Bare in the Bar by Novalee Swan

Bare in the Bar by Novalee Swan

(The Shifter Town Series, Book 1)

Synopsis:

BEAR REID is a grizzly bear shifter. He's miles of ripped, protective male who knows what he wants. That would be KELLY MCKENNA, the luscious redhead with curves that won't quit, who waits tables at his bar. They've craved each other since day one, and when Bear rescues Kelly from a hyena pack, months worth of sexual tension explodes. The encounter is wild and untamed. The connection so visceral, they can't stop.

But Kelly's determined to guard her heart, convinced that if she were Bear's mate, he'd have claimed her already. Bear's not one for negotiating. No need, when you're the biggest, baddest thing in town. But Kelly re-writes all his rules and soon enough, there's nothing he wouldn't do for her. Now he's going to prove it...

My Review:  4 out of 5

This is the first story I have read by this author and it is the first of 3 books in The Shifter Town Series.  Each book is a stand alone.

I enjoyed this story, it is a fast, easy to read, Shape-shifter romance. 

There is a good chemistry between Bear and Kelly, a lot of sexual tension, drama and some hot, steamy sex.    So ticks a lot of the boxes I look for in a Novella.

Would I read the next in the series or another story by this Author?

Yes, I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Would I recommend someone else to read this story?

Yes, it is a good choice if you are looking for a quick, hot, Shape-Shifter romance.

 

 

Link to Bare in the Bar by Novalee Swan

Moment in Time by Lisa Mondello

 

Moment in Time by Lisa Mondello

(Summer House Series, Book 1)

Synopsis:

This summer is all about living. Nothing else! Jenna Traynor has been given her life back. After two years of being in limbo, missing out on college life, she has a second chance. Spending the summer working on Nantucket Island is a good place to start life again. Hot guys everywhere, fun times at the clubs, long walks on the beach and beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the ocean from her back porch. She has a lot of living to make up for. And then she met Bobby...

On leave from the military, Bobby Callahan needs one thing: a quiet beach to run and train so his leg will get strong enough for him to return to his post. For the past three years the only thing that made him get out of bed was the military. He'd joined the service to get away from sympathetic eyes and worried faces. He didn't count on meeting a girl like Jenna whose thirst for life made him break out of the walls he'd so carefully constructed around himself. And once he realized she had his heart, he knew he never wanted to let her go. And then fate stepped in... 

My Review:  3.5 out of 5

This is a nice story about taking chances, both in life and love. 

It is the first book in a series of 4, it is a stand alone story with each book about each of the girls staying at a share holiday house.

I liked the romance between Bobby and Jenna, they have a good chemistry. They both have come through some traumatic situations and decide to indulge in a summer fling, so there is some hot sexy scenes, a good dose of romance and some drama and angst to tie it all together.



Would I read the next in the series or another story by this Author?

Yes, I have and would read other books by this Author.

 

Would I recommend someone else to read this story?

Yes, it is a nicely written romantic drama.  Worth Reading.

Link to Moment in Time by Lisa Mondello

The Marriage Trap by Diana Fraser - EBook

The Marriage Trap by Diana Fraser

(The Mackenzies, Book 2)

Synopsis:

"A shepherd's hut, twenty-four hours, a stranger..." It's not the perfect start to Gemma Winters' new life--another man is the last thing she needs after the suffocating control of her ex. But, when she finds herself isolated with a ruggedly handsome stranger, the demands of her body take over.

Since his wife died, Callum Mackenzie's relationships have been strictly practical, with his only real love affair being with his land. But his family wants him to re-marry and he wants heirs. When Gemma turns up, he begins to think marriage might be a possibility after all. Their twenty-four hours of passion has shattering consequences--marriage and two people who are forced to face their worst fears...

My Review:  2.5 out of 5 

I can't make up my mind on this book, it is full of drama and some romance but I did have some issues with the likability of the main characters, which made it hard to care about if they get their happily ever after or not.

The story is set in New Zealand, the heroine, Gemma, is running from an abusive ex when she is swept away by the hero Callum.  

