FOR ALL TIME (NANTUCKET BRIDES #2)

New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux returns to the ruggedly magnificent island in For All Time, the second novel in her Nantucket Brides trilogy—this time featuring the next generation of her beloved family of Montgomery-Taggerts. 

The wedding of Alix Madsen and Jared Montgomery is a glorious affair at an elegant little chapel in the woods, followed by dinner and dancing, all while moonlight blankets the festivities in a romantic glow. While most guests are fixed on the happy couple, Jared’s cousin Graydon can’t look away from a bridesmaid, Toby Wyndam. It’s not just her quiet beauty that enthralls him or the way she makes him laugh. Toby possesses the truly remarkable ability of being able to distinguish Graydon from his identical twin brother, Rory. According to family legend, such a gift marks her as Graydon’s True Love.

But Graydon knows there is no possible way that they can ever be together, for he is heir to the Lanconian throne and is to marry a noble woman who has been chosen for him. Yet, intrigued by Toby, he asks her to help him hide on Nantucket for a week away from regal responsibilities. In exchange, he’ll assist her with planning acclaimed novelist Victoria Madsen’s lavish wedding. Since they both know their union is impossible, the pair promises that they will never be more than just friends.

But there’s more going on between Graydon and Toby than her unique power to tell him apart from his twin. At work are forces beyond their control, which are ruled by time itself. Combine that with the magical island of Nantucket, and a seductive spell is cast over Graydon and Toby. If they are to be together, they must change what once was, as well as what will be. 

Release Date July 1, 2014

Ballantine Books

Nantucket Brides #2

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I've been a fan of Jude Deveraux for years and absolutely love her book. I'm particularly fond of her Montgomery-Taggert books. With her Nantucket Brides series, we get to spend time with the next generation of the Montgomery-Taggert clan.

Toby and Graydon are both fun characters and I really did like them as a couple, even with all the roadblocks that seemed to be in their way. I loved that Toby could tell the difference between Graydon and his twin brother Rory and didn't realize how significant it was to their family legend. Toby and Graydon have really great chemistry, though I hated they both held back because Graydon was heir to the throne and Toby was a virgin. I'm not a huge fan of the virgin heroine trope honestly, but felt like Ms. Deveraux did a good job explaining Toby's reasoning for her choice.

For some reason, I didn't really realize For All Time would involve time travel. I enjoy time travel books when they are done well, but they still aren't my favorite type of book to read. That being said, I did enjoy seeing Toby and Graydon as Tabby and Garrett in the past. I loved that Tabby and Garrett could be together in the past in a way Toby and Graydon couldn't be in the present. I did like the way they were able to change history for Tabby and Garrett.

While there were certain aspects of For All Time I didn't love, I did enjoy the story overall. I really liked the connection Toby and Graydon had from the beginning and loved there were several laugh out loud moments for me while reading. I'm excited to read Ever After, the 3rd book in the Nantucket Brides series next.

EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK

Sometimes I wonder if the purpose of my life

is to serve as a cautionary tale to others.

--T-shirt

Charley Davidson has enough going on without having to worry about twelve hellhounds hot on her trail. She is, after all, incredibly pregnant and feeling like she could pop at any moment. But, just her luck, twelve deadly beasts from hell have chosen this time to escape onto our plane, and they've made Charley their target. And so she takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can't get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. Of course, if hellhounds aren't enough, Charley also has a new case to hold her attention: the decades-old murder of a newly-vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows of the convent. 

Add to that the still unsolved murder of her father, the strange behavior of her husband, and Charley's tendency to attract the, shall we say, undead, and she has her hands full…but also tied. While the angry hellhounds can't traverse the consecrated soil, they can lurk just beyond its borders like evil sentries, so Charley has been forbidden from leaving the sacred grounds. Luckily, she has her loyal team with her, and they're a scrappy bunch who won't let a few thirsty hellhounds deter them.

While the team scours the prophesies, searching for clues on the Twelve, for a way to kill them or at least send them back to hell, Charley just wants answers and is powerless to get them. But the mass of friends they've accrued helps. They convince her even more that everyone in her recent life has somehow been drawn to her, as though they were a part of a bigger picture all along. Their presence is comforting. But the good feelings don't last for long because Charley is about to get the surprise of her crazy, mixed-up, supernatural life….

St. Martin's Press

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Charley Davidson #8

Book purchased by reader

I've been a fan of the Charley Davidson series from Darynda Jones since I read the very first book. I actually own all the books in audio format as well as print because the audiobooks are so very awesome. Lorelei King is a rock star in the audiobook world in my opinion.

I really enjoyed the newest Charley Davidson book. I think I'm more forgiving of issues others have with the series since I listen to the books rather than read them straight through. However, in the last few books I had great issue with the number of storylines and Charley being even more all over the place than normal.

Eighth Grave After Dark starts about 8 months after Seventh Grave ends. Charley is about ready to pop out BEP and they are preparing for Cookie and Ubie (Uncle Bob)'s wedding. I love Cookie and Ubie as a couple. They are so freaking cute and sappy together and I love that both Cookie and Ubie have finally found happiness.

I loved how streamlined storyline-wise Eighth Grave was as compared to the last 2 books in the series. I actually loved there really were only a couple of storylines going on and they really overlapped a good bit. I loved we got to see so many of my favorite characters in Eighth Grave and they were all working together to figure out how to protect Reyes, Charley and BEP. I also loved that we finally get answers to so many questions about the different characters from the series. I even could accept what happened at the end of the book as plausible, but hope it doesn't last forever.

