Fall into Romance Event with Robin Bielman

Meet Robin Bielman, author of Keeping Mr. Right Now.

USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband, two sons, and one crazy-cute dog who loves to chew on socks. When not attached to her laptop, she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. She also likes to run, hike, eat cupcakes, and dip her toes in the ocean. Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure it’s real.

Find Robin at:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

ARC Review: Broken by Laura Wright

Well, I’ll be damned if Laura did not outdo herself with this latest Cavanaugh Brothers book! I was wrapped up in the story instantly and beyond excited to start reading to begin with. After all, we got a small glimpse of the chemistry between James Cavanaugh and Sheridan O’ Neil (Deacon’s number one Assistant!) during the first installment. The story leaves off right where Branded ended and the initial issue involves Sheridan and her inability to get close to people, even as just a friend. This includes Mac, Deacon’s (James’ older brother) soon to be bride who we fell in love with during the first book. Mac is preparing for her wedding and has no girlfriends to help her out…enter Sheridan.

Deacon is away on business throughout a good part of this book, but Mac is smack in the middle. Sheridan gets caught up in the wedding business and finds a home in River Black as Mac wiggles her way into Sheridan’s closed-off heart to become a good friend. Of course, the drama only begins once James becomes enthralled with Sheridan. James, our sexy, rough, but sweet horse whisperer not only has a way with horses but women too. Well, he did anyways, until he chose to become a love-them-and-leave-them kind of guy thanks to his belief that every woman he gets close to gets hurt, or killed. So, it’s quite clear James is in trouble once he realizes he just cannot get enough of the lovely red-headed Sheridan.

With that said, we cannot forget that Sheridan also has her commitment issues. Hell, she only has commitment issues in the sense of simply not committing to even date anyone at all…or befriend anyone. After growing up with just her mother, she concluded it would be easier to just never get close to anyone; period. So, the both of them have their flirtatious moments, and sexy lustful looks, but there is always a little bit discomfort for the both of them. I think this is why the moments of pleasure in this book were so much more enjoyable. I constantly was crossing my fingers in hopes that they would kiss or have sex, or enjoy dirty foreplay. Therefore, a sigh of contentment and some blushing was a downright guarantee. This is just one more reason I love Laura’s writing; sensuality, dirty talk, and romance are perfection in her novels!

Not to mention the scenery in the book. I love the places that Sheridan and James connected. The scenes with the horses made me swoon for James and his ability to be gentle and wise while tending to such powerful animals. Furthermore, Sheridan always faced a new fear or tried something new when she spent time with him; James makes her stronger. There were also scenes with potential nudity and lakes, as well as the wedding planning that James and her were roped into doing together. The both of them just fit so well. They went on wonderful dates (although they didn’t call them that), and we got to see a softness in Sheridan that is rarely there. Usually, Sheridan is very professional, uptight, and a no-bullshit kind of woman.

Obviously, I love this about her, but it was nice to see James bring out the more girly side of her. James, on the other hand, just becomes much more considerate and contemplative than he already was. However, his issues with opening up are really at the core of the drama between the two of them because Sheridan admits her feelings sooner than James is able. Then, of course, there is the new puzzle involving the Cavanaugh brothers’ sister Cass and her death. This new information not only brings the brother’s closer to answers they desire, but causes James to face his demons head on.

Now, one cannot forget the tragedy the boy’s endured after their sister’s murder. The abuse, the tarnished sanity of their mother, and the coldness of their father Everett, is what drew the boy’s back to River Black in the first book. We got a clue during Branded that just maybe the case could be re-opened so the boys could not only avenge their sister Cass, but find the truth. Well, James and Cole (the youngest Cavanaugh), take it upon themselves to do some investigating and they gather some information. However, with another danger lurking in River Black; a man who is after Sheridan, we get more than we bargained for.

Yes, you read that right…a man after Sheridan! Remember how I mentioned that no-bullshit attitude of hers? Well, her cleverness and unwillingness to let Deacon get cheated while he builds his own ranch gets her into trouble, violent trouble. The man who goes after Sheridan could be directly connected to Cass’s murder, or at least know who is. So, the Cavanaugh brother’s not only have another clue to finding the truth, but James is in even more trouble emotionally. After Sheridan’s attack, James cannot not only deny how much he cares for Sheridan, but he believes he really is cursed because he wasn’t there to protect her.

Then, there is Cole! Oh, I truly enjoyed being inside his head, and getting to experience his bad boy antics (he really is devilishly yummy). He is very beaten up over Cass, and as her twin feels a different loss than his two brothers. Therefore, I understand his rage a bit better than the others, as well as his unconventional ways of digging for information. If only the lovely, protective, and witty Dr. Grace Hunter would agree with me (though I secretly think she has eyes for Cole). Grace Hunter is the daughter of the Sheriff who originally investigated Cass’s disappearance and the boy’s believe she has access to more information than she is willing to share. Naturally, there is chemistry between Cole and Grace, and I’ll admit that my interest is piqued.

