Wicked Cowboy Charm

Book Review of Wicked Cowboy Charm (Lucky Penny Ranch Series)

Title: Wicked Cowboy Charm

Series: Lucky Penny Ranch Series

Author: Carolyn Brown

Date Published: January 31 2016

Date Read:   January  29, 2017

The Blurb:

ONE BLIZZARD, ONE BUNKHOUSE,AND A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE . . . 

Josie Dawson is new in town, but it doesn't take a local to know that Deke Sullivan is trouble--in a smokin' hot package. He's sweet, sexy, and has charmed just about every woman in Dry Creek, Texas. Well, Josie won't be next. She'll keep her distance, even if he is great with babies and makes a mean cup of homemade hot chocolate.
Deke Sullivan really is a one-woman type of guy. He just had to do a lot of looking to find that one woman. Now he thinks he's found her and he won't let a strong, sassy gal like Josie slip away. Just when he's wondering how to convince her he only has eyes for her, they get stranded in a tiny cabin during a major blizzard. If Deke can melt her heart before they dig out of the snow, he'll be the luckiest cowboy in Texas . . . 

The Lucky Penny Ranch Series: Wild Cowboy WaysHot Cowboy Nights Merry Cowboy ChristmasWicked Cowboy Charm 

My Review

3 Too Slow Stars

I have loved the Lucky Penny Ranch series since book 1. The first 3 books in the series I loved, but this one just didn't do it for me. I had been looking forward to Deke's book and it makes me sad that I didn't really care for this one. I really like Carolyn Brown's writing style and I loved the first 3 couples but I felt nothing for Deke and Josie. I didn't connect to them individually and I didn't feel their relationship. It just fell flat. On top of that the book crawled for me. Deke and Josie didn't really have anything going on until the 69% of the book. The pace was way too slow for me and I found myself getting bored. Now that being said the book wasn't bad and I didn't hate it. I just didn't get into it. I still love Carolyn Brown and I can't wait to try the spin off series! 

Into the Firestorm

Book Review of Into The Firestorm (Boss Inc Series)

Title: Into The Firestorm

Series: Boss Inc Series

Author: Kat Martin

Date Published: January 31 2016

Date Read:   January  28, 2017

The Blurb:

At Brodie Operations Security Service, Inc., following your instincts is company policy . . .

M. Cassidy—Luke Brodie had heard the name before, some novice bounty hunter working Seattle, catching tricky skips with more success than a newcomer should expect. But the dark curls, sparkly top, and impressive cleavage were not what Brodie had pictured.

Emma Cassidy is tough and smart and sexy as hell. She’s also popping up a step ahead of him every time he’s close to the capture he wants most . . . and there’s no room for learning on the trail of this monster.

Emma has idolized Luke Brodie, the bounty hunter who can bring anyone in. The big man in the soft shoes, with a face like a fallen angel and a reputation for breaking hearts. Watching him in action is intoxicating. But her fight with Rudy Vance is fiercely personal. If he gets too close, Brodie will find out just how ferocious she can be . . .

My Review

4 Team work Stars

Some spoilers

Yay It's yummy Luke Brodie's story. Into the Firestorm the 3rd book in the Boss, Inc. series was awesome. After I read the excerpt for Into the Firestorm at the end of Into the whirlwind I was really looking forward to Luke's book. It didn't disappoint. Luke was all that was yummy and good. He was charming, caring, protective and totally bad ass. Ex military special forces he could take care of business. He played the field but deep down he wanted a family. He just didn't feel like he would be a good husband after all he did and seen in the military. I loved Luke and the way he was all about Emma after meeting her. She was it for him. Even though his feelings scared him he only had eyes for her. Emma was awesome. I love strong kick ass heroines and Emma was all that and more. Emma was strong, brave, smart and she could take care of herself. She was well trained. She knew how to fight, shoot a gun and run down leads. She also had a sweet feminine side. She cared deeply for her family. She would do anything to protect them. 

Luke and Emma had a lot of passion. I loved how Luke and Emma teamed up to take down Rudy Vance the SOB that raped Emma's 14 year old niece Ginny. Luke didn't try to tuck the little lady away while he saved the day. He respected Emma and her skills. They worked so well together and had a strong connection. The plot was entertaining and action packed. The suspense kept me on edge the whole book. The secondary characters were endearing and added to the book. I really enjoyed the very small side romance between Emma's sister April and FBI agent Conner Danfield. But I was glad it didn't take away from Luke and Emma's story. I enjoyed getting to catch up with past couples that I loved. Especially Dirk and Meg! They're my favorite of the whole series. So getting to read about their wedding was great. The action at the end was so good. I loved their Hea it was very sweet. Into the Firestorm was a great read for me. I have really enjoyed this series. If you like Romantic Suspense this book is for you!

Taking Care of the Target

Book Review of Taking Care Of The Target

Title: Taking Care Of The Target

Series: Novel

Author: Cindi Madsen 

Date Published: January 23rd 2017

Date Read:   January 25, 2017

The Blurb:

Vince DaMarco always liked Cassie, the shy waitress who works at the restaurant that serves as a front for his mob boss uncle. Unfortunately, she witnesses a back alley hit, and while fleeing, she’s struck by a truck. Now she’s at the top of the hit list. Desperate to stop anyone who’d draw out Cassie’s death, Vince volunteers to take care of it.

Cassie Dalton has no recollection of her accident, but she’s told she’s lucky to be alive. A few years are missing from her memory, and the unsettling feeling that something isn’t right—along with the creepy sensation that she’s being watched—won’t go away. 

Vince shows up right when Cassie needs him most. In a world of confusion, the rugged stranger is the one thing that makes sense. But little does she know, she’s found refuge in the arms of the very man who’s been sent to kill her.

My Review

4 Starting over with you Stars

"I wish I could forget about everything else and start over with you."-Vince

Taking Care of the Target is my first book by Cindi Madsen and I really enjoyed it. I haven't read very many mob base love stories so I was looking forward to something new. This book did a great job at capturing my attention from the start. Vince and Cassie were very endearing characters. 

"Just so you know, Vince DaMarco, I see you. The real you. Even if you don't."-Cassie

Vince was sexy, protective, and a good guy. I loved that Vince was so protective of his brother and Cassie. I also loved that even though he was good he could be bad if that's what it took to protect the ones he loved. Cassie was quirky, charming, and cute. She was kinda shy maybe a little nerdy but so likable she really made this book. 

His phone buzzed, and he glanced at it. Cassie: WTH are you doing? He grinned. Even with abbreviations, she went for the less-vulgar, sweeter version. Vince: Just enjoying the view, sweetheart Cassie: This is straight up crazy. I can't focus with you there. Go away. Vince: I will as soon as I see you safely to work. Unless he puts his hands on you. Then you'll see me a little sooner Through the window, he saw her glance down at her phone and shake her head. Surveillance just got more interesting. Another car would've been more discreet when it came to Cassie noticing, but if any of Carlo's boys passed by, they'd recognize his jeep and move on. So like it or not, she got his stalker personality. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel for a moment and then lifted his phone and thumbed another text. Vince: You look hot by the way He started at his screen, nearly giving up on a reply when it chimed. Cassie: You and I are in a fight. Vince: This all could've been avoided if you'd just canceled Cassie: Fight!!!! 

"I promise I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."-Vince

Vince and Cassie made a really cute couple. They had some major chemistry and a strong connection. I loved them both and I really thought their relationship was very sweet. I was rooting for them the whole way. Vince's brother Bobby was very likable. I loved how Cassie took to Bobby and was supportive of Vince helping his brother when he got in trouble. I hope Cindi Madsen writes a book for Bobby. The mob part of the book was interesting but not as much as Vince and Cassie's relationship. I really liked the flow of the book and for the most part I was hooked. There was just one thing I didn't like and it's the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 and that was the part of the book that Vince and Cassie were apart. I felt it was too long. There was just too many pages of reading where the couple I became invested in were not together and I just didn't want to read about it. Other than that I really loved the book and I will be reading more books by Cindi Madsen. 

I'm never letting you go again." "Last time you said we'd start over and that you were mine, and then you left me. Just know that if you ever try that again..." She wrapped her arms around his neck and locked eyes with him. "Just don't, okay? My heart can't take it." "I won't, I swear. My life completely sucked without you, and I already had plans to find you, no matter what it took." He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. "And for what it's worth, I never stopped being yours. I'll always be yours." A satisfied smile spread across her face. "I love you so much." "I love you, too. After this mess is over, we'll start over new. Together."-Vince and Cassie

Book Review of Beast Behaving Badly (Pride Series)

Title: Beast Behaving Badly

Series: Pride Series

Author: Shelly Laurenston 

Date Published: May 25 2010

Date Read:   September 03, 2015

The Blurb:

Ten years after Blayne Thorpe first encountered Bo Novikov, she still can't get the smooth-talking shifter out of her head. Now he's shadowing her in New York-all seven-plus feet of him-determined to protect her from stalkers who want to use her in shifter dogfights. Even if he has to drag her off to an isolated Maine town where the only neighbors are other bears almost as crazy as he is...

Let sleeping dogs lie. Bo knows it's good advice, but he can't leave Blayne be. Blame it on her sweet sexiness -- or his hunch that there's more to this little wolfdog than meets the eye. Blayne has depths he hasn't yet begun to fathom -- much as he'd like to. She may insist Bo's nothing but a pain in her delectable behind, but polar bears have patience in spades. Soon she'll realize how good they can be together. And when she does, animal instinct tells him it'll be worth the wait... 

My Review

5 bear-cat sexiness Stars

*Spoilers*

“Stop!” Bo put his hands over his ears and gaped down at her. “Good God, woman. Hit the brakes on the freight train that is your mouth.”

“You’re an asshole!” “You don’t even know me.” “On the ice. You’re an asshole on the ice. And now everyone wants to be assholes! That’s expected now!” She rolled closer. “And because I’m not an asshole, I’m suffering! Your fault!”

Beast Behaving Badly is the 5th book in the Pride series and it is awesomely hilarious. I really love Blayne and Bo. Bo Novikov is a lion/polar bear hybrid. He is a totally lovable asshole, anti social loner with OCD ( which I totally understand)and a kick ass hockey player. Bo needs everything organised and neat. He says exactly what he means and is all about being punctual, staying on schedule, and list! Bo set his eyes on Blayne 10 years ago and wanted her then, but she ran from him screaming. Now ten years later she is asking him to help toughen her up for her roller derby team, since he is the asshole of hockey and all. Even though he doesn't have time on his schedule he is willing to help Blayne because he wants a chance to be in her life. 

“Don’t you understand?” she pleaded. “I’m a wolfdog meant to be free! To roam the hills and roads as I see fit. Not to be held down by your expensive time keeping devices. I can’t live in this kind of—ooh! Earmuffs.”

Blayne Thorpe is a wild dog/wolf hybrid. She is a super perky,hyper, sweet, all over the place scatter brain, but she can turn killer with mad skills (she learned from her daddy) when she has to. She is always trying to help others she goes out of her way to be cheery and nice to everyone. Which is the problem she is having, her roller derby team thinks she is too nice and will cause their team to lose the upcoming championship. So Blayne gets Bo to help toughen her up, but she also wants to help him too. Blayne can see that Bo is lonely and she wants to help him be more nice and make friends, cut loose and live a little. 

“I don’t hate you, you idiot. I’m in love with you. That’s why I’m panicking!” She marched to the door and yelled, “And our children will not be freaks!”

