Friday, March 29, 2019

Review - My Sister is Missing

Author:  Julia Barrett
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher:   RedDoor Publishing
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  266
Date of Publication:  March 19, 2019
My Rating:  3.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

I'm not the wife you think I am
Just weeks after giving birth, new mum Stephanie Henderson and her baby girl disappear.
With husband Adam in despair, and the police investigation stalled, it's up to her sister Jess to find them. But when Adam starts to behave suspiciously, Jess starts to question what really happened.
Following news of a tragic accident, she suspects the worst and, in turmoil, goes in search of answers. But Jess isn't prepared for what she uncovers . . . or for what happens next.
This is a twisted psychological thriller that will make you question what is real, and whether you really can trust those you love.
'This is a gripping suspense novel, and a powerful testament to the bond between sisters. Clear your diary and get the snacks in. Once you open this one, you won't be putting it down.' Cass Hunter, author of The After Wife
'A Complex and intriguing novel that paints a dark picture of dysfunctional family relationships' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle.


MY THOUGHTS:

For reasons no one can understand, Stephanie Henderson, a new mother, disappears with her baby girl. Her husband Adam is beside himself, but the police have no leads. Stephanie's sister Jess is determined to find out what happened to Stephanie and the baby and will do whatever it takes to find them. For reasons Jess cannot understand, Adam begins acting rather strangely. Could he have something to do with Stephanie's disappearance?

When Jess hears of a tragic accident that claimed the life of a young woman, she is terrified it could be Stephanie. What she learns is not enough, however, and Jess keeps searching for answers. 

As I sped through the pages of this thriller, I found that nothing was ever as it seemed, and I was truly invested in the well-being of Stephanie and the baby. Furthermore, Jess was thoroughly impressive, because she never once gave up in her quest.

This was a pretty good read that I could not put down. I read it in one sitting, but dare to say that there were a few twists that really caught me off-guard, especially when it came to dealing with certain aspects affecting one of the characters. As the story was delivered in more than one point of view, it definitely was intriguing. It was difficult to know who to trust while reading this story. There were issues relating to traumatic events that took a large part of the story. Many readers will enjoy this debut novel by Julia Barrett.

Many thanks to RedDoor Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Like all authors I love books and wanted to be a writer ever since I recorded my own Peter Rabbit tales at the age of four. But, it took until my late thirties to pluck up the courage to take my writing seriously and take time out from teaching. 

I threw myself into writing everyday and my first novel was completed during the Faber Academy six-month Writing a Novel course. 

That novel remains tucked away in a draw after several rejections. However, one agent told me to focus on my main character, Stephanie Henderson. And that's exactly what I did. My Sister is Missing  tells her story. 

I am currently working towards an MA in Creative writing. I grew up in Sheffield and now reside in Essex.

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Review - Knowing You

Title:   Knowing You
Author:  Samantha Tonge
Genre:   Women's Fiction
Publisher:   Canelo
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  233
Date of Publication:  March 14, 2019
My Rating:  3.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret...
Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

Her long-term friends Kath and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them. When she was a child, her closest confidant and companion was a boy called Flint. Her mother didn’t approve of their closeness and he suffered a terrible end. She won’t let the same thing happen to Bella, no matter what anyone says...

Knowing You is about friendship and knowing who to trust with your deepest secrets; it’s about taking control of your life and not being afraid to stand out. Perfect for fans of Ruth Hogan, Gail Honeyman and Amanda Prowse


MY THOUGHTS:

Violet has just had a broken heart. She was dating Lenny, someone that worked with her in the world of publishing, and that has fallen apart. Violet has a new flatmate, Bella, who gives her a lot of advice so she begins to change her life. As a child, Violet had very few friends. Not so as an adult. She has two long-time friends Kat and Farah, who are very concerned with her when she starts making sudden changes in her life.

The story goes back and forth to when Violet was a child. As such, her mother desperately tried to break up her friendship with someone she was very close to at the time, Flint. Things did not go well on that end as Violet grew older. Now her friends are not approving of her relationship with Bella. So Violet must learn to balance out her friendships and learn not to allow them to destroy herself in the process. Time will tell if Violet will regain control over her own life. 

As mentioned, Violet is involved in publishing, as is Lenny. She is also now running a book club. It was very interesting when it came to all of the book talk. The switch between past and present was also intriguing as it gave a great introspective into Violet's personality. I could only hope that Violet could wake up.

Is there a message in this book for us to take away? By all means. Love yourself for who you are. Do not try and fit into the mold that others set before you. Thank you, Samantha Tonge, for doing that.

Many thanks to Canelo and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion,


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I’m an award-winning, Top Ten Amazon contemporary women’s fiction novelist and am passionate about my work. I enjoy creating diverse characters and writing about relatable issues, friendships, romances and communities.

It’s always great to connect with readers – thanks for taking the time to visit. 

Aspiring  writers – check out my blog page where I share my experience and tips.

My debut novel, Doubting Abbey, from HQDigital (HarperCollins), was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction Best Romantic Ebook award, 2014.

My bestselling summer novel, Game of Scones, reached #5 in the AmazonUK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards 2015 Best Romantic Ebook category.

Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun also reached the Kindle top ten in 2016.

On 23rd July 2018 my new publisher, Canelo, released my debut contemporary women’s fiction novel, Forgive Me Not, a story inspired by my own mental health issues and journey into recovery. 



Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Review - The Girl Across the Street

Author:  Vikki Patis
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Publisher:   Bookouture
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  268
Date of Publication:  March 8, 2019
My Rating:  4.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

You’re hiding a secret that only she can see. 

Her name is Beth. She came into my life when I needed her the most. We lead very different lives, but she’s the only person who understands me. 

She was the only other witness to the terrible accident on the street between our homes. The only person who saw the cracks in my perfect life before I had the chance to cover them up. 

It’s been so long since I’ve had a friend. Someone to talk to, to listen to, to laugh and dream with. 

Beth would never do anything to hurt me. 

She only wants what’s best for me, for my marriage. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Isla and Beth are complete strangers who become friends due to a tragic incident. There is a hit and run accident and the person hurt was a male jogger. Despite immediately doing CPR, unfortunately the man dies. Isla and Beth are from opposite walks of life, however, they become friends.

Although meeting due to the accident, this is rather fortuitous for Beth. She has a very good reason for wanting to be around Isla. However, things about Isla are far different than Beth could have ever imagined. Thus, things change. Actually, things barrel out of control.

Both Isla and Beth lead dark lives, and until they met, were completely unaware. Now that they lives have intertwined, it is rather curious as to what Beth's true motive was and whether or not she will continue on. 

The Girl Across the Street was a touching read, especially when a change of course certainly had to happen. With both of the men in the relationships being toxic, I could only hope for the best for the women. This thrilling story, which was charged with suspense, had a whopper of a conclusion. I look forward to reading much more from Vikki Patis.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vikki Patis is an author and blogger, as well as an avid reader and book reviewer. When she isn’t working as a Regulatory Affairs Manager, she can usually be found drinking tea, baking cakes, or taking walks in the Hertfordshire countryside. She lives with her partner and two cats.

Social Media Links:

Web / Facebook / Twitter 

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Review - The Last Second

Title:   The Last Second
Author:  Catherine Coulter, J.T. Ellison
Series:  A Brit in the FBI #6
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher:   Gallery Books
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  515
Date of Publication:  March 26, 2019
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
From New York Times bestselling authors Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison comes a riveting thriller pitting special agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine against a private French space agency that has the power to end the world as we know it.

Galactus, France’s answer to SpaceX, has just launched a communications satellite into orbit, but the payload actually harbors a frightening weapon: a nuclear-triggered electromagnetic pulse.


When the satellite is in position, Galactus’s second-in-command, Dr. Nevaeh Patel, will have the power to lay waste to the world with an EMP. A former astronaut, Patel believes she is following the directions of the Numen, aliens who saved her life when she space-walked outside the International Space Station. She is convinced that with the Holy Grail, just discovered by the owner of Galactus—eccentric treasure hunter Jean-Pierre Broussard—she can be reunited with the Numen, change the world’s destiny, and become immortal with them.


