Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Review: Accept the Dandelion

For this review, I chose Accept This Dandelion by Brooke Williams and my first book by this author.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Renee Lockhart has her eye on a lofty goal…to fill the open position of morning radio show host on a nearby secular station. When her co-workers sign her up for a local TV version of “the Bachelor,” Renee goes along with it in order to raise her profile. Ben McConnell, one of the most eligible bachelors in town, insists that Renee be placed on the show, despite her bumbling audition. Ben gets much more than he expected in Renee. He gets a girl who doesn’t bow to his every whim…and a girl who opens his eyes to true, unexpected love. Enjoy a local version of the popular "Bachelor" TV show...where nothing can go right for Renee!

This book is different than what I have been reading.  Ben McConnell was a playboy and he is on a local tv version of "The Bachelor" 

Love the title of the book!  Accept This Dandelion is different for a Bachelor show.  It is normally a rose.  Read the book to find out why this title is the show's title, too. How would you feel if you were one of the Bachelorettes and was paired with a man that has a reputation as a playboy? I would hope that the media played him the way they want good ratings.  That people can change.  I would give him a chance for us to get to know one another.  I met my husband has a blind date through a girlfriend of my and her boyfriend, who is friends with Shawn.  It worked out wonderfully.
I could not put this book down once I started reading it.  Glad I read this book!


☆☆☆☆
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: Complicated Relationships by Amy K McClung 

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Review: Love's Last Chance

For this review, I chose Love's Last Chance by Jean C. Joachim.  This is Book #5 of the Hollywood Hearts Series.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Dorrie Rodgers left three men behind in New York when she moved to L.A. to dance the lead in a movie. Engagement to a powerful producer made her life complete. But an accident ended both her career and her impending marriage.
After three years of struggling along teaching yoga, Dorrie is hired to choreograph a movie. Wanting to share her joy at this fabulous chance to resurrect her career, she is determined to end her single status.
Questioning her decision to leave each of three men in New York, Dorrie returns to the Big Apple for one more day with each. Was she hasty in her decisions to leave them behind? Will one of these men make her change her mind? Will her return to the past bring the love she is seeking or will loneliness propel her back into the arms of the one man who broke her heart?
 

Once again, Jean C. Joachim did it again.  Dorrie looked back on her past loves wondering if she made a mistake with one of these men.  Could one of them be the love of her life, but she did not noticed it.

Dorrie kept thinking about the "what ifs."  What if she missed "The One" because she was too busy with her career?  Before she made a job change, she had to know if she missed something with her past lovers.

I was writing down who Dorrie would pick.  I was right, but I am not going to put here who I thought she would be happy with.  You will have to read the book to find out.


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next:  Accept the Dandelion by Brooke Williams

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Review: A View to a Nerd

For this review, I chose A View to a Nerd by Chris Redding, which is the first book I have read by this author.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Waking up next to a dead guy can ruin your whole day. When a wise-cracking interior decorator wants to put her past behind her, the dead body of the mayor’s son makes it pretty clear that won’t happen too easily. A conservative former computer geek for the FBI is holding on too tightly to his past. His wife died under suspicious circumstances and he believes the decorator has the information to solve the case. Unfortunately for him, she isn’t talking… until a series of events convinces her she needs protection especially when her biggest secret threatens to destroy both their lives. 

This is book two in the Nerds Saving the World Series. Originally published as A View to a Kilt. 

We start the book with Miriam waking up beside her friend, who was murdered in the night.  How would you deal with something like that?

This book had action, suspense, thriller, mystery along with romance!  It definitely had me hooked and I could not stop reading this book.  Loved the big secret that Miriam had and I did not see that at all.

There was times where I was confused.  I am not sure how to explain it.  Maybe it was too much at one time hitting me, but I don't think that was it.  I do know that if I get a free moment so I can re-read this, I will.

I can not say too much about the surprise or the mystery that happened in this book because it would give away the good stuff.


☆☆☆☆
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa  
Review coming next: Love's Last Chance by Jean C. Joachim

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Review: Rain Street

For this review, I chose Rain Street by T.J. West.  This book is a part of a series called Rain.  Book #1 is called November Rain and Book #2 is called Purple Rain. 

