Made the Grade: A Texas Holiday Miracle by Linda Warren

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 224; Kindle Edition - File Size: 516 KB | Expected Release Date: December 1, 2014 | Publisher: Harlequin : American Romance | Obtained: NetGalley

"A Texas Holiday Miracle" by Linda Warren

Author's Book Description : Christmas is for real

Moving to Horseshoe, Texas, to become guardian of her half sister has been rewarding for Lacey Carroll. But raising a six-year-old-especially one who has stopped believing in Santa Claus-has its challenges. Lacey’s goal is to bring holiday wonder back into the child’s life, which isn’t going to be easy with a grinch like Gabe Garrison next door. The man is mean, rude…and hurting.

After losing his son, Gabe shut out the world. But his privacy is invaded by the quirky, dynamic blonde and her kid sister, who are single-handedly filling his solitary life with love. When Lacey enlists him in a holiday campaign for Emma’s sake, he can’t resist. Will Lacey’s unique brand of healing magic make this a season of second chances-for all of them?

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! Two sisters help their neighbor overcome his grief while getting through their own and dealing with the holiday season.

I found this novel to be very sweet and touching. Especially with the way, Lacey goes about helping Gabe get over his debilitating loss of his son while Emma keeps them both in the present with her views about Santa. I liked them all together. I just wish I liked the last 25% of the novel just as much as I liked the rest of the book. As I understand why Gabe had to go away, yet I wish it could have gone over better than it did. In addition, once Gabe finally understands what he really wants I didn’t like the way Lacey seemed to just accept it, even if it was because she wanted him back in her life.

Overall, I still recommend this novel to those who like to read about holiday contemporary romances.

Purchase This Book Here : Alibris (Paperback) : A Texas Holiday Miracle


Author's Novel Extras :

Post by Linda Warren.

Book Teaser(s) :

"I'm hopeless."
"Have you never cooked?"
Her eyes narrowed, and he was expecting a whole lot of attitude, but she replied, "Not really."
"Why?"
The eyes narrowed even more. "Don't push your luck. I'm not in a good mood."
"I'm just asking a question."
"I liked it better when you were quiet."
He leaned forward. "I know very little about you. Is your mother still living?"
She laughed, a bubbly sound that lifted his spirits.
"What's so funny?"
She pointed a finger at him. "You wanting to talk." ~ within Chapter 10

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Linda, then please check out her website.

Feasted On: Seven Sexy Sins Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 192; Kindle Edition - File Size: 636 KB | Expected Release Date: March 1, 2015 | Publisher: Harlequin Presents | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction" [Seven Sexy Sins Series, Book 2] by Dani Collins

Authors' Book Description : Ruled by duty…
A king among men, Sheikh Zafir cannot allow emotion or feelings to color his judgment. His carnal desires must be curbed for the sake of peace in his kingdom. But his control is tested by the feisty Fern Davenport; Zafir must have her.

Driven by desire…
Innocent Fern Davenport tries to resist the sheikh's skillful seduction—she knows that he could never marry her. But under the blistering sun an incendiary thirst awakes, and one incredible night results in a very lasting consequence.

Now this sheikh must claim his heir and his bride!

Seven Sexy Sins
The true taste of temptation!
From greed to gluttony, lust to envy, these fabulous stories explore what seven sexy sins mean in the twenty-first century! Whether pride goes before a fall, or wrath leads to passion that consumes entirely, one thing is certain…the road to true love has never been more enticing!

So you decide: How can it be a sin when it feels so good?
Sloth—Cathy Williams - "To Sin with the Tycoon"
Lust—Dani Collins - "The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction"
Pride—Kim Lawrence - "The Sins of Sebastian Rey-Defoe"
Gluttony—Maggie Cox
Greed—Sara Craven
Wrath—Maya Blake
Envy—Annie West

Seven titles by some of Harlequin Presents’ most treasured and exciting authors!
My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! A possessive Sheikh becomes enthralled with his sister's governess, but will getting to know her and having a little fling be worth all the risks and opposition they have against them?

