Perfect Fit

Perfect Fit (Serendipity’s Finest) is the 1^st book in a new Serendipity series from NYT bestselling author Carly Phillips. The publisher is Berkley. From the back cover.~

In the picturesque upstate NY town, three siblings have grown up in the shadow of their proud and respected police chief father. But what do love, fate, and fortune have in store for the next generation of Serendipity's finest?

MIKE
Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn't known. But Michael's independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he's as lost and restless as ever, until he's challenged by someone he never anticipated.

CARA
Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara's boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore - and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara's a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer's blood in his veins. 

Together their chemistry explodes but ...
Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike's real father's secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

I was so excited to get approved from the publisher through NetGalley for an early copy of Perfect Fit. I’ve been a fan of Carly Phillips for years and count her Serendipity series as my favorite ever. I’ve said that Karma, book 3 in the Serendipity series is my favorite book ever from Carly Phillips, because I finally got Dare’s story. I didn’t think I could love another hero as much as Dare, however Mike Marsden changed it all.

Mike Marsden has never really felt like he fit in with his family. His dad Simon isn’t his biological dad, like he is to his sister and brother Erin and Sam. However, when his dad gets sick and needs Mike to come home and step in as chief of police, Mike is there in a heartbeat. Of course he will soon be working with Cara Hartley, neither of which thought they would really see each other again after their one night stand. I loved Mike and Cara together. Both are such strong characters and each have family issues that are effecting their present. Mike and Cara work really well together and the sexual tension between them is off the charts. I pretty much loved every minute Mike and Cara spent together. Whether they are working together, making love, or even arguing, I was hooked from page one.

Perfect Fit is another winner from Carly Phillips. I’m sure I say this is my favorite book after reading each of her books, but Perfect Fit really is my favorite Carly Phillips book ever. In fact, Perfect Fit is my favorite read of 2012. The official release date is December 31, 2012 and can be purchased from your favorite bookstore or online retailer. For more information about Carly Phillips or her books, check out her website.

To Iraq and Back

To Iraq and Back is the latest release from author Jessica Scott. From the back cover.~

From bestselling novelist Jessica Scott comes the emotional first person journey to war and back again. 
 
In 2009, Army second lieutenant Jessica Scott deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. It was a year of many firsts. 
 
This is the first person journey through a combat tour in Iraq, through being a woman in the army and learning to be an officer in the unforgiving environment of a brigade combat team. This is the journey of a writer, learning to find her voice. This is the journey of a mother, confronting the emotions of leaving her children. This is the story of an inexperienced lieutenant, growing into a leader. This is the journey as it happened, without commentary.
 
This is her blog. There are many blogs from the Iraq war, but this one is hers.

I was given a copy of To Iraq and Back from the author with the promise of an honest review. I knew the book would be about Jessica’s deployment to Iraq, I even had read some of her blog while she was deployed, but I had no idea how much the story would grab me.

My first thought is I have never said thank you enough to all the men and women who serve in our armed services. I can’t think of a harder job on earth than one where you go into battle to protect your country, family and friends knowing you might not come back. Jessica’s story ripped me open completely. When she was talking about being away from her daughters, I could feel her pain. While I have family members in the Army (retired now), I really have never talked to them about their deployments much. Not sure if it is their choice or mine, so I liked having my eyes open from someone willing to share their front line experience. Again makes me so grateful for all those who serve. Jessica also shares both her success and mistakes while in Iraq, as well as her feelings about loss while there. Add in her writing process, and her talking about her support system back home, and I was totally drawn into the story.

I’ve been a fan of Jessica Scott since I read her debut novel Back to You came out in 2011. To Iraq and Back is Jessica’s story about her life and after reading it, I’m an even bigger fan. I actually met Jessica at RWA in Orlando in 2010 and she had her daughters with her. I’d “met” her on twitter and she was super nice to me when I went a little fan-girl upon meeting her in real life. The official release date for To Iraq and Back was December 10, 2012 and is available at Amazon in both print and digital formats. For more information about Jessica’s books, check out her website.

Top "15" Reads of 2012

Many of my blog and twitter friends have been talking about their Top 10 favorite reads of 2012. Honestly, there was no way I could possibly narrow my list down to just 10 books. I decided to narrow mine down to 15…and even then I couldn’t keep it to just 15 books, so I included books in a series for some authors. I read way too many amazing books this year not to highlight as many authors as possible.




Top “15” books of 2012


1. Perfect Fit by Carly Phillips

Really didn’t think I could love any hero more than Dare Barron from Karma, but Mike Marsden totally stole my heart. I also didn’t think I could love a Carly Phillips book more than Karma, but Perfect Fit is hands-down my favorite book by Carly Phillips ever! The official release date is December 31, 2012 and I will post my review on that day.