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Words can hurt. Words can do all sorts of things to a persons mind: self doubt, low self esteem, self conscious, self hate, depression. 
It can change who you are and what you used to be. 
On the outside, Beth Winters is proper, stoic, chic, and beautiful, yet on the inside she is shy, hesitant, self conscious and deeply torn - torn from her abusive marriage - therefore, believing in herself again will take a very special man to help her find her way back. 

Blaine Sullivan was physically abused as a kid; stepping out of line with his father always had him end up with a busted rib or a blow to the face. He wasn’t about to let the history of his abuse change who he was - he would better himself for his son, Joey, and be the father he deserved. Furthermore, finding a woman who would love him is something Blaine thought he could never achieve - until Beth ran into him. 

Two abused souls, who discover each other on one unexpected night should bring them a happily ever after - yet will they be strong enough to get past their haunted memories and move forward with one another? 

I love this book.  Beth is a strong woman who has gone through a lot in her life.  Blaine had a bad childhood full of abuse from his own father.  Will they overcome somethings so they can be happy together.

  In this book, we learn about some of the other characters from the first 2 books.  I love reading series because we sometimes find out what other characters from previous books are up to.  I think I read about 4 surprises in this book.  

I love that this book talked about Soul Mates.  My favorite quote that Beth is thinking is "They inspire me to believe that anything is possible." (pg 58 Ebook)  
This book was amazing.  I could not stop reading it.  I highly recommend this book!  


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: A View to a Nerd by Chris Redding

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Review: Purple Rain

For this review, I chose Purple Rain by T.J. West.  This book is a part of a series called Rain.  Book #1 is called November Rain, and Book #3 is called Rain Street. 

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Sandy Brooks was a single mom who was raising a young boy with High Functioning Autism. She left her home state, Seattle, Washington and moved to sunny San Diego, California to start a new life for her and her son, Joey. She was determined to make it on her own with the goal of keeping her son happy and well cared for. She may have dated a few men in her days, but wasn’t out to have a man take over her life. She couldn’t trust her relationships to last, because Joey’s feelings were at stake. No one would hurt him. He was her life and was the most important person in it - Until the day she met Quinn Baker - the man who would rock her world.

Quinn Baker was a quiet, maddening loner. Having a past that has haunted him for 17 years he was in no shape to take over his Father’s restaurant, Reds. So much pain and anger was still implanted inside his heart, he wasn’t sure coming back to San Diego would make things better. Not feeling love or compassion for many years he never would have thought Sandy would be the one who would take over his mind, body and soul. Along with Sandy would be her son, Joey - a boy who would give him a reason to love again.


I absolutely love this book.  Once I found out that Joey has Autism, I was hooked.  My oldest, Ashleigh, was diagnosed with Autism when she was 12 and is now 14, almost 15.  We were never told that any of her doctors thought she could have Autism. Now looking back I do see somethings like Ash HATED to touch grass and different textures. 

Sandy was talking about her son, Joey, and how he is.  I can not remember who she was talking to.  I think it was Quinn.  These 2 quotes from the book are definitely my daughter.  When Ash was small, she could entertain herself very well.  She does not need anyone to entertain her.  My youngest, Ethan, thinks I should entertain him, but I trying to teach him to be independent and use his imagination.  Ashleigh loves drawing, painting, and anything to do with being creative.


"I love how he could entertain himself."
"He was certainly imaginative."
(Page 30 Ebook)

Sandy surrounded herself with a great circle of support, as I call it.  She knew how important it was for Joey to have supportive people in his life.  She was sad that certain people were missing out on knowing Joey.  I can totally relate to this.  When I was growing up, my mom took us to my grandparents and aunts/uncles' home all the time, but it is not like it was back then.  It seems like everyone is so busy doing everything that needs to get done.  

Joey tells you how he sees things.  My daughter is like that, too.  Ashleigh would also tell you that if you say that you are going to do something, then you better follow through with it.  She expects what people say to her.

I highly recommend this book!!  A great read!


