Falling for Jillian by Kristen Proby
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: Pocket Books
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the third romance in the Love Under the Big Sky series, featuring a veteran struggling with PTSD and the one woman who can help him recover—and learn to love again.

Jillian thought she was a city girl through and through; the fast cars, high fashion, and glamour—she loves it all. But when her ex tells her he's having a baby with his new wife (after Jillian struggled for years to get pregnant), she hightails it back to Montana to cry on the shoulder of her best friend, Cara.

But in truth, Jillian would rather be comforted by someone else...specifically Zack, Cara's broth-in-law. Zack is a veteran of the Iraq War who came back to the family ranch to raise his preteen son after the boy's mother took off. He's struggling to re-establish a relationship with his son, and warding off the demons of PTSD, which still haunt him. The last thing he needs is bold, brassy Jillian...but why can't he keep his hands off her?

Review:
While Jillian takes a trip to Montana to visit her best friend, she ends up having a one night stand with Zack. She's hurt, though, when she wakes up the next morning and discovers Zack left without saying goodbye. So, she puts aside her feelings and flies back home. Months later, Jillian moves to Montana after news that her ex husband's wife is pregnant, something Jillian had been trying to achieve with her ex-husband for years. But while she's in Montana, she sees Zack again, and all the feelings come flooding back. But Zack has his own problems such as trying to take care of his teenage son after his ex-wife abandoned him, and trying to work through his PTSD after the war he fought in. But there's something about Jillian that helps soothe him and he can't seem to keep his hands off of her. Will a one night stand turn into something more?

This is the third book in a series, so while it isn't necessary to read the ones before this, it may help you better understand Jillian and Zack's relationship, because the one night stand happens in the first book, Loving Cara. I really liked Jillian's character—she was quirky, fun and great around Zack's son, and I also liked Zack as a character because while he was often brooding, he was also kind and loving when it came to Jillian. There's a big misunderstanding between Jillian and Zack in the novel, which turns into a big fight, that I didn't think was necessary and it came across as unrealistic, which is one of the things I disliked about it. But the than that, I really enjoyed this one and am definitely going to read more novels by Kristen Proby.

Overall, I recommend Falling for Jillian by Kristen Proby for anyone looking for a sweet contemporary romance.

Rating:

Here are this week's new releases:

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 16, 2016
1.) Forbidden Legacy by Diana Cosby
Summary (from Amazon):
When the English murder Lady Katherine Galbraith's family, she refuses their demands to wed an English noble to retain her home. Avalon Castle is her birthright, one she's determined to keep. After Katherine's daring escape, she's stunned when Scotland's king agrees to allow her to return to Avalon, but under the protection of Sir Stephen MacQuistan...as the knight's wife. To reclaim her heritage, Katherine agrees. She accepts her married fate, certain that regardless of the caliber of the man, Stephen may earn her trust, but he'll never win her love.




2.) The Widow's Auction: A Novella by Sabrina Jeffries
Summary (from Amazon):
The Isobel Lumberton, the widowed Lady Kingsley, is confounded by her dealings with the obstinate Justin Antony, Lord Warbrooke, his commanding presence sparks something deep within her. But such romantic thoughts are for naught. For Justin's political aspirations always come first. And Isobel's own secret past could damage both of them permanently.







CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 16, 2016
1.) Hero of Mine by Codi Gary
Summary (from Amazon):
Danielle Hill used to live on the wild side, until a surprise pregnancy forced her to get her act together. Now her whole life revolves around her young son, and she will do anything to keep Noah's heart protected, even if it means avoiding the Marine who makes her want to be oh so bad...

Tyler Best loves his family, his friends, and his life, and he plans on living it to the fullest after nearly losing it. But Tyler didn't bank on running into a beautiful blond with blazing green eyes and a temper to match his. Tyler always thought he wasn't ready to settle down, but Dani and Noah make him rethink his playboy ways...

2.) Ravage by Tillie Cole
Summary (from Amazon):
Taken as a teen, prisoner 194 was stripped of his name and freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless machine. Even as he tries to fight his captors hold on him he knows that obedience is the only way to save his sister, who is the one person that keeps him from turning into a monster.

As a young girl Zoya Kostava barely escaped the brutal attack that killed her entire family. Now twenty five she lives in secrecy. That is until she hears her brother also survived and is living with their greatest enemy. Zoya risks her safety and anonymity to find the brother she thought dead and is captured by a beautiful, brutal man. A man who both captivates and scares her, in him she sees a soul as lost as her own.

Friday - August 19, 2016
3.) The Honey Trap by Mary Jayne Baker
Summary (from Amazon):
Journalist Angel Blackthorne is looking for her next big scoop. When her sleazy editor asks her to use her charms on super successful—and married—film director Sebastian Winchester for a juicy expose. Angel thinks what the hell? There's a staff job on the horizon, and, let's be honest, no one can make a cheater cheat if they don't want to, right?







PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 16, 2016
1.) The Sight by Chloe Neill
Summary (from Amazon):
Claire Connolly is a Sensitive, infected with magic when the Veil that divides humanity from the world beyond fell. Magic can easily consume and destroy a Sensitive, and if Claire's secret is discovered she'll be locked into the walled district of Devil's Isle along with every other Paranormal left in the city. 

Bounty Hunter Liam Quinn discovered Claire's secret, but refused to turn her in. Together they saved New Orleans from the resurgence of magic that nearly destroyed it. But now a dangerous cult is on the rise, and it will take both Claire and Liam—and magical allies within Devil's Isle's towering walls—to defeat the growing threat before magic corrupts them both...


What books are you planning on buying? Which one sounds the most interesting? And what is your favorite genre to read?

The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: Berkley
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
The last thing event planner Tara Lincoln needs is the jet-set lifestyle of a football pro like Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand proved that Mick is an all-star both on the field and in the bedroom.

Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a certified heartbreaker. But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind to catch this sultry vixen.

Review:
Event planner Tara meets Mick Riley, pro football player, at one of the parties she planned. Tara knows who Mick is because she's a football fan and not to mention the fact that Mick's on the cover of every tabloid with at least one hot woman on his arm. So when Mick flirts with Tara, she doesn't believe he's genuine. After all, how could he be interested in someone like her? But Mick is interested. There's something about Tara that calls to him in a way no other woman has. But as they grow closer, will Tara be able to balance her relationship, work and her son, and will Mick be able to give up his life of parties and women for a lifetime with Tara?

Jack Burton is my go-to author when I'm in the mood for a sports romance. She's written several about different sports, and all of them feature big, hot, muscular men, which is a plus in my book. I really enjoyed reading about Tara and Mick. Tara is an independent woman who knows what she wants and needs, and I liked that Tara has a fourteen year old son, because it added dimension to her character, and the scenes with her son were fun to read, especially seeing Mick interact with him. At the beginning Mick is portrayed as a bachelor who sleeps with many beautiful woman, but he never even looks at other woman after he meets Tara. Some readers might not like the fact that Mick pushes Tara into a relationship with him and doesn't take no for an answer, but I thought it came across as more more romantic and less pushy.

Overall, I recommend this to anyone looking for a well written sports romance.

Rating:

Fool Me Once by Katee Robert
Publication Date: August 1, 2016
Publisher: Entangled
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Aubry Kaiser doesn't like people—actually, that's not right. She loathes people. With her crippling anxiety, there's no way she can demo her favorite video game at a convention with five thousand other people. Maybe if she brings someone to act as a shield...

But the only person available is the sexy cowboy she can't stand.

Quinn Baldwyn is in a mess of his own. He's been dodging his wealthy family's matchmaking attempts—and life advice—for years, but with his sister's wedding on the horizon, he needs a shield of his own.

He and Aubry can barely hold down a civil conversation, but in bed...fireworks. And the closer they get to Quinn's sister's wedding, the more he realizes that he might actually like Aubry. 

Now it's up to him to convince her she might actually like him, too.

Review:
Aubry has terrible social anxiety so when she gets an invitation to a convention in order to play a new video game, she's both in paradise and hell. Paradise because it's her favorite game and only a dozen people get this special invitation, and hell because a convention equals thousands of people, which will be a nightmare for her anxiety. Quinn's in a similar situation because his sister's wedding is coming up and he knows he's going to be ridiculed by his parents for not yet settling down. So both Aubry and Quinn come up with the idea of using each other; Quinn will act as Aubry's shield so she won't feel as uncomfortable at the convention and Aubry will act as Quinn's girlfriend to keep his parents at bay. The only problem is that they can't stand each other. But as they spend more time together on their trip, hate soon turns into something else and before they head home they have to figure out exactly what that something else is.

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with this one, especially after reading all the great reviews on Amazon. Yes, the author is an amazingly talented writer, and I enjoyed the uniqueness of the story with Aubry being one of the best video gamers in the world. I also almost always enjoy a good love/hate relationship, but I think that's where the story fell short for me. At times I didn't believe the chemistry between Aubry and Quinn, which is a necessity in a romance. Aubry and Quinn were just too different—Aubry had bright red hair, was constantly on her laptop for work and playing video games, and was very standoffish and at times rude, while Quinn was an athletic cowboy that never wanted to settle down. While I'm a firm believer that opposites attract, there was something about this couple that didn't read believable to me. But the author's writing, especially the great love scenes, though, makes up for the lack of chemistry, and I have to admit that it was a fun read.

While I won't be rereading this one, I recommend it for anyone looking for a fast paced and fun romance with a love/hate relationship.

Rating:

Aiden's Charity by Lora Leigh
Publication Date: July 2, 2007
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Book 3 in the Wolf Breeds series: The forces of survival and destruction swirl in the darkest corners of men's minds. The nature of the beast cannot be harnessed, and survival is the purest of all instincts. Survival of the species itself goes soul deep. But can the human heart accept and adapt as easily? Can Charity bestow the love and the acceptance that has always been a part of her, to the man whose very survival depended on the hardening of his heart, of his soul? And can Aiden maintain that cruelty now, in the face of the sacrifices she made? Only time and nature can tell. 

Review:
Doctors pump drugs through Aiden for months in order to get him aroused to get semen samples. But Aiden won't let them control him and pretends to be impotent, that is until Charity gets too close in order to save his life. He can't control his body when Charity's around and when Charity shows the doctors that Aiden isn't impotent, Aiden promises never to forgive her for betraying him. Six years later Charity manages to escape the lab, but when she sees Aiden again, she can't help the anger that surfaces because he didn't come back for her. But no matter how much they both hate each other, the lust that surges through both of their bodies won't let them go until they satiate it.

This is one of my favorite paranormal romance novels of all time. I enjoyed the love/hate relationship between Charity and Aiden and I liked that the author dragged out their relationship until the chemistry boiled over. The misunderstandings between Charity and Aiden, though, sometimes got to be a little too much and at times I couldn't help shaking my head at them. But that doesn't take away from the interesting plot and characters, that kept me turning pages late into the night.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Aiden's Charity by Lora Leigh to anyone looking for a good paranormal romance novel with a love/hate relationship theme.

Rating:

Why Do Dukes Fall In Love? by Megan Frampton
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Publisher: Avon
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Michael, the Duke of Hadlow, has the liberty of enjoying an indiscretion...or several. But when it comes time for him to take a proper bride, he ultimately realizes he wants only one woman: Edwina Cheltam. He hired her as his secretary, only to quickly discover she was sensuous and intelligent.

They embark on a passionate affair, and when she breaks it off, he accepts her decision as the logical one...but only at first. Then he decided to pursue her.

Michael is brilliant, single-minded, and utterly indifferent to being the talk of the ton. It's even said his only true friend is his dog. Edwina had begged him to marry someone appropriate—someone aristocratic...someone high-born...someone else. But the only thing more persuasive than a duke intent on seduction is one who has fallen irrevocably in love.

Review:
After Edwina's husband dies, she discovers that she's in major debt. In order to care for herself and her daughter, she takes a position with the Duke of Hadlow, as his secretary. From the beginning, Michael's pleased with Edwina's work ethic. But no matter how many times he tells himself he can't have her, he still yearns to take her in his arms and make love to her. Surprisingly Edwina wants the same thing and before long they begin an illicit affair that soon turns into something more. But Edwina knows Michael can't marry her because he's a duke and she's a secretary. Will Edwina be able to walk away from Michael before she loses her heart or will Michael lose her forever?

I really enjoyed reading this novel. I liked both of the characters—Edwina came across as hardworking and caring, especially when around her daughter, and Michael came across as somewhat quirky but in a very endearing way. I also liked that Michael was at times harsh and straight forward, because it made his character more interesting and it also made the relationship between Michael and Edwina more believable and it added more chemistry during their encounters. I also liked that Edwina was a strong enough person to know how the world worked and she was strong enough to make hard decisions in order to better herself and her daughter.

Overall, I would recommend Why Do Dukes Fall In Love? by Megan Frampton.

Rating:

Here are this week's new releases:

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:

Sunday - August 7, 2016
1.) The Scoundrel and I: A Novella by Katharine Ashe
Summary (from Amazon.com):
Printer's assistant Gabrielle Flood just made the worst mistake of her life. 
Then handsome, dashing Captain Anthony Masinter came along...
And made it even worse.
And he's the last man on earth who can help her fix it.
Sometimes a disaster is exactly what two people need to fall in love. 






Monday - August 9, 2016
2.) A Right Honorable Gentleman by Courtney Milan
Summary (from Amazon.com):
Miss Catherine Hooks is one of the best governess in all of England; her employer, the Right Honorable Edward Glennon, is one of the busiest men. The fact that they've fallen in love is immaterial. Honorable people in their situation do not mention such things. But Edward's son is on the verge of leaving for school, and when Cat asks for the only thing she can demand under the circumstances—a reference and help finding a new position—she discovers that even a right honorable gentleman has his limits...






CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:

Monday - August 8, 2016
1.) The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay by Kelly Harms
Summary (from Amazon.com):
Lily decides it's time to turn over a new leaf and the first item on her list of things to fix is getting the annulment...but you can't send a reply ten years later, "Hey by the way we are still married." This is something that must be addressed in person. Lily takes to the road to track down her husband - the charming, fun, and sexy man she connected with all those years ago - Ben Hutchinson. 






2.) Can I See You Again? by Allison Morgan
Summary (from Amazon.com):
Matchmaker Bree Caxton has a 98% success rate, a book about to hit the stands, and an amazing boyfriend. Until, that is, he gets cold feet about their future and runs from their relationship. Afraid no one will buy a book on love from a woman whose love life is a mess, Bree begs her one matchmaking failure, Nixon Voss, to pose as her boyfriend. But when they become a hit with readers, they must carry on their charade just a little longer. Fortunately, they're both having fun...




3.) The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Summary (from Amazon.com):
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can't understand Joshua's joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy's overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job...But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn't hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn't hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.


4.) Where Love Lies by Julie Cohen

Summary (from Amazon.com):
When Felicity steps off the train on the way to meet her husband, she is so sure of everything in her life. Where she is headed, what she will order at the restaurant, the first words her husband will say when she arrives, their happy future together.

But then she catches a scent of perfume in the air, and suddenly she is overcome by forgotten emotions-passionate memories of another man she loved many years ago. 




5.) Family Tree by Susan Wiggs


Summary (from Amazon.com):
Annie Harlow knows how lucky she is. The producer of a popular television cooking show, she loves her handsome husband and the beautiful Los Angeles home they share. And now, she's pregnant with their first child. But in an instant, her life is shattered. And when Annie awakes from a yearlong coma, she discovers that time isn't the only thing she's lost. 





6.) Ruthless by Lexi Blake

Summary (from Amazon.com):
Heir to the StratCast legacy, Ellie Stratton hires a new attorney to handle a delicate business matter—and she's shocked by her attraction to him. Over the course of a few weeks, Riley becomes her lover, her friend, her everything. But when her life is threatened, Ellie discovers that Riley is more obsessed with settling an old score than in the love she thought they were building. And Riley must choose between a revenge he's prepared for all his life and the woman he's sure he can't live without...



7.) Close to You by Kristen Proby
Summary (from Amazon.com):
Camilla, "Cami," LaRue was five-years-old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, she was heartbroken. But Cami grew up, moved on, and became part-owner of wildly popular restaurant Seduction. She has everything she could want...or so she thinks.

After spending the last twelve years as a Navy fighter pilot, Landon returns to Portland to take over the family construction business. When he catches a glimpse of little Cami LaRue, he realizes she's not so little any more. He always had a soft spot for his little sister's best friend, but nothing is soft now when he's around the gorgeous restauranteur. 


PARANORMAL ROMANCE:

Monday - August 8, 2016
1.) Saving Her Angel by Missy Jane
Summary (from Amazon.com):
Eleanor has loved her boss Cam from afar for years, but now he wants to retire and sends her away. Tearing her heart out would have been kinder.

Archangel Camael must never fall for a woman. If he does, he'll lose his angelic powers, and he will age like a human. Protecting humans from evil is paramount and has meant periodically reinventing his identity to avoid rousing suspicion. But as his desire grows for his secretary, Eleanor, duty feels more like a burden because he can't imagine starting a new life without her. 




Which books are you planning on buying? Which one sounds the most interesting? Also, what is your favorite genre to read?