2. About Last Night by Ruthie Knox

OMG, City is totally the reason I fell in love with this book. I love Nev!


3. The Angel by Tiffany Reisz


I had a rough start with the first book in the Original Sinners series, but totally fell in love with the series while reading The Angel. I love Griffin and Michael so much and even fell pretty hard for Søren in this book. Have to say I’m still totally Team Nora at this point. Can’t wait for the release of The Mistress in 2013!

4. Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh

So I know it was released in September 2011, but I didn’t get a chance to read it until after the first of the year. I’ve wanted Dmitri’s story since we first met him and it might just be my favorite Guild Hunters book so far.

5. About That Night by Julie James

I loved Kyle when we first met him in his Jordan’s book and was super excited to see he was getting his own book. My favorite Julie James book ever!!!

6. Ash Trilogy by Shiloh Walker

So book one was released in 2011, but I didn’t read until the 3rd book was coming out. If You Hear Her, If You See Her, and If You Know Her are some of the best romantic suspense books I’ve ever read. Best to read in order, as they connect from the beginning and makes it easier to try and figure out the bad guy.

7. Karma by Carly Phillips

I waited for Dare’s book for what seemed like forever, and all I can say is it was totally worth the wait! Dare Barron is one of my most favorite heroes ever and I loved that he was in love with Liza McKnight since high school.


8. All 2012 releases from Jill Shalvis

No way on earth could I pick just one of the many books I read in 2012 from Jill Shalvis. With 3 new Lucky Harbor full length books, a Christmas novella in Lucky Harbor, and finally getting Adam’s story with Rescue My Heart, I was in heaven in 2012.


9. Kowalski books by Shannon Stacey

Wasn’t even going to try to pick just one. I love the Kowalskis so much and was super excited to see we would get books for each of the cousins.

10. Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire

I loved the 1st book in Rocki’s new Barefoot Bay series so much. The romance between Lacey and Clay was amazing and I loved how honest the relationship between Lacey and her daughter Ashley was portrayed. Best of all was the relationship between Lacey and her 3 best friends, Jocelyn, Zoe, and Tessa. I saw so much of me and my friends while I was reading about these women.


11. The Sullivan series of books by Bella Andre

I’m pretty sure I found Bella’s books at the first of the year and now have read pretty much everything she has ever published. I can’t pick just one of her books as a favorite, just like I can’t pick a favorite Sullivan in the family. It seems like with each book, I fall in love with that sibling over the rest.


12. Lover Reborn by JR Ward


I’d been waiting for Tohr’s book forever. I liked that Ward went back to writing the BDB series more like in the early books with this one. I’m now on the official countdown to Blay and Qhuinn’s book. I can’t wait to read Lover at Last next Spring.

13. Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

I’m a huge fan of Maya Banks no matter what genre. I loved the romance between Eveline and Graeme and how they really did complete one another. I have to say Never Seduce a Scot might just be one of my favorite books ever by Banks.

14. Hot Under Pressure by Louisa Edwards


Beck and Skye’s story wrung pretty much every emotion possible from me. To quote from the movie You’ve Got Mail, read with a box of tissues.



15. Naked by Raine Miller



I actually found Naked, which is book 1 in the Blackstone Affair series thanks to my Facebook and twitter friends. I’m ready for Spring to get here so I can find out what happens with Brynne and Ethan.

The Prince

The Prince is book three in the Original Sinners series from author Tiffany Reisz. The publisher is Harlequin MIRA. From the back cover.~

Two worlds of wealth and passion call to Nora Sutherlin and, whichever one she chooses, it will be the hardest decision she will ever have to make. Unless someone makes it for her…

Wes Railey is the object of Nora's tamest yet most maddening fantasies, and the one man she can't forget. He's young. He's wonderful. He's also thoroughbred royalty and, reuniting with him in Kentucky, she's in his world now. But this infamous New York dominatrix is no simpering Southern belle, and Nora's dream of fitting into Wesley's world is perpetually at odds with the relentlessly seductive pull of Søren—her owner, her lover, the forever she cannot have. At least, not completely.

Meanwhile Nora's associate Kingsley Edge is only too happy to take her place at Søren's feet during her hiatus. Søren is the only man Kingsley has ever loved, and their dark, shared history has forged a bond that neither the years—nor Søren's love for Nora—can break. But a new threat from an old adversary is forcing Kingsley to confront the past, reminding him that he must keep his friends close, and his enemies closer.