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: Rain Street by T.J. West

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Review: November Rain

For this review, I chose November Rain by T.J. West and is my first book I have read by this author.  This book is a part of a series called Rain.  Book #2 is called Purple Rain and Book #3 is called Rain Street.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Marty Mayfield fell in love at the tender age of 16 to Matt Cooper. He was her world until the day he left to go into the Air Force. From many letters she had written and mailed, responses from Matt never came. Her world felt destroyed and lonely. After graduating high school she moved to Paris and lived there for 12 years. During her years of living there she met the man she thought could replace Matt. Turned out her years in Paris brought nothing but pain, loss and suffering.
Making a fresh start from her wounded past she makes her way to San Diego, California where she ends up finding the one person who had always made her feel whole. Will she be able to get past her scars and give Matt her whole heart again? Will she be able to forgive him for leaving her hopeless? Denying her love for him will be a struggle, sexually and emotionally.

Matt Cooper was the black sheep of his family. He wanted nothing more than to play music and live outside his father’s influence within the Air Force. Having no other choice, he took that road and left the one girl who loved him unconditionally. Regretting his decision for not writing Marty back, he continued to serve his country. Years later, after retiring, he started living his dream in San Diego, but the loneliness was always there. His heart had always been with Marty. He couldn’t get past the thought of ever living without her. Feeling like he came out of years of a coma she enters his life again. He felt his love for her immediately and more stronger than ever. Getting her to trust him again will be a battle, but he was never going to give up. He was determined to keep her in his life forever


Matt and Marty met in high school.  At 16, she loved Matt, but he broke her heart when he left for the Air Force because it is already decided by his dad.  Would you allow one of your parents to tell you how to live your life?  Or would you stick up for yourself and live your life your way?  

Do you think Fate brought them back together after all these years?  What are the chances that they both are in the same town at the same time?  Yes, I do believe in fate.


I love the theme of second chances.  It is one of my favorite themes.  Both Marty and Matt realize that they still love one another.  It is such a sweet romance.

The reason for 4 stars is due to language.

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: Purple Rain by T.J. West

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Review: Two for Love

For this review, I chose Two for Love by Lynne Silver.  Now this book has 2 Novellas in it.  I already read and reviewed Waiting on Love, but I only read Cruising for Love a few days ago.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Two Novellas- One low price! 
Cruising for Love 
When Andi Greene heads out on a cruise, she’s pumped for a fun week of sun bathing with her best friend. Little does she know her best friend has surprises in store. The first is the cruise’s theme of BDSM. The other? Ship’s doctor Jonah Coleman, Andi’s first love, her high school boyfriend —the boy she thought she’d marry before he moved across the country and dropped her cold. But there’s nothing cold about their reunion. Sparks fly, and Andi’s relaxing cruise turns into a week of hot loving. 
Jonah can’t believe he’s getting a second chance with Andi , who might need more than he knows how to give. But he’s willing to put everything on the line to find out if the heat between them is just the remnants of teenage love or more. And even though he has to let her go again, he’s determined she’ll never forget him. 

Waiting on Love 
After a disastrous vacation breakup with the man who was supposed to be The One, KK O'Brien decides she’s done. Love will find her when the time is right. On her flight home, she’s seated next to a male soldier, Aidan Dominguez, whom she ignores, because one: he is male, two: he’s younger than her, and three: he’s on his way to be deployed overseas. When weather grounds her flight, she agrees to a drink with Aidan. After all, he’s leaving the country and she’s done projecting wedding bells onto encounters with men. KK knows this is nothing more than a one-night stand with a sexy soldier. It’s her patriotic duty to send him off to war with a good last memory. 
Aidan and KK have a great night together and they part with the expectation that they’ll never see each other again. A few weeks later, the first email from Aidan arrives. Once she replies, another arrives, and soon an epistolary love affair blossoms where love was never meant to grow.


What would you do if your best friend plans a cruise vacation, but did not tell you every detail of this cruise?  Once on the cruise, there is no way off, but to deal with it.  There is a theme for the cruise.  lol.  Plus KK finds out that Andi's first love is the ship's doctor.

This story is so romantic.  Think about seeing your first love after all those years.  Does those same feelings come back?  Does he feel the same way?  

I read this book in one setting.  I could not put it down.  I highly recommend this book Two for Love, which has both Cruising for Love, and Waiting on Love.

