TOTALLY ADDICTED TO READING

I have officially found a new book boyfriend. I am so crushing on Steve Johnson right about now. The man is fine in every sense of the word. I consider him to be the total package. He is kind, caring, sensitive, protective and manly. All I can say is Shannon Braden is one lucky woman. How many men would be willing to step outside their comfort zone to please the woman they love? I am not sure of the answer to that question, but Steve Johnson is one such man.

It was evident from the start of the book that there was chemistry between Steve and Shannon. They knew each other before, so this connection was not an instant thing. It had been brewing for several months. Steve, however, was wary of risking his heart where Shannon was concerned. He considered her to be off limits due to the miles that separated them and the fact that they both viewed life differently. He like his solitude and rarely socialized, while Shannon was the type of person who needed people around her. She strived on socialisation. She, however, was determined to pursue the attraction between them to see if it would amount to anything. Steve had no idea that his world was about to change in ways he would never have never expected.

I knew going into this book that I would be in for a sweet romantic ride with a little steam added for good measure. You may be wondering how I knew this. Hello! It’s Melissa Foster we are speaking about here. The moments between Steve and Shannon were not only sweet but hot as hell. It’s a wonder my kindle did not combust. I have not been able to read all her books, but, for those that I have read the thing that has remained constant is her ability to pull me into her stories and have me completely invested in the lives of her characters. As a result, I can never seem to get enough of them. Steve and Shannon’s story was no different.

I so wanted to see these two get their act together. I hoped that they would eventually realise that any obstacles to their relationship would be the ones they chose to erect. Love is a powerful emotion and it can move mountains and traverse distances. They would have to be willing to make it work. There was no drama which allowed for the romance to move along smoothly. The only thing I had to worry about was the steps they would take to ensure that they both got the happiness they deserved.

This installment is a great addition to the series. It can be read as a stand-alone, however, I would recommend that you read the previous books in the series to learn more about the supporting characters.

If you enjoy sweet and steamy contemporary romances, then you will love this book. For that matter I think you should go and buy the other books in the series as well, I am sure you will enjoy the journey.

‘Forgiveness came by being brave enough to follow your heart, wherever that journey took you’

Having read ‘Bittersweet Melody’, (which I absolutely loved) I was eagerly awaiting the release of ‘Bittersweet Symphony’.  I am so glad that I got the opportunity to complete Cooper and Caylee's’ story. This was an incredible conclusion to what I considered to be a heart-wrenching, bittersweet and unforgettable story of two people whose love for each other has endured pain, loss, and tragedy.

The story picked up where book one left off. Caylee and Cooper are officially a couple. Things appear to be going well, despite Cooper’s ongoing struggles with PTSD. Caylee was his healing balm. Because of her, he was able to get through each day, however, due to his failure to let go of the guilt over his best friend’s death he risked destroying the very thing he held dear. Would Cooper allow the demons of his past to destroy what he and Caylee had?

The pacing was slow, however, the story was not boring. In fact, I was compelled to read on as I was curious to discover how the story would unfold. This is not the type of story that can be rushed.  It has to be consumed as one would consume fine wine. I must confess, that as I approached the last few chapters, I was afraid to continue. Why?  Well, to be honest, I didn’t like the route that Cooper and Caylee's’ relationship was taking. I was thinking, ‘That can’t be happening not after all they have been through’.   However, I moved past the fear and continued and I am glad I did.

In reading this series my eyes were opened to the effects that PTSD can have on an individual as well as their family and friends. My heart went out to Cooper, seeing him struggle on a daily basis not knowing when an incident, a word or anything for that matter would trigger an episode. I know it could not have been easy living like that. As for Caylee all I can say is ‘Wow!’ She demonstrated how much she loved Cooper with her patience and kindness.  While reading, I was reminded of the fact that no matter how strong we may believe we are, we are unable to overcome pain and trauma without emotional and physical support.

‘Bittersweet Symphony’ was more than a romantic story. It spoke of healing, forgiveness, love and letting go of the pain of our past. It demonstrates that letting go of the pain of our past is the first step in the healing process.  Holding on to the past will destroy our future happiness. Blaming ourselves for things outside of our control is not healthy and will eventually destroy us physically, mentally and emotionally.

I enjoyed the author's writing style. The manner in which she conveyed the emotions of the characters and described every scene made me feel as if I was a part of the story and not just viewing from the sidelines.

Verdict: 

This was an awesome story and one which I highly recommend.

After reading ‘Sweet Little Lies’ by Jill Shalvis, I could not wait to read ‘The Trouble with Mistletoe’. This is the second book in the Heartbreaker Bay series, however, it can be read as a stand-alone. This Willa’s story, whom I had the pleasure to have met in Sweet Little Lies.

This book provided the perfect blend of humour and romance. It was a light and fun read which addressed some serious issues. It was a story of friendships and finding love when you least expected it. The characters were fun and I could not help but laugh at their antics. However, for me, the star of this show was Petunia, the cat that the male protagonist was forced to care for on his great-aunt’s behalf.

Keane found himself saddled with a cat he considered to be from hell. Despite the fact that the cat hated him, he was willing to help out his great-aunt. This demonstrated the kind of man that he was. He was compassionate and cared deeply for his family, despite his miserable childhood. Due to his hectic work schedule, he was unable to take care of Petunia during the days, so he sought the assistance of Willa. Now Willa knew who he was, but Keane had no idea that there was history between them. Willa had been carrying a grudge all these years, but the fact that he did not remember her added insult to injury. But then things took a direction that she never expected, especially since she was on a hiatus from men.

Willa and Keane were great together. However, there were times when their actions were frustrating. Willa more so than Keane. It was evident that Willa was confused as it relates to her feelings for Keane. Initially, she failed to see that the crux of the problem laid with her. I understood her need to be cautious given her past. However, I hated that she was allowing the past to dictate her future in a negative way. As a result, the relationship between her and Keane was an emotional tug of war. My respect for her grew a notch when she finally recognized the real problem and tried to make amends.

The romance was well developed, believable and well-paced. Another highlight of this novel was the camaraderie between friends. They had each other’s back no matter what.

VERDICT:

If you enjoy stories with a Christmas theme, then you will love this story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

“At Dusk” by John W. Mefford is the fifth book in the Alex Troutt series. I have been following the series from the beginning and stories get better with each installment. In this installment, Alex finds herself partnered with Terri, a female detective from the Boston PD. This partnership came about as a result of a recent murder that closely resembles a cold case that the FBI had been investigating. These two have found themselves in a race against time as they investigate what appears to be the work of a serial murderer.

This case took a different turn from the cases that Alex is used to investigating. The killer appears to be a highly intelligent sociopath. The author opened my eyes to the type person he was and how his life developed from childhood to adulthood. I also saw how his appetite for killing evolved from animals to humans. He had a specific type when it came to his victims, which is the case sometimes when it came to serial killers. The reason behind his predilection became clear as the story progressed. It almost made me feel sorry for him.

In conducting their investigation, Alex and Terri found that they were not dealing with one but two predators. This added some complexity to the case which made them realise they had their work cut out for them. However, one thing I have discovered from reading this series is that no matter how complex the case may appear, Alex with the help of her dynamic team usually gets the job done. As the investigation progresses, she once again finds that her professional life colliding with her personal life and not in a good way.

What I enjoy about this series is that the focus is not solely on solving the cases. The author provides insight into the lives of the characters, allowing for readers to become invested in them. Now that I am on book 5 I have to say that my respect for Alex has increased exponentially. I admire her dedication to her job and her children. I could empathize with her internal struggle as it relates to her relationship with Brad. I kept hoping and praying that she would make the right decision where this was concerned because after all that she has been through she deserves some happiness.

The story was fast paced. It didn’t take me long to figure the role each suspect played, however, what kept the story moving along was trying to figure out what their next move would be.

Verdict: Another great addition to the series. Recommended for fans of mystery and thrillers.

My feelings on this book are mixed. There were parts I enjoyed and some not so much. What I enjoyed were the action, the family drama (to an extent) and the romance. However, there were many aspects of the story that I had a difficult time wrapping my head around.

‘The Stranger’ is the second book in the Wounded Warrior series and can be read as a stand-alone. In this installment, we meet Summer Silva and Seth Erickson. Summer who is from Florida finds herself in Alaska searching for her sister who had gone off with some guy she met on the internet. What appeared to be an easy feat, on the face of it, would prove to be her most challenging task to date. Fortunately for her, a handsome yet broody stranger would come to her rescue when she least expected it.