Ultimately, the book revolves around the same characters we come to love in the first book. This was very important and central to what made the book wonderful in my opinion. The storyline is very personal to the main characters, so it is great that Laura kept every main character well-connected (though I’ll admit I missed seeing Blue!). With that said, she was able to bring in new characters as needed to provide just the right amount of danger and intrigue to the story, while also bringing aforementioned characters more into the light (Grace Hunter, for example). In the end, I thought the book was incredibly well-written, seductive, romantic, and nail-biting-worthy with just the right touch of drama. With good reason, I cannot wait for the next ride!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

Audiobook Review: Connected by Kim Karr, Narrated by Veronica Meunch and Christian Fox

I really loved Connected by Kim Karr when I first read it, so when I had the opportunity to review the audiobook version of the story I couldn't wait to listen to River and Dahlia's story. Kim Karr did such an excellent job writing Connected and starting her Connections series, that I really wanted to know what the story sounded like. I thought that the narrators, Veronica Meunch and Christian Fox did a really great job of bringing these characters to life. I can't wait to listen to the rest of this series after hearing this book, and I think that if the rest of the audiobooks are like Connected that it will just make me love this series that much more.

Dahlia London is left heartbroken after losing her fiance in a horrible tragedy. She has been unable to move forward with her life and is left completely shattered. When her best friend finally convinces her to take a job with her again, Dahlia ends up reconnecting with the sexy lead singer of the Wilde Ones, River Wilde. River and Dahlia met years ago, and there was an instant attraction and connection between them. But with Dahlia having a boyfriend, she left before anything could happen between them. River has never forgotten about her though, and is determined to make her his the second time around. As Dahlia begins to give in to her feelings for River, she struggles to truly let go of her past and move forward. But when her past collides with her present, what will happen for River and Dahlia?

I love River and Dahlia so much. These characters are fantastic, and it is so clear that they belong together. They are great as individuals, but they really shine when put together. I loved watching these two reconnect and really get to know one another on a deeper level. River and Dahlia have a ton of chemistry and things are downright steamy between them. But what makes River and Dahlia such a great couple is that they connect on every level. They both have painful pasts and have had to deal with so much, and yet they are able to heal one another and find the support that they need in each other. Their bond is undeniable, and it is impossible not to feel the emotions between these two. I thought that Veronica and Christian did a great job of voicing these characters, and they really seemed to fit the characters. They were very clear and easy to understand, and I found their voices easy to listen to. Sometimes with audiobooks the wrong narrator can really ruin even the best of stories, but that was not the case here. These narrators brought them to life and enhanced the story in a way that just reading the book doesn't do. Not only did they do a great job with River and Dahlia, but I thought that both narrators did a great job of distinguishing between other characters as well, and it was always easy to tell which character was speaking at the time.

My one complaint and the reason for a four star rating instead of a five was that I didn't care for the way that the audiobook transitioned from one narrator to the next. It happens at about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through the book and was kind of disorienting to me. I liked getting both POVs and I loved the performances by the narrators. But it was kind of an odd way to switch between male and female narrators, and I kept wondering if it was going to switch back or if it was switched for good. I just felt like there had to have been a better way to accomplish the switch and make it more smooth than it felt. I definitely still recommend this book though, and I think that despite that complaint that the audiobook is worth the listen. This book does end with a cliffhanger but Torn is already out and picks up right where this one leaves off, so you don't have to wait to see what happens next. I really love this series and Kim Karr's writing, and I will absolutely listen to more by Veronica Meunch and Christian Fox again.

**Audiobook Provided by Tantor Audio**

Purchase: | Audiobook | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depository |

Fall into Romance Event with Ophelia London

Meet Bliss author, Ophelia London, author Making Waves.

USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching arthouse movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of SOMEDAY MAYBE; DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE; ABBY ROAD; the Perfect Kisses series including: FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER, PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and MAKING WAVES; and the upcoming Sugar City series for Entangled’s Bliss line. Visit her at ophelialondon.com. But don’t call when The Vampire Diaries is on.

Places to find Ophelia:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

Review: The Fall of the Saint by Christine Merrill

“The Fall of the Saint” as my first read by Christine Merrill. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was intrigued by the plot. The good guy taken down by a governess.

Michael Poole, Duke of St. Aldric, is known as “the Saint.” Since this is the second book of the “Sinner and the saint” series the book picks up where, I assume, the first book left off. Michael shared a night with Madeline Cranston and she is pregnant. Michael was sick and thought he was sterile. Because having an heir is so important to him he goes on a rampage and begins to sleep around with different woman. He mistakenly goes into Madeline’s room and they share a moment together.

Madeline is in love with Richard. He goes off to war and she believes him dead. Although she thinks he is dead she still has hope that he will return for her. While she is staying at an inn she has an interview for a governess position, that is when she meets Michael.

Michael was too drunk to realize what happened but once he finds out that Madeline is pregnant he wants to marry her. His half- brother, Dr. Samuel Hastings was an illegitimate son and he doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. Even though he doesn’t know Madeline he wants to honor what he has done. Madeline doesn’t have too many options so she accepts his proposal.

Honestly, I disliked both these characters and the plot. Michael is anything but saintly. In the previous book he loses his fiancée Evelyn to his illegitimate brother and gets the mumps. It all becomes too much for him so he starts a life of debauchery. Madeline was really a jerk also. I disliked her immensely. First, she is so manipulative. She leads Michael to believe that something occurred the night that they were together that did not actually occur. She then acts disgusted with Michael. She tries to belittle every gesture he makes in order to develop some type of relationship with her. She makes it seem like she is frightened of him until one night she can’t control herself and seeks him out. THEN Michael begins to develop feelings for Madeline when Richard comes back. In his genius he invites Richard to stay at his house AND puts him in the room next to his wife because he knows that she is in love with him. My goodness… I seriously wanted to strangle these two because they were so ridiculous. So why three stars? Because I was intrigued with these two characters and I wanted to see how their story would play out despite how infuriating they were. This was definitely a unique story.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |