Month: May 2014
4*Review: Morgan’s Match - Krystal Shannan -Short Story
What’s a girl to do when she can find love for everyone but herself? Computer genius and matchmaking witch extraordinaire, Morgan O’Neal, created a computer program from an old family recipe. Her business is a huge success, churning out dozens of matched happy couples, but her love life is still where it stalled out years ago.
The biggest catch to being a matchmaker…you can’t work a spell on yourself.
When Connor McGuire, hot high school flame, suddenly inserts himself back into her life, will the hunky Irish warlock seal the deal? Or will a decade-old betrayal keep them apart forever?
My Review
I loved this sexy, romantic paranormal short story.
Morgan is a witch with Irish ancestry and a huge magical family. A successful career woman, she combined her inherited skills with technical knowledge and created the perfect dating match programme. Settled in Texas she has found her true self but not her soul mate.
Morgan and Connor are well-developed characters which have great chemistry. The sensual romance enhances the story. There are lots of clues to other interesting characters and stories which I hope the author will write about soon.This is the first story I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more of her paranormal romantic tales.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
More Than Treasure Giveaway - Christy Newton
More Than Treasure Rafflecopter Giveaway Link
Author Christy Newton’s More Than Treasure Giveaway is now live.
Win e-books:
Christy Newton: More Than Treasure series:
Stolen Hearts - Something To Treasure - Treasured Hearts
Twisted by Christa Simpson
The Captain’s promise by Suzanne Mathews.
Just for the Weekend by Suzanne Mathews.
The Dragon Legacy by Jane Hunt
More Than Treasure Rafflecopter Giveaway Link
Check out my 4* review of Stolen Hearts - Christy Newton.
Friday Read: The Return of the Rebel - Jennifer Faye
The Return of the Rebel by Jennifer Faye is my Friday Read this week.
Jennifer is one of my favourite sweet romance writers.
Review will be posted here and on my Facebook Review Page next week.
Here a little about the story which is released on 1 July 2014.
The guy from the wrong side of the tracks…
Being promoted should be a dream come true, only it means working closely with Cleo’s childhood crush, Jax Monroe. Jax may no longer be the rebel she remembers, but he still gets her heart racing like no other.
Jax cares too much about Cleo to let her get too close—but keeping his distance is proving impossible! As Jax reveals the extent of what he’s been through, will Cleo show him that some things are too precious to put off until tomorrow?
5* Review: The Waiting Game - Eve Devon
Five years ago a madman stalked her. Kidnapped her. Tattooed her.
When security expert Cameron Dexter—the man Brooke Bennett once loved—appears unexpectedly at her door with terrifying news, the former musician discovers she can no longer hide from her past. After five years, her vicious kidnapper is out of prison and on the hunt—for Brooke.
Now he’s returned to complete his art.
Cam failed to protect Brooke once before. Now he’d rather die than let her be captured. With her life at stake, Cam vows to keep her hidden and safe. Brooke, however, is done with running. Unlike Cam, she wants to stand and fight. Emotions both old and new roil between them, but addressing their heated past must wait. Together they set a trap in London to catch a killer. But they soon discover the enemy wears many faces.
And waiting is no longer an option…
My Review
‘The Waiting Game’ is a twisty, well paced story with a damaged but so courageous heroine - Brooke and a sexy, guilt ridden hero - Cam. Hooked from the first chapter I read this book in a couple of hours.
The stalker element in this story is menacing. The author conveys Brooke’s horrific experiences cleverly without resorting to descriptions of gratuitous violence. Sharing Brooke’s point of view brings the fear and lack of control she experiences vividly to life. The plot has lots of twists and a few nasty surprises for Brooke and Cam.
Cam’s need for control is a symptom of his guilt complex which proves an almost insurmountable barrier for Brooke to climb. The chemistry between the couple as Cam refuses to let his passion override his duty is sizzling. The emotional bond between the couple is tangible they so deserve their happy ending but will they get it?
Well written secondary characters enhance the story’s realistic edge. I would love to read Ellie and Alex’s stories.
The balance of romance and suspense in ‘The Waiting Game’ makes it an enthralling read.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jane Hunt Writer Book Reviews Facebook
Cover Reveal: Letters Home - Rebecca Brooke
Cover Reveal
Letters Home
Rebecca Brooke
Release Date 10 June 2014
Contemporary Romance
Life is all about the jigsaw, right? Finding the different puzzle pieces to complete your very own picture. A career you love, a house to make a home, a lover to complete you, and keep you warm at night.
Danielle Renton has a life, and she loves it. A recent law school graduate, she’d been floored when her boyfriend, Nate Lewis, enlisted during their sophomore year of college. At the time, she’d been concerned with what that meant for them as a couple, but in the years that followed, they’d learned to adapt to the logistics of an army relationship.
But when life throws her a curve ball, how will she cope? Can she pick up the pieces and make her picture beautiful again? Or does she realize that, sometimes, the pieces can be too broken to fit back together…
Meet Rebecca Brooke
Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey.
She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married
to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they
have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or
reading (which is very rarely) she loves watch SOA, True Blood, and The Walking
Dead.
