Source: Purchased

#BookReview For 100 Days by Lara Adrian @lara_adrian

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview For 100 Days by Lara Adrian @lara_adrian Title: For 100 Days

Author: Lara Adrian

Series: 100 Series #1

Published by: Lara Adrian, LLC on May 24, 2016

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Pages: 375

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8/10

Pleasure has a price . . .

Just when everything in my life is falling apart, I find a chance to turn it around–to step into someone else’s glittering world, if only for a little while. I become someone new, no longer the woman defined by an ugly past, but a woman freer and bolder than myself. A woman who isn’t afraid to explore every passion, even at its darkest, with a mysterious and seductive man who believes my mask is real.

Handsome and commanding, enigmatic and irresistible, billionaire Dominic Baine is an obsession I cannot afford and should not risk. He ushers me into consuming new pleasures and addicting new desires, until the line between my real life and the fantasy one I’ve stolen with him begins to blur.

I know I cannot keep my truth from him. I know my past will not stay buried forever. But before I can make it right, everything comes crashing down. I have deceived this powerful, dangerous man . . . and now there is a price to be paid.

Review:

Sinful, sexy, and devilishly naughty!

This is a highly erotic story that combines a gorgeous, scarred, billionaire titan with a beautiful, damaged, struggling artist in a plot filled with dangerous secrets, haunting pasts, explosive chemistry, and steamy passion.

The writing is well done. And the characters are complex, flawed, and intriguing.

This is only the first book in the series though, so unfortunately we will now have to wait for the next two books in the series, For 100 Nights and For 100 Reasons, to discover how the drama between Nick and Avery will ultimately unfold.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up copy from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada

 

About Lara Adrian

LARA ADRIAN is a New York Times and #1 internationally best-selling author with nearly 4 million books in print and digital worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books have been named among Amazon’s Top Ten Romances of the Year, and have also been nominated by readers multiple times as finalists for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance of the Year. Reviewers have called Lara’s books “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune), “extraordinary” (Fresh Fiction), “strikingly original” (Booklist), and “one of the best vampire series on the market” (Romantic Times).

Writing as TINA ST. JOHN, her historical romances have won numerous awards including the National Readers Choice; Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice; Booksellers Best; and many others. She was twice named a Finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, for Best Historical Romance (White Lion’s Lady) and Best Paranormal Romance (Heart of the Hunter). More recently, the German translation of Heart of the Hunter debuted on Der Spiegel bestseller list.

With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, the author lives with her husband in New England, where she is working on her next novel.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

#BookReview The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz @tiffanyreisz

Published on by Zoe1 Comment
#BookReview The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz @tiffanyreisz Title: The Bourbon Thief

Author: Tiffany Reisz

Published by: MIRA on Jun. 28, 2016

Genres: Romantic Suspense

Pages: 379

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 9/10

From the internationally celebrated author of the Original Sinners series comes a brand-new tale of betrayal, revenge and a family scandal that bore a 150-year-old mystery

When Cooper McQueen wakes up from a night with a beautiful stranger, it’s to discover he’s been robbed. The only item stolen—a million-dollar bottle of bourbon. The thief, a mysterious woman named Paris, claims the bottle is rightfully hers. After all, the label itself says it’s property of the Maddox family who owned and operated Red Thread Bourbon distillery since the last days of the Civil War until the company went out of business for reasons no one knows… No one except Paris. 

In the small hours of a Louisville morning, Paris unspools the lurid tale of Tamara Maddox, heiress to the distillery that became an empire. But the family tree is rooted in tainted soil and has borne rotten fruit. Theirs is a legacy of wealth and power, but also of lies, secrets and sins of omission. The Maddoxes have bourbon in their blood—and blood in their bourbon. Why Paris wants the bottle of Red Thread remains a secret until the truth of her identity is at last revealed, and the century-old vengeance Tamara vowed against her family can finally be completed.

Review:

Dark, gritty, and impressively compelling!

This novel takes you into the lives of, the multi-generational bourbon maker family, the Maddoxes. They are rich. They are southern. And they are ruthless. And like most families with privilege, money, and power, they have a lot of skeletons in their closets, and hidden behind those closed doors you will find an intricate web of abuse, lies, adultery, secrets, and murder.

The characters are complex, avaricious, vindictive, and self-destructive. And the plot is well written, rich in detail, and highly suspenseful. 

This really is a truly engaging and captivating story and I only hope that I will get to enjoy more of the Cooper and Paris saga in the future.

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from the following Amazon links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada

 

 

About Tiffany Reisz

Tiffany Reisz is the USA Today-bestselling author of the Romance Writers of America RITA®-winning Original Sinners series from Harlequin's Mira Books.

Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Tiffany graduated from Centre College with a B.A. in English. She began her writing career while a student at Wilmore, Kentucky's Asbury Theological Seminary. After leaving seminary to focus on her fiction, she wrote The Siren, which has sold more than half a million copies worldwide.

Tiffany also writes mainstream women's suspense fiction, including The Bourbon Thief (winner of the RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence Award) and the RITA®-nominated The Night Mark.

Her erotic fantasy The Red—self-published under the banner 8th Circle Press—was named an NPR Best Book of the Year and a Goodreads Best Romance of the Month. It also received a coveted starred review from Library Journal.

Tiffany lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband, author Andrew Shaffer, and two cats. The cats are not writers.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

#BookReview Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler Title: Vinegar Girl

Author: Anne Tyler

Published by: Hogarth on Jun. 21, 2016

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 237

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8/10

The third book in the Hogarth Shakespeare series, a major global initiative the Guardian calls “The great rewriting project of the 21st century” 
Shakespeare’s controversial comedy “The Taming of the Shrew” sees wilful, independent Katherina transformed into a willing, obedient wife to Petruchio. It is one of Shakespeare’s most re-visited plays, with adaptations including “Kiss Me Kate,” and “10 Things I Hate About You.” 
Anne Tyler’s delightful “Vinegar Girl” features Kate, a socially awkward young woman, adored by the preschool children she teaches but misunderstood by her peers. Her father is a scientific genius, but not so great on emotions. About to lose his (equally genius, equally socially inept) research assistant, Pyotr Cherbakov, because of visa problems, and desperate to save the project that is his life’s work, he comes up with a plan: Kate will marry Pyotr who will then be able to stay in the country and finish the project. The plan sounds perfect, except for one small hitch: Kate.”

Review:

This is an interesting, humorous take on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

It is a quick, easy read full of dry wit, eccentric characters, and oddball situations.

The main character, Kate, is lovable, direct, and asocial. And the supporting characters are unique, zany, and vivid.

I think, overall, Anne Tyler has done a really good job at taking a true classic, and re-telling it in a fresh, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny way, with beautiful writing and remarkable description.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from the following Amazon links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada

 

#BookReview You Had Me at Hello by Mhairi McFarlane @MhairiMcF

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview You Had Me at Hello by Mhairi McFarlane @MhairiMcF Title: You Had Me At Hello

Author: Mhairi McFarlane

Published by: Avon on Dec. 6, 2012

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 436

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 7.5/10

What happens when the one that got away comes back?

Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel. It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart.

It’s been a decade since they last spoke, but when Rachel bumps into Ben one rainy day, the years melt away.

From the moment they met they’d been a gang of two; partners in crime and the best of friends. But life has moved on. Ben is married. Rachel is definitely not. In fact, the men in her life make her want to take holy orders…

Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she’s never been able to mend.

If you love David Nicholls and Lisa Jewell then this is the book for you. Hilarious, heartbreaking and everything in between, you’ll be hooked from their first ‘hello’.

Review:

This is a heartwarming, charming, funny story about friendship, love, and life.

For me what resonated throughout this novel is that timing is everything.

The main character, Rachel, is determined, conscientious, and likeable. And the supporting characters are imperfect, quirky, and interesting. 

And although the plot seems to drag slightly during the middle, it has enough heartbreak, romance, and entertaining dialogue to keep you intrigued until the last page.

Overall, this is an engaging, easy read that I enjoyed.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from the following Amazon links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada

 

For more information on Mhairi McFarlane, visit her website at: www.mhairimcfarlane.com

or follow her on Twitter at: @MhairiMcF

 

#BookReview The Pursuit by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview The Pursuit by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg Title: The Pursuit

Author: Janet Evanovich

Series: Fox and O’Hare #5

Published by: Bantam on Feb. 28, 2017

Genres: Romantic Suspense

Pages: 352

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Janet Evanovich, author of the blockbuster Stephanie Plum novels, and Lee Goldberg, writer for the Monk television show, team up once again for the fifth book in their rollicking, New York Times bestselling Fox and O’Hare series!

Nicolas Fox, international con man, thief, and one of the top ten fugitives on the FBI’s most-wanted list, has been kidnapped from a beachfront retreat in Hawaii. What the kidnapper doesn’t know is that Nick Fox has been secretly working for the FBI. It isn’t long before Nick’s covert partner, Special Agent Kate O’Hare, is in hot pursuit of the crook who stole her con man.

The trail leads to Belgium, France, and Italy, and pits Nick and Kate against their deadliest adversary yet: Dragan Kovic, an ex–Serbian military officer. He’s plotting a crime that will net him billions . . . and cost thousands of American lives.

Nick and Kate have to mount the most daring, risky, and audacious con they’ve ever attempted to save a major U.S. city from a catastrophe of epic proportions. Luckily they have the help of an eccentric out-of-work actor, a bandit who does his best work in the sewers, and Kate’s dad, Jake. The pressure’s on for Nick and Kate to make this work—even if they have to lay their lives on the line.

