Veterinary Surgeon by Nancy Wheelton is a slow-burn, small town romance set in the rural prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. This is the third book the Veterinary Surgeon by Nancy Wheelton is a slow-burn, small town romance set in the rural prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. This is the third book the author has written set in Canada with veterinarians playing a large role in the stories. In fact, some of the important secondary characters in this tale can be found in the earlier books. However, this book can easily be read as a standalone so don鈥檛 worry if you haven鈥檛 read the earlier stories yet.
I have to say I found the descriptions of the setting to be one of the best parts of this novel. The author caught the small town/rural feel of the Canadian prairie perfectly. While I don鈥檛 live in the prairie lands, I do live in a similarly rural area of Northern Ontario, so I can say with certainty that her descriptions are spot on with the places and the people who inhabit the area.
The romance between the two main characters (RCMP Corporal Suzanne 鈥淢itch鈥� Mitchell and veterinary surgeon Kay Gallant) was slow and sweet. I had trouble connecting with Kay, though I eventually came to like her character later in the book. The first half of the novel was a bit slow as well, but the pace definitely picked up in the second half.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, and I鈥檓 looking forward to more from this author. I鈥檓 giving this story a 3.5 star rating and moving it to 4 stars for the great setting and the beautiful love story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Merged review:
Veterinary Surgeon by Nancy Wheelton is a slow-burn, small town romance set in the rural prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. This is the third book the author has written set in Canada with veterinarians playing a large role in the stories. In fact, some of the important secondary characters in this tale can be found in the earlier books. However, this book can easily be read as a standalone so don鈥檛 worry if you haven鈥檛 read the earlier stories yet.
I have to say I found the descriptions of the setting to be one of the best parts of this novel. The author caught the small town/rural feel of the Canadian prairie perfectly. While I don鈥檛 live in the prairie lands, I do live in a similarly rural area of Northern Ontario, so I can say with certainty that her descriptions are spot on with the places and the people who inhabit the area.
The romance between the two main characters (RCMP Corporal Suzanne 鈥淢itch鈥� Mitchell and veterinary surgeon Kay Gallant) was slow and sweet. I had trouble connecting with Kay, though I eventually came to like her character later in the book. The first half of the novel was a bit slow as well, but the pace definitely picked up in the second half.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, and I鈥檓 looking forward to more from this author. I鈥檓 giving this story a 3.5 star rating and moving it to 4 stars for the great setting and the beautiful love story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review....more
I almost passed on reading this anthology, but when I saw the author list for Laid Bare, edited by Astrid Ohletz and Jae, I immediately added the bookI almost passed on reading this anthology, but when I saw the author list for Laid Bare, edited by Astrid Ohletz and Jae, I immediately added the book to my 鈥榯o read鈥� list. With authors such as Lee Winter, Jess Lea, A. L. Brooks, Harper Bliss, Emma Weimann, KD Williamson, Alison Grey, Lola Keeley, and Jae, how could this book be anything but exceptional? I am very happy to report that I enjoyed reading every single short story in this book.
This is an anthology of erotic short stories, so you will find explicit sex in all of them, but in many of the tales, you will also find love and romance. A few of the stories have been previously published as stand-alone stories by Ylva, and several stories have characters you may recognize from some of your favorite novels. For instance, in 鈥淔lashbang鈥�, we see Lauren and Catherine from The Red Files in a very sexy and satisfying interlude. In 鈥淓rasing the Lines鈥� by KD Williamson, Kelli and Nora from Blurred Lines have a very steamy phone conversation while Kelli is on a stakeout with her partner, Gerald Travis in the car beside her. 鈥淚t鈥檚 Getting Hot In Here鈥� by Alison Grey also has a really hot phone conversation with the characters from her novella Hot Line, and Jae gives us a beautiful story with Jill and Crash, the characters from her novel Just Physical.