Seth and Summer were fun characters. Their initial reaction to each other was hilarious, given the circumstances under which they met. In addition to the humour, their connection was explosive. This reaction continued throughout the story as such there was never a dull moment with these two. Summer is feisty and strong willed. She hates being told what to do, so you can imagine her reaction to Seth’s controlling attitude.

Seth is just as strong willed. He is protective by nature and a tad bit controlling. I would not consider his need for control to be over the top as its clear he knows when to step back. It’s apparent that this need for control stemmed from the effects of a horrifying accident which he was involved in, which has left him physically and emotionally scarred. He never expected to have that intense attraction to Summer. This had him re-evaluating his entire life. I thought they were perfect for each other. They each had their medical issues to contend with. He had PTSD, as a result of his accident while Summer had a sleeping disorder called Noctambulism (sleep-walking). These issues led to them avoiding intimate relationships as they both have experienced betrayal in the past as a result.

Although, I liked Summer there were times when her behaviour frustrated me. I could not for the life of me understand her nonchalance to the threat on her life. I know is possible for one not to be aware as to why someone would want to hurt you, but to brush it off and claim mistaken identity is reckless especially with the evidence staring you in the face. The suspense was ok for the most part. The family drama was a bit over the top, although there were moments I could not help but laugh. Seth and Summer had a lot to contend with where this was concerned. Everywhere, they turned, there was something lurking around the corner waiting for them.

I enjoy stories that have paranormal elements, however, in this instance, I honestly did not see the need for it. I found it confusing and somewhat contrived.

Verdict: The story was ok, but it was not a favourite of mine. Would I continue the series? More than likely.

Deadly Ties by Maggie Thom is one of those books that will engage you from start to finish and have you clamouring for more even after it has ended. What initially grabbed my attention was this line

‘She went to jail for the right reason, but the wrong murder’.

I knew from  that moment I had to read this book. This is my first experience with this author so I knew nothing about her style of writing. However, based on that single line I was expecting this to be an engaging read, and I was not disappointed.

There are times you may read a book and wonder how the title fits in with the story. Well, ‘Deadly Ties’ left no room for questions.  I thought the title was perfect for the story.  I honestly don’t believe the ties in this story could get any deadlier. This is a story of a family fighting against each other in their bid for power, and the lengths they would go through to achieve it.  There were enough secrets, backstabbing, scheming and blackmail to make your head spin. The secrets will have you guessing at every page turn. I believe I have said this earlier, but I will reiterate it.  I believe the hallmark of a good mystery is one that keeps you guessing until the end.  ‘Deadly Ties’ did just that.  I was aware of who the players were, but what I was not sure of, was the role each played in this deadly game.

The story started out fine, but then it slowed down significantly. This was probably due to the fact, that the author went into a lot of details about the town and the 30-year history of secrets and lies.  It was not until about 75% of the story that the pace picked up.  From that moment I was literally on the edge of my seat.  When the truths were revealed I was dumbfounded.

There were a few points in the story where I was a bit confused.  There was a point when there was a mix up in the characters, and I was not sure who was being referred to. There were also instances where sentences did not flow due to either an omission of a word or words being placed where they should not be.  I found this to be rather distracting. There were times I had to re-read a particular paragraph as a result. 

I found the characters to be complex.  Even though they are fictional characters, they had a realistic feel to them. This made it easy for me to understand their actions. There were some who were twisted, some who were smart and feisty, and some who were pathetic.  They evoked a variety of emotions within me.  There were moments of laughter, anger, and exasperation. 

This story was a perfect demonstration how the love of power and money can lead to one’s destruction.  If you love suspense/mysteries, then you will enjoy this title.  Overall, it was a good read and I would definitely recommend it.

“Late for Fate” by Lori M Jones tells the story of Jezebel Stone, a klutzy paralegal. She is rarely on time for anything and that includes work. This penchant for always being late led to her meeting a handsome stranger while travelling on the metro. They had a connection or so it seems but then fate stepped in and the train crashed and since then Jezebel’s life became the ultimate train wreck.

This story had everything to keep me entertained. It had drama, romance, and suspense. It reads like your typical soap opera which I know will please fans of nighttime drama. There was scandal, deceit, and blackmail.  In the midst of all of this, there was a message that is pertinent to us as individuals.

This story is a strong reminder of the chaos that can disrupt our lives when we refuse to pay attention to red flags that serve as a warning of the dangers we face. We ignore them and hope that things will go the way that we want them to. Life is all about choices. Every event in our lives occurs as a result of choices made. Not all choices made will lead us down the right path, however, there is always hope. We may not be able to correct the mistakes as a result of those choices, but we can pull the emergency brake, stop and re-think our actions and take a different route. The new route will not be smooth, but in the end, it will work out.

Jezebel found herself caught up in similar circumstances. At first, I was peeved at her actions, but then it dawned on me that there were times when I was no different from her. It was then I realised I could not blame her for choosing to travel that road.   I also realised that it was her desire to see the best in everyone that helped to shape most of her decisions.  How could I be angry at her after that revelation? What I admired most about her is her willingness to accept responsibility for her actions. She knew she made poor choices, but she did not blame anyone but herself. She recognized that it was her choices that led her to the point where she was now at.

The secondary characters were a treat.  I doubt the story would be what it was without them. There were those I liked, those that rubbed me the wrong way and those that I loved to hate.  Kirk was a prime example of a character that rubbed me the wrong way.  At first, I did like him, but as the story progressed that feeling of like slowly turned to dislike.  I am sorry I have to say this, but he was a total jerk.  Then there was his soon to be ex-wife. OMG! She was in a class of her own. Frankly, I thought she stole the story. She is a prime example of the character that I loved to hate. She was the greatest manipulator. Seriously, I thought the name Jezebel would have been more suited for her.

The story was well written. This is my second time reading this author’s work and I loved it on both occasions. My suggestion to you is, go and get a copy of this book. You need to read this book.  You will not be disappointed.

Have you ever based your decision to read a book solely on the title? That’s what I did for “Healing Danger”.  I was curious to know how these two words fit together. As I delved deeper and deeper into the pages of the book, the connection became very clear. I can’t go into details where this is concerned without giving the story away, so you will have to read it for yourself to see what I am talking about.

Everything about this book was intriguing, from the prologue to the epilogue.  The prologue grabbed my attention and made me want to go further. It set the pace for the remainder of the story. The epilogue made me eager to get my hands on the next book in the series.

“Healing Danger” is the type of story that will keep you glued to the pages and have you on the edge of your seat. It was suspenseful with a bit of a creepy factor.  There was a deranged killer on the loose and added to that was a deadly cult that was trying to recruit persons with special abilities. There was never a dull moment in this book. There were several events in this story, that I never saw coming.

The characters were a treat. I particularly liked how the author highlighted the secondary characters and their possible love connections.  In doing this she whetted my appetite for more of them and I can’t wait to read their stories.  I thought the main characters, Lauren and Dane were a dynamic couple. These two had a history. They had met through mutual friends and developed a friendship.  Eventually their feelings began to move beyond the realms of friendship, however, fear and uncertainty led to them taking different paths. The loss of a dear and mutual friend will see these two reunited. At this point, they will discover that their feelings for each other were as strong as ever. However, as fate would have it, they would encounter obstacles that would put their love to the test.

I found the romance to be hot with a hint of sweetness. I thought that Lauren and Dane complemented each other well.  While following them on their journey I came to understand why they both acted the way they did. They had their share of past issues both physical and emotional which at times reared its ugly head. During this time, they would doubt their capacity to love each other. Dane had difficulty believing that he could love Lauren and keep her safe at the same time.  This caused him to behave irrationally at times which led to driving a wedge between them. I was happy to see them able to eventually move past these issues and cease their happiness.

This is my first time reading Maddie Wade’s work and I enjoyed every thrilling moment.  This is the first book in the Fortis Security series.  It is a great start to what I believe will be thrilling and exciting series. I can’t wait to see what next Ms. Wade has in store for her readers.

From the moment we are born, we are faced with risks and opportunities. As we mature, we have dreams about the life we would want to live and so we begin to make plans. However, as time progresses we come to realise that at times things don’t generally go the way we planned. Nevertheless, no matter the outcome, there is a lesson to be learnt. “Life is a Circle’ We always end up where we started.

We may find ourselves being diverted from our goals by what we consider to be roadblocks. These generally come in the form of distractions, loss, and mistakes. However, as we try to push past these blocks we will come to realise that they had a purpose in our journey through life. These blocks were placed to teach us a valuable lesson. What we choose to do with this knowledge will determine the type of person we become in the end. I believe that it is on this premise that Family Tree by Susan Wiggs is based on.

Family Tree tells the story of Annie Rush a big-time producer of the cooking show “The Key Ingredient”. Her husband, Martin Harlow was the celebrity chef on the show. Annie appeared to be happy and this happiness would increase exponentially when she found that one her biggest wish had been granted. She rushed to tell her husband the good news but little did she know that her life was about to change in a way she never for a moment could imagine. Fast forward one year later, Annie is awaking from a coma. At this point, she has come to realise that everything she has worked for was gone in the twinkling of an eye.

The story moved slowly, but in a good way. It’s a story of rebirth, healing, family and love. I found the characters relatable. The story had a realistic feel and for a time I forgot I was reading fiction. It moved seamlessly between the past and the present. This allowed me to have an understanding of how Annie’s life unfolded between her teen and adult years. I learnt that she was bold, warmhearted, determined, goal-oriented, hard-working, strong and feisty. When she loves, she does so fiercely. I saw how much she loved her family. I loved how she was determined to follow her dream, but what I didn’t love was the fact that she was willing to sacrifice love to achieve this. By the time she realised how wrong, she was, it was too late. However, fate would step in and offer her a second chance. Will she seize this newfound opportunity?

I found this to be a compelling and inspirational read. It is a stark reminder that life can be uncertain and it doesn’t often go has planned. Nevertheless, there is always hope, and when we choose to rise above the obstacles we open the door to something brighter and better.
This is my first Susan Wiggs book and I will be looking to read more of her work.

Received an eArc courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss


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Every now and then I come across a book that causes me to pause and reflect. STEPPING STONES by Elizabeth Morgan is one such book. While reading I was reminded that at times I am guilty of the very thing that Maggie was faced with. The circumstances may have been different, but the actions and the outcome are the same. I am sure that most of us can relate to the fact that sometimes things are staring us in the face, but we fail to see that thing for what it really is; just like Maggie who failed to see the real reason for her running away. She allowed her denial to take over leading to her being estranged from her family and friends for 6 years. At first, I thought it was a long time for someone to be in denial, but then I was reminded that there are persons out there who have been in denial their whole lives.

Maggie was forced to confront her fears when she was invited to her sister's wedding. The irony of the situation was not lost on me. She ran away because of a wedding and she was now forced to return because of one. She blamed everyone else for her actions, instead of placing it where it belongs, which was with herself. In doing this, she demonstrated that she was afraid to face her fears, but now she had no choice. She would learn that her actions had consequences.

The reunion was awkward, which was to be expected. She had been harbouring resentment in her heart and when faced with the truth, she lashed out. It was at this point that I saw her has being insecure and overly sensitive. She never stopped to think about the effects that her leaving had on her family; it was all about her. Seeing Maggie finally coming to terms with her feelings and in the process healing the rift that existed with her family brought joy to my heart. I was glad to see her finally understanding and accepting the truth.

STEPPING STONES is a sweet contemporary romance, which addresses the topics of love, healing, forgiveness and self-discovery. It demonstrated that to err is human and that it's a natural reaction to feel ashamed for the mistakes made. However, if we allow the feeling of shame to dominate our minds and heart it opens the door for fear and insecurities to enter. This fear will prevent us from seeking healing and forgiveness from the persons who are affected by our actions.

VERDICT: This was a well-written story, which I enjoyed from start to finish. It is not my first time reading this author's work, however, I never read a contemporary romance written by her prior to this. She has proven that she has the ability to hook her readers no matter the genre she writes. My recommendation for you is, get a copy of STEPPING STONES.

From the day I began reviewing books, I have come across stories that made me laugh, cry and scream and they all left their mark on me in some way or the other. However, it was not until I read ‘It Ends With Us’ by Colleen Hoover that I found a story that resonated so deep within me that every time I thought about it brought tears to my eyes. The highest rating, I have ever given to any story I have read is 5 stars and I don’t give those lightly. Now if I am to be completely honest with myself and you I have to say this book deserves more than 5 stars. If I were to rate it on a scale of 1-10 I would say it was deserving of ten stars. This is by far the best book I have read in 2016.

I have to confess that this is my first time reading a Colleen Hoover novel. I have heard about her but never got the opportunity to read her work before now. I know that was a huge mistake on my part, which I will be rectifying.

When I went into this story I had no idea that it was personal to the author. However, as the story progressed, I began to wonder if she had an intimate knowledge of the events in the story. I say this because the writing depicted just that. The emotions that permeated the story was so palpable it felt as if I was seeing it all through her eyes. Every situation within this story appeared real. This was one of the most difficult books to put down. It reeled me in from the first line and I just had to find out how it all ended. Trust me, you will never be the same after reading this book.

From the moment I was introduced to Lilly, I knew she would be a character to contend with. She is smart, strong, compassionate, selfless and determined. By the end of the story, she earned hero status in my eyes. She knew that no matter how much you love someone you had to love yourself first and foremost. It was this knowledge that helped her to regain control of her life. In the end, she made the decision that would put her on the road to healing and forgiveness.

This is not the kind of story that you should rush. ‘It Ends With Us’ requires the reader to focus on the message that’s being depicted.

“There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”

After reading this story my views about women who find themselves in the situation that Lilly faced changed. This story made me realise that these women are not weak. It is easy for someone on the outside of the situation to judge, but until you walk a mile in that person’s shoes you will never understand the pain, humiliation, and uncertainty that they have experienced.

Do not go into this story expecting a fairy tale romance as you will be disappointed. This is the type of story that may gut you, rip out your heart and render you a blubbering mess. It is a story of survival, sacrifice, love, healing, forgiveness and courage in the face of adversity. My recommendation to you is that you need to read this book.

Favourite quotes
"Sometimes, no matter how convinced you are that your life will turn out a certain way, all that certainty can be washed away with a simple change in tide".

"Everyone deserves a second chance. Especially the people who mean the most to you".

“In the future . . . if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again . . . fall in love with me. You’re still my favorite person, Lily. Always will be.”

'Fifteen seconds. That’s all it takes to completely change everything about a person. Fifteen seconds that we’ll never get back".

Another engaging and entertaining installment in the ‘Ryders Love in Bloom’ series and as I have come to expect Melissa Foster did not let me down. I am at a lost has to how she is able to accomplish it, but her stories keep getting better and better. As soon as I hear that she has a new book coming out I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

With ‘Chased by Love she has hit a home run. Since being introduced to her work in the past two years I have read several of her books and this is my favourite thus far. The story had everything needed to keep me glued to the pages. I can’t stop thinking about Trish and Boone. Their romance was not the stuff made of fairy tales. Sure, there was an attraction between them, but their love for each other grew over time.

Trish had been crushing on Boone for some time, so when the opportunity came for her to work alongside him she was ecstatic. However, that excitement soon faded when his actions made her question his dedication to the current project. Added to that he appears to be having difficulty with the role he has been assigned. To ensure that the movie stays on track Trish is forced to spend 10 days with Boone to get him into character. She was definitely not looking forward to it, especially now that her perception of him has changed. However, the more time she spends with him she would discover that she was too quick in her judgement of him. He has proven to be a compassionate, sensitive, selfless and family oriented guy. Did I mention that he can cook? That made him even more adorable.

Trish is strong and tenacious. She knew that there was something preventing Boone from getting into character and she was determined to get him to open up about what was troubling him. This was not an easy task as he had erected walls that not many people could break through. Trish, however, was able to break through and in the process discovered a love that transcends social barriers.

These two were not without their faults and this made them realistic and relatable. Trish was quick to rush to judgement about Boone without getting the facts. I am sure that this is something we can all relate to. This is something that I have been guilty of at some point. It is a typical human reaction. As for Boone he had a lot to learn about what it meant to be in a relationship. What I like most about Trish and Boone was that they were not afraid to acknowledge their faults. They were honest and accepted each other for who they were. They brought the best out in each other.

I enjoyed this installment. It illustrated how quick persons are to pass judgement on others based on hearsay. It revealed that not because the media says it’s so, does not necessarily mean that it’s true. ‘Chased by Love elicited a variety of emotions within me, but the one that stood out most was its ability to make me smile up to the very end. This is a sweet, funny and romantic read which I highly recommend.

My first experience with Sheila Kell was when I read ‘HIS Desire’. I fell in love with her writing and since then I have been following the HIS series. ‘HIS Return is book #4 and can be read as a standalone. A note of warning though after reading one of these books you are going to want to read the remaining books.

This installment tells Emily and Jakes’ story. Emily had a crush on Jake since she was six years old. As she got older, her crush gradually grew into something more meaningful. Jake had found her crush amusing at first, but as she blossomed into a beautiful young lady he realised that what his feelings towards was not brotherly. On her 18th birthday, Emily decided that she would seduce Jake, however, this would lead to her and Jake being separated.

Fast forward 4 years later we see Jake contemplating his decision to run away that fateful day. I guess when you are faced with the prospect of death, it causes you to evaluate your life choices. This is the situation that Jake has found himself in. He realises that Emily was the only woman he ever loved and he may never have the chance to tell her how he feels. Fortunately, fate would step in and provide him with a second chance at redemption.

Emily has gotten the pieces of her life together since that night when Jake rejected her. She is a forensic accountant and works with a prestigious firm. She discovered that there were illegal financial dealings taking place within the firm. This discovery would place her as well as her family in danger. Added to this she had to deal with the emotional upheaval caused by Jake’s return.

Their reunion was bittersweet. Emily was glad to see that he was alive and well, however, she was not willing to trust that he was here to stay. I understood how she felt. Rejection is a hard pill to swallow, and to be rejected not once but twice by the person you love can be devastating. It was this devastation that Emily wanted to avoid. Jake would have to prove that he was worthy of her love, and she was not above making him jump through hoops to demonstrate it.

This installment took a different angle from the previous books. The focus was more on Emily and Jakes’ relationship. The attention that was given to the incident that placed Emily in danger took up about 30% of the story. It was not the fast-paced and suspenseful read that I was expecting. The story moved slowly, but I believe that this was a deliberate move by the author. I believe that her intent was for readers to be totally invested in Emily and Jakes’ journey towards healing, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

It was more on the emotional side which intensified as the story came to a close. There was a particular scene that brought tears to my eyes. For me, this was a great display of the ultimate sacrifice that a person could make for the ones they love. Shocking secrets came to life. I certainly did not see that coming but it certainly answered questions I had while reading the previous books.

VERDICT: Although this was not what I had expected, it was still a good read. I loved this book and I am hoping that Tristan’s story will be next. I can’t wait to find out more about him.

RECOMMENDATION: For fans of emotional second chance romance.

“Saved by the Music” is an emotional story about love and healing. It was romantic, hot and heartwarming. It is the second book in the ‘Saint and Sinners” series and can be read as a standalone. However, I would recommend that you also read “Heart of the Music”
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I first met Sam in “Heart of the Music”. I was intrigued by him and was glad to hear that his story would be next. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. (Thanks, Hot Tree Promotions). I liked him in book one, but by the time I completed this installment I was head over heels in love with him. Not only is he hot and sexy, he is humble, kind, caring and very protective of those he loves. This was evident in his interaction with his band members, Ashlee, and his mom. Sam is the kind of guy who is always looking to help others. He is a firm believer in paying it forward. Someone had looked out for him and saved him from a life of destruction. To show his gratitude he got involved in charities where he could provide financial as well as emotional support to kids who came from abusive homes or who were abandoned by their parents. Despite all of this he was still not fulfilled as the one thing he desired, he did not have and that was someone to complete him. He honestly believed that he did not deserve such happiness. However, when he got the chance to work alongside the woman that he was attracted to from the first time he met her, he realised that this was time for him to go after what he wanted. However, someone from his past was intent on dismantling everything he worked to achieve.

Ashlee Daniels is a consultant who works with philanthropists and non-profit entities. Her specialty is non-profit start-ups, program development, and campaign planning. This made her the perfect person to help the members of the Saint and Sinners band launch their charity project. She was glad to take on the task as she needed the additional funds to help ease her mounting financial burdens. However, being the consummate professional she feared that being in such close proximity to the one man who could get her hot and bothered by just a mere look would lead to career suicide. Would she be able to work alongside him and maintain her objectivity or will she succumb to her innermost desires?

Ashlee is hardworking, kind, independent and proud. She chooses to shoulder her burdens on her own as she hates asking for help. I loved how she was there for her mom. She made so many sacrifices for her which made me appreciate her even more. It was evident that she had a big heart. It’s understandable why Sam was so taken with her.

The romance between Sam and Ashlee was not without its obstacles. Ashlee was having a tug of war with her feelings, while Sam’s past threatens to derail their budding romance. I thought they were great together and found myself rooting for them and hoping that their love for each other would triumph.

The story was well written and I found it to be engaging and entertaining. This installment was very emotional in comparison to “Heart of the Music”. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the remaining band members.


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Cynthia Eden never disappoints. I have been following her LOST series from the start. I have read all the books thus far and I have enjoyed them all. As such I expected the same would apply for ‘Torn’. From the moment I began reading, I knew it was going to be an intriguing story. The prologue was intense. It peaked my interest and I was curious to discover how everything would unfold.

I was first introduced to Wade and Veronica when I read Broken. Throughout the series, the author hinted at issues that they both were dealing with. I had an idea of what was plaguing Wade, but Victoria was an enigma. It was evident that there was something from her past that plagued her, but no one was aware. She kept her feelings to herself and did not allow herself to get emotionally entangled with anyone. Lately, she has been having regrets about being a part of the LOST team. As a member of the team, she was exposed to horrific events which helped to stir up memories she wishes she could forget.

Wade and Victoria were attracted to each other, but they both hid how they felt about each other. However, when Wade saw that he almost lost her, he realized that he had to let her know how he felt. In the midst of them trying to come to terms with their feelings they were assigned a new case which involved locating a college student who went missing five years ago. What started out as cold case soon evolved into something of epic proportions as another girl has gone missing. They soon came to realise they were dealing with a twisted and deranged perpetrator and to make matters worse the villain has set his sights on Victoria. They have now found themselves in a race against time to stop the villain, and in the process, they are forced to confront their past.

The story was intense, fast-paced and suspenseful. It had me guessing at every page turn. Just when I thought I figured out who the villain was, the author throws in a twist that had me thinking ‘What the Hell!’ There were so many things in this story that I never saw coming. There were so many possible suspects and it was not until I was near the end that I figured it out.
I loved that the romance was not sacrificed at the expense of the suspense. I personally believe that it was perfectly balanced.

One of the things I like about this series is the characters. Wade and Victoria were no exceptions. They had depth and were easy to relate to. The events of Victoria’s past were shocking, but I can honestly say that if I were in her position at the time I would probably have done the same thing. I completely understood why she acted the way she acted. She honestly believed that she did not deserve to be loved and that she was not capable of love. Wade was determined to prove to her that she was mistaken. I thought they were perfect for each other.

Verdict:
This was a compelling and suspenseful read. If you enjoy suspense, romance, and mystery, then you will love this book. Although it can be read as a stand-alone I would recommend that you read the other books in the series before proceeding with “Torn”.

This is my first political romance and my second Jeanne McDonald novel. I was expecting this to be a good story based on my prior experience with the author’s work. ‘Politically Incorrect” gave me insight into the happenings of the US political arena. It demonstrated the underhanded tactics that some politicians would employ in an effort to besmirch their opponent’s character.

I admired the heroine in this book.  From the moment I met her I knew I would love her.  She is a divorcee and a single mom who has experienced a lot of adversities, but as managed to come out on top. She is feisty, strong, independent and powerful.  She is a great political strategist and it was for that reason she was hired to manage Congressman William Baxter’s campaign for a seat in the Senate.

William Baxter was not your typical politician. He was honest which is a unique trait within the political arena.  Elizabeth was skeptical of his persona at first as in all her years as a political strategist, she has never encountered a politician who was completely honest.  As such she had a hard time believing that William is all that he purported to be. However, the more time she spent with him she came to realise that she could take him at face value.

The attraction between Elizabeth and William was instantaneous. Elizabeth fought hard to keep her feelings for William at bay as she feared to cross professional boundaries.  Yielding to temptation would certainly create a scandal which her client could ill-afford. Added to that was their age difference which she considered to be a major issue. Will she be able to stand firm in her decision or will she succumb to the attraction and find love in the arms of a young and promising politician?

This book had all the ingredients that made for an exciting story.  Relatable characters, a great plot and a well-written story. There were enough drama and romance to keep me thoroughly entertained. The dialogue was tinged with humour and snark.  I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and the sexual tension between the protagonist that oozed from the pages of the book. There was a particular aspect of the story that I never saw coming. It just goes to show that not everyone can be trusted and that the worst betrayal is that perpetrated by a friend.

If you love romance stories that are centred around the political arena, then you will love ‘Politically Incorrect’.