Adult Review: Every Last Breath

* 1st in a trilogy *

Maddox has nothing to lose, making her the perfect operative. An operation goes sideways after it's cut short because she's needed elsewhere does nothing for her self esteem. She's supposed to stop the sale of a deadly virus. And the only person who can help her is someone from her past - someone she thought was dead.

Now she's racing against the clock and trying to keep her emotions in check. The past keeps coming back and she must find a way to deal with it in order to move forward. Can she and Cole save the world and save each other?

My Thoughts: I'm a huge fan of spy novels and movies - so I've been waiting to read this book since I heard about it. It was one of the first books I requested when my library's hold system opened back up. I loved the operations. I loved the team. I'll be happy to read more about them. I enjoyed the emotional struggles between Cole and Maddox and how they worked through things. Lots of action, lots of danger, and lots of emotions in this adventure. I didn't want to put the book down because I had to see how everything would turn out and of course there was a cliff-hanger ending of sorts and now I need the next book in the trilogy!

Cover Thoughts: Awesome
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: A fantastic romantic thriller - highly recommended for public library's romance collections.

On Your Radar: Tourist Attraction (35)

Title: Tourist Attraction

Author: Sarah Morgenthaler

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: May 5, 2020

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

*Grumpy Hero

* Small Town Charm

* Growly Bear Drinks

* The Diner's Rules

* Banter

* Wilds of Alaska

* Moose who loves the smell of freshly baked bread

* Tourists and hometown crowd

A fun debut that would make a great start to a new series!

** ARC sent for review

Romance Review: No Earls Allowed

* Book 2 in the Survivor series *

Major Neil Wraxell isn't thrilled to receive his father's summons. Usually that means a job  that he's not going to like. He's not wrong. His father requires him to look after Lady Juliana - the daughter of a friend. \

Lady Juliana would rather spend her days with orphans than with society. When her father requires it, she attends society events, but otherwise she spends her time with the children. They need attention as everything's falling apart.

When the Major arrives, it's a battle of wills. Neither of them is willing to back down. As long as Lady Juliana stays, the Major stays. Luckily the boys have taken to him and he's taken to giving them a schedule. The longer he stays, the more Lady Juliana realizes that the boys could use a good male role model. Could he be persuaded to stay?

My Thoughts: I really liked this story - for so many reasons. Firstly I loved Lady Juliana and how she cared for the boys. I loved the boys in the orphanage. They were charming, funny, and sweet. Of course they were also a handful. I loved their interactions with the Major and how they took to him. I found it interested that the Major was a virgin - that was unexpected. I loved the banter between Lady Juliana and the Major. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: I recommend this series for your public library romance section.

Adult Review: One More Kiss

 First in a new series 

Matt Reed's being pummelled by the press after his Broadway musical show is canceled after just a few nights. The press circles his every move, questioning his past. When his manager suggests he hide himself away until the media circus dies down, he takes up his friend's offer of letting him crash at his secure house.

Unfortunately, his friend's house is back in his home town. Matt hasn't set foot in his hometown since graduating high school and moving on - mostly because of his relationship with his father.

What his friend didn't tell Matt was that his sister is moving onto the property. And Vivienne has grown up well. All it takes for one kiss for Matt to realize they've kissed before...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Vivi challenged Matt. I loved her job and how she used her passion to create herself an online world. I like how Matt fit himself into that world and helped her with her posts. I like how Matt confronted his past and how he healed from the media circus. I'm looking forward to reading both more in this new series and the past series that leads up to this one. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Perfect for romance collections.

Challenge:

Adult Review: The Rogue You Know

* Book 2 in the Covent Garden Cubs series *

Susanna's spent her life under her mother's thumb. Now with her new sister-in-law, she's looking for an adventure - just one before she gets married and has someone else controlling her life. She never dreamed her adventure would come so soon.

In the library, trying to find a book, a thief steals into the room. Susanna gets the better of him and commandeers the stolen necklace. Then she proposes a trade - she will give him back the necklace only after he takes her to Vauxhall Gardens.

The necklace is Gideon's ticket away from the life he leads. He has no choice but to take the trade. Unfortunately, nothing goes their way from the moment they leave the house. Will Susanna's adventure be the ruin of her?

My Thoughts:
I love Shana Galen's books -they're funny, sweet, and wildly entertaining. I love how this series is about thieves. 

I love how Susanna wants more from life than following the rules - she wants adventure. She wants love. She wants what her brother has. 

I felt bad for Gideon - for his hard life and for the choices he had to make. I liked his spirit and his choice in friends.

I love that while Gideon wants to protect her, she doesn't need protection. She's not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.  I love the banter between the two of them.

I adored Beauty - I think she stole some scenes and made me want to give my dog an extra hug or two.