Even the stories with brand new characters and situations are excellently written and well worth getting this anthology. If you love great stories with lots of love, romance, and sizzling sex, then you will want this book.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
Merged review:
I almost passed on reading this anthology, but when I saw the author list for Laid Bare, edited by Astrid Ohletz and Jae, I immediately added the book to my 鈥榯o read鈥� list. With authors such as Lee Winter, Jess Lea, A. L. Brooks, Harper Bliss, Emma Weimann, KD Williamson, Alison Grey, Lola Keeley, and Jae, how could this book be anything but exceptional? I am very happy to report that I enjoyed reading every single short story in this book.
This is an anthology of erotic short stories, so you will find explicit sex in all of them, but in many of the tales, you will also find love and romance. A few of the stories have been previously published as stand-alone stories by Ylva, and several stories have characters you may recognize from some of your favorite novels. For instance, in 鈥淔lashbang鈥�, we see Lauren and Catherine from The Red Files in a very sexy and satisfying interlude. In 鈥淓rasing the Lines鈥� by KD Williamson, Kelli and Nora from Blurred Lines have a very steamy phone conversation while Kelli is on a stakeout with her partner, Gerald Travis in the car beside her. 鈥淚t鈥檚 Getting Hot In Here鈥� by Alison Grey also has a really hot phone conversation with the characters from her novella Hot Line, and Jae gives us a beautiful story with Jill and Crash, the characters from her novel Just Physical.
Even the stories with brand new characters and situations are excellently written and well worth getting this anthology. If you love great stories with lots of love, romance, and sizzling sex, then you will want this book.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review....more
In Too Deep by Rachael Sommers has everything you want in a summer vacation novel. A much needed sabbatical to a beautiful island is just what New YorIn Too Deep by Rachael Sommers has everything you want in a summer vacation novel. A much needed sabbatical to a beautiful island is just what New York City lawyer Lucy Holloway needs, especially after the disaster her life and workplace have suddenly become.
Physical therapy student Elena Garcia has come home during her summer vacation from George Washington University to the island to work at the hotel her father manages. As a lifeguard she can combine work and pleasure. Elena and Lucy decide a vacation fling is just what they both need; lots of fun with no complicated emotions. Of course, those pesky emotions have a way of sneaking in anyway. Add a sudden mystery involving Elena鈥檚 father and Lucy鈥檚 promise to help Elena鈥檚 family, and we have the makings of a wonderful age-gap, vacation romance with a side order of mystery.
You couldn鈥檛 find a better setting for this book鈥 lush tropical island with all its beauty as well as a volcano (not active, thank goodness) to provide even more gorgeous scenery. Both the setting and the people are well described. Lucy and Elena鈥檚 romance is both erotic and emotional. The mystery adds to the overall excitement of the story.
This novel would be a great book to take on vacation, or even just a satisfying weekend read. I know I enjoyed it.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
Merged review:
In Too Deep by Rachael Sommers has everything you want in a summer vacation novel. A much needed sabbatical to a beautiful island is just what New York City lawyer Lucy Holloway needs, especially after the disaster her life and workplace have suddenly become.
Physical therapy student Elena Garcia has come home during her summer vacation from George Washington University to the island to work at the hotel her father manages. As a lifeguard she can combine work and pleasure. Elena and Lucy decide a vacation fling is just what they both need; lots of fun with no complicated emotions. Of course, those pesky emotions have a way of sneaking in anyway. Add a sudden mystery involving Elena鈥檚 father and Lucy鈥檚 promise to help Elena鈥檚 family, and we have the makings of a wonderful age-gap, vacation romance with a side order of mystery.
You couldn鈥檛 find a better setting for this book鈥 lush tropical island with all its beauty as well as a volcano (not active, thank goodness) to provide even more gorgeous scenery. Both the setting and the people are well described. Lucy and Elena鈥檚 romance is both erotic and emotional. The mystery adds to the overall excitement of the story.