I was lucky enough not only to be approved for a review copy from NetGalley, but also be gifted a copy from the author. I’m a huge fan of Tiffany Reisz and was super excited to get a chance to read The Prince early. While I finished reading The Prince weeks ago, I needed to get all my thoughts together to write up my review. I love reading Tiffany Reisz’s book so much. However, there is so much information in each book, they are almost impossible to talk about with those who haven’t read them without giving away major information.

I really enjoyed the time spent with Nora and Wesley. I really have wanted them to explore their attraction to one another since I first read The Siren. I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority of liking the love between Nora and Wesley, but I really just love their relationship. That being said, I also love Nora with Søren and want them together forever. I have to say I loved the North/South format that was set up. We got to see Nora with Wesley in the present while in the South and Kingsley and Søren in both the past and the present while in the North. While I enjoyed the sweet love scenes between Nora and Wesley, OMG did I love seeing Kingsley and Søren together!!! I really did think my kindle might melt from them being together. I have to say if I hadn’t already fallen for Søren in The Angel, I would have loved him after reading The Prince.

The mystery as to who has been breaking into Kingsley’s townhouse, vandalizing and stealing things was revealed in The Prince. While it was a little bit of a surprise to me, the person was in the back of my mind for much of the book, so it didn’t totally come out of left field. I loved the romance of this book. There are many relationships within this series and I love getting to spend time with each of the characters and seeing them change and become more real with each book. Tiffany Reisz has become one of my favorite authors this year.

The official release date for The Prince was November 20, 2012 and can be found at your favorite bookstore or online retailer. For more information about the Original Sinners series or the author, check out her website.





When Snow Falls

When Snow Falls is the 2^nd book in the Whiskey Creek series from NYT bestselling author Brenda Novak. The publisher is Harlequin MIRA. From the back cover.~

After growing up in cheap motels, moving from town to town with her sister and mother, Cheyenne Christensen is grateful to be on her own. She's grateful, too, for the friends she found once her family settled in California. But she's troubled by the mystery of her earliest memories, most of which feature a smiling blonde woman. A woman who isn't her mother.

Although Cheyenne has repeatedly asked for explanations, the people who could help aren't talking. Cheyenne is set on finding answers, but without so much as a birth certificate, it won't be easy.

Things get even more complicated when her closest friend is attracted to the man Cheyenne has secretly loved for years. For Eve's sake, she decides to step aside—which lands her right in the arms of Dylan Amos, oldest and baddest of the hell-raising Amos brothers. He's the kind of guy she's sworn to avoid. She can't afford to make a mistake, not when she finally has a chance to learn who she really is and change her life for the better. But…maybe there's more to Dylan than she thought. Maybe letting him go would be a bigger mistake.

I was lucky enough to get a review copy of When Snow Falls from the publisher through NetGalley. I really love the Whiskey Creek series, and was excited to get the next book.

I have to say I felt like When Snow Falls moved a little slow in the beginning. It took me to about 20% to really get into the story. None of it was because I didn’t like Cheyenne, but because I really couldn’t see her pursuing a relationship with Joe, since her best friend Eve liked him. This goes against every girl code out there and I was kind of put off with her until Dylan came into the picture.

I loved Dylan with Cheyenne from the moment they had their first conversation. They had amazing chemistry and he was so very sweet with her their first time together. Especially since it was her first time. Cheyenne doesn’t think Dylan is the right man for her, yet she can’t seem to stay away from him. Dylan has had feelings for Cheyenne for years and knows he should stop getting together with Cheyenne when she doesn’t think there can be anything between them. However, when Cheyenne needs help locating her sister and dealing with her mother’s death, she immediately calls Dylan. She also only initially shares her memories about the blonde woman with Dylan and he believes her and thinks she should try and find out more about her past.

I’ve always liked Cheyenne’s group of friends. However, as they all were warning her away from Dylan and telling her to give Joe more of her time, I got mad at them. None of them seemed to listen when she was talking about Dylan and even made her doubt him just when she was starting to give their relationship a real try. Can’t say she didn’t make me mad by hurting Dylan. Luckily, Dylan was the better man and didn’t totally give up on his feelings for Cheyenne and was there for her when she really needed him.

The discovery of the secret of Cheyenne’s past really only came as a surprise to Cheyenne in the end. Her sister Presley had learned earlier what happened, but continued to keep the news to herself because she feared she would lose Cheyenne in her life. Once again, Dylan is the one Cheyenne needed in her corner.

I really enjoyed When Snow Falls, and I look forward to more books from this series in the future. The official release date was October 23, 2012 and can be found at your favorite bookstore or online retailer. For more information about this series or other books from Brenda Novak, visit her website.