Cowboys for Christmas by Destiny Blaine

Blurb:
Julie Kensworth opens her door to more than a blizzard and greets two wayward cowboys. She realizes right away she’s headed straight for the eye of the storm.
Brandon Blake and Quinn Stewart are a long way from home. They’re looking for a warm place to hang their hats while they try to wait out the snow and ice, which continues to gain momentum.

Julie is an author and she’s not just the average writer, she’s one of the most notorious writers in the world. When Quinn and Blake figure out Julie is an erotic romance author, well, needless to say, their minds churn with all sorts of ideas, most of them geared toward how they can heat up the cold winter nights ahead.

Review:
Oh my my, where to start on this review? How about the cover? Steamy huh? Ok, now on to the book. When a strong blizzard bounds Julie to her home, what more can a girl ask for than two cowboys who are what the definition of hotness is all about? This was one seriously hot book. The banter between Quinn and Blake (total opposites in the women department) had me laughing out loud. Julie's character knew how to hold her own with these two cowboys, even if they did give her goosebumps. Heck, even I got goosebumps. This book did make me tear up and you'll know the part I'm talking about when you read it. I can't give it away, but it was a scene that was very well written and evokes a strong emotion in the reader. The neighbor had me giggling with his grumpy attitude and the way Julie responded was seriously comical. There were so many things that drew me into this book. Yes, of course the yummy men, but also the humor of it all as well as the loyalty Brandon and Quinn showed toward Julie.

Ms. Blaine is one of my favorite authors and books like Cowboys for Christmas proves why. This is one author who can craft a well rounded book packed full with action and romance and leave you amazed at how she did so in such a short amount of pages . Ms. Blaine has a way of writing complex characters that you just can't help but fall in love with. As for writing steamy love scenes, I don't know of an author who can write it any better than Ms. Blaine. I strongly urge you to read this book. It's a shorter book at only 85 pages that will curb you desire to read a very sensual and entertaining book.

You can buy this book here

Family Secrets by Jamie Hill

Blurb:
As if stumbling over a dead body isn't enough, Crystal Cartwright finds herself playing surrogate mother to two small boys when their father--her neighbor--doesn't come home. The kids aren't much trouble, but the thieves, drug dealers and kidnappers they're about to encounter are.

Detective Jack Dunlevy, a cop down on his luck, draws the cases no one else wants. A simple investigation involving a dead homeless man quickly changes as Crystal enlists Jack's help with the children. Drawn into a mystery that none of them could have anticipated, they're faced with a situation that will change their lives forever.

Review:
Ms. Hill is a genius! Family Secrets is the first book in the series followed by Family Ties. I had reviewed Family Ties (outstanding book), so I wanted to go back and read the first book in the series. This book is truly one of the best I've read in 2010. Crystal's character was less than perfect and I fell in love with her immediately. Sassy and brassy, this lady could hold her own. Jack's character was the kind of gentleman every reader wants as their hero. He was fiercely protective of Crystal and her unplanned little family. He won my heart right away. The plot line was AMAZING. It was action packed and kept me on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. It amazes me how Ms. Hill can fit in so much action, romance and just about every emotion under the sun, into a book that is only 138 pages long. Ms. Hill has become a favorite author of mine and I consider her to be an automatic add to my "to be read list". If you are a serious suspense loving reader who loves to form bonds with the characters, this is definitely the book for you! I loved it and can't wait to read more of Ms. Hill's books, she has the gift of knowing what the reader wants and then hitting you with an ending you certainly don't expect. Two thumbs up!

Family Secrets is Book 1 in the series followed by Family Ties which I also reviewed. You can find my review on this page.

Buy Family Secrets here

Family Ties by Jamie Hill

Blurb:

With a couple of dead bodies thrown in, Detective Brady Marshall's stolen goods case has just become a lot more interesting. His love life takes a turn for the better when he meets Gina Morris, a feisty waitress at the club where the latest victim has surfaced. A happily unattached ladies' man, Brady isn't looking to settle down.


Review:

The passion between Gina and Brady sparks the moment they meet. Brady Marshall is a full on hottie whose character is multidimensional. I almost feel like he grows into the man he is meant to be when he meets his match in Gina. Gina is not your ordinary woman. She's not the type to get jealous if her man looks at someone else which could easily happen given her line of work. The way that Brady and Gina relate to each other just makes you want to sigh and say "Aw, how romantic is that?" These two have the passionate relationship I love to see in my hero and heroine.

One thing I loved about this book was since Gina is Italian, she would throw Italian words around and then have to translate to Brady what she had just said. After a while, he grew accustomed to certain words. On top of that, Brady's partner is also Italian. I am thrilled when I read a book and am not simply entertained but learn something along the way as well. It's always an added bonus.

Family Ties started out with a bang and kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. I must say that Family Ties is a little bit different than other books because of who you think is the bad guy is and how things are wrapped up in the end. I'm not going to drop any spoilers but I will simply say that you have to read this book. The ending has a twist you won't expect.

Ms. Hill did an outstanding job with the plotline, and I was literally biting my nails the entire time I was reading. There is one thing that Ms. Hill did and that was keep me awake at night. I couldn't put this fast paced, action packed book down. I HAD to find out what happened next. It was addicting. Ms. Hill has a gift of hooking the reader and not letting go until the very last word. And even then, there was a description of Family Secrets (the first book in the series). It's now on my HAVE TO BUY list. So let me just leave you with this one suggestion. You really want to go out and buy this book. It's a 114 page book that is filled with every emotion you can think of. You won't want to miss this one. Ms. Hill is an author to watch.

Family Ties is Book 2 in the series preceeded by Family Secrets which I also reviewed and is posted on this page.

Buy the book here

Barbary Point by Alan Nayes

Kelly finds more than she bargained for when she makes a trip to Oshkosh to sell her deceased father's property. When she sets out to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, she plans to only stay the weekend. That one weekend turns into a week that changes her life forever. Her life is thrown off kilter when she meets Mitch, a fishing guide and her father's best friend. Mitch sheds light on the way Kelly's father felt about her, and from that moment on, Kelly sees the world in a different light. Mitch, much like her father, feels a strong connection to the ocean. At Kelly's request Mitch sets out to educate her a little bit on life in Barbary Point and just why her father loved it so much.

Having come from a similar situation with my own father, this touching novella really hit home with me. I felt I could relate to it in a way that I can't relate to most books I read. Kelly has felt one way about her father all her life and if afforded the opportunity to experience a new outlook on who her father really was. Solid characters and an intricately wound love story will leave you wishing this book had been longer. Mr. Nayes writes with intellectual flair that leaves you wanting to read more.

Barbary Point was a breath of fresh air. In this fast paced life I live in, I love to read to escape and Barbary Point was worth every minute I spent reading. I felt as though I could slow down and enjoy the story. I know nothing of fishing but left this story with a little bit of knowledge and a great appreciation for the life of a fisherman. I would have to say that this book evokes similar emotions to any of the Nicholas Sparks Books.

To Mr. Nayes I would like to say, this book was a job well done. It's evident that you researched the location of the book very well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Kelly's story and I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.

You can buy Barbary Point here

Wanna Win a Kindle?

Of course you know you do! So do I! Follow this link to enter to win a Kindle. Just a few small things to do and you could be the lucky person holding that sweet Kindle in your hands!



Good Luck to ya!

Nowhere to Hide - by Joan Hall Hovey

Blurb:
Raised in an atmosphere of violence and unpredictability, Ellen and Gail Morgan have banded together, survivors of a booze-fertilized battleground, forming a fierce united front against an often cold and uncaring world. When their parents are killed in a car crash, Ellen becomes the mother figure for Gail.

When fifteen years later Gail is brutally raped and murdered in her shabby New York basement apartment, practically on the eve of her big breakthrough as a singer, Ellen is inconsolable. Rage at her younger sister's murder has nearly consumed her. So when her work as a psychologist wins her an appearance on the evening news, Ellen seizes the moment. Staring straight into the camera, she challenges the killer to come out of hiding: "Why don't you come after me? I'll be waiting for you."

Phone calls flood the station, but all leads go nowhere. The police investigation seems doomed to failure. Then it happens: a note, written in red ink, slipped under the windshield wipers of her car, 'YOU'RE IT.' Ellen has stirred the monster in his lair … and the hunter has become the hunted!

Review
As I sit here and write this review, all I can say is WOW! This is one heck of an exciting, edge of your seat read! Nowhere to Hide had EVERYTHING you could want in a suspenseful thriller. The character development in this book is unreal. Each character complemented the other perfectly and the plot line was exquisitely written. I was actually holding my breath long before the ending. My mind kept trying to figure out which direction the plot might go. Ms. Hovey has done an incredible job of getting into the mind of a serial killer. The descriptions of the serial killer and the twisted way his mind worked kept me turning the pages as fast as I possibly could. This book was 156 pages jam packed with action, adventure and every emotion imaginable to man. If you haven't gotten this book yet, I highly suggest you do. You will not be disappointed as this is one of the best thrillers I have read yet.

You know this is a book you want to buy, so here is the buy link

AMAZING Christmas GIVEAWAY Invitation

You are cordially invited to THE EVENT of the Season when Destiny Blaine and all her friends take over the LR Café Loop for a fun filled day of books, gifts and more.

It's time for Destiny Blaine's and Friends Annual Favorite Things Christmas Giveaway

DATE: December 12th, 2010

TIME: 9 AM EST start time till…..

WHERE: LR Café Loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe)

Some of Destiny's Friends are stopping by and giving away a few of their favorite things.

Take a look at this remarkable line-up of talented authors and publishers:
Secret Cravings Publishing

Dark Castle Lords

Changeling Press

Samhain Publishing

Siren-Bookstrand

Manlove Romance/Passion in Print

Aspen Mountain Press

Evernight Publishing

Eternal Press

Damnation Publishing

Realms of Fantasy Magazine

Whispers Publishing

Gianna Bruno

Giselle Renard

Melody Layne

Sayde Grace

Natalie Acres

Addison Avery

Christina James

James Hatch

Sam Cheever

Bethany Gaines

Skylar Sinclair

Lex Valentine

Ariel Tachna

Sandy Sullivan

Selena Illyria

Lizzie T. Leaf

Selena Kitt

Cammie Eicher

Trinity Blancio

Tess MacKall

Cynthia R. Arsuaga

Tabitha Shay

Michele Hart

Laura Tolomei

JJ Keller

Jenika Snow

Kiki Howell

Jennifer Campbell

Desiree Holt

Ginger Simpson

Jessica Freely

Nicole Morgan

Jillian Chantal

Barrie Abalard

Christie Gordan

Missy Martine
Over 200 authors and publishers will stop by and many of them are giving away some extravagant prizes.

Readers: Authors and publishers are giving away their FAVORITE THINGS and you're invited to come on out and see what you can win. A lot of winners will go home with their arms loaded down with prizes. If you aren't a member of Love Romances Café, go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe/ and join now. Tell us you signed up for the chat and be sure to tell all your friends where they need to be on December 12, 2010!

So come on over to the LR Café December 12th and party with Destiny Blaine and her talented friends.

Christmas is coming early for Destiny Blaine readers.