One of the issues I had was with the fact that Gemma seemed to go from escaping from one controlling man to another, although Callum was gruff and not abusive, he did not feel to me to be the type of hero that Gemma needed.

But the main issue I had with the romance was the speed of it, I would have found the story more believable if she had been travelling for some time after going into hiding before she came upon the hero, rather than the 40 hours it is written as. 

Both of them had some major things to overcome, and there is some drama from the ex, and Gemma has a tendency to run and hide away rather than face a situation.

Overall it is an OK drama with a bit of romance.


Would I read the next in the series or another story by this Author?

It would depend on the synopsis.  Undecided.

 

Would I recommend someone else to read this story?

No, probably not, had too many issues for me to like or care about the characters to recommend it.

 

Link to The Marriage Trap by Diana Fraser

 

 

Return of the Highlander by Julianne MacLean - EBook

Return of the Highlander by Julianne MacLean

(The Highlander Series, Book 4)

Synopsis:

A SCOTTISH PRISONER
Nothing means more to Scottish heiress Larena Campbell than saving her father from the
gallows. While on an urgent mission to deliver his pardon from the King, she and
her English escorts are attacked by a pair of fierce Scottish rebels. When she is
dragged unconscious back to the stronghold of Angus the Lion, a powerful and
dangerous Scottish laird, she is furious with her captors and determined to
escape at any cost...


CAPTOR AND PROTECTOR
Highland scout, Darach MacDonald, is suspicious of the beautiful and defiant heiress who
clocked him in the head during the skirmish with the enemy Redcoats. He
suspects she will stop at nothing to win her freedom. When he is assigned the
task of shepherding the heiress back to her home, he quickly discovers that spending
countless nights on the open road with a lassie as temptingly beautiful as
Larena Campbell is enough to drive any hot-blooded Scot mad with savage desire.
Suddenly he is overcome by a need to claim her as his own, but when they arrive
at her father's castle, all may not be what it seems...

My Review:  3 out of 5

I enjoyed this historical romance.  It is the story of rival clans, double crossings and revenge all entwined with a romance.

I liked that Larena was written as a strong leading lady living in a turbulent time of Scottish history, but she is also then written as naïvely trusting and innocent, so it is contradictory at times.

What I had trouble with was Darach, he is very broody and dark at the start, before turning into the hero, you don't get a huge insight into his character and he does have some major flaws for a highlander hero, which will not be everyone's liking, and I was expecting a different outcome for his character from the title.

Overall though, I did enjoy the romance and the drama.  Still a good read.

Although this is book 4 in the series, it is a stand alone book from the earlier 3 books, but is tied in with book 5.

Would I read the next in the series or another story by this Author?

Yes, I would read look at other stories by this author.

 

Would I recommend someone else to read this story?

Yes, although I had some issues with the characters, it is still a good historical dramatic romance.

 

 

 

Link to Return of the Highlander by Julianne MacLean

 

 

Romance in the Jungle by Carol Lewis - EBook

 

Romance in the Jungle by Carol Lewis

Synopsis:

Clara is a workaholic who has been having second thoughts about her career choice. One day her demanding bosses ask her to do something she knows is unethical. Clara refuses to comply and is forced out of the company. Clara is heartbroken, but decides to fulfill a lifelong dream and embark on a trip of a lifetime. On the way she meets a good looking stranger who’s path seems destined to weave with her own. Follow Clara’s journey as she travels to find hope, love and happiness.

My Review:  3.5 out of 5

This is the first part in a series of Novellas. 

I liked the storyline of Clara starting out on a new adventure, stepping out of her comfort zone and even indulging in a hot one night stand.

It is a fast, easy to read Novella, the story does end not necessarily on a cliff hanger but full of antagonism and unresolved sexual tension between Clara and Grant.  I felt that there is a lot more to Grant's story so lots of opportunity in the next instalment as to where the author will take the story.  

Overall a good first book, it is listed as an erotic romance, but nothing too hot or heavy in this, maybe it will pick up in the second, but don't be expecting anything erotic in this first instalment.

