Review: Spellbound in a Kilt by Anna Durand

Title: Spellbound in a Kilt 

Author: Anna Durand 

Publication date: 9/28/21

Summary: She holds the power to enchant him, but he only wants to debunk it.

Kirsty MacTaggart gets her own story at last in the tenth Hot Scots book! As one of the Witches of Ballachulish, Kirsty finds her devotion to the metaphysical tested by the only person on earth who can make her wish she were "normal"—her first love, a pragmatic scientist who doesn't believe in anything he can't see, touch, or detect with his instruments.

Does Kirsty really have "witchy" powers? Only one man can uncover the truth… unless he falls under her steamy spell first.

Fall under the spell of the tenth book in the bestselling Hot Scots series of contemporary romances!

Review: Anna Durand sure knows how to write a hot hot romance. Every single book I've read in the Hot Scots series has absolutely made me want to read the whole series then start over again. I love the touch of mystery in this book. Kirsty is such a fantastic character and I absolutely love how the whole family is so protective of her. 

Review: A Lot Like Christmas by Jennifer Snow

Title: A Lot Like Christmas 

Author: Jennifer Snow

Publication date: September 28th, 2021

Series: Blue Moon Bay #2

Summary: This Christmas season, love comes where you least expect it. 

For Jessica Connolly, there is no better place than her coastal hometown of Blue Moon Bay. She has a wonderful family, supportive best friends, and a successful bakery on Main Street. Unfortunately, every time she designs one of her ex-boyfriends' wedding cakes, she's reminded just how unlucky she is with love...and that she's a good luck charm for men to find their happily ever after. With someone else. The minute they break up. So she's decided to be done with love. 

Dr. Mitch Jameson is more comfortable traveling the world with Doctors Without Borders than staying in one place. He just needs to survive the holidays in his small hometown before he can leave again. The beautiful, intriguing bakery owner with an aversion to dating might be just who he needs to occupy his restless heart. 

From sipping hot chocolates at the local festival of lights to early morning dessert deliveries, Jessica and Mitch rediscover the spirit of the holidays. But when the 25 days of Christmas are over, will their romance be over, too?

Each book in the Blue Moon Bay series is STANDALONE:

* A Lot Like Love

* A Lot Like Christmas

Review: I really enjoy Jennifer's writing. Her writing is sweet and not overly sexual. Which is something I need sometimes. I'm hoping it gets me out of my reading slump after reading two not so good books. I really recommend  this book if you're looking for a palette cleanser or you just love sweet romance. I'm going to use my KU for the other book in this series, it is my favorite series of the two I've read so far.

Review: Tagging Up by Carrie Aarons

Title: Tagging Up

Author: Carrie Aarons 

Series: Callahan Family #5

Summary: All Anna Callahan wants is her independence.

Being the youngest member of her immediate family, and massive network of cousins, she’s always been sheltered. That ends now. After graduating with her masters in nursing, she’s ready to move out of her parents’ house, whether they support that decision or not. While wallowing in the guilt of that choice at the local bar, she bumps into the one guy she shouldn’t go near.

A player for her family’s team and her cousin’s best friend, Clark should come with a warning label. Not only because he’s the league’s number one playboy, but because he’s significantly older than her. 

Unfortunately, they can’t seem to keep their hands off of each other. That initial night together leads to scorching glances across public parties, secret hookups in hidden places, and way more than either of their hearts bargained for.

But being with Clark means lying to those closest to them. When their secret is finally discovered, it sends the already skittish bad boy running for the hills. And although she claimed to want freedom with no strings, Anna can’t help but feel the sharp pull to be with him forever.

Clark Nyle swore a long time ago he’d never be committed to anyone.

After watching his mother ruin his father through adultery and abandonment, he knows that love is for masochists and he certainly isn’t one. Baseball and living life like every day’s a party are his only two passions.

Then his father dies, and he’s forced to question everything. It leads to a barstool, too many drinks, and into the backseat of his car with the one woman he should never have touched.

Now that he’s gotten a taste of Anna, he can’t stay away. Even if their secret affair comes with way too many consequences. Her family owns the team he plays for, not to mention his best friend would cut off his balls if he knew what they were up to. Plus, he doesn’t want anything long-term, and eventually he’s going to break her heart.

But the more time he spends with her, the more he seems to want a different future than the one he always planned on. Until they’re found out, and he’s forced to choose between his demons and the disapproval of his closest friends … or her.

Review: Although I didn't read the first four books in the series this family is so easy to fall in love with. Anna reminds me of me. She's not afraid to say it how it is. Clark is the sexy reformed playboy. Their love match is a fantastic way to end a series. The chemistry in this book is off the charts! I loved everything about this book and absolutely couldn't put it down. If you've read the series or you are looking for the latest Carrie Aarons book, I highly recommend this book!

Review: Tempting the Devil by Morgan James

Title: Tempting the Devil 

Author: Morgan James 

Publication date: 9/21/21

Series: Quentin Security series #5

Summary: Some secrets refuse to stay buried…

Abby

I did all the things a good girl is supposed to do: I went to college, got a degree, even came home to help my guardian, Violet. But just once I wanted something for me. Specifically, the handsome stranger sitting across from me at the bar. I spent one night with the man of my dreams, and the next morning we parted ways forever… or so I thought. When I show up at work on Monday, I discover my mystery man is my new coworker—and my brother’s best friend. Suddenly my quiet, sedate life just got a whole lot more complicated.

Clay

She’s quirky. A little crazy. And she never stops talking. So why can’t I get the sexy brunette off my mind? One night with Abby wasn’t enough. She might be my friend’s baby sister, but she’s the only woman I’ve ever wanted. When she stumbles across a decades-old secret tied to her family’s past, Abby stirs up a hornets’ nest of trouble. But someone has a lot to lose if the truth surfaces, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe before the killer silences her—permanently.

*Tempting the Devil is the fifth standalone in the Quentin Security Series. There are no cliffhangers, no cheating, and each book ends with a HEA!

Review: This is my first book by Morgan James which means I haven't read any of the other books in the series. Luck for me the are able to be read as a stand alone book. I absolutely love Abby the way she jumps from one thought to the next reminds me of how my brain works. I just don't vocalize it as much as her. I love Abby and Clay together. This book reads so smoothly and quickly. I cannot wait to dig into some more books by Morgan James. I highly recommend this book!

Review: Austin's Revenge by Jax McKay

Title: Austin's Revenge

Author: Jax McKay

Pub date: 9/16/2021

Series: Ares Falls Billionaires #2

Summary: I never forgot the one night I had with Violet.

Now she’s my assistant and I’m going to make her mine.

Being forced into early retirement wasn’t all that bad.

After all, now I am running my own MMA promo company.

With my best friends and my brother at my side we can’t fail.

The last thing I expected them to do was hire me an assistant.

And I definitely wasn’t prepared for her to walk in.

Violet Lancaster…

The one night stand I never forgot.

Review: This book is everything! I absolutely love MMA. I absolutely love Austin and Violet. For my first book by Jax McKay, I am absolutely obsessed. This book was a quick, delightful read. I feel like the number in the series is a little messed up. No reason the prologue should be listed as number 1, it makes more sense for it to be .5 at least to me. I highly recommend the book and I can't wait for the next one!

Review: By Sin I Rise by Cora Reilly

Title: By Sin I Rise

Author: Cora Reilly 

Pub date: 9/15/2021

Series: Sins of the Fathers #1

Summary: Maddox – Mad Dog – White hates everything the name Vitiello stands for, after he witnessed his father and his men getting butchered by the Capo of the Italian mob in their territory. Raised by his uncle, the president of the Tartarus MC, Maddox is destined to follow in his footsteps. Now their chapter is on the rise again, but for their ultimate triumph they need to destroy the Vitiello empire. And what better way to do it than to steal the spoilt Vitiello princess and break her piece by piece until her father begs for mercy.

Known as the spoilt princess of New York, Marcella Vitiello grew up in a golden cage. If your father is the most feared man in New York, people gift you with reverence.

Destined to marry the boyfriend approved by her father, Marcella is sick of being treated like an untouchable porcelain doll. 

She resents the life forced upon her by her family until everything she took for granted is ripped from her. Where she’s now, her name doesn’t bring awe, only pain and humiliation.

If you’ve grown up in a high castle, the fall is all the deeper.

Sins of the fathers have a way of catching up…who’s going to bleed for them?

Review: The start of the book is absolutely crazy and hooks you in right away. I absolutely love Maddox, he is absolutely amazing. The way the book is set up made it slightly hard for me to read. Marcella had excellent character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this series!

Review: Running on Diesel by Melissa Foster

Title: Running on Diesel 

Author: Melissa Foster 

Publication date: September 15th, 2021

Series: The Whiskeys #8

Summary: A funny, sexy, and emotionally riveting standalone contemporary romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. RUNNING ON DIESEL is the perfect love story for those who enjoy fiercely loyal and insanely sexy alpha heroes, smart, sassy heroines, strong family bonds, bikers, babies, and more!

Desmond “Diesel” Black is a Nomad with the Dark Knights motorcycle club. He protects others with his life and always rides alone. Tracey Kline left the only family she had for a man who broke more than her spirit, leaving her untrusting and on her own. When a twist of fate reveals pieces of the other no one else sees, will they be able to help each other mend their past hurts and learn to trust the chemistry and connection that’s too strong to deny?

~

The Whiskeys are perfect beach reads with depth of story, strong family ties, and a wealth of emotions. Small town love stories with happily ever afters guaranteed. The Dark Knights motorcycle club is not a typical MC book. These bad-boy bikers are tough, but they have hearts of gold...and they're not afraid to use them.

For more hot WHISKEY love stories, check out Melissa’s other Whiskey novels.

TRU BLUE (Truman)

TRULY MADLY WHISKEY (Bear)

DRIVING WHISKEY WILD (Bullet)

WICKED WHISKEY LOVE (Bones)

MAD ABOUT MOON (Jed Moon)

TAMING MY WHISKEY (Dixie)

THE GRITTY TRUTH (Quincy Gritt)

IN FOR A PENNY (Penny and Scott)

And don't miss RIVER OF LOVE (The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor), the first story in which the Whiskeys were introduced!

Review: I really enjoy Diesel, although this man of few words is very easy to imagine. Especially with him so tall and Tracey is so small. I have absolutely got to read other books in this series as Melissa Foster just knows how to write a damn good book. Plus, the Whiskeys seem to be a phenomenal family. I love these two together, healing together. Such a beautiful couple. This is an absolute must read book. 

Review: Romance by the book by Sarah Ready

Title: Romance by the Book

Author: Sarah Ready

Publication date: 9/15/2021

Series: Soul Mates in  Romeo #3

Summary: Welcome to Romeo, NY where it's not a matter of if you find your soul mate, only when.

Book-loving librarian Jessie has loved Gavin Williams for practically her whole life. So when a psychic predicts that Gavin is Jessie’s one fated soul mate, she’s ecstatic.
There’s just one itty bitty little problem.
Gavin’s engaged to marry another woman.
What’s a book lover to do? Easy. Check out dozens of romance books, study the (totally realistic) way characters fall in love, and make a foolproof plan on how to win her soul mate (in one week).
Meet cute? Check.
Dance under the stars? Check.
Kiss in the rain? Check.
Romance books don’t lie – it’ll all go perfectly.
Except, there’s another problem. Gavin’s twin brother: William Williams IV.
Jessie has hated William for as long as she’s loved his brother. William is grump to Jessie’s sunshine, stand-offish to her extrovert, cold to her warm. And when William learns of Jessie’s plan to derail his brother’s engagement he swears that he’ll do anything to stop her.
But after William and Jessie (unwillingly) share a dance…a romantic dinner…a kiss…Jessie starts to wonder, is William actually her soul mate? Or is this just another one of his games?
She can’t tell, because this romance definitely isn’t going by the book.

Romance by the Book is Book 3 in Sarah Ready’s Soul Mates in Romeo Romance Series.

Review: I am absolutely obsessed with books that revolve around books. It's a guarentee that I'll be hooked. So cute. I will definitely be checking out more books by Sarah Ready. This is such a true romance that I suggest it for all of my fellow hopeless romantics. 

Review: Hooked by Emily McIntire

Title: Hooked

Author: Emily Mcintire 

Publication date: September 7th, 2021

Summary: He wants revenge, but he wants her more. 

Once Upon A Time, there was a little boy. 

His belly full of laughter, his life full of joy. 

Until one day, something changed; stripped his innocence away.

The hole inside making space for the devil to come and play. 

His dreams gone forever, he grew up way too fast. 

An endless night of crocodiles, and watches made of glass. 

He grew into a villain, the taste of vengeance on his tongue. 

Craving to make his enemies pay for the misdeeds they had done. 

Instead he found a darling girl, and refused to let her go. 

For what better way to make the man pay, than to steal his little shadow. 

*Hooked is a full-length, complete standalone and the first in The Never After Series: A collection of fractured fairy tales where the villains get the happy ever after. This is a DARK Contemporary romance (not fantasy) featuring mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.* 

Review: I didn't realize how badly I needed this book in my life until I read it. I can absolutely appreciate where James got his nickname from. Ru kind of annoys me. I could have done without him. He's a wee bit too entitled for my preference. Parts of James kind of remind me of the grinch. I cannot wait for the second book in the Never After series. This book was a fantastic quick read. It was kind of happy in a weird way that you absolutely wouldn't expect. An absolute must read book. 

Review: Cruel Wolves and Devious Deceptions by Danielle Annett

Title: Cruel Wolves and Devious Deceptions
Author: Danielle Annett
Publication date: September 6th, 2021
Series: Blood and Magic: Hellbound #3

Summary: Desmond Pierce is a wolf above Alphas.
Good looking, arrogant, and hunter-born.

Cruel Wolves and Devious Deceptions, an all-new brother’s best friend paranormal romance from Danielle Annett, is coming September 1st!

He also happens to be my brother’s best friend.
If coming from different clans wasn’t reason enough to stay away from him, his connection to my brother is.
But every time we’re in the same room, he needles his way under my skin, demanding my attention and making the tigress in me rise up in challenge.

I hate him
He hates me.
But when the unthinkable happens, I start to wonder if hate is enough to keep our attraction to one another at bay.

**Disclaimer** Cruel Wolves and Devious Deceptions was originally published as Cruel Devil, a contemporary romance novel under Danielle's other pen name. The series has been re-imaged at the request of her paranormal readers. It is 15,000+ words longer than the contemporary version and can be read as a stand alone.

Review: I would like to start out by saying I didn't read the start of the series. With that being said I absolutely can't wait to get caught up on my reviews so I can go back and read the first two. Also, I can't wait for the next book because Des and Mei are freaking everything.

Review: The Recluse Heir: A Dark Romanian Mafia Romance by Monique Moreau

 Title: Recluse Heir

Author: Monique Moreau
Publication date: September 2nd, 2021

Summary: I am Luca, the black sheep of the Romanian mafie Lupu clan.
Cat, the woman I want as mine, happens to be my brother’s fiancée.
What wouldn’t I do to tear their engagement apart with my bare hands?

Luca
As the second son, I scoff at the antiquated rules and traditions of my clan. When my family needs to make an arranged marriage with a rival clan, the next in line to wed the spoiled mafie princess is me.
I’ll be damned if I’m led to the slaughter like some sacrificial lamb.
Let my younger brother, the family lapdog, do the deed. The man is a soulless bastard, anyway.
But the moment I set eyes on the precious princess at my brother’s engagement party, I regret my decision. Knees buckling, I almost topple to the floor. Holy hell, but she’s beautiful.
Sultry and innocent, she’s a lethal combination the likes of which I’ve never seen before.
If only she wasn’t already pledged to my brother.
 
Cat
My family loves me but I’m merely a pawn in the shifting chess game between the Lupu clan and mine. As the good, obedient daughter to the boss of the Popescu family, I do what I am told. And that is to marry the youngest brother, a ruthless mafie prince with a reputation for cruelty. It’s the least I can do to make up for the grief I’ve caused my family over the years.
At my engagement party, I’m introduced to my fiancé’s older brother, Luca. A man with cold gray eyes that makes my skin sizzle with desire. The same man who already rejected me as his fiancée. I should hate him for it. Instead, the more time I’m forced to spend in his presence, the less I can remember that he was never meant to be mine. 

Review: I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book but this wasn't it. I was ready for a Mafia romance. I'm not sure if it's just this book or Romanian mafia (I normally love Mafia books) but I don't think I'll be reading this again. The start is very slow. Honestly I kept catching myself skipping parts looking for something interesting. I don't see the dark aspect, I barely see the romance aspect. I would suggest checking out another review as this book simply wasn't for me. I like Cat and Luca together, they are sweet.