Burn For Me

Burn For Me by Shiloh Walker is a fast paced introduction novella to Shiloh's Secrets and Shadows series.

After a tragedy that changed his whole outlook on life, his way of being and the way he views himself, Tate has kept his emotions under tight control, his feelings hidden.  He has a relationship with Ali, but in her opinion it is more of a friends with benefits relationship.  He keeps so much of himself from her, coming and going in the night.  Ali loves Tate, but she needs so much more.  So much more than he's willing to give.

Tate feels so much peace when he's with Ali.  But he's afraid to give anymore.  As much as it hurts, Ali has to do what is right for her or she'll never find what she needs.  It breaks both of their hearts, but Tate is unable to let go of the past and move on.  Until he can, until he can open himself up, if he ever can, Ali can no longer be with him.  Will Tate ever be able to move on?  Or will he stay locked in the past and lose Ali?

Tate and Ali have a smouldering relationship that Ali wants to take to the next level.  As painful as it is, I love how she is honest with Tate about what she needs and wants.  Tate really has suffered, and even as he frustrates you, you will really come to care for him.

Burn For Me is a fantastic, quickly read novella.  Shiloh writes with a passion that will suck you into their relationship and make you feel the emotions.  I love how she ended Burn For Me but left enough mystery and room to leave you anxious for the next novella in this series.

I will definitely be reading all of these books!  I recommend Burn For Me to any romance reader looking for a quick novella filled with passion, angst, and mystery.

5/5 stars

Almost a Bride

In Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry, Tara has vowed for her entire adult life not to end up like her mother.  Tara's father left his family when she was 13, and her mother was completely devastated, never really getting over it.  Tara has no intention of ever letting herself be set up for such devastation by a man.  In her quest for relationships, she chooses safely.  At least she thinks she does, until her safe fiancee turns out not to be Mr. Upstanding after all when he's caught cheating on her with one of his students.

Initially Tara is devastated, but I love, love that she doesn't let this break her.  Of course she is hurt and angry, but after a day or two of misery, she realizes it's only herself she's been trying to fool.  The break up of her relationship frees the inner Tara, she finally starts to open up and do things she's always wanted to do but never has.  One of them might just be Reid.

Reid is her partner on the police force.  He's only temporarily in Marietta to help his parent's out on their orchard.  He definitely is not staying forever, he never stays anywhere for too long.  Since the day Reid and Tara met though, there has been an unacknowledged spark between them, almost a forbidden chemistry they wouldn't act on.  Now there is no stopping them.  Tara knows whatever they have will only be temporary, but she has to know how things would be between her and Reid.  They already know each other very well, maybe it's time to take things to the next level... 

Can they do that though and be ok when Reid leaves?  Being together changes a lot of things for both of them. 

Almost a Bride could almost be called a friends to lovers romance.  Tara and Reid have always been friends, but there has also always been that underlying current between them that they've been ignoring up until now.  I really enjoyed the realism of their situation and their relationship with not only each other but with their families.  Sarah manages to bring Tara and Reid right to life in Almost a Bride!  Tara and Reid are both strong, mature characters who have experienced life and are using those experiences in a positive way.  They are a very easy couple to like and relate to!

I also liked how Sarah also tells some of Almost a Bride from Reid's point of view.  It's fun to watch their relationship grow and evolve from 2 perspectives. 

Some of the characters in Almost a Bride you will recognize from the first 2 Montana Born Brides books.  I liked seeing Tara and her sister Scarlett interact, the relationship they had and how it's changing.  You will definitely not be lost if you read Almost a Bride as a stand alone though, it does stand very well all by itself.

If you are a romance reader looking for a romance with an engaging couple with great chemistry and a lasting impression, I'd highly recommend Almost a Bride.  It's a novella of the perfect length for the story to be told.

5/5 stars

Beauty's Kiss

In Beauty's Kiss by Jane Porter, Taylor is fairly new to Marietta, but not to small towns.  She came from an even smaller town to take a job as a librarian in Marietta.  By her own admission, Taylor is an introvert who would rather spend her time alone at home cozied up with her historical romance books.  She's not looking for love, she's been burned before by Mr. Right, and Taylor has too  many other responsibilities right now.  When her friend Jane tries to fix her up with Jane's ex-boyfriend Troy for the upcoming Valentine's Ball in Marietta, she is less than thrilled.

Troy is back in Marietta for two reasons.  The hotel he bought and restored where the ball is being held, and his father is very ill.  He is not excited about taking the new librarian to the ball either...but when he meets Jane, he is immediately intrigued by the young woman who hides behind her glasses.  When Jane finally decides she will go to the ball with Troy, she insists that all they will ever be is friends.  It doesn't matter that she feels a spark from him, she is not getting involved with this hot, rich businessman.  Troy feels the spark too, but he plays Jane's friendship game.  For now.  Will Jane keep her heart closed off and shut Troy out?  Or will she take a chance with him?

Jane gives us great characters in Beauty's Kiss.  As we get to know Troy and Taylor better, they are impossible not to like, impossible not to relate to on some level.  Although in some ways worlds apart, in other ways they are so similar with their loyalties, sense of family, and openness.  Both of them have so much going on in their lives, and this really is a journey for them, one that I loved reading about.  Jane makes it easy to get lost in their story with smooth, easily flowing writing.  There are numerous secondary characters in Beauty's Kiss, but they are clearly defined and don't distract from the story being told.  The chemistry between Troy and Taylor is obvious, but is also subtle enough that it doesn't overshadow their journey, and this works out very well in Beauty's Kiss.  

Beauty's Kiss is all is all about love, relationships, and romance - about having the courage to do what's right for you.  If you are looking for an easy to read, quick romance, I'd highly recommend Beauty's Kiss.  Beauty's Kiss is the second book in this series (Taming of the Sheenan's), but can be read as a stand alone.

5/5 stars

Beauty's Kiss is free this weekend!  Amazon

Wildflower Wedding

In Wildflower Wedding by Luann McLane, Gabby has come a long way from the trailer park she grew up in and now owns a flower shop in Cricket Creek. She hasn’t forgotten where she came from, but she’s worked hard to get where she is now. Watching her mother be hurt by many men over the years, Gabby is very cautious when it comes to men and relationships. Before her mother died, she insisted Gabby find a stable, good man and not to settle for less. With this in mind, Gabby has her eye on the mayor who also has his eye on her…even if he doesn’t quite light her fire. Read More

3.5/5 stars

The Sweetheart Rules

In The Sweetheart Rules by Shirley Jump, Mike, a Coast Guard Lieutenant based in Alaska, is back in Rescue Bay. This time he has his daughters with him, daughters he doesn’t really know, after his ex-wife informed him the month was his with the girls. Mike craves order and a schedule, two things that are almost impossible with children. “…schedules kept him sane. Gave him a measure of control over a life that had rarely been in control.” This is a great description of Mike! He has enough on his plate right now, he has no intention of getting involved with anyone.Read More

4/5 stars

Where She Belongs

In Where She Belongs by Cindy Procter King, Jess has come 'home' to Destiny Falls - the last place she really wants to be.  When Jess and her mother faced tragedy before, instead of drawing them together, it pushed them apart.  Especially when Jess's mother remarried very quickly after the death of Jess's father.  Jess and her stepfather never had a good relationship, and she remains full of hurt and resentment.  When he dies, she goes back to help her mother.  This time, her mother is facing her grief in an entirely different way, one that confuses Jess and digs into her unhealed wounds.  Since her father's death, then her fiancee's death, Jess has never felt at home in Destiny Falls.  She's never felt at home anywhere, really.  Even in Toronto where she lives, she travels a lot for work and has no real ties to the area.  Jess really doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere.  Her plan?  To stay in Destiny Falls long enough to help her mother, then leave.  Again.

The last person she expects to meet up with on her return is Adam, her friend's cousin who she had a huge crush on when she was younger.  Adam is back in Destiny Falls, living and working there.  For him, Destiny Falls is home, for Jess it's just a tragic memory she can't move past.  She certainly doesn't want to feel anything for Adam, especially when she can feel him judging her when they first meet.  Adam is very attracted to Jess though, and he manages to slowly insert him in her life...at the same time trying to understand and support her. Adam has been betrayed in his past too, but "...he'd conquered his own childhood demons years ago."  He's also conquered his adulthood demons and been able to move on.  Now he sees something in Jess even she doesn't see, and is falling hard for her.

I felt that the major difference between Adam and Jess is that Adam is comfortable in his own skin, he is happy with his life and who he is.  He is very persistent in his pursuit of Jess as well as the achievement of his goals and plans for life.  Jess does strike me as a high achiever, but she's not so comfortable in her own skin or with her life.  She wants to deal with everything alone.  She's loved and lost once, and doesn't want to risk anything again.  Being with Adam becomes irresistible though, and as Jess mends her relationship with her mother, she builds one with Adam.  Even if it is short term.  They both know she's leaving again.  It is very sudden for Jess when Adam decides he wants more.  Jess will need to decide if she truly wants to be alone or has she found a place she can finally belong again?

Where She Belongs is a small town romance that brings to life the feel of life there without being suffocating.  Jess and Adam's characters are a good mix, and I think their traits can compliment each other if they give it a chance.  Adam was easier to relate to for me...though I don't know if I'd want to be with someone I had to work so hard to convince as he does with Jess!  He is not free of issues, but he doesn't hold them against the world.  I found it really hard to connect with Jess's character, so it was fun to watch her character develop in Where She Belongs.

I liked the different relationships we saw in Where She Belongs, it was definitely not just about Adam and Jess.  All the secondary characters and stories help round out their story.

Well written and easy to follow, if you like small town romance with a heroine suffering a lot of angst you will enjoy Where She Belongs.

3/5 stars

Wild Hearts

Wild Hearts, by Tina Wainscott, is a quick, intriguing introduction to the Justiss Aliance and a group of former Navy SEALS who will work there.  

Six Navy SEALS were on an unofficial mission in Mexico...one that went horribly wrong, and only five came home.  No one, not even the SEALS, know the full story.  The SEALS are left to take the fall though.  Tainted as 'rogue' SEALS they are readjusting to life as a civilian way sooner than they imagined they would have to.  They are no longer SEALS, but the call to duty remains strong, the fight for justice and right still drives them.  If they join the secretive Justiss Alliance, it might just give them and others what is needed.

Tina writes a great novella in Wild Hearts.  She gives us enough background to catch your interest and want to follow these men and the action that is sure to follow with them.  I liked how she did this, taking us into each of the former SEAL's lives for a brief period, learning just enough about their backgrounds to understand them a bit better and really look forward to where they go from here!

If you are looking to start a new series with strong, hot, alpha men, I think you will like this one!  I'm really looking forward to where Tina takes us in the Justiss Alliance series.

4/5 stars