Fiction

All posts tagged Fiction

Diamond Fire:A Hidden Legacy Novella(Review Post)

Published November 5, 2018 by bookbesties

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Nevada Frida Baylor and Connor Ander Rogan cordially invite you to join their wedding celebration. Summoning, weather manipulation, and other magical activities strictly forbidden.

Catalina Baylor is looking forward to wearing her maid of honor dress and watching her older sister walk down the aisle. Then the wedding planner gets escorted off the premises, the bride’s priceless tiara disappears, and Rogan’s extensive family overruns his mother’s home. Someone is cheating, someone is lying, and someone is plotting murder.

To make this wedding happen, Catalina will have to do the thing she fears most: use her magic. But she’s a Baylor and there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her sister’s happiness. Nevada will have her fairy tale wedding, even if Catalina has to tear the mansion apart brick by brick to get it done.

I was SO excited to get back to the world of Nevada and Conner and all the magic! When I first read the blurp I thought this was going to be all about Cat and was sad when I thought there would be no Mad Rogan or Nevada in it at all, but I was happily surprised it had everyone in it that I loved and missed, plus a few more new characters!

The wedding highly anticipated wedding of Nevada and Conner has arrived and with Nevada being Nevada she fired the wedding coordinator/planner and nowhere family has to take charge and make her the happiest bride ever on her special day. Catalina rises to the challenge and will not let anything spoil her sisters day, including the theft of a Rogan family heirloom(diamond) that Nevada is supposed to wear on her wedding day.

Catalina is hired by Rogan’s mother who doesn’t want her son to know that she too suspects someone from her side of the family that is less loved took the diamond . As much as Cat doesn’t want to use her magic because she feels it’s too powerful she knows she must in order to pull this weeding off without a hitch. Even though Cat is shy she is a Baylor and when she is challenged by more than one of Rogan’s over privileged cousins she shines!

So much scandal and I was very impressed with Cat’s story and I thought that I would miss Nevada and Conner knowing this would be the novella that phased them out to start focusing on the others but I am super excited for Cat’s story!

Captivating and enjoyable!

Vonetta

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The Proposal (Review Post)

Published November 5, 2018 by bookbesties

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“There is so much to relate to and throughout the novel, there is a sharp feminist edge. Loved this one, and you will too.”–New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay

The author of The Wedding Date serves up a novel about what happens when a public proposal doesn’t turn into a happy ending, thanks to a woman who knows exactly how to make one on her own…

When someone asks you to spend your life with him, it shouldn’t come as a surprise–or happen in front of 45,000 people.

When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn’t the hard part–they’ve only been dating for five months, and he can’t even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans…

At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik’s rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He’s even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik’s social media blows up–in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can’t be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes…

I get excited when I read a new author and love the nervous butterflies in my tummy because I hope for a good book and this book sounded like it would be great.

Nik is a freelance writer who is at a baseball game with her boyfriend of 5 months when low and behold said boyfriend is down on a knee and asking that question most girls would be happy to hear. Nic is mortified because how can she tell him no in front of millions? Who wouldn’t day no, they have only been dating for 5 months and she wasn’t that really into him in the first place! Enter Carlos and his sister Angela who are watching everything unfold and Carlos comes to her rescue and saves her and friends are made. Carlos is sexy doctor and single and Nik and Carlos are both looking for no strings relationship.

Yep of course it won’t be smooth sailing! The banter between these two is magnetic from the start! Carlos family is sweet and funny and real! This story was sweet, sassy and magnetic. This new to me author did well in captivating me. I was glad to have a page turner! Loved it and definitely two thumbs up!

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Damaris

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The Darkest Star(Review Post)

Published October 30, 2018 by bookbesties

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In the world of the Lux, secrets thrive, lies shatter, and love is undeniable.

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout brings her trademark drama and intrigue to a new romantic YA science fiction series with The Darkest Star. A girl pulled into in a world she doesn’t understand finds herself confronted by long buried secrets, a betrayal that could tear her life apart…and Armentrout’s most swoonworthy book boyfriend yet.

Seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher knows firsthand the devastating consequences of humanity’s war with the aliens. When she’s caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen…but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she’d only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head…

At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

I find myself sucked back into the wonderful world that Jennifer has created with the Luxen, Origin and Hybrids, oh my with The Darkest Star.

This book basically picks up 5 years or so after the last book in the Lux novels; Opposition leaves off. The invasion has ended we see Evie, a young human girl going to a nightclub with her friend where Luxen are known to frequent. What could go wrong? Enter Luc, Luc is hot, young and infuriating to say the least and naturally Evie can’t stand him, but at the same time is drawn to him in some strange way. From the moment GO, Evie was thrown into a crazy world where Luxen and Humans co living are not the only things she has to worry about. Luc is bad news the most powerful of all the Origins ever, she has seen him kill without breaking a sweat, Evie knows this, but she can’t seem to stay away from him and he as a familiarity with her that she finds disturbing. When Friends turn to enemies and kids start going missing, then turn up dead, Evie thinks she has seen the worst, but Evie’s life is blown apart and threatened all in the span of 48 hours Luc will stop at nothing to protect what’s his. Luc gave me SERIOUS Professor Snape vibes while showing off his sensitive side to Evie and it MELTED me every time.

Jennifer sucked me back in both humor, fells and some good old fashion smoldering kisses like she is so good at! I can’t wait for the next book and delve more into this awesome new world!

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Vonetta

Duchess by Design(Review Post)

Published October 23, 2018 by bookbesties

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In the first novel of Maya Rodale’s enthralling new series, an English duke vows to make an American seamstress his duchess.

In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen…

Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family’s estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.

…and true love is always in fashion

Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker—not a duchess—and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can’t refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It’s the perfect plan—as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all do not lose their hearts.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, THIS BOOK!!!!! I adore all things historical fashion so when I discovered that the main character of this book is a dress maker I was insanely excited. Adeline is every bit of the strong, independent,and brilliant heroine I look for in any book I read. Seeing her overcome her obstacles with the help of a few generous and unexpected allies was truly heart-warming. In a time when rising above one’s social status from birth, was nearly-impossible for anyone, for a woman to make it happen with as much success as Adeline found makes her story remarkable. Throw in her handsome English Duke and their magnetic romance and you have a book I was hooked on from cover to cover (I even read the Author’s Notes ?).
This is the second book I have read by Maya Rodale and while I wasn’t terribly impressed with the first book of hers I read this one made up for it 10 fold. I can-not wait to read her next book to see who I meet and where their story takes me.

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Danielle

Cross Breed by Lora Leigh (Review Post)

Published September 28, 2018 by bookbesties

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The Breeds are humans altered before conception with the DNA of the predators of Earth. But although they all carry the genetic material of beasts within them, Cassandra Sinclair stands apart. A unique mix of wolf, coyote and human, she is revered by many—but preyed upon by others. She is fiercely protected by her community…but no one manages to stop her when she slips away one day to offer her body in exchange for her sister’s safety.

The man she succumbs to surprises her by unleashing her inner animal in ways she never dreamed possible—and provokes her deep, furious rage. To Cassie’s shock, he is the mate she has long awaited. She may never be able to forgive his deception. Still, as dangerous enemies track her, and as the threat of all-out war between Breeds and the humans who despise them hovers in the air, they must join forces and hold fast to each other.

But the passionate union between them holds a potential that could change the world—and some will do anything to stop it…

When I first read Lora Leigh it was a re-release of Elizabeth’s Wolf, which I have since found out, was the third book in this very long, but very intriguing series. So naturally when the chance to read Cassie’s book who is a legit adult, I jumped at the chance.
I have to admit, the first half of the book was a little confusing for me, as this is book, like, 32 in the entire series and there was A LOT that was information that was in previous books and like with any series this long, the author didn’t really get into those past things, which I understand is waaay too much to do. That being said I did fell lost when Dog entered the picture when Cassie was 15 then is did some jumps and hinted that they had a past. Dog knew Cassie was hit mate when he first meets her and over several years he is always there for her in one way or another, helping her, talking to her. Dog is basically a traitor to his own kind which is why she talks to him in secret, getting his help in exchange for payback. When she calls him to help rescue her sister(another book I totally missed) he ask for the payback of all paybacks. One night. Cassie figures it’s the least she could do, after all its not like he’s her mate, its just one night. But dog knows Cassie is his, has always been his, and even though he agreed to one night, he knew it would be forever.
There is danger in being the mate of someone like Dog, but Dog isn’t who he claims he is and when things get hot and his mate is in danger, he has to do the one thing that goes against everything in his nature.
But Cassie is NOT your typical Cross Breed, along with her 6th sense there is something else lying in wait, and it explodes when her world id threatened.

