Second Chance (Griffin Force #5) by Julie Coulter Bellon

 

Griffin Force tracks a dangerous terrorist to Libya, but the only man on their team that can infiltrate the terrorist's lair is Augie---their computer tech. They'll take a huge risk with an undercover asset who gets Augie in and assures them he won't be killed.

But who can the team really trust when the op goes sideways?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Wa-hoo!  It's release day for this book and I feel like I've been waiting forever for it!  I mean, it hasn't REALLY been forever, but you know what I mean.  It seems like so long ago that this author revealed the cover for this book and I was SO excited.  Julie Coulter Bellon is one of my favorites in this military suspense genre.  She has written in other genres too and I like that but this is my first love.  I loved being back with the Griffin Force team with the spotlight on Augie, the computer tech genius.  Time to really shine, Augie!!

And shine he did.  

Even in the dark moments, Augie was shining.  He really came through as a protector and a defender.  I loved his bravery and his kindness.  Rian has a great presence in this book- who doesn't love a strong woman?  She was amazing.  And of course, seeing old friends was nice too.  I love how this team works together.

I loved how the story unfolded.  I stayed up way too late last night to finish it because I didn't want to sleep until knew everything.  Of course, now I am desperate for the next book because I was left with a "to be continued . . . "  Boo.  I sure hope the author is writing that next book!!

Content:  peril, violence, kissing

This book is on KU!

Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton + Enter to Win a Copy of This Book!

At the dignified age of eighteen, Phoebe Jamison knows she should behave in a manner befitting her station, as her three loving elder brothers often tease. Unfortunately, the lively young woman has a personality every bit as fiery as her red hair, a fact brought to her attention in the criticism from the gentleman she has long pined for. But not every man is of the opinion that a woman should be decorous above all else. The newest resident of Somerset, Mr. Franklin Everly, is considered a most eligible bachelor, and he is immediately drawn to Phoebe’s spirited nature as he becomes acquainted with the delightful Jamison siblings of Primly Park.

Franklin embarks on a friendship with Phoebe that quickly deepens into a warm and thrilling connection. But even as he fights for Phoebe’s attentions, a very real danger is revealed: girls in neighboring villages have gone missing, and the kidnapper is moving ever closer to Primly Park. Despite the guard of her fiercely protective brothers and Franklin, Phoebe must rely on her own strength when she finds herself in the sights of the Bride Snatcher.

* Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

I'm so glad the character on this cover looks like the character described in the book.  That fiery red hair deserves to be represented!

Franklin is the perfect representation of wooing.  He is so sweet and so attentive.  Honestly, I adored him.  He tries so hard to win Phoebe's attention.  Can I just mention "the song" here?  Franklin sings Phoebe a song and oh!  It melted my heart.  Hers too.  😉 Franklin sees and loves Phoebe for who she is.  He is intentional and purposeful.  Sigh.  So adorable.

Phoebe is a fun character.  Her brothers really add to the story as well making this story a collection of winsome characters.  They were all so easy to like.  I appreciated the bit of added mystery with the snatcher and how that played out.  It was a much needed bonus element that livened things up at just the right time.

I really enjoyed this one!  

Content:  mild peril, kissing

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

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Give Me One Good Reason: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Shaped By Love #4) by Michelle Pennington

 

No calling dibs on dream guys.

Why do short girls always get the tall guys?

Don't they know that those of us who more closely resemble giraffes than dainty little wood sprites should have first pick of any guy who isn't eye level with our cleavage?

But what happens when the embodiment of all my tall-girl fantasies gets hired to work at Booms and Nibbles?

My short best friend snags a date with him first.

What do I get to do? Butt heads with him all day every day as I try to educate him on selling women's underwear, that's what. He's opinionated, blunt, and... Sigh. It's no use. He's amazing. Especially when his beautiful brown eyes glint at me from behind those nerdy glasses—sending messages that both confuse and captivate me.

Well, Adam had better fortify those walls he keeps putting up because I've always been the type to go after what I want. And my sights are set on his heart.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I was so excited to dive into this book!  I've loved all the books in this series with the first still standing as my favorite because that one really made me laugh.  This one was fun too with lots of excellent smiling, swooning moments.  The characters in this series all work for the same company that sells women's underwear, specializing in sizes that are harder to find.  They themselves have varying body types that bring their own set of insecurities and confidences.  I love that these books really bring to light that all body types are beautiful.  The women in this series all support each other well in that regard.  It's refreshing.

Angela is tall.  And funny.  I loved her take charge attitude and how passionately she loved her job.  She's an all in kind of girl and it was so easy to like her.  Adam shows up in a previous book so his character wasn't altogether unfamiliar but we get to see him from a whole new perspective in this book- Angela's perspective.  And she pretty much drools over him.  haha.  It was fun to watch their relationship progress.  Oh!  And I also loved the nod to K Dramas.  I love watching those too!!

This book sets up the next book perfectly and I can't wait to read it!

I picked this book up on KU.

Content:  kissing

Love in the City: Limited Edition Romantic Comedy Box Set

 

 Get ready for thirteen heart pounding and laugh out loud rom-coms from thirteen bestselling and award winning authors, including Amazon chart toppers and USA Today bestsellers. Filled with mystery, second chances, soulmates, brother’s best friends, bad boys, nobility, and the cute guy in the cubicle next to you, these stories will captivate you and leave you wishing for more.
 
Download this limited edition box set while you can and indulge in these sweet and sexy leading men and strong and beautiful heroines while they fall in love in cities around the world.

Sariah Wilson - All’s Fair in Love and War 
Becky Monson -The Love Potion 
Jennifer Peel - Love the One You’re With 
Kirsty Greenwood - Love Will Save the Day
Whitney Dineen - Love for Sale 
Aven Ellis - Love, the Viscount, & Me
Shari L. Tapscott - Little Lost Love Letter
Lucy McConnell - Can’t Forget a Love Like That
Kate O’Keeffe - A Very English Love Story
Erin Huss - Love, Lies, and Limo Rides
Melissa Baldwin - Thanks for the Love
Stephanie Fowers - Love at the Masquerade
Kathryn R. Biel - Vision of Love

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I have been anticipating this boxed set for so long!  Just look at that awesome author line-up! Wow, so many of my favorites are included in this collection.  I had the chance to read a few stories early but I have also purchased my own book so I can read them all!

Love the One Your With by Jennifer Peel

I read through this story so quickly.  As usual, Jennifer Peel writes characters that are easy to relate to and root for.  Kasie and Jake have a different sort of love story- more mature, since they've been married for years but clearly Kasie feels undervalued and undesirable. It's a romantic slump for Kasie and Jake and something has to change.

What follows is a series of mishaps, misunderstandings, facing hurts, making changes and well, a return to love.  Things are real but not overwhelming and there was a good dose of entertaining as well.  The progression was natural but it was just over too soon.  I'm used to longer stories by this author and it was hard to feel like I was only getting a bite sized dose of her usual books!  I loved the characters (and the secondary characters!) and especially the ending.  Hello Kitty. 😻  * 5 stars *

Little Lost Love Letter by Shari Tapscott

Oh my goodness.  I loved this story!  From the very beginning to the very end I was completely invested in Lucy and Ryland. The interactions and banter between them was so much fun!!  Talk about chemistry and sparks!!  Lucy and her (so, so many) mishaps, the poor girl.  It made her ever so endearing.  I think this is going to be a repeat statement for every book I read in this collection, but this story was over too fast.  I wanted to linger with Lucy and Ryland.  This book was light, fun, romantic and it just made me happy.  * 5 stars *

Love at the Masquerade by Stephanie Fowers 

Cute, cute, cute!  This author has been writing stories set in New Orleans lately and they are so fun.  It makes me want to visit there and enjoy the unique atmosphere and eat ALL the food.  I think this one is my favorite of this NO series so far- lots of good chemistry and sparks.  I liked the kissing.  💋😍 It was lighthearted, easy reading and I enjoyed my time with Harken and Mia.  * 4 stars *

Chute Boss (Lost Creek Rodeo #2) by Sophia Summers

 

The perfect vacation: Rest. Therapy. And miles away from Reid Browning.

At first Eden thinks she's spending three weeks at Broken Hearts Ranch to heal her head. But the longer she works with Kellie, the more she realizes her head is not the only thing hurting. Images from her tour in Iraq stay hidden but not deeply enough, and she knows she will need to forget or heal or both if she is ever going to move on. As a bonus, the ranch was going to be a good opportunity to avoid the dating scene, and men in general. Or so she thought.

As a world class bareback rider, Reid has given his all to rodeo and does everything he can to forget his law degree and the fast paced life he left in Washington DC. That includes the woman he recently met who got under his skin in all the wrong ways. The trouble is, she got under his skin in the right ways too. When he escapes to Texas to support his college brothers in the Lost Creek Rodeo, he couldn't be more surprised to find her there.

Sparks fly and not always the good kind, but when circumstances throw them together and barriers come down, the two just might find a path to healing and maybe even love.

Welcome to Lost Creek Rodeo!

Best friends at a small college in Texas, six cowboys rise to become pro-rodeo stars. Follow Ryan, Reid, Westin, Ford, Eric and Lars in these six swoony sports romances.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

It's the second book in this Lost Creek Rodeo series!  Let's hear it for the cowboys!  This story highlights Reid although all the rodeo boys are around so we get little glimpses of them.  It really helps give this series a sense of community and family.

Reid and Eden have not just one not-so-good first meet but a series of them.  First meet, second meet, third meet. . .  yeah, you would think they would avoid each other because honestly?  Their encounters are painful!  But I guess there is something about attraction that keeps pulling them in.  Reid and Eden appear to be opposites but as they get to know each other they find ways to communicate and share.  They don't always agree but they learn to listen to each other and they learn how to support each other.  I liked that.

This is a fun series so far.  I can't wait to read the next book!

Content:  mild peril, kissing, flashbacks of war time trauma

- I picked this book up on Kindle Unlimited

Of Sword and Shadow by A.L. Sowards

 

Greece, 1379

She is known by many names, none of them her own. In truth, she is an unnamed slave, nothing more than a weapon in the hands of her owner in his attempts to provoke political mayhem. When she encounters a handsome young man while on an assignment, she thinks little of him—until he attempts to take what she has stolen. But in her line of work, failure is not an option.

Gillen is intrigued by the mysterious woman who thwarts his mission. But when his path crosses hers again, his intrigue turns to gratitude as the thief he comes to call Eudocia saves his life. The two form a bond of friendship and join forces to wrest control from a group of ruthless rulers. But as their camaraderie blossoms into something more, Gillen and Eudocia must fight for love even as they wage war for a better future.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

This was just the sort of book I have been craving.  Something different.  The setting, the plot and the time period all felt fresh to me.  I really loved it.

The girl has no name.  How sad is that?  Names hold so much identity for us.  Sold into slavery at a very young age and forced into situations that brought pain and misery, the girl knows much about the harder things in life but not so much about the good.  Kindness, love and honesty are all foreign concepts to her.  Then comes Gillen, who takes to calling her Eudocia and gives her a glimpse of what kindness and friendship look like.  

There was adventure, political intrigue, hold your breath moments and times where I didn't think I could stand the horrors anymore.  The story moves along steadily, but not quickly.  There is plenty of time to digest what is happening and understand the characters and what is developing between them and in the plot.  This story is more of the other things and less of the romance. 

This author does such a good job with research and history.  I can feel it all throughout the book.  The attention to detail really helps set the stage in my mind so I can imagine it all.  It was so good.  I was excited to read that the author will be doing another book along these lines set some years down the road with some characters from this book making an appearance.  Yay!

Content:  violence, peril.  War time violence.  Beatings, torture, some detail given but nothing prolonged or too detailed.  References to using women in sexual ways but only generally and not specifically.  One kiss.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Age of Auroras (The Riven Kingdoms #4) by Shari L. Tapscott

 

 

Temporary peace has settled across Draegan as a new era begins for the cursed kingdom, but the royals know that tranquility is fleeting. In order to fulfill the magic and save the continent from its imminent destruction, Rhys and Amalia must once again return to Renove and see the rightful king ascend his throne.

The sorrows of yesterday forgotten, Amalia looks forward to crossing the rift one last time to see her family, filled with hope that the impossible task she and Rhys were charged with will soon be complete.

But the happy reunion doesn’t go as planned. The curse has fully descended on the once-blessed kingdom, and an imposter king wears a stolen crown.

Already, the broken magic begins to tear their world apart, and amidst it, an unavoidable battle looms that will test the royals in ways they never dared imagine.

Filled with love, betrayal, and magic, Age of Auroras is the epic conclusion of The Riven Kingdoms.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *  

Last book in the series?!  Sigh.  I'm so sad to be at the end but happy too.  Bittersweet.  This is a series you really need to read in order as each book builds on the last.

This was a dramatic conclusion to this series.  Each book has built on character relations and interactions.  The story line has grown and here we find ourselves at the end.  I loved the alternating perspectives and how every character was present and needed in the last great push to save the kingdoms and the people.  I love these characters but I think Seraphina and Aeron stole the show for me in this book.  They worked their magic together and I loved their emotional and dramatic ending.  😍  It was perfect for them.  And of course, this book ends where it started- with Rhys and Amalia.  Fitting and so, so good.

I may have read through this book WAY too fast.  I was so anxious to reach the conclusion and the anticipated happily ever after.  Now I wish I would have savored it a bit more.  I loved this book and this series.  Shari Tapscott is an author I can depend on for fantastic stories in many genres but I absolutely love her adventure/magical stuff.  It's so hard to find clean books in this genre.

Content:  some violence, kissing, peril.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.