I thoroughly enjoyed the earnest way Fern and Zafir fell for one another! Fern is sweetly naive and she counterbalances Zafir's fierceness enough to make their relationship that much more fun to read about. In addition, I really liked how Zafir came to his senses and went about winning Fern over, as it was so forthright and honest.

Other than it dragging a bit in the middle, I have no real complaints with this novel. I recommend it to those looking for a contemporary "Middle East Princess" Cinderella-type romance!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Alibris (Paperback) : To Sin with the Tycoon (Book 1) | Alibris (Paperback) : The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction (Book 2) | Kobo (e-Book) : Harlequin Presents March 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2 (The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction - Book 2)


My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Blame The Mistletoe

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : The Books I'm Thankful For (so far) in 2014 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015

Author's Novel Extras : The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction - Overview & Excerpt | #SampleSunday - The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction | #SampleSunday - The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction (2) | #SampleSunday - The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction (3) | #SampleSunday - The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction (4) | #SampleSunday - The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction (5) | #SampleSunday - The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction (6) | The Sheikh's Sinful Seduction - Release Day!

Book Teaser(s) :

Fern woke to a pleasant awareness of the flesh between her legs and a memory of holding the sun as it went supernova in her hands. Afterward, as they'd leaned there, shaking, his arm locking her to his pounding heart, he'd whispered, "It's probably best we don't go all the way, Fern. If might kill us." ~ within Chapter 4

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Dani, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: Burnt Boot, Texas Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 352; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1015 KB | Expected Release Date: January 6, 2015 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Trouble with Texas Cowboys" [Burnt Boot, Texas Series, Book 2] by Carolyn Brown

Authors' Book Description : Can a girl ever have too many cowboys?

No sooner does pint-sized spitfire Jill Cleary set foot on Fiddle Creek Ranch than she finds herself in the middle of a hundred-year-old feud. Quaid Brennan and Tyrell Gallagher are both tall, handsome, and rich...and both are courting Jill to within an inch of her life. She's doing her best to give these feuding ranchers equal time-too bad it's dark-eyed Sawyer O'Donnell who makes her blood boil and her hormones hum...

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! Two people are thrown together not knowing that it’ll be the best thing that had ever happened to them...

This novel wasn’t what I expected, since per the book description, I thought there would be more animosity between Sawyer & Jillian (Jill) than there really was. Yet, I really liked how they seem to quickly grow their relationship into something where they can stick up for one another without question and, through it all, it makes them fall in love even when they are trying to avoid a relationships at all costs. These two had an instant connection that was hard not to enjoy, especially as you read about them growing closer while maneuvering around the feuding mess that is on both sides of Jill’s family ranch.

With the way the feud was described and with how the lead up to who the next books in this series will contain it’ll be interesting to see where everything and everyone will end up!

I recommend this novel and series to those who like contemporary cowboy romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Alibris (Paperback) : Cowboy Boots for Christmas: (Cowboy Not Included) | Alibris (Paperback) : The Trouble with Texas Cowboys


My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : Three Cowboys Means One Too Many... - January 2015

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Just a Cowboy and His Baby | How to Marry a Cowboy

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesdays: Just a Cowboy and His Baby | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Texas Cowboy Blog Tour Featuring Carolyn Brown & Linda Broday | Guest Post, Spreading the Word & Sourcebooks Casablanca Western Romance Bundle Giveaway | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015

Book Teaser(s) :

"Holy shit!" Jill said. "What's going on?"
"News travels fast in a small town. They know you have arrived, and they're going to swamp you with dates," he said.
"But why?"
"Fiddle Creek, and you're a damn fine-lookin' woman."
"But why you?"
"They just want to get rid of the treat. If one of those women can snag me, then that's one cowboy out of their way," he said.
"You sure about that?"
A heavy knock landed on the door.
"I bet you dollars to cow patties that's a Gallagher wanting to take you to Sunday dinner," he said.
She grimaced. "Maybe it's for you."
"If it is, tell the woman I've got the plague." ~ within Chapter 1

