Christmas Awards 2011

Sunday 22 November 2015

All He Wants for Christmas Anthology

All He Wants For Christmas Anthology

Publisher: The Indie Six, LLC

December 2015

ISBN: 9781942447399

Pages: 450



Holly, North Carolina


Melt for Me by Elisabeth Naughton

Ella McKinley doesn’t do holidays even if she does own the Yuletide Spirits pub.  Especially with the loss she suffered one cold snowy night long ago. If the calendar jumped from November to January skipping December completely she would be perfectly happy. Tate Kendrick is rock’s latest “it” guy when he rolls into town. The heat that Tate and Ella once shared flares hotter than ever even when Ella tries to resist his wicked charm. Soon Ella is wondering if the return of her first love is a holiday miracle or her nightmare before Christmas when trouble linked to Tate strikes her pub.


Sweet Rapture by Alexandra Ivy

When Meg Anderson discovers her relationship with Dylan Cain is nothing more than a lie she returns to her home in Holly. Dylan being her new tenant is the very last thing she expects. She also didn’t expect to find that he might be the only thing standing between her and a killer.


The Spy Who Came for Christmas by Cynthia Eden

Jemma White might seem as sweet as the delicious treats she makes in her chocolate shop, at least that is what everyone in town thinks but they would be wrong. Jemma is ready for her wild side to come out. She has also found the perfect man to make her fantasies come true. Grayson Cole has escaped to Holly for the holidays even though he seems more than a-too-sexy-to-be-true stranger. Jemma can’t wait to steam up the cold winter nights with him as he is her perfect temptation. Jemma soon realizes that the man she is falling for has some very dark secrets when danger from Grayson’s past follows him to town. Those secrets just might get them both killed.


Merry, Christmas Baby by Katie Reus

Nora and her younger sister settled in Holly when they unexpectedly inherit a bookstore. Holly is a place that it is Christmas year-round. Nora is her sister’s legal guardian and that has made romance the very last thing on her mind. Jackson O’Connor is a former SEAL and for the town’s golden boy Nora has broken her own rules. Doing something stupid and almost losing Nora for good makes Jackson realize just how far he will go for the woman that has stolen his heart. Though for Nora to give him a second chance just might take a Christmas miracle.


Sinful in Snow by Laura Wright

Gabriel Fox is a heartless, ruthless, soulless Grinch and a Billionaire that is back in town.  He has only one goal in mind when he returns to Holly and that is to ruin Carol Cardini’s Christmas. Ten years ago she ruined his Christmas and his life. He has finally found the way to accomplish his goal with her business being in trouble. Carol isn’t about to let her dream be destroyed as the owner of Carol’s Shop and Crafts. Most certainly not by the sexiest man she has ever known and certainly not by revenge. What she can do is offer a chair at her holiday table and an apology. Now she will find out if the magic of Christmas spirit and the love of a good woman will warm and heal a Grinch’s cold heart.


Home Advantage by Skye Jordan

Meier Grant is a NHL super star but at the moment he has been sidelined by a bum shoulder. With a three week recovery sentence he has returned to his hometown of Holly. His parents are more interested in capitalizing on his fame rather than the much needed family bonding and it makes for an extended family stay the one thing that is not on his holiday wish list. Home doesn’t seem so bad when he finds out Faith Nicholas is suddenly single as when they were in high school she was the high school beauty and out-of-his league. Ten years later she is sexier than ever. Home is even better when he gets quality bonding time with Faith. Meier has the moves but are they enough to win a woman that deserves forever?



This is a bunch of amazing stories by some great authors.  While each story stands on its own they are much more fun to read together as they all weave together to make up a great small town that has some very interesting characters in it.  They are also sure to get readers into the holiday spirit as they get captivated by the town of Holly, North Carolina. The town of Holly is made up with special people that support each other and help each other out when it is needed.  The story really brings the reason for the season to life in a way that will have readers wishing they could actually visit Holly and the shops and people that are there.  This is one not to miss.


I give this one 5 red roses



LRH

I'll Be Home for Christmas

I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde

Publisher: Avon

November 2015

ISBN: 978-0-06-231141-2

Pages: 401


Contemporary Romance


Twilight, Texas

It is all merriment and mistletoe as the town of Twilight celebrates Christmas. The townspeople are scrambling to get their holiday shopping done and the Cookie Club is whipping up their most festive sweets.  A hometown guy with a restless heart, Joe, is dreaming about the woman he wants to kiss more than anything.

While Joe’s sister is away the woman he wants is staying at his sister’s place. Gabi Preston is a runaway law student and Joe isn’t sure if he wants to be a living Christmas present to her.

Joe nicknames Gabi “Trouble” as she is a sassy sweetheart. He also thinks he won’t be inconvenienced by anything other than his healthy sex drive. Soon Joe aches to give Gabi everything she has never had when he finds out why she ran away to escape her life. With the magic of the season drawing them together they discover that the only gift worth giving is love.


