Category Archives: Kensington

December 4, 2013 · 11:55 pm

Review: Hustlin’ Texas by KC Klein

Title: Hustlin’ Texas by KC Klein
Texas Fever Series Book Two
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 238 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Only one person in Oak Groves is happy to see bad girl Nikki Logan back in town…

Oak Groves’ most beloved bachelor, Jett Avery, lives by a simple set of rules. Getting involved with a complicated woman isn’t one of them. He learned that the hard way two years ago when he spent one of the most incredible nights of his life with Nikki Logan. But then she hightailed it out of town, never to be seen again—until now. It might be time to break one of those rules…

Picking up the pieces of her life, Nikki is back in Oak Groves, face to face with the one man she’s done her best to forget. But she has her reasons for being here—and they don’t include winding up in bed with Jett. Especially since he’ll never forgive her once he finds out the truth about why she’s back…

The Review:

Hustlin’ Texas, the second installment in KC Klein’s Texas Fever series, is a spicy romance between bad girl Nikki Logan and golden boy Jett Avery. Two years earlier, Nikki and Jett shared a red hot one night stand, but Jett’s declaration of love spooked Nikki into running away. Back in town to repay a debt, Nikki immediately crosses paths with Jett and the sparks are soon flying between them.

Jett is charming, laid back and easy going. He is a longtime friend to the Logan family, and as Nikki’s brother’s best friend, he has always been a part of her life. He is her go to guy when she lands herself in trouble, and Jett always rides to her rescue. Jett is also crazy in love with her but Nikki is elusive and keeps tantalizingly out reach.

Nikki is a mess, plain and simple. By all outward appearances, nothing gets to her but underneath that tough as nails exterior? She is a teeming mass of insecurities. Nikki keeps everyone at a distance in an effort to protect herself and she won’t let herself believe that love lasts. Nikki runs at the first sign of trouble and she has no intention of staying in town once she repays her loan.

The relationship between Jett and Nikki is full of unresolved issues and red hot desire. Nikki allows Jett to get close to her, but then she allows her fears to gain hold and she pushes him away again. This back and forth continues for the entire novel and I had to admire Jett’s unending patience with her. The sexual tension between them is unrelenting and they come frustratingly close to consummating their desire time and again.

Hustlin’ Texas unfolds from multiple points of view which provides readers with valuable information about each of the characters. The shifts in perspective are fairly smooth and easy to follow. There were a couple of story arcs that seemed out of context and one proved to be essential to the storyline while the other really did not seem to serve any purpose but I suspect it might set up the next novel in the series (fingers crossed).

An entertaining addition to the Texas Fever series, Hustlin’ Texas is a sweet and sexy romance. The characters are beautifully developed and likable and although there is conflict, it is mostly internal as Nikki comes to terms with her insecurities and misconceptions. KC Klein keeps the angst to a minimum but she definitely makes Nikki and Jett work for their happily ever after.

Please click HERE for my review of Texas Wide Open.

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Filed under Contemporary, Hustlin' Texas, KC Klein, Kensington, Rated B, Review, Romance, Texas Fever Series

November 25, 2013 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris

Title: The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Historical (WWII)
Length: 464 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this richly emotional novel, Kristina McMorris evokes the depth of a mother’s bond with her child, and the power of personal histories to echo through generations…

Two years have done little to ease veterinarian Audra Hughes’s grief over her husband’s untimely death. Eager for a fresh start, Audra plans to leave Portland for a new job in Philadelphia. Her seven-year-old son, Jack, seems apprehensive about flying—but it’s just the beginning of an anxiety that grows to consume him.

As Jack’s fears continue to surface in recurring and violent nightmares, Audra hardly recognizes the introverted boy he has become. Desperate, she traces snippets of information unearthed in Jack’s dreams, leading her to Sean Malloy, a struggling US Army veteran wounded in Afghanistan. Together they unravel a mystery dating back to World War II, and uncover old family secrets that still have the strength to wound—and perhaps, at last, to heal.