Would I read the next in the series or another story by this Author?

Yes, I would read other parts of the series by this author.

 

Would I recommend someone else to read this story?

Yes, it is a good, fast easy to read first instalment Novella.

Link to Romance in the Jungle by Carol Lewis

Greek Billionaire's Blackmailed Bride by Leslie North - EBook

Greek Billionaire's Blackmailed Bride by Leslie North

(The Rosso Family Series, Book 1)

Synopsis:

Greek banking heir Antonio Rosso is shocked when his late father leaves the beloved family villa to the one woman he never wanted to see again: Claire Bennett.

After a hot and heavy fling, things ended abruptly when she was accused of being a gold digger. But now, to hang on to the home that meant so much to his mother, Antonio will not only have to get back into the beautiful American’s good graces, he’ll have to convince her to marry him.

When a job brings her back to Greece, voiceover artist Claire should have guessed Antonio was behind it. With his entitled upbringing, she knows he’s learned to use his money to get his way. After the way she was treated though, she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. He may be even more sinfully handsome than she remembered, but if he thinks she’ll agree to a sham marriage, he has another thing coming.

Claire is determined to prove she can’t be bought or sold, and Antonio needs nothing more than a temporary arrangement. But when their spark reignites, can they ever get past the ugly history between them?

My Review:  3.5 out of 5

This was a good story of reunited first loves who meet again under unexpected circumstances.

I did like the story line although as it is a Novella it is fast paced and does brush over some things I felt could have been a bit more developed.  

The chemistry and sexual tension between Claire and Antonio was good as they worked through the forgive and forget stage.  Would I have been as forgiving, no probably not, but I don't live in a romance novel so that is expected.

Overall it is still a good, easy to read Billionaire romance ticking the boxes for romance, drama and angst.



Would I read the next in the series or another story by this Author?

Yes, I would see what else the author has written.

 

Would I recommend someone else to read this story?

Yes, it is a good, easy to read billionaire romance.

Link to Greek Billionaire's Blackmailed Bride by Leslie North

Unbreakable by Kasey Millstead - EBook

Unbreakable by Kasey Millstead

Synopsis:

Ever since her parents passed away in a tragic car accident, Eden Cross has been living a quiet, stable and predictable life in inner Sydney – the total opposite of her carefree, relaxed, happy-go-lucky past. Her parents passing and the fact she’s an only child meant Eden was left with her best friend, Jules and Matt, her boyfriend of three years as her only family. That was until she discovered something about Matt that would turn her life upside down. Eden leaves Sydney in a hurry and begins an adventure that takes her across four Australian states before she lands in Pine Creek, Northern Territory.

 Jackson Henley has lived in Pine Creek his entire life. He runs a massive cattle and cropping station with his twin brother, Jeremy, which they inherited when their parents retired. He’s had a bad experience with relationships courtesy of The Bitch - Dannika, so lately he’s preferred to play the field. That is, until he comes face to face with the stunning brunette beauty who’s behind the bar at the Cow and Calf. The problem is, she won’t tell him her name, she won’t give him the time of day, and she won’t give him a chance to prove himself.

What’s it going to take for Eden to give Jackson a chance? Does he have the patience to even bother fighting for her? How will he handle the competition?

In the end, will Jackson have what it takes to convince Eden to start living again, instead of just existing?

My Review:  3.5 out of 5

This is a very nice story, I really enjoyed the storyline and all of the characters.
It is as much a story as finding your place in the world as it is finding your other half.

I liked the chemistry between Jackson and Eden and the story has a good feel to it, it is a lovely romance with a little bit of drama.

It is set in Australia, mostly in the Northern Territory and the author paints a good overall picture of the surrounding country without going overboard.

Overall it is a nice read.

Would I read the next in the series or another story by this Author?

Yes, I would read other books by this author.

 

Would I recommend someone else to read this story?

Yes, it is a good, easy to read romance.

 

 

 

Link to Unbreakable by Kasey Millstead