Social Media
Facebook Page
Goodreads
Website
Definitely one to look out for 🙂
3* Review: An American Girl In Italy - Aubrie Dionne
An Italian paradise is the last thing she wants… but the one thing she needs!
Surely any girl would kill for the chance to tour Italy’s most famous cities for the summer? To experience the warmth of the Tuscan sun, the culinary delights of the pizzerias and caffés and to stroll along the cobbled streets of the City of Love itself…
Any girl apart from ambitious oboist Carly Davis that is! For her, the Easthampton Civic Symphony’s latest European tour is one massive inconvenience. She can’t even put her smart phone down long enough to snap a picture of the Coliseum.
Only, there’s one Italian attraction that Carly hadn’t quite expected to be a part of the tourist route…
Tour guide Michelangelo is as dark and delicious as Carly’s morning espresso. And when she needs a few lessons in the language of love to land her an important gig, he’s a more than capable tutor.
But with her promising career back in Boston, can Carly really afford to lose her heart in Italy?
My Review
An American orchestra touring Italy, a country full of passion and romance is the perfect setting for a contemporary romance but something was missing in this story for me.
I liked the heroine Carly; a career minded musician. The characterisations of the other members of the orchestra from Carly’s point of view are amusing and bring them to life.
Michelangelo the hero of the tale didn’t make my heart race. He is a nice man but the chemistry between him and Carly is absent until three-quarters of the way through the story and even then seems contrived.
It is an easy read I finished it in a couple of hours but only really becomes a romance in the last five chapters. The Duet chapter is poignant and shows the first real connection between Carly and Michelangelo.
An American Girl in Italy is a sweet tale but sadly with very little romance.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Spring Bank Holiday Morning Walk with Jazz and Oby
After a typical UK Bank Holiday weekend - wet. Today dawned dry and sunny so we decided to take the dogs Jazz and Oby on an early morning walk. They had such fun I thought I would share a few photos with you. 🙂
They are impatient to start their walk…
There were lots of pretty wildflowers to see on the walk but Jazz and Oby didn’t want to hang around.
And finally its a rest in the sun back at home
Great walk 🙂
Sunday Snippet: The Dangerous Gift - Jane Hunt
‘Jennie Taylor receives an unexpected gift; a Texan ranch!
After the sudden death of his father Jared Stewart is forced to come to terms with sharing control of his family ranch. Reunited with her first love Jennie’s heart still belongs to Jared. She is determined to prove her commitment to him and the ranch by discovering who is behind the series of dangerous accidents that threaten the ranch’s viability.
Finally acknowledging his love for Jennie can Jared’s protectiveness keep her safe? Or will her recklessness lead her into irrevocable peril ending their chance of love forever?’
© Jane Hunt 2 July 2013
Here’s a snippet from ‘The Dangerous Gift’ my romantic suspense story.
Jared bent down and scooped Jennie into his muscular arms. Her mind protested. Her needy body snuggled into his safe, protective embrace. Exhaustion won over principles. It seemed churlish to refuse his comfort. He carried her as if she weighed nothing and placed her amid the couch’s cushions. The forgotten invitation card fell from his pocket into Jennie’s lap. The words stared back at her. She shivered. Someone hated her.
Jennie fought sleep. Jared moved round the modern kitchen with quiet expertise.”I didn’t realise you could cook.” The golden omelette slipped easily from the pan onto the waiting plate. Jared looked across at her.
“Never said I couldn’t but if someone does it for me I don’t object.”
She hobbled over to the work counter. A lick of fire rushed to her core when his fingers’ grazed hers as she took the plate. She risked a glance at Jared anxious to see if the chemistry affected him too. He averted his gaze. Flustered she heaped too much salad onto her plate and headed for the scrubbed pine table in the middle of the room. The fluffy and light omelette melted in her mouth. Her stomach growled in appreciation. Jared added salad to his own plate before he joined her.”This is good Jared. I’m so hungry.”
© Jane Hunt May 2014
The Dangerous Gift: Writing Journey Update - Jane Hunt
So as promised in my Thursday post about The Revenge Masquerade This weekend I’m blogging about my next project. The Dangerous Gift. Regular followers of my blog will recall I started this book last year and entered the first chapter in the SYTYCW 2013.
I fully intended to finish it but after completing and editing the first half I started a different book ”Past Shadows for NaNoWriMo in November. In December I was swept into the whirlwind of The Dragon Legacy’s publication and all the associated promotion.When I found time to write again in January I decided to go with ‘The Revenge Masquerade’ - Jasmine and Zane’s story and The Dangerous Gift was put on hold.
Now May is drawing to a close I decided to read through what I’d written of The Dangerous Gift and I was surprised how well it read. Even though I knew what was going to happen I still wanted to turn the pages to find out if I was right. So I’ve taken this as a sign to concentrate on finishing my romantic suspense and see what its like when I finished it. 🙂
If you like to know more about ‘The Dangerous Gift’ check out my Pinterest board ‘The Dangerous Gift’ and The Dangerous Gift page here on my website. I’ll post a snippet of what I’ve written so far in my Sunday Snippet post later.