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Review: Savage Summer

For this review, I chose Savage Summer by Ruth Bainbridge and my first book by this author.  I love that I am reading authors that I have not read before.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
“When life gives you lemons … be sure to spit the pits out of that lemonade you’re making. Otherwise you’ll choke.” – Curt Savage

The past year has not been a good one for Curt Savage. Depressed over the death of a loved one, he’s gone into hiding, becoming entirely too comfortable with saying that he’s in the Witness Protection Program. But the urge to find that elusive killer puts his MIA status on hold. With the help of his new buddy Mike, he delves into the murky world of tracking down a killer — and uncovering who poisoned a neighbor’s dog. 

SAVAGE SUMMER is the first in the Curt Savage mystery series. Going from former cop to private dick, he represents a new kind of detective—the reluctant kind. As his best bud Mike puts it, “Private investigation just got Savage.”

This book was not the normal type of books I normally read, but the description caught my eye.  I knew I had to read it.  There was mysteries that I had to know.  

How do you go on after losing the one you are to marry?  Everything Curt does reminds him of Ruth.  Curt was investigated for Ruth's murder by his fellow police co-workers.  His best friend, Mike, is a lesbian private investigator.  She is a woot!!  She is definitely colorful. 

Cliffhanger at the end of book was something else.  I can not wait to read book #2, Savage Fall, to find out all of my answers to my questions.  This was one of those books that I could not put down.


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: November Rain by T.J. West

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Review: The Wisdom of Soloman

For this review, I chose The Wisdom of Soloman by John Tucker.  This is my first book by this author.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Maritza Van Lyle is a broken, alcoholic housewife mired in a bad marriage. Soured on living by her husband's infidelity and a personal tragedy, the only light in her life is Alexandra, her preteen daughter. When Maritza is taken hostage by a sinister man with a mysterious agenda, she fights to keep her sanity and to stay alive while her captor forces her to admit intimate secrets that should stay buried. 

Torn between the bitterness and frustration at her existence, Maritza is determined not to be a docile prisoner. As the man's lethal games, caustic taunts, and dangerous threats grow more invasive and ruthless as the hours go by, she rebels, adapts, and formulates a desperate plan to escape her tormentor. 

The Wisdom of Solomon is not your usual hostage drama. It's a cat and mouse game where deceptions, revelations, and role reversals will take your breath away – and keep you turning the pages – all the way to a chilling and surprising denouement.


I don't normally read books that has mysteries.  I did not think I would like this book, but I loved it.  It was written so well.  I could not put it down.  I had to find out why and everything else.  This woman, Maritza, has gone through a lot.  I am not going to tell you because you need to read the book.  

When I was reading this, I kept thinking why did Maritza allow this man into her home?  Didn't she know that this man may not be who he says he is?  

The end of the book was beyond what I thought would happen.  The characters were coming to life off of the pages. 

I am really glad I read this book.  It had everything that I love about reading.  You know, a book that you can not stop reading.


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: Savage Summer by Ruth Bainbridge

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Review: A Date to Die For

For this review, I chose A Date to Die For by Wendy Soliman.  This is my first book by this author.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
When investigative journalist, Alexi Ellis, falls victim to the Sunday Sentinel’s cutbacks, she packs up her car, grabs Marvin, her anti-social feral cat, and hot-foots it out of London, intent upon licking her wounds in private. She heads for Lambourn, the valley of the racehorse, where an old college friend runs a hotel and Alexi is assured a shoulder to cry on.
But this idyllic country paradise is not all it appears to be. A woman has gone missing under mysterious circumstances and no one seems to be doing anything about it. Unemployed she might be, but Alexi still has a nose for a story. So too does Tyler Maddox, ex-Metropolitan Police detective turned private eye, who is also trying to find out what’s happened to Natalie Parker.
Tyler, driven out of the police by a vicious press campaign that accused him of racism, hates all journalists on principle. But Natalie had been using his sister’s online dating agency and Tyler needs to find her before his sister’s business gets dragged through the mire.
Reluctantly, Alexi, Tyler and Marvin join forces. As they delve deeper into Natalie’s secret past, they discover rich adoptive parents from whom Natalie absconded while still a teenager, huge, unexplained amounts of cash and connections to a London escort agency. Is Natalie still alive and, if so, what can have made her turn her back on her comfortable life and thriving business?
Someone doesn’t want Alexi and Tyler to find the answers to the questions their investigation throws up and will do whatever it takes to ensure they don’t…
 

I was not too sure about this book because of the English talking/terms, but I had to know what happened to Natalie.  Curiosity got the better of me.