I really only had a few problems with the book overall, yet still enjoyed it a great deal. I hate that Charley and Reyes are keeping secrets from each other still. I really hated the whole Denise being such a central part of the story, yet understood as the story progress why. I also wasn't a big fan of some of Charley's actions following the birth of BEP. I try to keep my reviews as spoiler free as possible, so I won't be specific other than to say I didn't buy that as a new mother she would make that trip choice. I did question the choice Charley and Reyes had to make in regards to BEP towards the end of the book, but it wasn't a deal breaker for me story-wise.

I'm looking forward to see where Ms. Jones takes her readers in the next installment of the series. The Dirt on Ninth Grave is set for release January 5, 2016.

LET IT RIDE (THOMPSON & SONS #3)

He’s her rock in the midst of the storm

When Maggie Ward’s world is torn apart by sudden tragedy, the only thing that makes her days bearable is Clay Thompson’s unwavering presence. He’s protective, caring, and everything she could ask for in a friend. But when she finds herself longing for more than friendship, it will take a little seduction to convince the stubborn mechanic she’s ready to start living again.

She’s his heart, whether he knows it or not

Clay Thompson’s got the taking-care-of-others business down pat, only he’s never faced this particular challenge before—the one woman he’s always wanted is unexpectedly his to care for. Suddenly it’s not just responsibility driving him, but a wild desire to make Maggie truly his. But following his heart might mean sacrificing the family he’s held together for years.

Release Date: May 19, 2015

Thompson & Sons #3 Rocky Mountain House #10

Review copy provided by author

I'm a huge fan of Vivian Arend and absolutely love her Thompson & Sons and Rocky Mountain House series. I was really excited to finally get Clay Thompson's story.

I enjoyed Let It Ride very much. I have to say it was tough to read Maggie and Clay's loss when Maggie's husband Cameron dies. Cameron was the love of Maggie's life and Clay's best friend. I have to admit this book made me cry a few times. I knew Clay had always been attracted to Maggie and knew he would never act on that attraction if he didn't know Maggie wanted him in return.

I loved that Maggie was the one to make the first move. Honestly Clay and Maggie becoming a couple worked for me better because Maggie was the one to make that first move. I worried how their friends and family would react to their relationship, and knew there would be someone who wouldn't agree with them moving on together. I have to say it still broke my heart who and how the person approached Clay about the situation.

While Let It Ride started out sad, it ended up being a wonderful emotion filled romance. I’m a fan of reading books in a series in order, but do feel like you could read Let It Ride as a stand-alone and not be too lost in the series.

RESCUING THE BAD BOY

For Donovan Pate, the lake town of Evergreen Cove is a minefield of tough memories—including the day he had to let go of Sofie Martin. Years later, he still can’t forget the taste of her lips and the feel of her killer curves. He knows he’s too damaged, that he should stay away for her own good. But what the head says and the heart wants are two very different things…

Seven years ago, Donovan broke Sofie’s heart. Now her career depends on playing nice in order to pull off the charity fundraiser of the decade. She vows to keep things professional…yet working by his side every day doesn’t make it easy to fight temptation, and it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for this bad boy all over again. But loving Donovan means helping him face his past–so they can fight for a future together.

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Forever Hachette Book Group

Second Chance Book 2

Review copy provided by the publisher

Nikki's Review:

Sigh…This book just did me in. I was captivated from the first page. There was so much angst. Heart wrenching moments that made my breath catch. There was also funny moments between friends, flirty banter, and sizzling hot chemistry! 

We meet young twenty somethings, Sofie and Donovan who have very different views of the world. Sofie is full of optimism and excitement for what life has in store for her. Donovan however, is jaded, angry, and waiting for the right moment to get out of Evergreen Cove. His home life has been both physically and emotionally painful. Donovan’s childhood was an utter nightmare. A tyrannical father and a grandmother who turned the other cheek to the obvious abuse that was being inflicted. Before he can leave and never look back, Donovan wants a moment of peace. Something that hasn’t seen the crappy side of life. Sofie has had the hots for Donovan since the moment she laid eyes on him. One night after a company party, things get wild and crazy between the two. Sofie throws her whole self into the encounter, giving him something she hasn’t offered to another man. He takes it. And then he throws it in her face. I seriously wanted to punch Donovan in the throat. This prologue just about killed me! I was devastated after only a few pages in. Ms. Lemmon wrote this scene so perfectly. It made me see red and my heart broke for the heroine. If you meant to make me cry after a few pages…mission accomplished Ms. Lemmon! I was a hot mess.

When Sofie and Donovan are reunited 7 years later, the sparks fly. They are both carrying around a lot of hurt and anger. Sofie swears to never let Donovan back in, but thats a big fat lie that she tells herself to feel more in control. After agreeing to help Sofie pull off a charity dinner for a home for abused children, Donovan starts to open up. I loved when he lets her see into his nightmares. I could literally feel the oppression of his childhood abuse being lifted away each time he confides in her. Inside, she’s falling apart for him, but on the outside she offers him compassion without the pity. These characters are so incredibly strong. They are completely and perfectly flawed, which made them real to me. I felt like they could have been friends of mine. This author knows how to write stories that are believable but still have a delicious fantasy factor.

Ummm…the utility room. How Ms. Lemmon made utility room sex so delicious, I’ll never know. But seriously, they were both covered in sticky paint and hot damn, they made good use of the washer. Laundry sex, yup laundry sex. And it was so wonderfully dirty. 

The journey that Sofie and Donovan have to take to get their happily ever after is long, hard and heartbreaking. But it’s also beautiful and exciting. He inevitably messes up again, but she’s stronger this time. She doesn’t let him run for long. It felt like a piviledge to watch them make their way through the muddled crap that seemed insurmountable. To be a witness to the healing that needed to happen and to finally see them both find the peace that their souls craved.

I’m already itching for the third book! I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Connor and Faith’s book. I can only hope that Jessica Lemmon continues to shred my heart and put it back together again with her fabulous story telling.