I loved this book because Cassie? Yeah she’s a bad-ass. She takes no crap from Dog and anyone else for that matter and is not afraid to do so. I’m sure had I been a long time fan I would have loved the various cameo’s in the book from the past characters. As it stands, this book is not a stand alone and definitely has to be read within the series order, which I have since gone back and started from the beginning.
Better late than never I say. But Lora Leigh’s has created this crazy interact world not unlike anything that could happen today and made these people and their lives seem, real. She defiantly gained a reader

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Vonetta

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A Notorious Vow(Review Post)

Published September 25, 2018 by bookbesties

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Joanna Shupe returns to New York City’s Gilded Age, where fortunes and reputations are gained and lost with ease—and love can blossom from the most unlikely charade

With the fate of her disgraced family resting on her shoulders, Lady Christina Barclay has arrived in New York City from London to quickly secure a wealthy husband. But when her parents settle on an intolerable suitor, Christina turns to her reclusive neighbor, a darkly handsome and utterly compelling inventor, for help.

Oliver Hawkes reluctantly agrees to a platonic marriage… with his own condition: The marriage must end after one year. Not only does Oliver face challenges that are certain to make life as his wife difficult, but more importantly he refuses to be distracted from his life’s work—the development of a revolutionary device that could transform thousands of lives, including his own.

Much to his surprise, his bride is more beguiling than he imagined. When temptation burns hot between them, they realize they must overcome their own secrets and doubts, and every effort to undermine their marriage, because one year can never be enough.

OUT SEPT 25th

This is the third book in The Four Hundred Series by Joanna Shupe that I have read and again I am not disappointed. Oliver is my favorite leading gentleman for 2018!!!! I read this book in one sitting based on him alone. I love how, through his eyes Christina finally gets to see her own strength. I loved watching how her unconditional love and acceptance of him causes him to leave behind his life of solitude and step back into society. These characters make my heart smile and their story is the true meaning of hope.

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Danielle

The Lady Is Daring: A Duke’s Daughters Novel (The Duke’s Daughters)

Published September 25, 2018 by bookbesties

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Five well-bred sisters, one sensational scandal. Now the Duke of Marymount’s daughter Ida is about to find love in the most unconventional way . . .

It was easy for society to overlook Lady Ida Howlett; they found her bookish, opinionated, and off the marriage mart. But little did they know that behind a calm exterior beats the heart of an adventuress, one who, determined to discover her runaway sister’s whereabouts, steals a carriage and sets off on a daring mission. Then she discovers she’s not alone! Bennett, Lord Carson, is inside, and he refuses to leave.

Lord Carson’s plans had always been to find a soft, gentle wife who would run his home and raise his children. Still, he makes a bargain with Ida—he won’t desert her during her mad adventure. He’ll make sure she’s safe, and then find a suitable lady to fall in love with. But when rules (and garments) become discarded during this long, intimate journey, it’s soon clear that this surprisingly daring lady is the woman he’s needed all along.

OUT September 25th!!!(Clink on cover for link)

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This is book number 3 for me in this series and by this author and just like the first two I am in love with these ladies! I loved Ida from the moment we met her in the first book and was so very happy to find that this book is all about her. I adore how smart, stubborn, and unwilling to blend in with society Ida is and I am so very pleased to know that she got her happy ending. If you have been following this series then you will appreciate who she ends up matched with and how their love comes into focus for them both. This book has it’s own style of adventure with an amazing outcome that makes me eager to read the next book and get to know the next Duke’s Daughter.

Danielle

Summer of Scandal(Review Post)

Published September 24, 2018 by bookbesties

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Madeleine Atherton is no typical American heiress, sent to England to marry an English lord. A brilliant college graduate who secretly dreams of becoming a published author, she wants to marry for love. After receiving a proposal from a future duke, Madeleine flees the London Season for Cornwall to seek her sister’s advice, never expecting her decision to be complicated by a charming, handsome earl she’s certain she dislikes—even though his every touch sets her blood on fire.

Charles Grayson, the Earl of Saunders, has secrets and ambitions of his own. Although under pressure from his mother and gravely ill father to marry his cousin, Charles cannot find the words to propose. But this fascinating American visitor does not figure into his plans, either.

Thrown together unexpectedly at Trevelyan Manor, Madeleine and Charles struggle to rise above their intense attraction. But as things heat up between them over a summer that becomes increasingly scandalous, Madeleine and Charles will both be forced to make a difficult choice. Can two dreamers dare to defy convention and find their own happily ever after?

Another run read by Syrie James!!! After reading the first book in this series I was excited for this book and truly hoping that I would love it just as much. I was not disappointed! In this book we get to meet Maddie, the middle Atherton sister who is another smart, creative, and determined heroine just like her older sister. Watching her navigate the situations she finds herself in and how they play into the story is what had me hooked from the very first page. Rarely do I find books where the male and female lead characters are written in a manner that makes me see them as true soulmates, yes, they may compliment one another, but hardly do I finish a book feeling like the leading characters complete each other. This book is one of those rare instances. Books like this remind me of why I love romance novels.

As you all know from my other reviews I am a sucker for strong minded, strong willed, and independent female leads in any book I read, no matter the genera. Based on the heroines of this series, I will say Syrie James excels at creating just such women. Both Maddie and Lexi are women who even in modern times would be admired for their strength and perseverance. To me that speaks volumes about the author’s confidence in her characters and her ability to write stories that empower those characters to shine. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the next Atherton sister.

I loved this book and I love this series!!

Danielle

For the Duke’s Eyes Only(Review Post)

Published September 18, 2018 by bookbesties

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USA Today bestselling author Lenora Bell’s second novel in her enchanting School for Dukes series spins the unforgettable tale of a beautiful archaeologist and the one man she must—but cannot—forget

If adventure has a name…it must be Lady India Rochester. The intrepid archaeologist possesses a sharp blade and an even sharper knack for uncovering history’s forgotten women. Unfortunately, she has one annoying weakness: the dangerously handsome Duke of Ravenwood. Former best friend. Current enemy. And the man who dared to break her heart.

Daniel Bonds, the Duke of Ravenwood, is a thrill-seeking antiquities hunter who only plays by one rule. Never fall in love. He’s in it for the fortune and glory. At least that’s what he wants the world to think. He’s sworn to hide his tangled web of secrets, especially from the one woman he cares about and will protect at any cost.

But when a priceless relic is stolen from the British Museum, the rivals must align forces. Racing to recover the stolen antiquity and avert an international disaster? All in a day’s work. Avoiding their buried feelings? More and more impossible. For love is about to become the greatest treasure of all.

The grand adventure begins…now!

OUT SEPT 18th!

This is the second book I have read by this author and I am very happy to report that while I was not impressed by the first book I read I adored this book in every way possible. If you are looking for adventure and historical romance this book is for you! Indy has got to be my favorite heroine for 2018. She doesn’t follow societies norms but follows her dreams and while it puts her in dangerous situations she shows her tenacity and strength and overcomes all obstacles. The fact that she manages to get the life of her dreams in spite of all her obstacles makes the entire story that much better! I can’t wait for all of you to read it and love it as much as I did.

Danielle

The Governess Game(Review Post)

Published August 28, 2018 by bookbesties

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The second unforgettable novel in USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare’s Girl Meets Duke series

He’s been a bad, bad rake—and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson.

The accidental governess

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart… without risking her own.

The infamous rake

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling… and he’s in danger of falling, hard.