SIMPLY SCANDALOUS (SIMPLY #2)

He runs in high society circles…and he’s running circles around her heart.

In retrospect, it was all Gran’s fault.

Logan Montgomery has found his niche as an assistant district attorney. But Gran just revealed some worrying intel—dear old dad and his political cronies are about to maneuver him into running for mayor.

But Gran has a plan. A pre-emptive strike involving a pretty blonde caterer with supple curves—and a family history literally dripping with scandal. There’s just one flaw in his grandmother's scheme: Logan’s not a player. And there’s delicious spark of attraction that makes him want to try for something special with Catherine Luck.

It’s a mystery to Catherine why Logan, who sits at the very top of the social ladder, would even look twice at someone like her. Maybe he has a thing for disgraced, overworked caterers. But his gentle concern, delivered in that velvety chocolate voice, can’t be real and Cat knows better than to mix business with pleasure.

Raw desire and genuine affection unexpectedly tip them into forbidden territory—love. Until Catherine gets a stark reminder that the Montgomerys never do anything without an ulterior motive.

Which means Catherine’s luck in love is about to run out…

Re-Issue Date: May 11, 2021

Simply series #2

CP Publishing

Carly Classics

Contemporary Romance

(Originally published by Harlequin Temptations)

Liza's Review:

Simply Scandalous is another winner from Carly Phillips. Logan Montgomery and Catherine Luck were brought up in two very different worlds. Logan comes from a very affluent family, while Catherine's family struggled to make ends meet every single month. Yet Logan's grandmother Emma is absolutely convinced they are perfect for one another and has a plan to make it happen.

I had mad love for this story...so much that I literally read it in one sitting. I love how Logan knows how he wants to live his life and makes no bones about it to his father the judge, even while the judge ignores pretty much everything he says. Catherine is such a smart, sexy, and feisty woman. She is hard working and not afraid to go after what she wants in life. Logan and Catherine together gave me all the happy feels and their chemistry was off the charts hot. I had mad love for their story!

While I loved Logan and Catherine so much as individuals and as a couple, I have to say Logan's grandmother Emma might just be my favorite character in the book. She had me laughing out loud at her antics and I could absolutely feel how much she loved her grandchildren and had their best interest at heart. 

Simply Scandalous is a fast-paced story that pulled me in from the very first page. It was filled with love, laughter, and even a few tears, and was a fabulous story from start to finish. I highly recommend this story to fans of contemporary romances.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

SIMPLY SINFUL (SIMPLY SERIES #1)

He’s not the man she thought he was. But when danger lurks, he’s the man she needs.

Any rookie on the force could verify if Charmed! is a legit etiquette school for businessmen, or…something else. But coming off a wrenching drug bust, Detective Kane McDermott’s captain gave him a choice. Take the fluff case, or take enforced time off.

The moment Kane meets Kayla Luck, he's in trouble. She’s fierce, keen-eyed intelligence in a body built for sin. And when they touch, the jolt of desire reminds him it’s never wise to mix police work with pleasure.

Kayla is used to handling men who are more focused on her curves than her mind. But when her newest client arrives for lessons in foreign language and business etiquette, she’s the one who can’t tear her eyes off all those muscles wrapped in a sexy, double-breasted suit.

Dinner out leads to a hot night in bed, and Kayla falls hard and fast. Until she learns the business suit hides a badge, and she calls it quits. But Kane’s already lost his heart—and discovered she’s in danger. And if he can’t convince her she’s safe with him, he’ll lose the woman he loves.

Release Date: May 11, 2021

Simply series #1

Carly Classics

CP Publishing

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

(Originally published with Harlequin Temptations)

Liza's Review:

I absolutely adored Simply Sinful, the first book in the Simply series. This book is one of the Carly Classics and it totally stands the test of time.

I loved both Kane and Kayla from page one! I had mad love for both of these characters. I loved that Kayla was genius level smart and happened to have a body most men would lose their ability to think when they saw her...and Kane is really no different when he first sees her. I kinda love the hard-nosed cop totally couldn't stay in his undercover character he was so attracted to Kayla. While I did wish Kane was forthcoming with his real reason for being there after he decided Kayla was innocent, I got as a cop he had to follow procedure.

I loved this super-fast paced romance. The chemistry between Kane and Kayla had me completely falling for them as a couple, even when he messed up big time. I also really enjoyed the bit of mystery to the story, and especially how Kayla was instrumental in figuring everything out. I love a smart heroine and Carly Phillips does an amazing job writing intelligent women who are also sexy and able to take care of themselves.

Simply Sinful was a wonderful story. It pulled me in from page 1 and I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend this Carly Classic to romance fans who love an emotion filled story.  

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

I'LL BE WATCHING YOU (HOLLYWOOD HEAT #1)

She can trust him with her heart, but can she trust him with her life?

Growing up as a foster kid, Jessica Jensen found her escape in movies-especially those starring teen heartthrob Reece Winchester. When she meets him as an adult, he's just as charming, fascinating, and devastatingly handsome as she'd imagined. Before she knows it, Jessica is falling hard. But her real-life Cinderella story is about to take a deadly turn...

Jessica has completely upended everything about Reece's carefully ordered life. There's a reason he's never allowed anyone to get so close to him before. But now that she has, there's a target on her back. Because someone knows that the Winchesters have been hiding some dark family secrets. Someone who is out there waiting to strike. Waiting...and always watching.
Previously published as Watching You in digital format only

Print Release Date: March 31, 2020

Forever

Hollywood Heat #1

Romantic Suspense

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I read Watching You when it was originally released and really enjoyed the update and changes made for the release of I’ll Be Watching You. I was supplied a digital copy for review, but also bought my print copy as I always wanted one for my Leslie Kelly keeper shelf. I have made updates to my original review based on changes to the updated version of this story.

I have been a fan of the romantic suspense genre since I first discovered it years ago. I love when I find an author who does it well, and Leslie A. Kelly is absolutely a master at her craft. I’ll Be Watching You is the first book in her Hollywood Heat series that centers around the Winchester siblings, with eldest brother Reece getting his story first. I will put it out there that the mystery of the Winchester siblings will span the series, but the set up is done so well in I’ll Be Watching You, I really hope we get the rest of the story with each brother’s story.

I have to say that initially Reece Winchester worried me a bit when he first saw Jessica Jensen. I honestly expected to see him be more upfront about his attraction rather than having a few stalker-like tendencies. I got with him being Reece Winchester, he had to be extra careful, but it seemed like he was almost trying to direct their first meeting. I loved that Jessica pretty much made him gravel before she was willing to accept his apology, so I was able to let it go. I really loved the chemistry between Reece and Jessica, as they were smoking hot together. I found myself loving how protective Reece was of Jessica without being too over the top. 

I loved that Jessica was an aspiring screenwriter. I knew as soon as we met her advisor I didn't trust him not to screw her over. I hated her first experience with someone in the Hollywood writing world was so unscrupulous, but was really glad she had Reece in her corner to make sure her ideas and interest were protected. When I read this story originally, I felt like Jessica wasn’t a very strong heroine in the beginning. I felt like the changes Ms. Kelly made not only to Reece, but also to Jessica only made the characters stronger and easier to relate to overall. I knew based upon Jessica’s past, she was a very strong person to survive and flourish as she has. I felt like this time she spoke her mind more and took control rather than relying on Reece unless absolutely necessary.

The suspense elements in I’ll Be Watching You were absolutely perfect. I loved at least part of the mystery will last over the entire series. I will say there was not a cliffhanger feel to the mystery, even though certain aspects were revealed at the end of the book. Ms. Kelly kept me on the edge of my seat through much of I’ll Be Watching You. I need to know what happened to all the Winchesters in the past and what will happen to them in the future. I highly recommend I’ll Be Watching You to fans of romantic suspense genre.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)