Charmingly Yours (Morning Glory, #1)

Charmingly Yours (Morning Glory, #1)
By Liz Talley

SUMMARY
For Rosemary Reynolds, life in tiny Morning Glory, Mississippi, is just like the fabric store she runs: it seems she’s always waiting around for someone else to make the first stitch. Then a dear childhood friend passes away, leaving behind a gift that sends Rosemary on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Despite her mother’s protests, Rosemary heads to New York City for a stay in her cousin’s trendy Soho loft. On her first day in town, a wrong turn leads her to Little Italy…and into the arms of handsome, outgoing Sal Genovese. Sal’s mother wants him to marry a longtime family friend, but to him, Rosemary is a breath of fresh country air, and he’s happy to show her a good time. Soon, Rosemary is swept up in a world she thought only existed in movies. To turn a two-week fling into a forever thing, she and Sal will have to make every moment count.

REVIEW

Great read

Loved this book. Started listening to it when I was getting all my steps in. Listening just lets me get distracted and I walk more. Then I had to keep listening in my car on the way home, then I just had to see what was going to happen so I read the rest!

Anyway....
the story made me laugh out loud, snort, get mad, yell at the characters, and shed happy tears. I just got so invested in the characters. They weren't perfect and I guess that made them more realistic. There wasn't over the top drama just real life problems and finding yourself. I can't wait to read/listen to the next one. Sexy times, great humor, real emotions, and love!!! 

Ultimate Vengeance (Wanted Men, book 4)

Ultimate Vengeance (Wanted Men, Book 4)
By Nancy Haviland

SUMMARY
To a young Russian girl raised to respect and fear the Bratva, gaining the attention of the impressive Sovietnik from a ruling organization was a terrifying thing. Alekzander was a dangerous temptation Sacha Urusski had no hope of resisting. Predictably, her heart was decimated and she was left bleeding…with a precious reason to go on. But when Alekzander bullies his way back into her quiet life and offers a confession that absolves him of his sins, rather than celebrate, Sacha is forced to acknowledge an alarming truth; she has now become the villain in their story. Or so she thinks. When the most damaging secret of all is revealed, her final hope dies and she’s left with no other recourse. She must run.

Sixteen months ago, Alekzander Tarasov made the mistake of his life when he annihilated his relationship with his soulmate. At the time, protecting her was his only thought. Now, after attempting to live without her, his focus has changed. He wants her back where she belongs. And he’ll stop at nothing to drag his curvy angel away from her new life and so deep into his world of violence and uncertainty she’ll never find her way out again.

Through a deluge of secrets and lies, disillusionment and broken faith enters a world where loyalty and trust reign. Will Alek and Sacha’s battered love be strong enough to survive? Or will it be a sense of duty that inexorably binds them together in the end?

REVIEW
Keep getting better and better

Can't believe it ended like that. I had no idea who that person trapped in the basement was!! Ohhhh what a twist!!

Loved this one. The storyline was terrific. I know Alek was a jerk a couple of times but he had every right to be a tad upset, even though his actions put everything in motion. I am glad he had others around to remind him of that. Sacha was so strong. I hated her insecurities when with the other woman, because truly she was stronger then any of them. Sexy times to be had too!!

Lots of action in this one. Scary times too hoping no one would die. Got to visit with everyone again in this one. I like that because it shows what a tight binding family they are and how much they love and care for each other. Great story. Loved it

An Obession with Vengeance (Wanted Men, #3)

An Obession with Vengeance (Wanted Men, #3)
By Nancy Haviland

SUMMARY

Maksim Kirov is a mobster who gets what he wants, both at his posh gentleman’s club in Hell’s Kitchen and in the bedroom. Sexy, dangerous, and obsessed with control, he’s risen through the ranks to become a highly respected leader in the tight-knit Tarasov crime syndicate. He rules with an iron fist…until he meets Sydney Martin.

The Australian-born Sydney is determined to refuse Maks’s advances, despite their electrifying chemistry. The owner of a neighboring nightclub, Sydney rules her own domain. But when a deal with a Mexican drug cartel goes terribly wrong, she has no choice but to turn to Maksim and the Tarasov organization for protection. Could giving in to their intense attraction be what saves both Maks and Sydney? Or will their all-consuming passion—and her shocking secret—destroy their lives?

In the hot and scandalous third installment of the Wanted Men series, lust and loyalty clash in New York’s mob underworld.

REVIEW

Loved it

Wow my head is still spinning from all the action emotion and complications. I am exhausted. I had to read till I was finished. 

Maks what a complicated guy that went through so so much. Never to be loved always waiting for the good to end. He pissed me off a couple of times but you just had to love him.

Sydney was incredible. So strong such a mama bear. She was much to be admired. I loved her all the way through.

Of course the supporting cast was there and the side characters were always interesting and needing their own story.

On to the next!

The Salvation of Vengeance (Wanted Men, #2)

The Salvation of Vengeance (Wanted Men, #2)
By Nancy Haviland

SUMMARY
Only something as important as her best friend’s wedding to mob boss Gabriel Moretti could allow Nika Paynne a reprieve from captivity. Her abusive husband has kept her under his thumb with footage of her beloved brother, Caleb, killing another man. But the respite from her violent life isn’t the only draw. Vincente Romani—Gabriel’s deadliest guardian—will be one of the best men at the wedding, and Nika has lingering thoughts about the fascinating mobster…covetous thoughts that may put her life in danger.

With the heartbreak he’s suffered and the brutality he effortlessly delivers, Vincente knows he’s the last person who can offer Nika a happily-ever-after. But his vow remains. He will do everything in his power to free his redhead from her violent prison—even if that means losing her forever.

In the second thrilling and passionate Wanted Men book, a dangerous line is drawn between loyalty to the mob and loyalty to one’s heart. 

REVIEW
Another winner

I am such a loser. I try I really do to listen to the audible version. Then I get itchy and I can't just listen on the way to and from work, I have to see what is going to happen and I break down and read it. 

I have to say at first I wanted to choke Nika. I couldn't believe her stupidity, but things worked out. I know the story got her and V together slow, but it fit what was going on within the story so I had no heart burn. V was hot and sexy. His self hate got annoying at times.

The supporting cast was great as always, I like them all. Great second book.

A Love of Veneance (Wanted Men, #1)

A Love of Vengeance (Wanted Men, #1)
By Nancy Haviland

SUMMARY

Once the most feared member of an Italian Mafia crime family, Gabriel Moretti returns to New York at the request of his mentor, Russian crime boss Vasily Tarasov. Vasily needs someone he can trust in Seattle to protect his estranged daughter, Eva Jacobs, while he avenges the murder of the young woman’s mother. Gabriel is unstoppable in a fight, whether he’s using fists, blades, or bullets; but innocent, onyx-haired Eva may just be the most dangerous—and beautiful—thing he’s come up against.

Intense sparks fly between the two, tempting Gabriel to mix business with pleasure while in the Emerald City. But once word gets around that Gabriel has shown up in New York, Stefano—his vengeful brother and the de facto head of the family—decides that Eva is the key to ending the feud between them…permanently.

In this pulse-pounding romantic thriller set against the backdrop of New York City’s storied underworld, loyalties will be tested, secrets will be told, and mob justice will be served. 

REVIEW

Nice surprise

I just can't do it...I can't just listen to a book. I get so wrapped up in it I have to see what is going to happen and break down and read it. It was kinda humorous at times to have the male narrator try to do a woman's voice. Lots of chuckles!

I really liked this book. It had the right combination of action, love, and plot twists. Gabe was a hot Italian guy! I liked him. I didn't have to hate him and then learn to love him. He has the right mixture of arrogance yet nice at the same time. Eva was ok, she got better as time went on. The supporting players were interesting and hot! Great read!

Under Her Skin (Blank Canvas #1)

Under Her Skin (Blank Canvas #1)
By Adriana Anders

SUMMARY

Her Body is His Canvas

A darkly possessive relationship has left Uma alone and on the run. Beneath her drab clothing, she hides a terrible secret—proof of her abuse, tattooed onto her skin in a lurid reminder of everything she’s survived.

Caught between a brutal past and an uncertain future, Uma’s reluctant to bare herself to anyone…much less a rough ex-con whose rage drives him in ways she will never understand. But beneath his frightening exterior, Ivan is gentle. Warm. Compassionate. And just as determined to heal Uma’s broken heart as he is to destroy the monster who left his mark scrawled across the delicate tapestry of her skin.

REVIEW

Very emotional read. Lots of pain for almost all of the characters. Each one had their own demons and they banded together to help each other. This is a story of healing and loving. It is a journey and it takes time.

Uma was an interesting character and throughout the story she grew and found herself again. I detest men that hurt woman and manipulate those around them to justify themselves. I want to do what Ivan wants to do to those men. Ivan is so wonderful. I can't find the words to say about him and wonderful seems so lame. He has a heart of gold and he is so accepting and sexy too. He has his demons and he too has to go through to become an even better man.

The pace of the book does seem to lag at times and I dreaded the whole climax at the end. The supporting characters were really good too. Jessie is interesting and I hope we get a story about her. The Doctor is also someone who needs her story told.

Great read and I definitely want more from the tiny town of Blackwood.

Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Princess of Fire (Fire #1)

Princess of Fire (Fire #1)
By Heather Graham

SUMMARY

Alaric

The mighty Norman warrior destined for greatness—forced to take sides in a bloody battle for power and glory...

Fallon

The willful Saxon princess born into a land divided by blackest treachery—fighting for her life against the despised Norman invaders...

He would rescue her from certain death. And she would flee, determined to resist this seductive enemy who vowed to conquer her with a passion that would turn her heart to fire... 

REVIEW

I really enjoyed this book after I stopped being confused.  The first chapters are present time then jumps to the past.  I wanted to skip over their history to jump back into the story.  I think the story should have just started at the past.  Less confusion and the read would pay more attention and just want to get back to the story

There were points in the story where I wanted to kill both the hero and the heroine.  Both were so stubborn and prideful.  Fallon really irritated me always yearning for the past and not realizing what was in front of her face was so much better.  Alaric was just as bad living in the past and making those in the present suffer for it.

History, action, love and hot sex!  Great combination!  Great writing!  Want to read more!

Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.