Review:

Highly Entertaining, action packed, and laugh-out-loud funny!

This is the fifth novel in the Fox and O’Hare series, and once again the extraordinary cast of quirky, eccentric, and unique characters are back.

The writing is easy, charming, and fun. And the plot is jam-packed full of bizarre escapades, impressive cons, witty banter, a touch of romance, and imaginative villains.

This novel really is a riot from start to finish. And I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to find out what kind of hijinks Kate and Nick will get up to next.

 

#BookReview The Lie by Helen Dunmore

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview The Lie by Helen Dunmore Title: The Lie

Author: Helen Dunmore

Published by: Windmill Books on May 8, 2014

Genres: Historical Fiction

Pages: 304

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Set during and just after the First World War, The Lie is an enthralling, heart-wrenching novel of love, memory and devastating loss by one of the UK’s most acclaimed storytellers.

Cornwall, 1920, early spring.
A young man stands on a headland, looking out to sea. He is back from the war, homeless and without family. Behind him lie the mud, barbed-wire entanglements and terror of the trenches. Behind him is also the most intense relationship of his life.

Daniel has survived, but the horror and passion of the past seem more real than the quiet fields around him. He is about to step into the unknown. But will he ever be able to escape the terrible, unforeseen consequences of a lie?

Review:

Extremely compelling, poignant, and hauntingly realistic!

This is a novel that reminds us of the considerable physical and psychological horrors of war and their effects on both the soldiers themselves and the loved ones they left behind.

It is a subtle, but deeply moving story about familial relationships, friendship, loss, guilt, grief, survival and ultimately love.

The writing is clear and precise. The prose is beautiful and poetic. The settings are vividly described. And the characters are strong and multifaceted, especially Daniel, who is resilient, damaged, lonely, and empathetic. 

This truly is a powerful, heartbreaking story that I won’t soon forget.

 

 

About Helen Dunmore

Helen Dunmore is the author of twelve books, including The Greatcoat, The Betrayal, a New York Times Editors’ Choice; The Siege, a best seller and finalist for the Whitbread Novel of the Year Award; and A Spell of Winter, winner of the Orange Prize.

Helen Dunmore (1952 – 2017)

#BookReview Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview Landline by Rainbow Rowell Title: Landline

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Published by: St. Martin's Press on Jul. 8, 2014

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 310

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8/10

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now.

Maybe that was always beside the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts…

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Review:

Heartwarming, interesting, and thought-provoking.

For me what resonated throughout this novel is the idea that a successful marriage does not occur just from finding the right mate, but rather from being the right mate.

The main character, Georgie, in the beginning is quite self indulged, overworked, and oblivious. She takes a lot for granted and forgets to appreciate all she has. And throughout the story as the plot develops, she undergoes a form of introspection to recognize what is truly important in life and that some things are worth fighting for.

The story is well written. And the plot uses a past/present style to give insight and depth into the relationship between the characters and also to highlight their individual drives, wants and motivations.

Overall, it is an engaging, easy read, that is certainly a nice way to spend an afternoon

 

#BookReview The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski

Published on by Zoe1 Comment
#BookReview The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski Title: The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

Author: Rita Leganski

Published by: Harper Paperbacks on Feb. 26, 2013

Genres: General Fiction, Women's Fiction

Pages: 400

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Conceived in love and possibility, Bonaventure Arrow didn’t make a peep when he was born, and the doctor nearly took him for dead. No one knows Bonaventure’s silence is filled with resonance – a miraculous gift of rarified hearing that encompasses the Universe of Every Single Sound. Growing up in the big house on Christopher Street in Bayou Cymbaline, Bonaventure can hear flowers grow, a thousand shades of blue, and the miniature tempests that rage inside raindrops. He can also hear the gentle voice of his father, William Arrow, shot dead before Bonaventure was born by a mysterious stranger known only as the Wanderer.

Bonaventure’s remarkable gift of listening promises salvation to the souls who love him: his beautiful young mother, Dancy, haunted by the death of her husband; his Grand-mere Letice, plagued by grief and long-buried guilt she locks away in a chapel; and his father, William, whose roaming spirit must fix the wreckage of the past. With the help of Trinidad Prefontaine, a Creole housekeeper endowed with her own special gifts, Bonaventure will find the key to long-buried mysteries and soothe a chorus of family secrets clamoring to be healed.

Review:

This is a bittersweet, sophisticated novel that reminds us of the incredible resilience of the human spirit.

It is a lovely story that touches on familial relationships, love, loss, guilt, grief, and ultimately forgiveness.

It is exquisitely written. The prose is beautiful. The setting is vividly described. And the characters are well-developed and complex, especially the protagonist, Bonaventure Arrow, who is strong, brave and empathetic. 

This truly is a subtle story that flows effortlessly, makes an impact, and leaves an impression.

 

#BookReview The Girl From The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor @HazelGaynor

Published on by Zoe1 Comment
#BookReview The Girl From The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor @HazelGaynor Title: The Girl from the Savoy

Author: Hazel Gaynor

Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks on Jun. 7, 2016

Genres: Historical Fiction

Pages: 419

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8/10

Presenting a dazzling new historical novel … The Girl From The Savoy is as sparkling as champagne and as thrilling as the era itself.

Sometimes life gives you cotton stockings. Sometimes it gives you a Chanel gown …

Dolly Lane is a dreamer; a downtrodden maid who longs to dance on the London stage, but her life has been fractured by the Great War. Memories of the soldier she loved, of secret shame and profound loss, by turns pull her back and spur her on to make a better life.

When she finds employment as a chambermaid at London’s grandest hotel, The Savoy, Dolly takes a step closer to the glittering lives of the Bright Young Things who thrive on champagne, jazz and rebellion. Right now, she must exist on the fringes of power, wealth and glamor—she must remain invisible and unimportant.

But her fortunes take an unexpected turn when she responds to a struggling songwriter’s advertisement for a ‘muse’ and finds herself thrust into London’s exhilarating theatre scene and into the lives of celebrated actress, Loretta May, and her brother, Perry. Loretta and Perry may have the life Dolly aspires to, but they too are searching for something.

Now, at the precipice of the life she has and the one she longs for, the girl from The Savoy must make difficult choices: between two men; between two classes, between everything she knows and everything she dreams of. A brighter future is tantalizingly close—but can a girl like Dolly ever truly leave her past behind?

Review:

This novel is deeply moving, intriguing, and pensive.

The story is set in London in the early 1920s, and is told from three perspectives. Dolly, an ambitious young woman, who yearns for adventure and dreams of being more than just the help. Loretta, a starlet who seems to have it all, but who hides a heavy heart behind the smile and the charm. And Teddy, a soldier, who left for war full of love and hope, only to return with jumbled thoughts and frayed nerves.

The prose is precise, clear, and exquisitely descriptive. The characters are sympathetic, wounded, and real. And the plot is intricately woven together to flow seamlessly from start to finish.

This truly is an engaging, captivating story about love, loss, war, hardship, grief, resilience and determination that would be a wonderful addition to book clubs everywhere.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from the following Amazon links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada

 

#BookReview Everywhere and Every Way by Jennifer Probst @jenniferprobst

Published on by ZoeLeave a comment
#BookReview Everywhere and Every Way by Jennifer Probst @jenniferprobst Title: Everywhere and Every Way

Author: Jennifer Probst

Series: Billionaire Builders #1

Published by: Gallery Books on May 31, 2016

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 367

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Hot on the heels of her beloved Marriage to a Billionaire novels, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst nails it with the first in an all-new sexy romance series featuring red-hot contractor siblings who give the Property Brothers a run for their money!

Ever the responsible eldest brother, Caleb Pierce started working for his father’s luxury contracting business at a young age, dreaming of one day sitting in the boss’s chair. But his father’s will throws a wrench in his plans by stipulating that Caleb share control of the family business with his two estranged brothers.

Things only get more complicated when demanding high-end home designer Morgan hires Caleb to build her a customized dream house that matches her specifications to a T—or she’ll use her powerful connections to poison the Pierce brothers’ reputation. Not one to ignore a challenge, Caleb vows to get the job done—if only he can stop getting distracted by his new client’s perfect…amenities.

But there’s more to icy Morgan than meets the eye. And Caleb’s not the only one who knows how to use a stud-finder. In fact, Morgan is pretty sure she’s found hers—and he looks quite enticing in a hard hat. As sparks fly between Morgan and Caleb despite his best intentions not to mix business and pleasure, will she finally warm up and help him lay the foundation for everlasting love?

Review:

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Once again, Jennifer Probst has written a steamy contemporary romance novel that is sexy, smart, and funny.

This is a sizzling, easy read that mixes, a handsome, hard-bodied contractor and a beautiful, southern designer, with the tried-and-true, client-to-more plot.

The characters are engaging, charming, cheeky, and memorable. And as always, the chemistry between the characters is exceptional. 

This is a really enjoyable read that is perfect for the beach, summer, or anytime!

I look forward to reading the next book in the Billionaire Builders series, Dalton Pierce’s story, when it is published in early 2017.

And if you haven’t previously read any other novels by this author, I highly recommend the Marriage to a Billionaire series. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy of this book from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Chapters/Indigo

 

 

About Jennifer Probst

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012, and spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | YouTube