Blayne and Bo together had me laughin so damn hard. The way she is all over the place chaotic and it driving Bo crazy. I love that Bo learns to let loose and would do nice things just to make Blayne happy. I think it is great that even though they both could be other things (Blayne could be mean and Bo could be nice) they are still true to who they really are. I love the fact that Blayne could go from sweet, nutty girl to trained killer in 60 seconds flat. There is some seriously hot scenes in this book. I love a lot of the new characters we meet for the first time in this book, and really enjoyed seeing some old favorites from past books. I really enjoy how closely the books tie together and build onto each other giving the characters more depth. A great read and a awesome addition to the series. Below I leave a couple of my favorite quotes from this book:

He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up, enjoying her squealed giggles; her arms looping around his neck, her legs around his waist. “And now?” he demanded. “And now, I’d have to say, you have me where you want me, Marauder. Genghis would be proud.” “Then you better kiss me quick before I burn your peasant village to the ground and take all your women as my concubines.” “Oh, no,” she whispered, staring at his mouth. “I’m trapped between wanting to help my people and keep my innocence. What will I do?” “What you always do, Blayne,” he told her honestly while pressing his body into hers. “Help everyone else.” She leaned in, her hands moving from his shoulders to his face, her fingers stroking his jaw. “My God,” she whispered, her sweet breath brushing against his mouth, “the sacrifices I’m forced to make for my people.”


“Bo!” “What?” Blayne cleared her throat and said, “Uh . . . Bold Novikov, I’d like you to meet my father. Ezra Louis Thorpe.” Praying she was kidding—but already knowing she wasn’t—he looked down the porch stairs. Unsmiling, black, powerfully built, in his fifties, and still wearing a buzz cut that was mere millimeters from bald, Bo knew this was Blayne’s father. “Sir,” Bo said before raising his gaze to Blayne’s. “I am so naked,” he whispered. What kind of first impression could he be making right now? “I’m almost positive he noticed that,” she whispered back. “Although if you go inside and get some pants . . . I don’t think he’ll mind.”

Guardian's Heart

Book Review of Guardian's Heart (Fire and Snow Series)

Title: Guardian's Heart

Series: Fire and Snow Series

Author: Khloe Wren

Date Published: January 5th 2016

Date Read:   January  13, 2017

The Blurb:

The last thing Snow Leopard shape shifter Dominic expects to find at an accident scene is his mate, the beautiful Adele. After four years of him dreaming of her, there she is, right in front of him. However, winning the heart of his lonely, grieving mate is no simple task. Just as their relationship begins to heat up a gravely injured child, Kelly, stumbles into their lives after escaping and fleeing her abuser. Will Dominic and Adele's bond grow stronger as they nurture and protect Kelly? Will their relationship be able to survive all that fate plans on throwing their way?

My Review

2.5 conflicted Stars

******Spoilers*******

Let me start by saying that I had a really hard time rating this book, and I find myself having a equally hard time writing this review. I am conflicted on my feeling of this book. I tried two times in December to read this book but couldn't really get into it. I gave up and tried to come back at a later date. This time I made myself sit down and finish it. So now I sit trying to piece together my thoughts. I didn't like this book but I didn't hate it either. Truly I never connected to the book or the main couple. 

One of the problems I had was there was way too much going on in this book. It would bounce from one point of view(pov) to another, to another, to another, to another and not just the main couple but like 6 or more different people's povs. It was so busy it made it hard to get invested. 

Another thing that bothered me was there was some dark stuff in here. Now I read dark romances and I love them but 1. I like to know when something is going to be dark so I am in the right frame of mind for dark. And 2. I don't like dark when it is young children. I have a harder time reading about rape, abuse, and torture of children. In this book we had an 11 or 12 year old girl name Kelly. And we readers have to read about how her mom is this evil man's sex slave and the girl lives listening to this man beat and rape and chain her mom. Then in the story the man beats the mom to death and decides to take Kelly and make her his slave. So I had to read about him hanging Kelly, a child from chains, naked, and beat her repeatedly and talk about raping her. He never does rape her because she escapes but it was really hard for me to read. I cringed many times. 