I love Marvin.  Not a typical feline.  I am more of a dog person.  Hey, we have two huskies here: Zeus, 9 years, and Bolt, 3 years.  Zeus follows me around everywhere so I could picture Marvin doing the same.


I am not going to give you any details about this book because I do not want to give away anything that would disappoint you.  There was several twists.  Love it all!!  Alexi and Tyler working together were great characters.  Along the way of those 2 working on finding Natalie, we learn more information about Natalie.

I understand why this book is called "A Date to Die For."  I think it is because  Natalie used an online dating agency and those who knew her thought one of those men she went out with could had done something to her.

I hope there is another book in this series, Deadline.  I would be happy to read it!

☆☆☆☆
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: Adam's Ambition by Monica Tillery

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Book Blitz: Ropes and Revenge Part 2

Jessie Evans Goodreads Page is HERE.



ROPES AND REVENGE EXCERPT:

“I’m not good with people,” Persephone said, holding his gaze for a long beat before she continued. “I don’t know what to say to help them feel better when they’re hurting, but sometimes I can help them by helping the people they loved. I know you don’t believe in ghosts, but I do and I care about them and I want to help them find peace. That’s all. I believe everyone deserves peace, don’t you?”
“I believe people don’t get what they deserve,” John said, his voice rough. “Now leave. Please.”
She had to leave before the earnest look on her beautiful face or the empathy shining in her eyes broke him and he started spilling his guts to a total stranger. This woman didn’t deserve to know that his wife was dead or that he still mourned her like it had happened yesterday, not seven months ago. She didn’t deserve to know that a weak, pathetic part of him almost wanted to believe in ghosts, just so he might have some hope of communicating with Lily, of being able to tell her how much he loved her one more time.
But that’s what people like this woman counted on.
“John, please,” Persephone whispered in her feather soft voice. “Let me help if I can.”
His stomach went sour. Persephone probably already knew that Lily had died last spring. She would have done her research before coming here to prey on his grief the way charlatans like her had preyed on the suffering for centuries. If he gave her another ten minutes, he had little doubt she would be offering to help him contact Lily on the other side.
For a fee, of course. A fee he was sure dozens of sad fools had paid her through the years, but he wasn’t going to be one of them.
“Get off my land,” he repeated in a firmer voice. “I have nothing to say to you and I don’t want, or need, your kind of help.”
Her thin shoulders slumped and a defeated expression tightened her delicate features. “All right. Well, I… I guess I should know better by now,” she mumbled as she turned to walk toward the four-wheeler.
“Know better than to try to scam people?”
She slid one leg over the four-wheeler before turning to face him, giving him a moment to register how out of place this elegant person looked on the dusty red machine before she spoke. “I should know better than to reach out to people like you, but I can’t help myself. I keep hoping…” She shook her head wistfully. “But I suppose I’ll grow out of that, sooner or later.”
She reached for the ignition. “Good luck, John. I hope things get better for you soon.”
John crossed his arms and watched her go, determined to keep his expression impassive. He didn’t want her to know how shitty the seemingly genuine concern in her voice made him feel. He didn’t want to think about being part of the reason someone stopped hoping to forge connections with people different than themselves.
Lily had been totally different than the girls he’d dated before her. Until he’d met his freckle-faced, sass-talking, no-bullshit wife, he’d dated women who took far better care of their outsides than their insides. He’d been a sucker for a pretty face and a nice rack and hadn’t looked too far beneath the surface.
And then he’d met Lily and learned what a difference a heart made. She had taught him how to love, pushed him out of his emotional comfort zone, and refused to settle for less than everything he had to give. He’d fought her at first—determined to hold her at the same distance he’d held other girls—but with a mixture of stubbornness, humor, and kisses that took his breath away, she’d worn him down until he was putty in her hands.
On the day they were married, he’d been certain he would never love anyone more than he loved her that afternoon. But their love had grown deeper and stronger with every passing year. By the time they celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary, John had felt like she was a part of him, so deeply ingrained in his heart and dear to his soul nothing could tear them apart.
But death had ripped her away and taken the best parts of him along with her.
“Jesus, Lily.” John bowed his head, his breath rushing out with a defeated sound. “See what an asshole I am without you?”
He waited, a pathetic part of him hoping he might hear her voice in his head again, the way he had Halloween night. But there was nothing but the sound of some critter digging in the ground on the far side of the stream, the gentle burble of water over stones from farther up the mountain, and Darcy snuffling as she sniffed the ground where Persephone Styles had stood a few moments before.

During the Book Blitz, Jessie Evans is having a giveaway.  You can sign up for the giveaway below:

Happy Reading!
Melissa

Book Blitz: Ropes and Revenge Part 1



Ropes and Revenge
Lonesome Point, TX Series, Book 6
Jessie Evans
Release Date : April 16, 2015

I am so excited to share with you all that Ropes and Revenge by Jessie Evans is available today. I am going to break this down into 2 posts.  I am going to share some great graphics in this blog post, and the excerpt is in the next post.





Eight months ago, John Lawson lost his wife and best friend in a tragic accident on his family's ranch. In the time since, he's devoted himself to two things--taking care of his two newly motherless sons and proving that Lily's accident was no accident. Now, he finally has hard evidence that his wife was murdered and he won't rest until he has the killer's blood on his hands. He doesn't have time for anything but vengeance, especially not a crazy ghost hunter wanting to poke around the old spring on his family's ranch.

Persephone Styles--Percy to her friends--learned about ghosts the hard way, when she was orphaned by a violent crime at the age of seven. Ever since, she's seen spirits and been obsessed with studying souls beyond the grave. She's in Lonesome Point to document the town's spectral activity, but finds herself powerfully drawn to widower John Lawson and empathizing with his grieving children. For the first time in years, Percy is as riveted by the living as she's always been by the dead and longs to be a part of John's life.

But when one night of passion becomes something more, Percy realizes John is as haunted as she is and that the man she's coming to love is walking a dangerous road that may end with him becoming a murderer's next victim.



 I can not wait to read this book!

Happy Reading!
Melissa




Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Review: Adam's Ambition

For this review, I chose Adam's Ambition by Monica Tillery.  This is the first book in the Emerald Springs series.  The other 4 books are written by other authors.  I can not wait to read them all.  
Book #2- Colleen's Choice by Holly Trent
Book #3- Chad's Chance by Elley Arden
Book #4- Daniel's Decision by Nicole Flockton
Book #5- Ashley's Allegiance by Robin Neeley

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Meet Adam, the first of five unforgettable characters in the Emerald Springs Legacy. 

Life in the small town of Emerald Springs, Washington, is anything but slow and peaceful. An old feud between former business partners Whitman and Sanders keeps competition on a high burner, fueling resentment, renewing rivalries … and love. Now someone is trying to bring down Emerald Tea Farm, and it’s up to both families to protect their future while still wrangling over the past.

Oldest son Adam Whitman never planned to take his place at the helm of the family business, and he’s living the life he always wanted. When his father asks him to come home to consider his options, he reluctantly leaves his high-powered job in Los Angeles and heads to Emerald Springs, determined to help his father make the transition to retirement and quickly get back to his own life. What he didn’t count on was the pull of the one person he’d left behind to chase his dreams.

Getting over Adam was the hardest thing Zoe Miller ever had to do, and she’s in no hurry to do it again. She’s focused on her new life running Emerald Springs’s finest bakery, and she’s finally put the heartache of losing Adam behind her. When he rolls back into town, she knows it would be wiser to keep her distance from her high school sweetheart, but some things are easier said than done. A broken heart would be more devastating the second time around, but can she resist the lure of the man he’s become?

Now everything Adam took for granted is suddenly threatened, and he’s caught between his newly awakened attachment to Emerald Springs and the career he built with his hands. He wants it all—the girl, the farm, the corner office—but first Zoe has to find it her heart to give him a second chance at all.

Love this book a lot.  The background is Emerald Tea Farms.  I could picture the Tea Farms and the town.  I love the town called Emerald Springs.  Sounds like a great place to live!  