Intricate and beautifully written, The Pieces We Keep illuminates those moments when life asks us to reach beyond what we know and embrace what was once unthinkable. Deftly weaving together past and present, herein lies a story that is at once poignant and thought-provoking, and as unpredictable as the human heart.

The Review:

Kristina McMorris’ The Pieces We Keep is haunting and bittersweet story of two different women, one in the present, one in the past and the inexplicable connection that brings them together. This intriguing and engrossing novel unfolds from both women’s perspectives with the chapters alternating between the two different time periods. The unpredictable and inventive storyline is riveting, but it is the incredible cast of characters that makes this story so utterly captivating.

Beginning with a highly dramatic end to their plane trip, life for grieving widow Audra Hughes and her son Jack is about to spiral out of control. Horrific and recurring night terrors, increasingly violent artwork and unexplained knowledge of wartime events by seven year Jack leave Audra desperately seeking answers for his increasingly bizarre behavior. Her quest to help Jack leads her to very a unusual possible explanation involving wounded Afghanistan solider Sean Malloy and a failed World War II romance between a young American woman and a young German man.

Two years after her husband’s sudden death, Audra is still struggling to balance her work and home life. Thinking a fresh start is what she and Jack both need to move on, Audra is interviewing for jobs out of state when Jack’s problems escalate out of control. Luckily she has a good friend and her former in laws to assist her, but her sleepless nights and increasing concern for Jack take their toll and Audra leaves her job to care for him full time. Jack’s encounter with Sean leads Audra to a startling conclusion and after she confides her suspicions to Jack’s grandparents, she is stunned by their unexpected reaction.

Just as compelling as Audra and Jack’s part of the storyline is the romance that forms between American Vivian James and Isaak, the young man she meets in England in the days leading up to World War II. Separated after the war begins, Vivian’s new life in New York takes an unanticipated detour just as she is on the verge of a new relationship. Vivian is forced to make a decision that has far reaching implications that reverberate for several generations.

The premise of The Pieces We Keep is quite fascinating and it is virtually impossible to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. The parallels between the two women’s emotions and experiences coupled with the chapters ending on suspenseful note keep the pages of the novel briskly turning. Kristina McMorris’ meticulous research and historical accuracy provide a richly detailed backdrop for the unfolding storylines. All of the various threads are tied together in a satisfying conclusion that leaves no question unanswered.

An astounding novel that I recommend to fans of both historical and contemporary fiction.

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Filed under Contemporary, Historical, Kensington, Kristina McMorris, Rated B+, Review, The Pieces We Keep

November 10, 2013 · 11:58 pm

Review: The House on Main Street by Shirlee McCoy

Title: The House on Main Street by Shirlee McCoy
Apple Valley Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Zebra
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Apple Valley, Washington, friends are always near, neighbors have no secrets—even if they’d like to—and long-held wishes have a way of coming true. . .

Interior designer Tessa McKenzie has built a good life far from her Washington hometown. She intends to get back to it—as soon as she sells the cluttered Victorian house and antiques shop she inherited from her sister, Emily. But leaving Apple Valley a second time won’t be so easy. There’s her grieving nephew, Alex, to consider. And there’s Sheriff Cade Cunningham, the adolescent crush who could easily break her heart again if she let him.

To Cade, Tessa was simply his high school sweetheart’s kid sister. But now there’s no denying she’s a beautiful and caring grown woman, one he’d like to get to know. Except that Tessa is determined to leave again. If Cade wants to change her mind, he’ll have to show her that small-town life has its lovable side—and that he does too. Most of all, he’ll have to convince Tess they’re good together, and that every step has led her right where she was always meant to be. . .

The Review:

Shirlee McCoy’s The House on Main Street is a heartfelt romance that pretty much stole my heart from the very first page. Genuine and likable characters, a warm and endearing plot and a lovely small town atmosphere prove to be quite an irresistible combination in this first installment of the Apple Valley series.

The bright spot in Tessa McKenzie’s unhappy childhood was her close friendship with Cade Cunningham but his relationship with her sister Emily precipitated Tessa’s hasty departure years earlier. Now a successful interior designer, Tess has little choice but to return to her small town after Emily’s death. Tessa’s intention is to sell her sister’s house and business as quickly as possible and move her nephew Alex and her cantankerous Aunt Gertrude back to Annapolis with her. But that decision is quickly complicated by the realization that the last thing that Alex needs is another change in his life. And then there’s the small matter of the surprising attraction that is sizzling between Tessa and Cade…

Tess is a vibrant and likable character and I found her very easy to relate to. In the wake of Emily’s death, she is wracked with regret over past decisions but she does not dwell on them. Instead, she learns from her mistakes and moves on as best she can under the circumstances. I like how she is able to put Alex’s needs ahead of her own desires and in doing so, she begins to find the positive side of life in a small town.

Tess’s relationship with Gertrude is contentious and these two butt heads at just about every turn. Misunderstandings from Tess’s childhood continue to plague them and their fragile truces are often short lived. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at their frequent clashes and I was moved to tears when Gertrude finally opened up to Tess.

But the absolute best part of The House on Main Street is Tess’s friendship with Cade. Their friendship remains intact despite the passage of time and genuine warmth and mutual respect underscores all of their scenes. No matter how much Tess tries to protect herself, there is no mistaking how much these two care about one another.

The House on Main Street is a delightfully sweet romance with plenty of substance and very little angst. Shirlee McCoy’s beautiful descriptions bring the town and its inhabitants exquisitely to life. Intriguing glimpses of Charlotte Garrison and Max Stanford will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Apple Valley series.

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Filed under Apple Valley, Contemporary, Kensington, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Shirlee McCoy, The House on Main Street, Zebra

September 24, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Two Times As Hot by Cat Johnson

Title: Two Times As Hot by Cat Johnson
Oklahoma Nights Series Book Two
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Brava
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Oklahoma Nights, Book 2

One Good Girl…

After her sister snags a hot Oklahoma cowboy, Emma Hart figures it’s her turn to saddle up. And with two country boys pursuing her at once, she’s in for a wild ride…

Two Sexy Guys…

Lieutenant Colonel Logan Hunt can’t deny the heat between him and Emma is fierce. But Logan isn’t looking for anything serious…just a chance to blow off some steam. So why is he crazy jealous when he sees pro bull rider Jace Mills trying to charm Emma into bed?

Winner Takes All…

Logan knows he and Emma could have something special–and not just because she’s smokin’ hot. Now he has to find a way to prove that even a no-strings-attached guy like him can stick around for the long haul…

The Review:

Cat Johnson’s Two Times As Hot is also two times as sweet, sexy and heartwarming. This second installment in the Oklahoma Nights series is sure to delight old and new fans of the series and it leaves everyone chomping at the bit for book number three, Three Weeks with a Bull Rider (love the clever play on the book titles).

Back in Oklahoma for her sister Becca’s wedding, Emma Hart is not surprised to see Jace Mills, the bull rider she met at the same rodeo where Becca met her husband to be Tuck. What does surprise her is the unexpected attraction she feels for Logan Hunt, Tuck’s best friend. Unfortunately, Emma has already agreed to be Jace’s date for the wedding reception, but with Jace conspicuously missing following the ceremony, Logan gallantly steps in as Emma’s escort. When their sizzling passion proves too hot to resist, Logan and Emma agree to a steamy one night fling. When the night is over, the two reluctantly and regretfully go their separate ways but will an unexpected twist of fate bring them back into one another’s arms?

I really, really liked Logan in One Night with a Cowboy so I was super excited to discover he is the star of Two Times As Hot. I find several things about him appealing but his age and maturity are probably what I love most. Logan is also responsible and steady as a rock and this just makes him all the more irresistible. Although Logan has not had a serious relationship it is not because he plays the field. Instead it is because of his military career and the pure and simple fact he has not met the right person. Which makes it all the more sweet when he begins to fall for Emma.

Emma played a huge role in One Night with a Cowboy and I probably never would have forgiven Ms. Johnson if she hadn’t written Emma’s story ;). First up, I have to say I love the pairing of Emma and Logan. She, too, is older and she needs someone who was willing to put her first. And I am happy to report, Logan is willing, able and thrilled to focus all of his attention on her. That’s not to say their relationship does not hit a few snags. Emma’s life is not in Oklahoma, and after their incredible night together, she returns to New York. An unexpected emergency consumes Logan and the two don’t have any contact after Becca and Tuck’s wedding. But a surprising set of circumstances brings them together and their romance soon takes a delightful turn.

If I had to pick one word to describe Two Times As Hot, I would have to say “real” and I’ll explain why. First, the characters. They are richly drawn and very realistic. Emma is genuinely happy for Becca but she is also a little jealous. She has insecurities but she does not let them consume her or keep her from going after her chance at happiness. Then there is Logan. Due to extenuating circumstances, he finds himself conflicted between family obligations and his career. He has a tough decision to make and there are no easy answers to his quandary. And of course, there is a vast cast of secondary characters who add so much heart and soul to the overall story. They are as well drawn as the primary characters and there is one in particular that readers are going to love to hate :).

But, hands down, what makes Two Times As Hot so realistic are the strong friendships between the various characters. Close knit and loving, they are there for another through thick and thin and all of life’s ups and downs. They are extremely close and their support for another is incredible. The sense of family permeates the story and makes for a very warm and inviting read.

And last but not least, the plot. With Two Times As Hot, Cat Johnson puts a refreshing spin on a familiar storyline and readers will be thrilled with the outcome. A romance that is unique, appealing and delightfully unpredictable. Oh, yeah, it is also sinfully sensual and delectably steamy!

Click HERE for my review of One Night with a Cowboy.

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Filed under Brava, Cat Johnson, Contemporary, Kensington, Oklahoma Nights Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Two Times As Hot

September 12, 2013 · 1:58 am

Review: Cowboy Justice by Melissa Cutler

Title: Cowboy Justice by Melissa Cutler
Catcher Creek Series Book Two
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Zebra
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Transforming their parents’ rundown ranch in Catcher Creek, New Mexico, into a tourist destination is the toughest challenge the three Sorentino sisters ever faced. But now one of them has another fight on her hands—to keep from falling for the sexy town sheriff—again…

Rachel Sorentino has spent her whole life protecting her siblings from trouble—only to run headlong into it herself. Her first regret about shooting at the vandals targeting her family is that her aim wasn’t better. Her second is that when bullets started flying, it was Sheriff Vaughn Cooper’s number she dialed. Vaughn is the mistake she keeps on making, a cowboy lawman who cuts through Rachel’s surface bravado to the vulnerability no one else sees. And no matter how inconvenient their attraction—for his career, her tangled case, and their already battered hearts—there’s no denying what feels so irresistibly right…

The Review:

Cowboy Justice is the sizzling hot second installment in Melissa Cutler’s Catcher Creek series. Super sexy lawman/cowboy (sigh) Vaughn Cooper and tough as nails Rachel Sorentino share a complicated history that, despite their best efforts to put behind them, refuses to stay in the past.

Rachel Sorentino and her sisters have successfully turned their ranch into a dude ranch, but someone is trying very hard to change that. When Rachel catches the vandals red-handed, her attempts to scare them off result in a modern day gun battle that lands her and two of the suspects in the hospital. The resulting investigation by the local Sheriff’s office brings Rachel into close contact with Sheriff Vaughn Cooper, the man she is trying very hard to forget.

Rachel is a take charge woman who is strong-willed and quite capable of handling whatever life throws her way. She is still grieving the loss of both her parents while trying to bring the family ranch from the brink of bankruptcy. While Rachel has come to terms with her father’s death and the messy aftermath, she is still struggling with the guilt she harbors over her mother’s suicide. Just as she is making progress overcoming her guilt, startling new information about her father once again turns her world upside down.

Vaughn is a definitely hero material. He is close to his family and his talks with his dad are some of the best scenes in the novel. Vaughn’s protectiveness of his loved ones is both his best and worst quality. But his biggest fault is his blind spot where a nemesis is concerned. This clouds Vaughn’s judgment and puts his investigation and his career in jeopardy.

The romance between Vaughn and Rachel is an emotional rollercoaster. Their relationship is volatile, wildly veering from explosive, irresistible passion to dramatic scenes where they agree to end their involvement. This back and forth of on again/off again is exhausting but an amazingly romantic and touching scene makes all the agonizing breakups worthwhile.

Cowboy Justice is a multi-layered novel that is jam packed with a puzzling mystery, scorching hot love scenes and a delightful romance. Melissa Cutler brilliantly brings the New Mexico countryside vibrantly to life and her depiction of small town living is quite accurate. Intriguing glimpses of sister Jenna and her possible love interest have me eagerly awaiting the next installment of the fabulous Catcher Creek series.

1 Comment

Filed under Catcher Creek Series, Contemporary, Cowboy Justice, Kensington, Melissa Cutler, Rated B, Review, Romance, Zebra

July 4, 2013 · 12:01 am

Review: A Good Time by Shannyn Schroeder

Title: A Good Time by Shannyn Schroeder
The O’Leary’s Book Two
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 99,258 Words
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A passionate free spirit and a sweet-talking playboy sound like a match made in heaven–until life gets in the way of all the fun and games. . .

Indy Adams values her freedom above all else. She works hard to support herself, moonlighting as a waitress while she fights for her first big sale in the Chicago real estate market. The last thing she needs is to be tied down, so she doesn’t think twice about declining her philandering boyfriend’s marriage proposal. Besides, she just landed a new client, a wealthy lothario–exactly the kind of guy who would understand her no-strings approach. . .

Handsome, rich, and charitable, most women jump at the chance to even talk to video game developer Griffin Walker, let alone date him. So he can’t understand why Indy wants nothing more than a few steamy nights together. Despite his romantic track record, Griffin longs for real love–complete with a home and family–and he wants it with Indy. But a blessing in disguise may lead them both to a life they never expected, and give Griffin a chance to show Indy that it’s okay to want more than a good time. . .

99,258 Words

The Review:

In A Good Time, Shannyn Schroeder’s second novel in The O’Leary’s series, neither Indy Adams nor Griffin Walker are looking for a serious relationship. Indy is a fly by the seat of her pants type of woman who does not want any commitments or responsibilities to tie her down. Walker is convinced he is not marriage material, and he is in complete agreement with Indy’s suggestion to have a casual no strings fling.

Indy is fiercely independent and she does not want to depend on anyone but herself. Indy is hard working and she is currently working two jobs trying to make ends meet. She keeps her romantic entanglements free of emotion and when the fun ends, so does the relationship. She is attracted to Griffin, but she does not get socially involved with her clients.

In a refreshing change of pace, Griffin is the one who wants more from their relationship than Indy. Her fear of commitment is a source of frustration for him as he tries to take their relationship in a more serious direction. Instead of tackling their problems head on, Indy runs away time and again. She has a difficult time accepting help when she needs it and Griffin is sometimes guilty of manipulating her to get what he wants.

Griffin and Indy are flawed but sympathetic and likable characters. They are so intent on protecting themselves from hurt they are slow to recognize that they are falling in love. Their separations are essential to their growth as characters and they need the emotional distance from one another to deal with their respective pasts. Love does not come easily to this couple, but it is certainly worth the wait.

Please click HERE to read my reviews of other books in The O’Leary’s series.

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Filed under A Good Time, Contemporary, Kensington, Rated B, Romance, Shannyn Schroeder, The O'Leary's