The countdown has begun when Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are thrown into the pending disaster. They must stop the EMP that would wreak havoc on communication and electronic systems on Earth, resulting in chaos and anarchy.


With their signature “nonstop action with enough realism to keep you thinking and scare the daylights out of you at the same time” (Suspense Magazine), Coulter and Ellison have created a thriller to take you on a breakneck and breathtaking journey.


MY THOUGHTS:

It has been nearly a year since I read The Sixth Day by these very talented authors and I really wondered if, like just about every novel I have read from either of them, whether or not it would be worth the wait. Well, it was! Not only that, I read this book in just two sittings. The story is utterly captivating and not the fare I expected when about to read the next in The Brit in the FBI series.

Dr. Nevaeh Patel has been pulled from space. After a space-walk outside of the International Space Station, Nevaeh is now touting her first-hand experience with the Numen, who she believes are aliens who are communicating with he. Furthermore, she is convinced that with the aid of the Holy Grail, something long sought after and recently discovered by treasure hunter Jean-Pierre Broussard, she can change the destiny of the entire world.

To achieve her purpose, Nevaeh takes extreme measures. As the story is told, readers see that her belief in the Numen is 100% real. She really wants back in space. So, she has a dual purpose. What Nevaeh does in order to achieve both of these goals is nothing short of extreme madness. Yes, mad beyond belief. Her nefarious activities prove that she is certainly not afraid of consequences.

The Last Second is a thriller beyond compare. Michaela "Mike" Cain and Nicholas Drummond are the FBI agents handling the case. While healing from a badly damaged ankle, Mike and Nicholas are visiting Grant and Kitsune Thornton (familiar characters from previous tales), and they become involved in what happens to Broussard when cooky ex-astronaut Neyaeh tries and grabs to newly found Holy Grail.

Whether on land, air or water, action is never ceasing in The Last Second. All the while, readers are sucked into the very sick mind of Neyaeh. No one is safe from danger, even those perpetrating it. I loved all the techno talk in this book - whether from the former astronaut (who is the epitome of an unreliable character), or from Broussard while on his ship, the Galactic. Then the heroic actions of the FBI team is nothing short of spectacular.

Obviously, I could go on and on and on. But, no matter what I write here, I am desperately striving to avoid spoilers. I definitely think that fans following this series will be as drawn into this story as I was. As a matter of fact, this book certainly is already one of my Top Picks for this year! I look forward to the next book in this series.

The previous five books in the series are The Final Cut, The Lost Key, The End Game, The Devil's Triangle and The Sixth Day.

Many thanks to Gallery Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:



Catherine Coulter is the author of over 83 novels, including 78 New York Times bestsellers, occasionally, after exhaustive prayers, hitting #1. She earned her reputation writing historical romances to pass the time while aboard the ark. She added suspense thrillers to her repertoire - with great success. The Cove, the first book in her bestselling "FBI Suspense Thriller Series" spent nine weeks on the New York Times list and has to date sold well over 3 million copies. Since then she's written 22 more bestselling thrillers in the series, including The Maze, The Target, The Edge, Riptide, Hemlock Bay, Eleventh Hour, Blindside, Blowout, Point Blank, Double Take, Tailspin, Knockout, Whiplash, Split Second, Backfire, Bombshell, Power Play, Nemesis, Insidious, Enigma. Her 22nd FBI thriller PARADOX is available now in all formats now. Coulter is also writing a new suspense thriller series - A Brit in the FBI - co-writing with bestselling author JT Ellison. The 6th book in this action-packed series, The Last Second, will be out in March 2019.

For Coulter's first novel, The Autumn Countess, she chose a Regency setting for her debut because, says Coulter, "as any published author will tell you, it's best to limit the unknowns in a first book, and not only had I grown up reading Georgette Heyer, whom I worship, but I earned my M.A. degree in early 19th century European History and could fight in Napoleon's army, or join the Allies and beat his butt with Wellington."

Following The Autumn Countess, Coulter wrote six more Regency romances. She then turned to long historicals and eventually interspersed them with contemporary suspense novels, beginning with False Pretenses in 1988, her very first hardcover.

Coulter grew up on a horse ranch in Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas, receiving her graduate degree from Boston College. She became a speechwriter on Wall Street, then, to her joy, she was able to quit her day job and become a full-time writer.


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J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty critically acclaimed novels, including LIE TO ME, NO ONE KNOWS, WHAT LIES BEHIND, and ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS, and is the coauthor of the "A Brit in the FBI" series with #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter. J.T. also cohosts the EMMY® Award-winning television series A Word on Words.

With millions of books in print, Ellison’s work has been published in twenty-six countries and fourteen languages. Her novel THE COLD ROOM won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original. Her novels FIELD OF GRAVES and WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE were each a RITA® nominee for Best Romantic Suspense. She is also the author of multiple short stories.

Ellison grew up in Colorado and Virginia. After graduating from Randolph-Macon Woman's College and receiving her master's degree from George Washington University, she was a presidential appointee and worked in The White House and the Department of Commerce before moving into the private sector to work as a financial analyst and marketing director for several defense and aerospace contractors.

After moving to Nashville, Ellison began to research her hidden passions, forensics and crime, and was compelled to begin writing down her stories. To research her books, she has worked with the Metro Nashville Police Department and the FBI, as well as performing autopsies and studying survivalists.

In 2012, Ellison teamed up with #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter to co-write a new FBI series. The first book, THE FINAL CUT, released in September of 2013 and hit every major bestseller list. The series continues with THE LOST KEY, THE END GAME, THE DEVIL'S TRIANGLE, and THE SIXTH DAY. The next installment will be published in Spring 2019.

Ellison published her first standalone novel, NO ONE KNOWS, a Nashville-based domestic thriller, in 2016 with Gallery Books, followed by the critically acclaimed LIE TO ME, published in 2017 with MIRA Books. Her newest standalone, TEAR ME APART, will be published on September 18, 2018.

She also has co-written with Erica Spindler and Alex Kava on two anthology collaborations: SLICES OF NIGHT and STORM SEASON.

J.T.'s interests go beyond writing books—she publishes them, too. In 2015, Ellison founded her own independent publishing house, Two Tales Press, which features spine-chilling short stories and novellas, including THE FIRST DECADE and DEAD ENDS. An avid oenophile, Ellison teamed up with her right-hand, Amy Kerr, to launch The Wine Vixen, a wine review website focusing on all varietals and price ranges.

In 2015, Ellison was named a cohost of the Nashville literary television series A Word on Words. The series was hosted by respected journalist John Seigenthaler for more than 40 years and remains a favorite among viewers. The rebooted show builds on Mr. Seigenthaler’s distinguished legacy with an exciting new version of the literary series. The show won its first Emmy for Best Interstitial in 2017. Follow #keepreading for more updates on the show guests and lively literary discussions.

She also has an active following on Twitter @thrillerchick and Instagram @thrillerchick, and has a robust Facebook community.

She lives with her husband and twin kittens in Nashville, where she enjoys fine wine and good notebooks.

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Review - To Wed an Heiress

Title:   To Wed an Heiress
Author:  Karen Ranney
Series:  All For Love #2
Genre:   Historical Romance
Publisher:   Avon
Format:  Kindle
No. of Pages:  400
Date of Publication:  March 26, 2019
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Rebellion drove Mercy Rutherford to Scotland to escape the possessive grip of her fiancé. But it’s fate that lands her in the crumbling highlands castle of Ross Caithart. A dreamer with visions of inventing airships, he’s most certainly mad. Handsome beyond words, he’s also causing an irresistible flutter in her stomach beyond reason. When Gregory arrives to see their arranged marriage to its bitter end, Mercy desperately turns to Ross with an offer of her fortune—and her hand in marriage.

The Earl of Morton has a reputation for being a daredevil eccentric, but even he is hesitant to engage in such a rash proposition—no matter how utterly beguiled he is by the wildly independent American heiress. And yet, with so much at stake, how can he possibly say no? But when their unconventional union grows into a passionate and inseparable love, more than Gregory’s obsession threatens them. Now, Ross and Mercy will have to risk more than their hearts to save it.


MY THOUGHTS:

When Mercy Rutherford escapes North Carolina to get away from her fiancé, Gregory, she didn’t expect to be run down by an air ship - which resembled a dragon to her – driven by Lennox Caitheart. She discovers later that he is the Earl of Morton and Mercy also learns that he is the enemy of her extended family. That really is too bad, as he makes her heart flutter.

Sadly, Gregory followed Mercy to Scotland, and when he shows up, he makes it certain that she knows he is determined to follow through with the marriage. Mercy has a plan – she asks the eccentric inventor to take her hand in marriage. She offers him her fortune for his inventions. Part of the reason Mercy approaches Lennox in this manner is that they do form an unlikely friendship. Of course, he refuses her money. But, Mercy must take this plan of action, as her marriage was arranged, much to her dismay. Furthermore, her family in Scotland is utterly abominable.

This is an excellent story. I loved Mercy. She knew what she didn’t want in life and discovered what she did. When this happened, she grabbed the bull by the horns. Lennox was absolutely wonderful. Most certainly a genius, he had a warm heart as well. There were other good characters, notably Ruthie and Elizabeth. Conversely, Mercy’s grandmother was of the worst sort. The was one negative person in the story that surprised me in the end. All in all, the characters played quite well into the story.

To Wed an Heiress is the second book in the All for Love series and was a terrific read. Not only did Mercy find love, but others did as well. The first book, To Love a Duchess, was also a great read. 

Many thanks to Avon and to Edelweiss for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review for To Love a Duchess -
https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/02/review-to-love-duchess.html


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Odds and Ends
My name is pronounced Rain-ey, not Ran-ney. I know, odd, hmm? It’s a married name, but my real one.

Who I am

I read something the other day that moved me. It was a comment that people want what you do not because of what it is, but who you are. So I decided to tell you who I am, in as succinct a way as possible:

I believe that you can accomplish almost anything if you believe it and add your actions to your thoughts.

I believe that there are more nice people than there are ugly ones, and you should ignore the ones that bring you misery.
I believe in the magnificence of the human spirit, in the kindness and love of which we’re all capable.
I believe that character is what you do when no one is looking.
I believe that we are judged by how we treat those of us who need help, how we care for the innocents among us and the animals in our world.
I believe in the transformative power of love.

My story

When I was five years old, I decided I was going to be a writer.

I used to carry around this really big blue book, holding it in my arms much like I would a doll. I can still feel how heavy it was and recall the marks it made on my arms. I remember sitting on the front steps in Sherman, Texas with the book beside me. Sometimes I would sit with it in my lap and open it up, my fingers sliding on top of all those words. I’d try to match the ones I already knew to the ones in that magical book.


“I’m going to be a writer,” I told my mother. And she, in the way of most mothers, smiled and said, “That’s nice, honey.”


Little did I know it would take me a few years.


My oddities as a writer

I’m one of those writers who writes regardless of circumstances.  If there’s a hurricane, a flood, a death, an illness, I write through the experience.  It’s how I cope.  I can point to each one of my books and tell you if I was undergoing some trauma at the time.  The book itself has become a catharsis, and consequently, I feel a special bond to it.  Those books are Tapestry, My Beloved, After the Kiss, and The Scottish Companion.

But that’s not to say they’re my favorites.  I don’t have one. Or perhaps my favorite is the one on which I’m working.


I like throwing my characters into the deep end.  Conflict is one of those components of a novel that I adore. Just think about how much conflict we have in our daily lives.


I also tend to write books about people who are flawed, but not whiners.  The women don’t expect a man to rescue them and the men don’t blame women for everything wrong in their lives.


Hopefully, my characters always have a deep core of beliefs, but they do not always act in perfect ways.  In other words, they’re like real people.


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Monday, March 25, 2019

Review - Hard Loving Cowboy

Title:   Hard Loving Cowboy
Author:  A.J. Pine
Series:  Crossroads Ranch #3
Genre:   Romance
Publisher:   Forever
Format:  Print ARC
No. of Pages:  480
Date of Publication:  March 26, 2019
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Includes a bonus novella

Don't miss the third book in A.J. Pine's bestselling Crossroads Ranch series, featuring fan-favorite cowboy Walker Everett!

This cowboy's handsome, sexy, and definitely off limits . . .

Walker Everett spends his days at the Crossroads Ranch wrangling cattle-and steering clear of anything that would complicate his already too-complicated life. Until Violet Chastain, the ranch's newest employee, asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for her parents' anniversary party. She's the most beautiful woman he's ever met and needs his help. How can he refuse?

Violet isn't about to fall for a brooding bad-boy cowboy, no matter how sizzling their chemistry. But she also never expected Walker to go along with the charade. Before long, he's charming her parents at their weekly dinners and kissing her way more than necessary. Spending so much time together tests the limits of their "just friends" relationship, but what happens when their game of pretend becomes all too real?

Includes the bonus story Rocky Mountain Cowboy by Sara Richardson!

"A fabulous storyteller who will keep you turning pages and wishing for just one more chapter at the end." --- Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author, on Second Chance Cowboy

"Cross my heart, this sexy, sweet romance gives a cowboy-at-heart lawyer a second chance at first love and readers a fantastic ride." --- New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan on Second Chance Cowboy



MY THOUGHTS:

It is Walker's story! In the Crossroads Ranch series, the first two Everett brothers have found love. I have been eagerly awaiting Walker's story because of the fact that he has spent his last years in the bottom of a bottle. For a love story for Walker to work he would have to make huge strides. Readers will not be disappointed.

When asked by his family's ranch and vineyard's new employee, Violet Chastain, ask him to pretend to be her boyfriend when around her parents, he finds this to be a great challenge. For starters, his life is barely on track and he has been sober, thanks to rehab, for just two months. He has enough on his plate with that and with keeping his family's businesses going strong. To further complicate things, Walker really, really likes Violet but this is the worst possible time for him to become involved in a relationship.

Violet just ended a relationship, for starters. Furthermore, she is very concerned about her parents, particularly her mother. She has put her life on hold due to her loyalty to them. When she says that she and Walker are dating, she sees their joy and decides to keep up the ruse. What she must now do is to fight the very real attraction she has to Walker. The question proves to be just how long can they deny their undeniable chemistry.

I have read all three stories in this series prior to this one and this one definitely is my favorite. Walker has come a long way. He has not had it easy as he lost his mother while young and had an abusive father. His brothers have been patient with him but he finally was forced to face his problem with drinking. I do like how his sobriety was handled. All the while, Walker deserved love. In spades. Violet was indeed perfect for him, but his baggage was real. The conflict was real. 

With the time it took for Walker to deal with his addiction, a very genuine relationship was built with Violet. One other thing I enjoyed about this book was Violet's selfless attitude when it came to her family, and that brought another sensitive issue to the fore.

A.J. Pine has quickly become a favorite author of mine with these books. They are wonderful love stories, but with a strong sense of family. This affecting story will be with me for a while to come.

Hard Loving Cowboy is the last book in the Crossroads Ranch series. The previous stores are Second Chance Cowboy, Saved by the Cowboy and Tough Luck Cowboy. Each story in this series can be read as a standalone.

Many thanks to Forever for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.


Review for Second Chance Cowboy,
https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/01/review-second-chance-cowboy.html

Review for Saved by the Cowboy,
https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/03/review-saved-by-cowboy.html

Review for Tough Luck Cowboy,
https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/03/review-tough-luck-cowboy.html


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A teen librarian by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can’t seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. When she finds that 25th hour in the day, she might indulge in a bit of Netflix and Hulu, nourishing her undying love of vampires, superheroes, and a certain high-functioning sociopath detective. She hails from the far off galaxy of the Chicago suburbs where she resides with her two amazing kids and three little devils disguised as cats.





Review - This Scot of Mine

Title:   This Scot of Mine
Author:  Sophie Jordan
Series:  The Rogue Files #4
Genre:   Historical Romance
Publisher:   Avon
Format:  Kindle
No. of Pages:  368
Date of Publication:  March 26, 2019
My Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
A daring deception…

Desperate to escape her vile fiancé, Lady Clara devises a bold lie—that she’s pregnant with another man’s child. With her reputation in tatters, Clara flees to Scotland to live out her days in disgrace, resigned to her fate as a spinster…until she claps eyes on the powerful and wickedly handsome Laird Hunt MacLarin.

She’s the answer to his curse…

Laird of an ancient clan, Hunt needs an heir, but he comes from a long line of men cursed to die before the birth of their firstborn. When the Duke of Autenberry approaches him with a proposition—marry my ruined sister—it seems the perfect solution. Even better, the defiant lass stirs him to his very soul.

No escaping the truth...

Except marriage cannot set them free. No matter how much Hunt desires her. No matter how much Clara burns for him. Soon she is falling for her husband, but is love enough to end the curse? Or is the tragic history of the MacLarin Clan doomed to repeat itself?


MY THOUGHTS:

Lady Clara Autenberry is completely disenchanted with her unpleasant fiancé. She devises an unusual plan. She tells him that she is pregnant with another man's child. This ruins her in his eyes. What's more is she is ruined in the eyes of society, so Clara flees to Scotland, to the hone of her brother, Marcus, the duke of Autenberry, and his wife, Alyse. She may alwas be a spinster, but at least the ruination and unavoidable gossip won't follow her.

When she mees Laird Hunt MacLarin, her thoughts of forever being alone all but flee in her mind. She is very much drawn to him. Hunt is equally enthralled with Clara, but due to a curse that has afflicted his father and grandfather, he feels he must always be unmarried. When Marcus suggests that Hunt marry his sister, it is for a specific reason - beyond the attraction. The thing is, Hunt needs an heir, but when men in his family line get close to fatherhood, they are beset by tragedy and they have all died.

Hunt has an unbelievable opportunity to become a father. As he has not impregnated Clara, he won't be affected by the curse. Maybe they can enjoy the carnal pleasures of husband and wife for a time, until the child is born, and then the can continue on living seperate lives, albeit husband and wife. A perfect plan.

No plan is foolproof, however. At first, Clara refuses Hunts offer of marriage. When she does choose to marry him, however, she knows she must tell him of the fact that she is not pregnant. Quite naturally, they fall for one another, and Marcus, indeed, does come under the threat of the curse.

This Scot of Mine was a fun story, full of steam, romance, the aforementioned curse, and unusual accidents. The story flowed quickly and had a terrific conclusion. This was a nice addition to a successful series. I look forward to continuing this series.

This Scot of Mine is the fourth book in The Rogue Files series, preceded by While the Duke Was Sleeping (2016) and The Scandal of it All (2017) and The Duke Buys a Bride (2018), to be followed by The Duke's Stolen Bride, due for release this fall.

Many thanks to Avon and to Edelweiss for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.



Review for While the Duke Was Sleeping -
https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/01/review-while-duke-was-sleeping.html


Review for  The Scandal of it All - 
https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/02/review-scandal-of-it-all.html

Review for The Duke Buys a Bride
https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/02/review-duke-buys-bride.html


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.

A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed a natural choice. After several years teaching high school students to love ANTIGONE, Sophie decided it was time to pursue her long-held dream of writing. Two years later, she landed her first publishing contract.


Her first book, ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT, was a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical. Her second novel, TOO WICKED TO TAME, released in March 2007 with a bang - landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List. A few books later marked her first appearance on the New York Times bestseller list with the release of IN SCANDAL THEY WED.


And as if she's not busy enough, Sophie writes young adult fiction for HarperTeen and contemporary paranormals for Pocket. Sophie resides in Houston with her family and loves to hear from readers. To learn the latest information about Sophie and her books, follow her on facebook and twitter.