This novel would be a great book to take on vacation, or even just a satisfying weekend read. I know I enjoyed it.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review....more
For the Long Run by Cheyenne Blue is a sports romance about an Australian elite runner finding love in the most unlikely of places and under the most For the Long Run by Cheyenne Blue is a sports romance about an Australian elite runner finding love in the most unlikely of places and under the most difficult of circumstances. Ms. Blue is no novice when it comes to writing love stories around sports, and while I鈥檝e loved all of her former sport themed books, this may be her best one yet.
Shannon (Shan) Metz is on her way to a great running career. She is training for the Commonwealth Games coming up soon, and after that, the Olympics in less than two years. That is, she was training until a runner in a koala suit causes her to fall and blow out her knee in a community race. The koala, AKA Lizzie Carras is no elite athlete, but she is a pro at something else鈥uilt. This guilt, and her innate kindness, pushes her to try and help Shan. In spite of Shan鈥檚 anger at what鈥檚 happened to her, she ends up rooming with Lizzie as she recovers from surgery. These two women really have nothing in common. Their lives and personalities are totally different. There is no way they should ever become a couple. If only their hearts would believe that.
This is truly a lovely tale about two opposites who fall in love in spite of themselves. The author did her research on the subject of elite running, and it shows in the narrative. Shan鈥檚 character is the ultimate athlete with a focused and somewhat selfish personality, at least at the beginning. Lizzie is just a kind person, the type of woman you want as a best friend or lover. The character that really melted my heart in more than one way though was Presto, the rescue dog that Lizzie and Shan ended up fostering. For those of you who have read some or all of Ms. Blue鈥檚 other novels, you may also find a few familiar faces in some of the secondary characters. I do love these little Easter Eggs in a story.
If you love romances based on sports with an enemies-to-lovers and opposites-attract tropes added to the tale, then you are going to love this book. I certainly did, and I bet you will too.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Merged review:
For the Long Run by Cheyenne Blue is a sports romance about an Australian elite runner finding love in the most unlikely of places and under the most difficult of circumstances. Ms. Blue is no novice when it comes to writing love stories around sports, and while I鈥檝e loved all of her former sport themed books, this may be her best one yet.
Shannon (Shan) Metz is on her way to a great running career. She is training for the Commonwealth Games coming up soon, and after that, the Olympics in less than two years. That is, she was training until a runner in a koala suit causes her to fall and blow out her knee in a community race. The koala, AKA Lizzie Carras is no elite athlete, but she is a pro at something else鈥uilt. This guilt, and her innate kindness, pushes her to try and help Shan. In spite of Shan鈥檚 anger at what鈥檚 happened to her, she ends up rooming with Lizzie as she recovers from surgery. These two women really have nothing in common. Their lives and personalities are totally different. There is no way they should ever become a couple. If only their hearts would believe that.
This is truly a lovely tale about two opposites who fall in love in spite of themselves. The author did her research on the subject of elite running, and it shows in the narrative. Shan鈥檚 character is the ultimate athlete with a focused and somewhat selfish personality, at least at the beginning. Lizzie is just a kind person, the type of woman you want as a best friend or lover. The character that really melted my heart in more than one way though was Presto, the rescue dog that Lizzie and Shan ended up fostering. For those of you who have read some or all of Ms. Blue鈥檚 other novels, you may also find a few familiar faces in some of the secondary characters. I do love these little Easter Eggs in a story.
If you love romances based on sports with an enemies-to-lovers and opposites-attract tropes added to the tale, then you are going to love this book. I certainly did, and I bet you will too.
My review of Always Believe by 础颈尘茅别 is going to be a mixed bag. This is a well-written novel about two women who are both going through some major chMy review of Always Believe by 础颈尘茅别 is going to be a mixed bag. This is a well-written novel about two women who are both going through some major changes and trauma when they meet. The story takes us through their lives as they face these challenges and gradually get to know and fall in love with each other.
The story is extremely angst heavy, which I was expecting after I read the blurb. Losing a young child would be shattering to any parent, and that is what has just happened to Angela Arlingham at the beginning of the novel. Greyson Waldsen, the other main character is in the midst of major life changes which include adding the job of Vicar to her already busy life as a medical doctor, and this is on top of just ending her employment in the armed forces. The romance between the two is very slow to happen in the story, and it seems like it will never happen for several reasons. When it finally does happen, it is a really sweet romance.
My biggest problem with the story involves Greyson. I just couldn鈥檛 understand her. I did understand her need to leave the armed forces where she served as a doctor. Being a doctor is a calling that requires a major investment of a person鈥檚 time and energy. Being a Vicar is also very time consuming. Both can be emotionally draining. Even if Greyson only works part time as a doctor, doing both would be almost overwhelming. I also had trouble understanding her desire to be a part of a religious organization that doesn鈥檛 accept her sexual orientation, and expects her to be celibate as long as she is a Vicar even though straight Vicars are allowed to marry. I realize that last problem has to do with my own personal beliefs. Others may not have the same problem.
I do need to give a few warnings for this book. The story talks about the death of Angela鈥檚 young daughter and how it affects Angela. There is also a lot of talk about organized religion which some LGBTQ+ folks may have some problems with.
I鈥檓 giving this book a 3.5 star rating. If the warnings above don鈥檛 affect you, and you like a slow, angst filled romance, this might be a good read for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Merged review:
My review of Always Believe by 础颈尘茅别 is going to be a mixed bag. This is a well-written novel about two women who are both going through some major changes and trauma when they meet. The story takes us through their lives as they face these challenges and gradually get to know and fall in love with each other.
The story is extremely angst heavy, which I was expecting after I read the blurb. Losing a young child would be shattering to any parent, and that is what has just happened to Angela Arlingham at the beginning of the novel. Greyson Waldsen, the other main character is in the midst of major life changes which include adding the job of Vicar to her already busy life as a medical doctor, and this is on top of just ending her employment in the armed forces. The romance between the two is very slow to happen in the story, and it seems like it will never happen for several reasons. When it finally does happen, it is a really sweet romance.
My biggest problem with the story involves Greyson. I just couldn鈥檛 understand her. I did understand her need to leave the armed forces where she served as a doctor. Being a doctor is a calling that requires a major investment of a person鈥檚 time and energy. Being a Vicar is also very time consuming. Both can be emotionally draining. Even if Greyson only works part time as a doctor, doing both would be almost overwhelming. I also had trouble understanding her desire to be a part of a religious organization that doesn鈥檛 accept her sexual orientation, and expects her to be celibate as long as she is a Vicar even though straight Vicars are allowed to marry. I realize that last problem has to do with my own personal beliefs. Others may not have the same problem.
I do need to give a few warnings for this book. The story talks about the death of Angela鈥檚 young daughter and how it affects Angela. There is also a lot of talk about organized religion which some LGBTQ+ folks may have some problems with.
I鈥檓 giving this book a 3.5 star rating. If the warnings above don鈥檛 affect you, and you like a slow, angst filled romance, this might be a good read for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review....more
Never Kiss a Cowgirl is a contemporary romance by Ali Vali. While it is a standalone novel, it is written in the same universe as almost all of the auNever Kiss a Cowgirl is a contemporary romance by Ali Vali. While it is a standalone novel, it is written in the same universe as almost all of the author鈥檚 other books, so I recognized many of the places and secondary characters. I鈥檝e always liked that about Ms. Vali鈥檚 books.
The novel is a second-chance love story about two women, Asher Evens and Reagan Wilson. They grew up together, fell in love as teenagers, and broke up when Asher decided to become a professional bull rider, the same occupation that Reagan blames for her father鈥檚 death. Years later they meet up again when Reagan moves back to New Orleans. In spite of the years of separation, the hostile words that were spoken long ago, and the hurt they both carry, Asher and Reagan realize they still have feelings for each other.
For me, this is a typical Ali Vali romance with a butch/femme couple that must go through lots of angst before they can find their happily ever after. There are quite a few steamy love scenes as well. I loved the ranch settings as well as seeing some places I鈥檝e come to know from other books. I liked Asher from the start, but I must admit I had trouble connecting with Reagan. She just seemed very wishy-washy through most of the novel. I did enjoy seeing Dr. Harry Besantes from the 鈥楥hance鈥� books and Jacqueline Blanchard from the 鈥楥alling the Dead鈥� series. In fact, after seeing Jacqueline in a few stories recently, I really think it鈥檚 time for her to have her own novel and a HEA herself.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to all readers who love Ali Vali鈥檚 romance novels.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Merged review:
Never Kiss a Cowgirl is a contemporary romance by Ali Vali. While it is a standalone novel, it is written in the same universe as almost all of the author鈥檚 other books, so I recognized many of the places and secondary characters. I鈥檝e always liked that about Ms. Vali鈥檚 books.
The novel is a second-chance love story about two women, Asher Evens and Reagan Wilson. They grew up together, fell in love as teenagers, and broke up when Asher decided to become a professional bull rider, the same occupation that Reagan blames for her father鈥檚 death. Years later they meet up again when Reagan moves back to New Orleans. In spite of the years of separation, the hostile words that were spoken long ago, and the hurt they both carry, Asher and Reagan realize they still have feelings for each other.
For me, this is a typical Ali Vali romance with a butch/femme couple that must go through lots of angst before they can find their happily ever after. There are quite a few steamy love scenes as well. I loved the ranch settings as well as seeing some places I鈥檝e come to know from other books. I liked Asher from the start, but I must admit I had trouble connecting with Reagan. She just seemed very wishy-washy through most of the novel. I did enjoy seeing Dr. Harry Besantes from the 鈥楥hance鈥� books and Jacqueline Blanchard from the 鈥楥alling the Dead鈥� series. In fact, after seeing Jacqueline in a few stories recently, I really think it鈥檚 time for her to have her own novel and a HEA herself.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to all readers who love Ali Vali鈥檚 romance novels.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review....more
Loyalty by E.J. Noyes is definitely a novel you want to read. This is the third book in the 鈥楬alcyon Division Series鈥�, and you really must read all thLoyalty by E.J. Noyes is definitely a novel you want to read. This is the third book in the 鈥楬alcyon Division Series鈥�, and you really must read all three of these novels.
All three of these volumes are filled with action, espionage, danger, thrills, and even a romance. It has everything you expect from an adventure-filled crime/spy series.
Loyalty doesn鈥檛 have quite as much action as the first two books, though it still has its share of excitement. I was really fascinated with what Lexie (the main character) had to go through to crack an important code her dead father left for her. The author did an excellent job describing the fine art of code-breaking.
If you love novels filled with espionage, spies, danger and love, then this book and this series is definitely for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for allowing me to read and review this book. ...more
Georgia Beers has created a refreshingly new and different romance with her latest novel, Aubrey McFadden is Never Getting Married. The characters graGeorgia Beers has created a refreshingly new and different romance with her latest novel, Aubrey McFadden is Never Getting Married. The characters grabbed my interest (and my heart) from the very beginning, especially Aubrey, Monica, and Emma.
I鈥檝e always loved a good enemies-to-lovers romance, but add in this group of friends, family and community, and you have a really great story. I really liked how the author divided the story into a section for each wedding instead of chapters.
This is a delightful book filled with love, laughter, friends, family, good times, some sadness and of course a happily-ever-after ending. I totally enjoyed this story, and I think you will too.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books For giving me the chance to read and review this novel. ...more
Antarctica is the first novel I鈥檝e read by Katherine Rupley, and I am very impressed. She had me on pins and needles, turning the pages as fast as I cAntarctica is the first novel I鈥檝e read by Katherine Rupley, and I am very impressed. She had me on pins and needles, turning the pages as fast as I could during a good part of this book.