Adam is home to help his dad make decisions on his retirement from Emerald Tea Farms.  What will Adam decide for himself?  The Tea Farm?  LA?  Zoe was his high school sweetheart, who broke her heart more than once.  Can Zoe forgive him?  Will her heart be broken again by Adam?

This book is about Second Chances.  Well, actually third chances.  You will have to read it to find out.  

Loved the last 8% of this book!!  I loved how it ended.  I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: The Wisdom of Soloman by John Tucker

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Review: Kiss Me, Katie

For this review, I chose Kiss Me, Katie by Monica Tillery.  I have read other books by this author.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Talented fiddler Katie McCoy finds out that her band, Sterling, will join the very famous, extremely handsome, Blake Jackson on his Country Summer Nights tour. Her career is taking off, but after dating too many guys who let her down, her love life is going nowhere. 

Blake is America’s biggest country star, and he can date a different beautiful woman every night of the week. After years on the road, each woman starts to seem the same and none of them ever want more than the experience of dating a celebrity. In Katie, he finally finds a woman who is interested in who he is as a man, someone who loves him for his true self. Being on tour together is a bit like being in a relationship pressure cooker, and things get serious. Everything moves faster than outside in the real world. Theirs is a match made in music heaven, but in three short weeks, Katie’s band leaves the tour and she’ll be out of his arms. 

Katie wants true love more than anything else, but her tour bus is heading back to Texas with or without her. Sterling’s new level of success means that her career must take top priority and any man she’s with will have to respect that. She’s done with guys who don’t take her career seriously, and Blake can’t leave his own tour. How can they stay together when their paths have them moving in opposite directions? Will they find a way to make it work or say goodbye?


I love everything about this book.  Katie is a part of a band called Sterling, as their fiddler.  Blake has his own country band.  Sterling opens for Blake's band and sparks flies between Blake and Katie.

I love that the back drop was country music, a favorite of my.  Katie and Blake are adorable and this is a sweet romance story that warmed my heart.  My favorite characters were of course Katie and Blake, but I loved Luke, Blake's brother.  Luke told things how he sees them.  I really hope that there is a book about Luke and also so we can see how things worked out with Katie and Blake.

I love this author and I will definitely be reading more from her.  I also recommend this book!

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: Adam's Ambition by Monica Tillery

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Review: Twisted by Desire

For this review, I chose Twisted by Desire by Desiree A Cox.  This is the first in the series called Lust, Desite, and Love.  The series is a trilogy.  Book #2 is called Jaded by Desire.  This is my first book by this author.

I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:
Nikki Carmichael is confused. Her head’s telling her one thing while her heart is sending another message.

She believed her first husband, Sky, was her Prince Charming. They got married expecting to live their happily ever after, but the happiness dwindled right along with their checking account. Their divorce legally ended the marriage, but not the love and uncontrollable desire between them.

Then she meets Jeff. He’s hotter than an August day in Florida, and can offer her everything she’s always thought she wanted.

Jeff is committed to his life as a bachelor, but his high-powered nature has finally brought him to a crossroads. He’s face-to-face with a quandary; his decisions will affect his professional and personal life forever.

Nikki’s tenacious efforts to live a dream life, while still keeping her heart shielded, are coupled with wrestling an ongoing dilemma – her heart still belongs to Sky.

But Nikki isn’t the only one who’s twisted by desire.

At first, I was not sure what to think about this book, but I decided that I had to continue reading it.  The main reason I had to finish this book was about Jeff.  I had too many questions running through my mind about him.  Not only about him, but Nikki and Sky, too.  I can not put those questions here because I would give away a lot of the good stuff!  By the end of it, I was thinking that I must read book #2, Jaded by Desire like NOW.  Right now!!  lol.  

If you want a book that keeps you guessing, then this is the book for you.  I can not wait to read the other 2 book in this series.  The only thing I did not like was the cliff hanger at the end of the book, but it is ok.  It gives me something to look forward to! 

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa 
Review coming next: Kiss Me, Katie by Monica Tillery

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company has provided me with a copy of this book for review or I have purchased the book with my own funds.  The opinion I share about the story are mine and have not been influenced by the The Publisher/Author/Book Tour Company if received for review.