"Where's my rose? Did you put it in water?"
He pointed to the kitchen table. "Yes, ma'am. I aim to please."
She gasped. "Sawyer O'Donnell!"
"You said to put it in water. I did that, didn't I?"
There is sat, crammed down into a Mason jar, blossom on the bottom, the stem sticking up in the air with the paper still around it. "You got to admit, it looks fine for a rose. If it had been a daisy, it would be right-side up. Now it will be drowned by morning, and you can toss it over the pasture fence without feeling guilty." ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Carolyn, then please check out her website.

Idolizing In: Whiskey Creek Series, Book 8

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 400; Kindle Edition - File Size: 523 KB | Expected Release Date: March 31, 2015 | Publisher: Harlequin : MIRA Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"This Heart of Mine" [Whiskey Creek Series, Book 8] by Brenda Novak

Author's Book Description : First love. Second chance?

As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him—especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next.

Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob’s father isn’t exactly welcoming.

Riley doesn’t trust Phoenix, doesn’t want her in Jacob’s life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he’s about to find both!

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars! After 17 years away a wrongly accused woman is released from prison, heads back home, and hopes to connect with her son. Yet as she grows closer to her son, she also grows closer to his father too. Will she be able keep her heart intact through it all or will she loose it along the way?

I was instantly addicted to this novel!! I loved the main and sub plots!! In truth, even though I loved its plot along with Riley and Phoenix's relationship, I don't think they would've been able to have as meaningful of relationship with one another when Phoenix first got pregnant, as they are able to now. Therefore, while I don't like that Phoenix had to go to prison for a crime she didn't commit, I think the time away from Riley helped their relationship for the better. I couldn't get enough of Phoenix & Riley, didn't want their novel to end, as it was all I could've hoped for and more! Their story made me laugh, it made me tear up a lot, and most of all made me wish for a man like Riley too. In addition, I liked the ending because of its redemption without the huge fallout that I worried would have happened and how Riley & their son protected Phoenix the whole way through.

I can't wait to see where Phoenix, Riley, Jacob, Callie, Levi, and Kyle's stories will go next! I HIGHLY recommend this novel to those who are fans of this series and/or like dramatic contemporary romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Alibris (Paperback) : Together for Christmas: 5-B Poppy Lane\When We Touch (Book 0.5)\Welcome to Icicle Falls\Starstruck | Alibris (Paperback) : When Lightning Strikes (Book 1) | Alibris (Paperback) : When Snow Falls (Book 2) | Alibris (Paperback) : When Summer Comes (Book 3) | Alibris (Paperback) : Home to Whiskey Creek (Book 4) | Alibris (Paperback) : Take Me Home for Christmas (Book 5) | Alibris (Paperback) : Come Home to Me (Book 6) | Alibris (Paperback) : The Heart of Christmas (Book 7)


My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 0.5 (Prequel) | Book 1 | Book 3 | Book 7

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Bastard / Honor Bound | Coulda Been A Cowboy

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Blog Tour - The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak | Spreading the Word, Gift Card Giveaway, & 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaway | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015

Author's Novel Extras : THIS HEART OF MINE - Overview & Excerpt

Author's Series Extras : WHEN WE TOUCH - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN SNOW FALLS - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN SUMMER COMES - Overview & Excerpt | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK - Overview & Excerpt | TAKE ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | COME HOME TO ME - Overview & Excerpt | THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | A WINTER WEDDING - Overview & Excerpt | Download Your Simple PDF Of Whiskey Creek Series Character Summary Here

Book Teaser(s) :

"I have a better plan," he said, straightening.
Her eyes lowered instinctively to his chest and the muscles that rippled beneath his skin, but she jerked them up again. "What's that?"
"I'll pick the lock."
"You can do that?"
"I don't see why not. My tools are here."
True. They were hanging on the leather belt that rode low on his hips. "You don't mind?"
"Stop being so damned polite!" he snapped.
"Okay."
"It's driving me crazy." ~ within Chapter 8

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Brenda, then please check out her website.

Made the Grade: Not Quite Darcy by Terri Meeker

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 274; Kindle Edition - File Size: 745 KB | Expected Release Date: January 6, 2015 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"Not Quite Darcy" by Terri Meeker

Author's Book Description : How to Woo a Gentleman and Weaponize Dessert

Romance novel junkie Eliza Pepper always thought she was born too late, but now she really is stuck in the wrong time. Tasked with mending a tear in the timeline, she’s trying desperately to fit into 1873 London. But dang it, mucking out a fireplace while looking like the lunch lady from hell is hard.

If she can just keep from setting the floor on fire and somehow resist her growing attraction to the master of the house, she’ll be fine. All she has to do is repeat her mantra: “He’s nothing like Darcy. He’s nothing like Darcy.”

William Brown has always taken pride in his mastery of English decorum, but his new maid is a complete disaster, has thrown his household into chaos…and he finds her utterly captivating.

Though he’s willing to endure extreme physical discomfort to keep their relationship in proper perspective, her arrival has brought out a side of him he never knew existed. And Eliza has an innocently erotic knack for coaxing that decidedly ungentlemanly facet of himself out to play…

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! A historical romance novel fan gets the deal of a lifetime, an offer to travel back in time to help with a "mission"---of which she really knows nothing about---for a short while. Now if she can just obey the rules, especially the biggest one ... not to form any lasting connections and not fall in love.

This was an interesting take on reading about the 'Victorian Era.' I liked that Ms. Meeker held back no punches in not romancing London during that time period, showing how subservient life really was for those who were in those roles. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it all from Eliza's (Bessie) viewpoint, with her quick wit, it was very amusing the way she described everything around her and how her time-period’s "common phrases" seemed to flummox those around her.

As for William, while I agree he wasn't Darcy, he had such a sweet way about him that once he let out his "inner bad boy" I liked him just as much as Eliza did! Also, it was refreshing for this type of novel to have a hero (William) who was so open to Eliza's eccentricities. They worked well together and it felt like as long as they had on another they could've taken on the world.

Yet, while I liked the ending, I wish it wrapped up a bit "sweeter" or just more fleshed out, I guess. Nevertheless, thus far this has been my favorite time travel novel that I've read.

I recommend this novel to those looking for an intriguing historical romantic dramedy!

Purchase This Book Here : Kobo (e-Book) : Not Quite Darcy


Author's Novel Extras : Not Quite Darcy - Overview | Working on Thanksgiving Day Sucks. But Oh the Plight of the Victorian Maid. | Free Marital Advice! | Party Like It’s 1899 | Launching Darcy

Book Teaser(s) :

She struggled info her still unfamiliar clothes, her head numbed with sleep. After struggling with the strange, split-crotch pantaloons, she pulled her maid's uniform over her head.
"Not-so-little black dress, I hate you already," she grumbled. "It's like my life is being directed by Tim Burton. With any luck, William's best friend will turn out to be Johnny Depp and he'll be my mission here. He's American, after all. A girl can hope." ~ within Chapter 6

"A toast. To William!" She gave him a wide grin. "For slaying the Great Uncle Dragon."
He laughed. "I hardly think that I---"
"No. You stood up to him. You looked him in the eye and told the old windbag to fuck a duck."
To have carnal relations with poultry? Her mind truly went to the most amazing places. He tried to come up with a response, but she placed her fingers on his cheek.
"I was so proud of you." She raised her glass to drink and he joined her in the toast. ~ within Chapter 23

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Terri, then please check out her website.