Tag: BookReview

Second-chance Romance: Everett & Bethany’s chance…Review of The Path to You

10
Feb
2023

Welcome back to Texas, and the Wilder brothers.

The Path to You is Everett’s and Bethany’s story.

Bethany was briefly introduced in ‘Always the One for Me’ as a guest at one of the weddings held at Wilder Resorts.

Everett has the feeling that he’s met Bethany before…but that ‘couldn’t have happened’…he’s just a Wilder and she’s a movie star.

Now, Bethany is back at the resort hiding out after her current relationship crashes and burns.

She confronts Everett—and they both get some startling news…

Him—they had met before and shared a wonderful weekend together…

Her—he suffered a traumatic brain injury overseas, that resulted in loss of memory of basically anything that occurred within a few months prior to his injury—including their time together.

Can they now make a run at being a couple…or will Bethany’s stalker get in the way…

The answers and more can be found within the pages of ‘The Path to You’.

I absolutely loved Everett’s and Bethany’s story, and can’t wait for the stories for the last three Wilder brothers—therefore, I’m going to have to wait until I’ve read all of them before I can chose my absolute favorite story.

If you like growly, slightly grumpy heroes and heroines that can also save the day—I suggest picking up a copy of The Path to You (or really any of Carrie Ann Ryan’s books).

The Path to You is a five out of five star, and highly recommended read.

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What ties the Montgomery generations together? Cheese, ink, & family

28
Oct
2022

Welcome back to Colorado, and the next generation of Montgomerys.

Bittersweet Promises is the ‘kick-off’ book for Montgomery Ink Legacy series—which will be following all the ‘kids’ of the original Montgomerys as they navigate adulthood—honoring their parents’ legacy—but at the same time carving their own paths.

Bittersweet Promises is Leif and Brooke’s story.

Leif is all grown up, and while he’s opened another tattoo shop—he’s still figuring out life…

Like will he find the type of connection he had years ago in Paris??

Brooke is now a single mother, who packed everything up and moved back to Denver—taking a professor position at the local university.

As they start to unpack, a neighbor offers to rope her cousin into helping them unpack—and who is the cousin—none other than Leif Montgomery…

Their paths haven’t crossed in years…since Paris…can they talk and find their way back to each other?

They both have issues to work through…

Leif still struggles with early childhood memories, and trying to figure out who is sending him ‘odd messages’.

Brooke is trying to her son settled, and get a lab up and running…and not everyone is happy to see her…

Will they overcome their obstacles and find their way back to each other?

The answers…plus guest appearances by numerous Montgomerys can be found within the pages of Bittersweet Promises—which is now available for purchase everywhere.

I absolutely loved this book and the premise for the series—the next generation of Montgomery kids all grown up and making their own paths. What I really love—is the glimpse of the original Montgomerys—because lets face it, I don’t see any of the Montgomerys just sitting back and letting their kids face the unknown and possible dangers.

Of course, there is cheese, snarkiness, and just a feeling of coming home when you start reading any book within the Montgomery Ink World.

I’m looking forward to the next several books in the series, and can’t wait to read Lake’s story.

Bittersweet Promises, Montgomery Ink Legacy #1 is a five out five star book

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Review: Resilience After Dark–A Friends to Lovers Tale

26
Jul
2022

Welcome back to Gansett Island!

The summer is slowly winding down, tourists are still around—but the year-round residents are eagerly waiting for things to get ‘dull’….

But let’s face it—things are never ‘dull’ on Gansett Island.

Resilience After Dark is Cindy and Jace’s story and picks up shortly after Blackout After Dark and Temptation after Dark.

Cindy is looking for a new roommate to help cover the cost of living on the island year-round, since Julia moved out…

Jace moved to the island to be closer to his sons, and now needs to find a place since the end of summer means the end of the free room at the Beachcomber…

Cindy and Jace both have ‘troubled’ pasts…but they may be the exact person the other needs…

So, grab a cold drink and a comfortable chair and sail back to Gansett Island…

In addition to seeing how Cindy and Jace’s relationship pans out, you can check in with the rest of the year-round residents…

See how Maddie and Mac are handling their crew, and how Mac handles the snip…

Are the younger Lawry brothers sticking around for the winter?

How are Jared and Lizzie handling parenthood?

To find out—pick up Resilience After Dark, now available everywhere…

I absolutely love this series, as each book is stand-alone but at the same time allows you to check-in with other characters and couples that had been featured in previous books.

So, if you haven’t checked out the Gansett Island series—here is your little nudge to do so…there are now twenty-five books to binge read, and they’re perfect for either a hot summers day read, or a cold winter days read.

Resilience after Dark is a five out of five star read

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A Review of UNLIKE A BOSS: Positive Leadership Skills for Everyone

11
Jul
2022

I absolutely loved this book.

A book on positive leadership, but one that also ‘highlighted’ the ‘bad’ leadership qualities as well, and it is a book I think should be mandatory reading for anyone heading into any type of leadership role.

While the author was drawing on his years in the financial industry—I saw the parallels of academia…

Truthfully, the book highlighted things that seem like ‘common’ sense…but also seem to be lacking in society.

I also think this would make a wonderful book for just about anyone to read…because lets face—we’re all leaders at one point in our lives…

I give UNLIKE A BOSS five out five stars and recommend it for any book club to read and talk about.

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What make the Montgomery Ink World go round? Family and Food….

20
Jun
2022

Welcome back to Denver and the Montgomery Ink world!

Montgomery Ink Bites is a anthology and cookbook collaboration between Carrie Ann Ryan and Suzanne M. Johnson.

It is a time to check-in with the ‘original’ Montgomery siblings that kick-started the Montgomery Ink world, and get some tasty recipes with each story.

So what’s the latest with the Denver crew?

Are Austin and Sierra ready to send Leif to college??

Spend Valentine’s Day with Decker, Miranda, and their crew…

Then spend some quality time with Montgomery-Dodds…

See what brings Griffin and Autumn to New Orleans…

Catch up with Maya, Jake, and Border on vacation…

Spend some time with Tabby, Alex, and their twins…and of course cheese…

Can Storm and the rest of the family pull off his surprise for Everly?

Then finally check in with Wes and Jillian, and the ‘surprise’ they find when they work to fix a plumbing leak….

I loved checking in with the original Montgomery crew and seeing how everyone was doing.

Plus—the recipes!!

Each short story also includes at the end—several original recipes by Suzanne Johnson that fit each family.

I have several ‘bookmarked’ to try—including the cheesy chicken enchiladas, the cheesesteak stuffed peppers, raspberry dark chocolate fudge, s’mores cinnamon rolls, and peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes.

I loved being able to check back in with the Denver branch of the family, and while I know we’ll be seeing everyone in various spin-offs—I would love to see each ‘branch’ get their own cookbook…..

So, pull up seat, grab a drink, and possibly a pad of paper and an pen (to start the grocery list) and enjoy spending time with the various members of the Denver branch of the family.

Carrie Ann never disappoints, and I’ll be checking out Suzanne Johnson’s other collaborative cookbooks with other authors…

I give Montgomery Ink Bites five out of five stars and highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read or to cook…

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Etched in Honor: Mix together: a lioness, a wolf, and a dash of ‘mystic villainy’

24
May
2022

Welcome back to the west coast and the packs: Redwood, Talon, and Aspen.

Etched in Honor is the first in the Aspen Pack series, and we’ll be seeing friends from the Redwood and Talon packs popping in and out of the series.

Etched in Honor is Audrey and Gavin’s story, and it’s a doozy…

The Aspen pack is slowly recovering from their past.

The hierarchy is being rebuilt…

Audrey is the beta, only lioness, and sole ‘survivor’ of the former Aspen hierarchy.

Gavin is a lone wolf, and soon to be the Aspen tracker.

He looks like someone Audrey lost decades ago…

Throw in some foes from lore…and you have the recipe for Etched in Honor.

I loved Audrey and Gavin’s story, including all the little twists and turns throughout the book.

Etched in Honor is the perfect introduction to the shifter world created by Carrie Ann Ryan, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of the hierarchy and pack.

I look forward to reading Chase’s story next…

I give Etched in Honor five out of five stars and highly recommend it to anyone who loves Carrie Ann Ryan’s books, paranormal romance, or those just looking for a new series to start.

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Introducing the first of the Wilder Brothers: Eli

17
Apr
2022

Welcome to Texas, and the Wilder brothers series.

This is a ‘spin-off’ series focusing on Eliza’s brothers (who were first briefly introduced in Inked Obsession [book two of the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins mini-series]).

One Way Back to Me is the first in the series and focuses on Eli and Alexis and takes place about two years after ‘A Night for Us’ (the free prequel to the series).

Eli and his brothers bought land from a retired Air Force general, and are slowly figuring out the ‘civilian’ life—including how to run a resort and winery.

Each brother has their own little piece, and the resort and winery are going well—but they need a wedding coordinator.

They’ve gone through two wedding coordinators in two years, and are desperate for one that will last.

Who should apply for the job—the one woman that Eli didn’t think he’d ever see again—Alexis.

Alexis applies for the job, as she is need of a new beginning after the disastrous end to her marriage.

The brothers hire her on as the new wedding coordinator for the Wilder Retreat and Winery.

Alexis and Eli realize that their attraction to each other wasn’t just a ‘one-night’ thing.

While they’re trying to figure out their relationship—someone comes ‘knocking’.

What does Alexis’s ex want? How big of a pain will the Dodge family be, and who is being hired as the top chef???

The answers to those questions, and a ‘surprise’ visit from a few familiar faces from Colorado can be found within the pages of ‘One Way Back to Me’.

I absolutely loved this book and the introduction of Eliza’s brothers. I will freely admit that when I read she had six brothers—I had my fingers crossed that there would be another spinoff series.

Carrie Ann did not disappoint with this book. I loved Eli and Alexis’s story, and am going to have to hold off until all of the Wilder boys get their happily-ever-after before I can decide on my ‘favorite’.

So, grab a drink, pull up a chair and settle in to find out what the Wilder boys are up to and I’m hoping to see a glimpse of Eliza and family in each additional book.

I give ‘One Way Back to Me’ five out of five stars and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

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Introducing the Wilder brothers and Alexis…A great prequel, now waiting on book one

28
Mar
2022

So what happens when you and your younger brothers all get out of the military at the same time?

The Wilder brothers (first introduced in Inked Obsession) are out of the Air Force and figuring out how to adjust to civilian life.

Eli, Evan, Everett, Elijah, East and Elliot are settling into life in Texas, and deciding on what to do now that they’re all civilians.

Eli has the crazy idea of them buying land and going into business together.

A friend invites Eli and Everett to ‘crash’ a wedding, and that’s where Eli finds her—Alexis.

A Night for Us was a great introduction to Eliza’s brothers and Alexis. I’m now impatiently waiting on “One Way Back to Me” to be released to find out how Eli and Alexis’s relationship turns out.

I’m sure that the Wilder brother series will have an appearance or two by Eliza, Beckett, and the Fort Collins Montgomery family.

I give “A Night for Us” five out of five stars, and highly recommend it (and the Montgomery Ink World) to anyone looking for a great contemporary romance to read.

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Evernight Unleashed: The Final Installment in the Ravenwood Coven Trilogy

15
Mar
2022

Welcome back again to Ravenwood, Pennsylvania—a small town both like and unlike others.

If you haven’t read the first two books in the trilogy (Dawn Unearthed and Dusk Unveiled)—I suggest you stop here, and go read both Sage and Rome’s, and then Laurel and Jax’s stories before continuing…

Evernight Unleashed is the final book in the Ravenwood trilogy and is Rowen and Ash’s story.

What happens when the ‘family’ curse takes your soul?

What happens when your mate bond breaks?

Rowen and Ash grew up together, loved each other, and then ‘loss’ each other—or did they?

While trying to save her town, Rowen discovers the enemy’s ‘tie’ to both her and the town.

The coven needs to break the Christopher family ‘curse’ once and for all in order to survive…

What is ‘buried’ beneath the town?

All these and yet more is revealed in the pages of ‘Evernight Unleashed’.

While I enjoyed the trilogy—I think that this one was my favorite. I was always wondering what secrets Ash was hiding when he came back to town.

There are a few other little twists thrown into the story…Possibly another mystical creature…

Paranormal romances are one of my favorite genera, and this book (and actually trilogy) did not disappoint. I highly recommend Evernight Unleashed (and the previous two books) to anyone who enjoys a good paranormal romance with a few twists.

Carrie Ann Ryan doesn’t disappoint whether it is contemporary or paranormal romance. I highly recommend the Ravenwood Coven trilogy to anyone who wants to take a trip without leaving the comfort of his or her home (or favorite chair).

So, pour yourself some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and settle into getting to know some dear friends. I give Evernight Unleashed five out of five stars.

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ARC review: The latest Montgomery Ink: Inked Craving-A friends to Lovers tale

13
Feb
2022

Welcome back to Fort Collins, and the Montgomery Ink family.

Inked Craving picks up where Inked Devotion left off, and features Paige and Lee.

Paige is the youngest of the Montgomerys (she has four older siblings, and fifteen older cousins), is the office manager for the family business, and is workingo nmeding her broken heart.

She had thought she was getting a proposal, instead she is working on mending her heart and determined to move forward with her life.

Lee has been an ‘honorary’ Montgomery for years–what with being best friends with Beckett and Benjamin.

He comes to Paige’s rescue during a thunderstorm, and is the first to find out her ‘secret’.

He promises to be there as a friend to help her adjust and deal with things, since she is determined to do things without family interference.

They slowly go from friends to lovers, with all the ‘normal’ bumps in the road.

Though there is also some danger lurking in the shadows….

Who is Clay’s ‘secret admirer’?

Will Paige and Lee be able to hand the bumps and twists?

The answers and more can be found within the pages of Inked Craving; I give Inked Cravings five out of five stars. I’m really enjoying the Fort Collins branch of the family, and especially enjoyed the appearance of a couple of Montgomery cousins from Denver. I would say that I’m ‘sad’ that Archer’s story is the last in the Montgomery family—but it looks like we’ll be seeing the next generation as they grow up and get their own stories.

Looking forward to seeing Archer get his happily-ever-after this summer. Take a dive into the Montgomery Ink World—a perfect way of dealing with the chills of winter.

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