And the other reason I feel I didn't really connect with this book is I felt there wasn't much meat to it. I felt that Dominic, Adele, their relationship, and the plot were all pretty much one dimensional. There wasn't any depth because there was just too much going on for anything to dig deep. It just jumped from Dominic, to his brother , to his father, to evil rapist, to Kelly, to Adele, to Cop etc.. leaving me feeling like I only scratched the surface. So while this book wasn't for me I didn't hate it. 

Worth the Wait

Book Review of Worth The Wait (McKinney/Walker Series)

Title: Worth The Wait 

Series: McKinney/Walker Series

Author: Claudia Conner

Date Published: January 10th 2017

Date Read:   January 02 to 06, 2017

The Blurb:

He broke her heart. When he finds out just how badly, it will break his too. 

Nick Walker found the love of his life when he was just nineteen.

Found her.
Loved her.
Lost her.

It's been ten years since Nick watched the only woman he ever loved walk out of his life. Now this FBI Special Agent will do anything to win her back.

But it won’t be easy…

Mia’s heart was shattered by Nick. They'll have to face their painful past if they want a future, including Mia's own secret about that day it all fell apart. 

Do you believe in second chances?

My Review

3 Reliving the Past Stars

Some Spoilers

So let me start by saying that I love Claudia Connor. I loved, loved, loved her McKinney Brothers series. When I finished Worth the Risk (Hannah and Stephen's book) I was so madly in love with Hannah's overprotective, broody, sexy FBI agent brother Nick and I couldn't wait to get his book. So when I got this book from Netgalley I was so excited I did a happy dance. I just knew I would love Nick and Mia's story! Just knew it. But now after finished it I just feel disappointed and sad. Here is yet another book all my friends loved and I didn't. I waited for and dreamed of this book and it just didn't live up to my hopes. 

Before I say what disappointed me about this book, let me start by saying what I did like about it. It was well written. I love Claudia Connor's writing style. I loved all the characters in this book. I loved Nick. I loved Mia. I ate up all the cuteness that was Nick with toddler Hannah. Every time 2 year old Hannah would say " I bite" I melted a little. I even liked some of Mia and Nick's backstory. Just some like the very start. I loved getting more of Hannah, and Stephen, Abby, and Matt, Luke, and Zach. I also loved getting little tidbits of Dallas who was again not in this book other than being talked about but still managed to intrigue me. All that being said as much as I loved Mia and Nick I hated their love story. 

I know that sounds stupid when I just said I loved both of the main couple but It's their love story that left me wanting. For one the book goes through tons of flashbacks. I'm okay with flashbacks but there was so many that around 50% of the book is in the past. And it flipped between the past and present so much I got whiplash. Then almost all of their love story was just painful. There was no balance of good times to bad. It was a few minutes of them falling in love then tons and tons of bad. Tons and tons of Nick pushing Mia away. Tons of Nick taking his pain and guilt out on Mia. I could have handled that if when they got back together in the present it would have been good, but instead I got more sad and bad. The first time Mia and Nick come together it was Mia that went to Nick. Which I didn't like. He was the one that pushed her away so I felt he should have been the one to make the first move. Instead (view spoiler) I also had a big problem with the fact that Mia hasn't slept with anyone else in the 10 years her and Nick were apart, but Nick has been sleeping around. Normally that doesn't bother me when the main couple has been apart for years, but again I felt this unfairness to their relationship. I felt like Mia always got the short end of the stick. 

Then what follows is Mia and Nick pretty much just ignoring each other for weeks and months at a time. The few times they are together they hurt each other. It was just so sad and damn depressing. I was expecting this great love that ended and then they meet up years later and the great love was still there making for a powerful second chance love story. I don't feel like I got that at all. The only time in the book I felt I got some romance was the epilogue. The epilogue was very sweet. The rest of their love story just made me sad. Even not liking their love story I still felt it was an okay read just not great. The sweetness at the end went a long way to soothing my butthurt. I still love Claudia Connor and I am still looking forward to Zach, Luke, and Dallas's stories.