In this story, ten unique, intelligent women scientists will spend thirteen months isolated in one of the most inhospitable places on earth鈥he South Pole in Antarctica. Ten women, placed in a building of about twelve hundred feet. This is about the same size as a small three bedroom suburban home, and this is where they must work and live for more than a year. This sounds like it could be a boring tale, but believe me, it is anything but that. Not only do these ladies have to overcome the harsh realities of where they are, there are influences that want the mission to fail. We see the story through the eyes of Jo Peterson, the meteorologist of the group. She is a distinct individual, haunted by her past and on the mission mostly because her friend and leader of the mission, Ty Blackwell, asked her to join. Jo is a runner whenever things become too stressful in her life, but that鈥檚 not going to be possible in this situation.
The author did an amazing job creating the character of Jo. In fact, all of the ladies on the mission are individuals with quirks and histories that make living and working in such close quarters anything but calm. Add in the harsh climate, almost total isolation from the outside world, and possible sabotage and you have an exciting intrigue-filled thriller.
I only had one problem with the book. The author had a great attention-getting beginning, but after that, the story slowed down and didn鈥檛 pick back up until the characters got to their habitat at The South Pole. Once there, the action picked back up and I couldn鈥檛 put the book down. There is a lot of information that is needed for the overall plot, though.
I truly enjoyed this story of intrigue, mystery and survival. If you are into adventures in exciting and dangerous places, then definitely try this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for giving me the chance to read and review this novel. ...more
Last Barrel by Stacy Lynn Miller is an exciting and fitting conclusion to the 鈥楽peakeasy Series鈥�. As with the other two books in the series, it鈥檚 fillLast Barrel by Stacy Lynn Miller is an exciting and fitting conclusion to the 鈥楽peakeasy Series鈥�. As with the other two books in the series, it鈥檚 filled with drama, peril, and thrilling action during a dangerous time in our history. Add in the romance between Dax and Rose, as well as several other couples in the books, and you have a series with something for everyone to enjoy.
This third novel continues the theme of family and friends coming together to help each other. You also get to see how LGBTQ+ folks had to hide in this age where being outed resulted in jail time. I highly recommend the entire series. All three books should be read in order, so get all three and settle down for a very satisfying read.
I apologize for the lack of reviews these last few weeks. Our immediate family has been going through serious medical problems involving most of the family members. With all the chaos happening, many things had to be set aside for a while. Hopefully I will be able to catch up soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for allowing me to read and review the novel. ...more
You Had Me at Merlot by Melissa Brayden will have coffee & doughnut enthusiasts, as well as wine connoisseurs, heading out to the nearest coffee or wiYou Had Me at Merlot by Melissa Brayden will have coffee & doughnut enthusiasts, as well as wine connoisseurs, heading out to the nearest coffee or wine shop. I鈥檝e actually come to expect this from Ms. Brayden, since the author often pairs her romances with some of the good things in life, like food and drink.
Jamie Tolliver has a really great life. She is the owner of Bordeauxnuts, a very successful coffee and doughnut shop during the day, and an equally successful, cozy wine bar at night. She also has wonderful friends and customers who brighten her days at work. Then Leighton Morrow walks into her coffee shop and turns her world upside down.
Leighton visits Bordeauxnuts for a specific reason. She is the development coordinator for Carrington Department Stores, and they are planning to buy out the entire block that Bordeauxnuts sits on to build their newest department store. Leighton is quite attracted to the owner of her new favorite doughnut shop, but a job is a job, and she can鈥檛 allow feelings to affect her work for Carrington.
Ms. Brayden has created another story with strong characters, and a complex plot filled with intense feelings. New York City is the perfect setting for this tale. The chemistry between Jamie and Leighton is off the charts from the beginning, though their romance goes from fast to slow and eventually ends up as a second chance love story. That鈥檚 quite the feat for a couple in one novel. We get to see these two women grow as they work their way through the challenges they face. Fans of Ms. Brayden鈥檚 work will also find Easter eggs in this book in the form of cameo appearances of characters from her former novels.
If you enjoy your romantic novels filled with intense attraction, a fair measure of angst, and characters as strong as the coffee Bordeauxnuts serves, then this is the book for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for allowing me to read and review this book. ...more
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