This is another chapter in a series that will have readers cheering that they can revisit Twilight, Texas.  The story of Joe and Gabi will be pulling on readers heart strings and will put readers in the mood of the season.  This is also a story that readers will want to read over and over.  It is fun to watch how much Joe and Gabi change as they find what matters most to them and to see how they work to find their happily ever after.  Readers also get the joy of visiting Twilight again and see how the other characters are doing. 


I give this one 5 red roses



LRH

Hard Limit

Hard Limit by Meredith Wild

Publisher: Grand Central

May 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4555-9181-7

Pages: 287


Contemporary Romance


Boston, Massachusetts

Blake Landon has everything he needs – good looks, wealth and most importantly the love of Erica Hathaway.  They are a power couple that has been to hell and back. They are now more in love and stronger than ever after life has torn them apart and finding their way back to each other.

Erica is more than ready to say I do. Just as she is on the verge of making the ultimate commitment she uncovers an unsettling chapter in Blake’s past. Erica presses Blake to tear all the walls down between them especially as she comes to terms with her own past and family. She opens a door beyond her wildest imagination in her determination to learn all about the man Blake once was.  She finds a world that leaves her questioning the limits of her own desires.

She needs to see if their forever will be destroyed by the past when dark secrets come to light and with danger lurking. 


This is proving to be an amazing series that will stay with readers long after they finish the book.  The characters are interesting and watching as they overcome each and every obstacle that is strewn in their path to find their happiness takes reader on an emotional rollercoaster. This book takes some great twists and turns that keep the reader guessing just what will happen next and if Blake and Erica will be able to overcome their problems to find their way to a happily ever after.  This is a series that will end up on many keeper shelves.


I give this one 5 red roses



LRH

Break On Through

Break On Through Rock Royalty Book 3 by Christie Ridgway

Publisher: Christie Ridgway

January 2015

Pages: 228


Contemporary Romance


California

Rolling Stone magazine once dubbed the nine collective children of the most famous band in the world “Rock Royalty,” years ago.  All the princes and princesses are coming back to L.A.’s Laurel Canyon now that they are all grown up. They are also trying to discover if love can be found among the ruins of their childhoods that was steeped in sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll.

Reed Hopkins enjoys his solitary existence as a reclusive novelist. At least until Cleo Anderson who is a single mom and her two kids move in next door. The exasperating woman wants to be neighborly.  What he needs is either a mean dog or a better security system.

Cleo’s compulsion to make the strong silent man on the other side of the fence smile is one she can’t control. Reed is a magnet to her kids and also to someone that is lonely and is beginning to dream. When trouble arrives at her door Cleo is suddenly afraid she is about to lose more than her heart.



This is a good story that fits in nicely with the first two books in the series. There are a few editing problems but once the reader gets past those it is a very good book.  The characters are likable and move the story along very well. It will also have readers wanting to read the next book in the series. It is proving to be a fun and an emotionally engrossing series. It is nice to see each of the “Rock Royalty” put their pasts behind them and find a happy future.  It is also nice to have past characters make cameo appearance so the reader can see what each one is up to.


I give this one 4 red roses



LRH

Saturday 7 November 2015

Sixth Grave on the Edge

Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

May 2014

ISBN: 978-1-250-04563-8

Pages: 336


Contemporary Paranormal Romance


Albuquerque, New Mexico


Charley Davidson is not most girls and most would think twice before getting engages to someone like Reyes Farrow. Charley is a paranormal private eye not to mention a grim reaper-in-training and with just few shots of caffeine she is also knows as a bit of a hell-raiser. Reyes is everything Charley could hope for being dark, deeply sexy and sultry even if her beloved is also the only begotten son of evil. Then an FBI file ends up in her lap that is about Reyes’ childhood. Then the real fun begins when she opens it. If that wasn’t enough first a naked corpse ends up riding shotgun in her car. Next a man loses his soul in a card game. As if that wasn’t enough a deaf boy that sees dead people, a very suspicious Reyes and a woman running from mobsters gets thrown in too. Charley is sure things can’t get any worse for her. Unless, the Twelve Beasts of Hell are unleashed then they can get worse.


This is a series that is full of laughs that will keep readers up late into the night just so they can finish each book.  Each book gets better and better and makes for a series that is truly unforgettable.  With the way Charley livens things up around her readers will wish they could actual know Charley and her brand of crazy.  This book is laugh out loud funny and it will have readers turning the pages just to see how Charley will get out of her latest bout of trouble.  It will also have readers reaching for the next book just to see what else will happen to Charley and company.


I give this one 5 red roses


LRH



The Good Girl

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

Publisher: Mira

February 2015

ISBN: 978-0-7783-1776-0

Pages: 361


Contemporary Suspense with Romantic elements


Mia Dennett enters a bar one night to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. She unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger when her boyfriend doesn’t show. Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand at least at first. By following Colin home Mia ends up making the worst mistake of her life.

Colin then decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota rather than turn her over to his employers.  Detective Gabe Hoffman and Mia’s mother, Eve, won’t let anything stop them from finding Colin and Mia. The emotional entanglements that eventually cause the family’s world to shatter no one could have predicted.


This is a story that keeps the reader guessing as to what will happen next and just what exactly is going on. The character insight that the reader gets with each word read makes for an unforgettable story.  The story takes so many twists and turns that the reader never knows how it will eventually turn out.  Just as the reader thinks they know what is going on another twist comes along to throw everything the reader knows into disarray.  This is an amazing psychological thriller that is very hard to put down once it is started.  It will also have readers wanting to read more from this author.  This is a thriller that is definitely a must read.


I give this one 5 red roses



LRH

Bite the Dust

Bite the Dust (Blood and Moonlight Book 1) by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc.

October 2015

Pages: 244



Contemporary Paranormal Romance


New Orleans

Jane Hart is a detective in New Orleans. As she investigates her first official homicide case her world is torn apart by that very investigation. Jane is caught in an eternal battle between vampires and werewolves because her murder case is a part of that deadly war. It is also a battle that can’t end well.

Aidan Locke is a werewolf who for years has been running New Orleans. His job is to keep the vamps out of the city. It is now time for Aidan to fight with all the fury of his pack when a Master Vampire comes to town determined to unleash hell. It is beast versus vamp until the very last breath.  Then he meets Jane.

Aiden knows Jane is much more than she seems with just one taste and one look. Even she doesn’t know how much more she truly is. She is very important to the paranormal war. She is a queen to be won not a pawn to be used. Jane Hart will become something deadlier not just a fierce cop or guardian if Aiden can’t stop the darkness from descending on the town or keep her at his side. Aidan is determined to fight heaven and hell to change her fate.  He must become more than just a predator to change their fate.


This is another amazing book by an author that continues to writes books that prove to be addictive.  Readers will not want to put this one down until the very last page and they will want the next book right now. The characters are complex and intriguing and make for a story that moves at a very fast pace.  The action starts right at the beginning and doesn’t stop until the very end.  With all the twist and turns this story takes reader will never be completely sure just where this one will end up at and how it will get there. Readers that enjoy paranormal books and enjoy vampires and werewolves will find this is a must read. 


I give this one 5 red roses



LRH

Hardline

Hardline The Hacker Series Book 3 by Meredith Wild

Publisher: Grand Central

May 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4555-9178-7

Pages: 271


Contemporary Romance


Boston, Massachusetts


Blake Landon is a software mogul that met his match with Erica Hathaway who is headstrong. Blake has no intention of letting her leave his life again even as his controlling nature and her independent spirit continue to battle.

Erica is determined that they will conquer any challenges together. She has given Blake her trust and love. Now she is being forced to face his dark desires that he has kept hidden when he demands more and tests the boundaries of her commitment.

Enemies are closing in even as their bonds grow tighter. Blake’s frustration grows when others tried to get to him by ruining Erica’s start-up company and he tries to protect her from the ones after him. When more than just Erica’s livelihood is threatened by Blake’s enemies it will test their relationship as they see if it will survive.


This is an amazing series that gets better with each and every book. The twists and turns the series keeps taking keeps the reader guessing just what will happen next and just how Blake and Erica are going to manage to get out from what their enemies have planned for them. The suspense keeps building with each book and while so far each one has ended with a somewhat cliff hanger it is proving to work very well overall in the series.  This book will also have readers wanting to read the next book right away.  This is one series that will go on a lot of keeper shelves.


I give this one 5 red roses



LRH

Love Her Madly

Love Her Madly Rock Royalty Book 2 by Christie Ridgway

Publisher: Christie Ridgway

September 2014

Pages: 224


Contemporary Romance


California


Rolling Stone magazine once dubbed the nine collective children of the most famous band in the world “Rock Royalty,” years ago.  All the princes and princesses are coming back to L.A.’s Laurel Canyon now that they are all grown up. They are also trying to discover if love can be found among the ruins of their childhoods that was steeped in sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll.

Bing Maddox is the “bad twin”. Alexa Alessio is his brother’s BFF and Bing has wanted her for months but he has stayed away because of his jaded soul and because she is too hearts-and-family.  He has buried his guilt after a good deed turned to a dark regret.  Since then he has also had a series of forgettable flings with women that want nothing more than some fun. He gives into his urges when Alexa needs a plus one for some upcoming wedding events. As he pursues her he goes all out to get her into his bed.

Alexa Alessio was being smart and keeping herself separate from Bing who is seen-everything, done-everything and wildly sexy then somehow she is suddenly agreeing to letting Bing be her date.  She wants back-up as her cousin marries Alexa’s stolen ex but Bing has made it clear he wants her in his bed. Her common sense tells her that with Bing being commitment-phobic when he moves on her heart will be broken even if her heart is saying yes. Now she is going to have to see if she can hold him after having him.


This is proving to be a very interesting and good series.  Seeing how the different “Rock Royalty” goes about finding their happy ever afters when they never thought they could have one let alone would even want one makes for some great reading. The characters are engaging and seeing them overcome their pasts to find the happiness they have a chance at pulls the reader in and will have readers hoping each one of the Rock Royalty finds lasting happiness.  While the first two books can be read as stand alones the stories are much better if they are read in order.


I give this one 4 red roses



LRH