and bad things happen from time or time. However, we have come to last chapter in this series with Darkness Rising. With a title like that it doesn't seem like it's ending, and in a sense you are right and wrong. We do see end of a chapter of things happen here, and the beginning of something knew. You know what that means, yep spin-off. Which I'm happy, because it's sad to see these guys go, but we get to see something new happen with Reaper and Greer.

Finally Greer finds a mate, but it's a powerful dragon that happens to be one of the ancients. Which totally conflicts with her healer side. Reaper never went for healers before he went to hibernation. He tended to stick with powerful warriors. However, there's something different about Greer.

Anyway, Darkness Rising is the end to a series, and like I said it's beginning to a new series. You get a taste of where it's going to be in the story. Things are about to change and you see that. However, it does closes the Darkness books nicely. I can't wait to see what the new series will entail. However, the world is going to change. Exciting stuff.

Copy provided by author.

Rating:
4 Stars

Bishop's Knight by Katie Reus (Review)

I have to say that this is a pretty good story to a new trilogy. We have it all in Bishop's Knight. Seriously, we start off with Evie Bishop who was CIA, but has retired. However, she gets sucked back in to help a friend. She's trying to figure out what's going on with her brothers, which is a great way to tell you there is more to come. The icing on the cake is past love interest. Yes, we have a second chance romance. If that wasn't enough we have the element of danger.

There is a lot packed into this one story, but it has you wanting to know more. We get a glimpse of Evie's brothers in here. We know that one brother is pretty badly injured, and the other is wanted for murder. She's trying to save a friend which puts her life in jeopardy. Of course, she goes to the one person that she knows and trust, Dylan Blackwood. He could totally toss her on her butt, and never look back. The history, but he wants to help.

Like I said, it's a pretty good lead to the trilogy. It makes me wonder if what happens in this book also tie to Evie's brothers situation. I can't wait for the rest of the books to come. So, if you are looking for romance and suspense, look no further and try Bishop's Knight.

Copy provided by author.

Rating:
4 Stars

To Tame A Wild Cowboy by Lori Wilde (Review)

Okay, I actually read this story last month, and I have been procrastinating on my thoughts. I've been doing that lately. Anyway, I did like To Tame A Wild Cowboy. I thought it was a pretty good story. We have Tara Alzate who is in the process of trying to adopt this sweet little baby girl. However, there is one problem they don't know who the father is. So, they go on the search and low and behold it's Rhett Lockhart. This can go in so many direction.

Rhett is definitely a no-strings attach kind of guy, but now he finds out that he's a father. Now he has a decision to make. Should he stay or should he go? He finds Tara mighty fine. However, Tara isn't too sure about Rhett, after all she use to babysit Rhett when he was younger. All she remembers is the wild child he use to be and his reputation doesn't help him. We also find that Tara is caring around some baggage that doesn't help Rhett's case to getting cozy with Tara.

This isn't an instant love kind of read. They aren't really sure if they should like each other. However, they do burn pretty hot for one another once the walls come down. I enjoyed the story. It was a nice building kind of read.

Copy provided by Avon.

Avon Review + Excerpt: Say No to The Duke by Eloisa James

SAY NO TO THE DUKE
The Wildes of Lindow Castle
Eloisa James
Avon Romance
6/25/19

Could she possibly refuse a duke’s hand—in favor of a sardonic, sinful rake?

Lady Betsy Wilde’s first season was triumphant by any measure, and a duke has proposed—but before marriage, she longs for one last adventure.

No gentleman would agree to her scandalous plan—but Lord Jeremy Roden is no gentleman. He offers a wager. If she wins a billiards game, he’ll provide the breeches.

If he wins…she is his, for one wild night.

But what happens when Jeremy realizes that one night will never be enough? In the most important battle of his life, he’ll have to convince Betsy to say no to the duke.

My Thoughts: