Early Book Review: Devil's Way Out by Nika Dixon

Devil's Way Out by Nika Dixon is currently scheduled for release on June 24 2019. Still angry over the death of the woman he loved, rancher Marshall Boyer wants nothing to do with women or love. But when the mysterious Emma drops into his life—barefoot, broke, and running scared—he can’t let her go. Artist Emmaline Katz has a dangerous secret. After escaping a ruthless criminal who exploited her for years, her quest for freedom crashes to a halt in rural Montana. Out of money and options, she finds an unlikely haven with a handsome cowboy. But no matter how much she wants to believe his offer of protection, he doesn’t know the truth about her, her secret, or the man who will stop at nothing to get her back. Time is running out. A cold-blooded killer has come to town, and Emma isn’t the only target.

Devil's Way Out was an engaging read, and I really liked the characters and how the story was revealed. Marshall is a strong man struggling with starting over after a less than stellar ending to a relationship. Emma is running from much more than a bad break up.I like that both characters have a strong will but are damaged emotional from past mistakes and trauma. Nether is perfect, or pitiful, and they manage to save each other even though they both fought it and feared the outcome every step along the way. I love seeing genuinely good characters find a happy ending despite bad experiences, and that is exactly what happens here. I am rather hoping that Dixon writes happy endings for more of the characters in this small town, because I am just as interested in what happens to the rest of the family and town next, and in seeing Marshall and Emma continue on their path.

Devil's Way Out is a contemporary romance with heart and danger balanced nicely. I enjoyed the read and will be looking for more from the author.

Book Review: Forgotten Love (Bound By Love) by J.M. Davies

Forgotten Love is the first book in the Bound By Love series by J.M. Davies. I’m an ex-Navy SEAL. A wounded warrior with a hard-ass exterior and a checkered past to match. All I care about is my outdoor survival business—teaching others the skills they need to survive in the face of danger. But fate has a wicked sense of humor. From out of nowhere this brunette-beauty with the easy smile and doe-eyes walks into my life…and it’s not the first time. Summer doesn’t remember me. But she’s the one I can’t forget. I know that she’s in danger, and I’ll gladly give in to every protective instinct I have when it comes to keeping her safe. There’s a reason fate sent her my way for a second time. Only, this time…I won’t fail her.

Forgotten Love is a nice start to a series, introducing a good selection of secondary characters that I want to know more about. I liked Summer's character, she had grit and even though she was fighting through some serious things, which made her feel weak, she did what she had to do in order to survive. I disagreed with some of her choices, but could understand them and felt like they were all in character for her. Rafe has just as many issues, if not more than Summer, and is fighting through them in his own way. Like Summer, I did not always agree with the choices he made- although they all fit in his character and I could understand them. I really liked some of the secondary character and want to follow Nicki's future, and what happens with Rafe and his crew in the future. I did not like that a great deal was dumped on the reader at the very end, leaving me with questions, so many questions, about what is going to happen next. Oh, and fair warning for those that prefer romance with little to no sex, this is not that book. There is a great deal of heat in this book, and if you do not like an alpha male in that context then be forewarned- because there is a significant amount of that to be found. 

Forgotten Love is a good contemporary romance with plenty of heart and heat.

Book Review: The Laird's Right-Hand Lady by Catherine E. Chapman

The Laird's Right-Hand Lady by Catherine E. Chapman is a contemporary romance. Jess Fielding is Cameron McCallum’s newly-appointed personal assistant. He is due to take over from his father as Laird on their Scottish Highland estate. Used to the corporate world, Jess finds that, whilst the professional demands of her new role are straightforward, the domestic and family dynamics in Cameron’s stately home leave her feeling daunted. Instantly attracted to Cameron, Jess begins to suspect that her feelings are reciprocated. But the appearance of Alexandra, an old university friend of Cameron’s, upsets their blossoming romance. Cameron’s father is determined that his son should make a match fit for a Laird. Will Cameron live up to his father’s expectations or follow his heart?

The Laird's Right-Hand Lady is a good romance. I liked the set of characters, and even the most unlikable were written to be so. Cameron's father is exactly who he is supposed to be, and only made me love Cameron's mother that much more in contrast. Jess is a smart and capable woman, and Cameron is a sweet but strong man. The conversation and connection between the two was nice, and kept me reading. I thought the secondary characters were as well done as the main characters, and I would not mind having read a little more about them.I found the staff and family dynamics to be on point, and enjoyed seeing some of those friendships and connections grow throughout the book. My only real issue with the book is that no one really ever discusses or ponders the moral or ethical implications about the relationship- at least not until it is really no longer an issue. I know the boss/assistant trope is a thing- but in all the romances I have that that use it include the dilemma of whether it is wrong or odd and here that is just completely ignored.  However, maybe that it just my hang up, so it might not even come up on anyone else's radar.

The Laird's Right-Hand Lady is a solid romance with no explicit scenes (for those that care about such things). The characters are well done, and the read engaging. I am glad I gave it a chance.

Book Review: Revving Her Heart (Blacke Brothers) by Cadence Von

Revving Her Heart is the first book in the Blacke Brothers series by Cadence Vonn. After the sudden death of Allison Lorde's father in a motorcycle accident, she vows never to love a man who rides the beastly machines. But when a memory from her past rides up on his bike, looking all bad-boy sexy, the sweet promise of a shared kiss long ago makes it difficult to deny his steamy seduction. Nick Blacke's number one passion is motorcycles until the gangly girl he'd kissed as a teen shows up with womanly curves that beckon to be explored. She seems eager to let him and even embraces his penchant for kink, but when he wants more, he realizes revving her engines might be easier than revving her heart.

Revving Her Heart is a contemporary romance with a lot of heart. Allison is dealing with the loss of her father, and a less than loving relationship with her mother. She is trying to come to terms with it all when Nick comes back into her life.They each have their own fears and doubts, but Al's seem to be much heavier to bear, and sometimes cut the deepest. I also like that they really had some struggles but in the end compromised and worked things out like adults rather than just ignoring the issues that might cause issues down the road.  I liked the banter and connection between the pair, although even with their history I do think some things moved more quickly than I expected. However, I really enjoyed the story as a whole. I do need to say that there were a couple moments that I had to go back and reread previous pages because I missed how they got to a certain location or in mentioned outfits, sometimes giving up and just going with it. This is definitely a book with plenty of heat, and exploration of some kink. So, if you prefer your romance without some serious sex scenes, then you might want to skip this. The heat starts fairy early and regularly makes itself known. I really liked the secondary characters, and want to see how Nick's brothers find their own happy endings, not to mention Hailey and Rebecca. So, while I enjoyed but did not love this read, I do find that I like the author's voice and want to continue reading about whatever might happen next.

Revving Her Heart is a good romance, and I can see a great deal of potential for this series. I will definitely be giving the next book a read.

Book Review: In Search Of Dinosaurs: Find the Fossils: Identify the Dinosaurs by Dougal Dixon

In Search Of Dinosaurs: Find the Fossils: Identify the Dinosaurs by Dougal Dixon encourages readers to look out for dinosaur bones, footprints, and fossil feathers in this dinosaur dig site. Defore opening the gatefolds and uncovering the creatures to whom they once belonged, in 3 incredible, expansive panoramic scenes. Travel through Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous eras, hunting for fossils and then learning about each amazing prehistoric creature, before testing your knowledge with a fun dinosaur quiz. Grab your paleontologist’s tool kit and get stuck in with facts, stats, and colorful illustrations to amaze any young dinosaur enthusiast.

In Search Of Dinosaurs is a good non fiction introduction to fossil huntings and the eras when dinosaurs lived. I thought the break downs and information were very well done. The information was all valuable, but I think many dino obsessed young readers will already have some of this information down, but this is a good starting point for readers that are just discovering paleontology and dinosaurs. The illustrations were well done, giving the needed detail, but did not wow or amaze me with detail of vividness. I did like the short quiz at the end.

In Search Of Dinosaurs is basic non fiction resource for those looking to learn about dinosaurs and paleontology. It offers exactly what is expected by the title and description, but did not amaze me. 

Early Book Review: The Matchmaker's Match (Man's Best Friend) by Nicole Flockton

The Matchmaker's Match is the third book in the Man's Best Friend series by Nicole Flockton. While there are recurring characters in the series, each book can be fully enjoyed as a stand alone as well. This book is currently scheduled for release on June 18 2019.

The last person Meredith Turner expects to see at her best friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner is the guy she had a one night stand with. What’s worse, Lincoln Forrest is the best man and as maid of honor, her partner. To add insult to injury, she has to leave the rehearsal dinner early, and Lincoln is the one to help her with a deeply personal problem. The aftermath of that night brings big changes for them both. Lincoln Forrest has helped his best friend meet the woman of his dreams, but recently he’s made a series of bad decisions, the biggest being leaving his career with the Army. Now the former K-9 handler is looking for a new career and trying to get his life back on track. Helping Meredith in her time of need connects her to him more than he expected. On a mission to right the wrong he created, Linc will do whatever is needed. But when the attraction that first drew them together flares to life again, will the obstacles between them be too much to overcome? Or has the matchmaker met his match?

The Matchmaker's Match is a sweet romance where the biggest conflicts are Meredith and Linc dealing with their own history, doubts, and mistakes. I liked Meredith's character, and even when I did not agree with her decisions I could understand her thought process and how she got there. With Linc, I just liked his character. He is a good guy that is going through a huge transition in life and trying o find his way. I enjoyed seeing them find each other, support each other, and ultimately find their HEA. I will admit that there were moments where it all felt too simple, too easy for our couple. However, I still really enjoyed the read and often found myself smiling as I read, so it was a winner. Most of all, I found myself interested in some of the secondary characters, so going back to read the one book I missed, and reading the next book (which I hope features Linc's sister) are on my to do list.

The Matchmaker's Match is a heart warming contemporary romance. I was nice to see two characters at a crossroads in their lives find their way together.

Book Review: Made For You (Love & Family) by Anyta Sunday

Made For You is the second book in the Love & Family by Anyta Sunday. Each of the books in all of Sunday's series can stand well on its own, but fans and returning readers will be glad to see old friends make themselves know in each new book.

Twenty-four-year-old Ben McCormick is the primary caregiver for his brother Milo after their parents’ death. A year into the job, he’s totally got the hang of it. Mostly. Sort of. Not at all? Defeated and thoroughly chastised for his lack in parenting skills at teacher-parent night, Ben slumps away with the resolve to finally get his life sorted: be a better role model, and sell their parents’ house for a fresh start. But first, he needs to spruce up his house to hit the market. He’s no DIY king, but Milo’s hot-as-hell woodwork teacher is. Thirty-nine-year-old Jack Pecker is waiting for the home of his dreams to come on the market in the summer. What better way to wait the interim months than working on a small renovation gig? Only trouble is, the gig is for the McCormick brothers. And working in close quarters to red-haired Ben McCormick won’t be easy. Not with the attraction that simmers between them. Attraction Ben makes no effort to hide. But Jack’s professional. Dating a parent is highly discouraged at Kresley Intermediate, and he’d never cross the lines.

Made For You is an emotional story about people finding themselves, family, and home. Ben is doing everything he can to raise his younger brother, but he is struggling and has some growing up of his own to do. Jack has a dream, remodeling a specific home for himself and building his own family. Sometimes what you really need is right under your nose, and terribly inconvenient or ill timed. Watching Ben and Jack build a friendship and everyone trying so hard to do what is right for Milo and each other, while ignoring their own needs, was amazing. Sometimes I wanted to jump into the book and give them all hugs, because they were all trying so hard and struggling. Other times I needed to take a break and cover my face in sympathetic embarrassment for mistakes, assumptions, and floundering explanations. There is just so much honest sweetness and growth in this book that I really still wish i could meet the characters befriend them. Of course, that holds true for all of Sunday's characters so I am not surprised.

Made For You is yet another lovely story by Sunday with a great deal of heart and character growth. I love that their stories are as much about the characters coming into their own as it is about them coming together.  

Book Review: Past Due for Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mystery) by Victoria Gilbert

Past Due for Murder is the third book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. I do suggest reading the series in order for personal character connections, but for the mystery portion new readers should have no problems catching up.

Spring has sprung in quaint Taylorsford, Virginia, and the mayor has revived the town’s long-defunct May Day celebration to boost tourism. As part of the festivities, library director Amy Webber is helping to organize a research project and presentation by a local folklore expert. All seems well at first—but spring takes on a sudden chill when a university student inexplicably vanishes during a bonfire. The local police cast a wide net to find the missing woman, but in a shocking turn of events, Amy’s swoon-worthy neighbor Richard Muir becomes a person of interest in the case. Not only is Richard the woman’s dance instructor, he also doesn’t have an alibi for the night the student vanished—or at least not one he’ll divulge, even to Amy. When the missing student is finally discovered lost in the mountains, with no memory of recent events—and a dead body lying nearby—an already disturbing mystery takes on a sinister new hue. Blessed with her innate curiosity and a librarian’s gift for research.

Past Due for Murder let me down a little. The characters and mystery were good. There were some fun twists and turns, and some painful emotional moments along the way as well. I still like the small town feel of Taylorsford and how the group of family and friends that Amy has around her. I had two problems with the book. First, I had a good idea of who the bad guy way, and some of the related why's very early in the book. I might have missed a couple little twists, but I was almost right on point way too early for my peace of mind. I was also a little annoyed with Amy's insecurities and the way some of the romance part of the book happened. The final chapters of the book fixed it, but by that point I was not really all that interested in the Amy and Richard drama. Frankly, I am much more interested in Sunny, Kurt, Lydia, and the rest of the secondary characters and how they move forward than I am in Amy and her future. 

Past Due for Murder is a good story, but not one that left me eager for more. I might just be done with this series for now.

Early Book Review: Blow: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens

Blow: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens Is currently scheduled for release on June 18 2019. While this book is part of a collection of love stories with connected characters, each can stand up well on its own. 

Millie Hart has made a career writing happy endings. While her real life is often less than enchanting, at least she has her stories, featuring strong, vibrant women ready for any challenge and men who stand in support of their dreams. Millie makes millions of readers swoon, but despite her agent’s deep objections, her new project is fueled by her intense drive to prove something. All she needs is four months in Bodega Bay. No meet-cutes, no kissing, just blissful silence. Drake Branch is happy to be alive. He’s healed, opened BP Glass Works with his best friend, and appreciates the value of his hometown. It’s been six years since the accident, and Drake has tackled every hurdle—mental and physical—to stand on his own. So, when he lets a struggling metalworks shop move in next door to his studio and the noise triggers old issues, Drake needs to crank the music—as loud as it will go. Millie rents the cottage mere steps from Drake’s studio to write a literary novel she hopes will finally gain her father’s approval and soon learns that away from her laptop, there are men who refuse to be edited out. Despite her neighbor’s insistence that she is an entitled tourist, Millie has been blown off most of her life and she’s not going anywhere this time. It is going to be one long summer unless Millie and Drake can learn that some books are more than their covers, one breath can change the shape of everything, and true family often shows up in unlikely places.

Blow: A Love Story is a love story that delighted me on several levels. I loved that Millie is a romance author and many of my favorite romance books and authors are mentioned outright or referenced in one way or another. That was such a fun element of the story, along with dealing with some of the assumptions and slights that are often aimed at the books, authors, and readers or the romance umbrella. On another level the story deals with characters facing down their demons, both physical and emotional, to allow themselves to love and trust beyond their comfort zone. I loved the slow movement from annoyance, to friends, to more. I loved the small town and family feels that are such an important undercurrent to the story as a whole. Most importantly, all of the characters felt real. They were all complex with their own flaws and great moments working towards a HEA not just for themselves, but for the people that are in their lives. This book brought all the feels, sometimes I was frustrated but other times I had a goofy grin on my face as I read, and other times I was ready to cry for what our couple had each been through to get where they could come together. The read was an engaging rollercoaster and I cannot wait for more from Ewens.

Blow: A Love Story is the third book I have read from this author, and it will certainly not be the last. I still need to go back and read the ones I missed, which I hope to do soon. 

Book Review: Pennybaker School is Revolting (Pennybaker School) by Jennifer Brown, Marta Kissi

Pennybaker School is Revolting is the second book in the Pennybaker School series written by Jennifer Brown and illustrated by Marta Kissi. While newcomers might get the gist quickly, I recommend reading this series in order to fully enjoy the uniqueness of Pennybaker school and those that work or attend there.

Sixth-grader Thomas Fallgrout is finally settling in at Pennybaker School, home of student unicyclers, thespians, acrobats, and other classmates with unique and unusual gifts. After a bit of an unusual start to the school year, things are finally starting to seem normal. As normal as they ever could be at this decidedly unusual school, anyway. Until his Facts After the Fact (aka History) teacher Mr. Faboo goes missing, right in the middle of his favorite lesson of the year, leaving the class not a clue as to why or how. And his Four Square (aka Phys Ed) teacher introduces a new unit that is decidedly distressing. And Thomas’s neighbor, the formerly friendless Chip (he of the wacky sock collection), swoops in and bonds with all of Thomas’s friends, leaving Thomas in the dust. This year is getting out of control, and it’s up to Thomas to take matters into his own hands. It’s time… for a revolution.

Pennybaker School is Revolting is a fun story about friendship and figuring out the important things. Thomas is still struggling with the strangeness of his school, and his best friend. But, the a teacher that has gone missing and a series of events that leaving him with what is important to him. Thomas is trying so hard to find his place in school, with his friends, and who he wants to be and how he wants to be seen. This is all on par with what kids (and some adults) really struggle with on any given day. However, sometimes it did seem a bit much for me, but I am well past the target age and well into the stage where I no longer really care what people think about me- well most of the time. I enjoyed the black and white illustrations, and thought they add a nice touch and some additional humor and information to the story. I did like the craziness that happens in the story, and enjoyed the read. I just did not love it like I did the first book in the series.

Pennybaker School is Revolting is a good story about friendship and coming into your own. I think there are many readers that will enjoy it, and maybe see something of themselves or their worries inside.