This story is inspired by Tangled - and it's fantastic in every way.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: If you're a historical romance reader and you aren't reading Shana Galen, start! I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Spotlight on Smoked

Title: Smoked

Author: Mari Mancusi

Series: Scorched, #3

Pubdate: September 1^st, 2015

ISBN: 9781402284649

Once upon a time the world burned.

Until a girl and her dragon smothered the flame.

But the spark that ignited the apocalypse never went out.

And the scorch is about to begin…

When Team Dragon rescues Emmy from the government lab, they think the future is finally safe. But they soon discover that Emmy has a secret—a secret so dangerous it could trigger the very apocalypse Connor and Caleb were sent back in time to prevent.

As a dragon hunter, Connor has committed his life to saving the world. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to complete his mission…even if it meant betraying his brother and losing Trinity’s heart. Even if it meant doing the unthinkable.

But a desperate choice meant to prevent The Scorch, may be the spark that sets the world aflame once more.

The epic conclusion to the genre-bending Scorched series, which Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of the Blue Bloods series, called  "A heart-pounding, twisty, time-travel fantasy.”

I really liked books 1 and 2! I can't wait to read the end of the trilogy!

Character Interview: EMMY

Full Name: Emberlyn

Nickname (if applicable): Emmy

Height: I’m growing bigger every day

Scale Color: Green

Eye Color: blue

Age:  1

Originally from: my egg was unearthed from a melting glacier. 

Describe yourself in 200 words or less:

I’m the world’s last dragon and I’m bonded to my Fire Kissed, Trinity Foxx, who helped me hatch from my egg. I love TV (my favorite show is the BBC’s Merlin) and scratches on my snout and behind my ears. I’m actually very loyal and loving, though many believe I am a monster that should be put down before my kind destroys the world. I also LOVE meat. All meat, but the bloodier/rawer the better. But no, I don’t eat humans so don’t worry!

What matters most to you?

My Fire Kissed, Trinity. Her safety and happiness mean everything to me.

When not trying to save the world, how do you spend your time?

I’m sort of limited in activities, as I have to keep out of sight. I love watching TV and eating though. Simple, satisfying pleasures.

If money was no object and you had 3 weeks of vacation from being on the run what would you do with your time?

I would fly everywhere, stretching my wings and checking out the world. It would be amazing to have that freedom. Unfortunately I don’t think that’s in the cards for me. As I have learned firsthand, the world is not a place for dragons.

An Excerpt
“Okay, Fire Kissed,” he said. “It’s showtime.”Together they jumped out of the truck, slamming the doors behind them. Connor ran around the back, rolling up the door and pulling out a huge box. Trinity helped him heave it onto the loading dock.“Are you okay in there?” she whispered to the box. “Perfect,” Nate assured her from inside. “You guys go on ahead. I should be close enough now to hack into their security cameras and get them offline.” He paused then added, “Good luck. Just don’t forget about me once you have your dragon.”“Never,” Trinity assured him, patting the box. Then she rose to her feet and approached Connor. “Ready?”“As I’ll ever be.”With confident, casual steps, they strode up to the guard, who was propped in a chair by the elevator, his feet up, nose in a book, completely ignoring the chaos around him. Guess deliveries weren’t in his job description. Connor gave him a small smile. “We need the elevator,” he informed him.“Yeah, well, I need my ex-wife to get off my back,” the guard said lazily, snapping his gum. “We’ve all got problems.” Connor’s eyes zeroed in on him. “I don’t think you under- stand,” he said. “We need the elevator. We need to get upstairs. You need to let us in.”Trinity drew in a breath, watching him work. She had to admit, Connor looked particularly hot when he was working to manipulate people’s minds. It was like he got this look in his eyes—those blue, glowing eyes of his—like he was some kind of Jedi Master or something. Truth be told, it kind of made her want to jump his bones. Not that this was the time or the place.Pushing the inappropriate thought down, she turned back to his victim. Sure enough, the man’s face had gone slack, and he was staring up at Connor with vacant eyes. “You need the elevator,” he droned. “You need to get upstairs. You need me to let you in.”Then, to Trinity’s excitement, he slowly rose to his feet, walked over to the elevator in question, and inserted his key. Just like that. A moment later, the doors yawned open. The guard looked at them expectantly.Trin flashed Connor an approving look. You didn’t even need my help for that one, she teased.Yeah, well, it’s all you from here on out, he shot back, but he looked pleased by the compliment all the same.

About the author: Mari Mancusi is a two-time Emmy award-winning television producer and author of novels for adults and teens. A graduate of Boston University, she now lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and young daughter. When not writing or producing she enjoys traveling, snowboarding, reading fantasy novels, and her favorite guilty pleasure: video games.

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Adult Review: Earls Just Want to Have Fun

Marlow doesn't allow herself think about those memories - if you can even call them memories. She doesn't remember anything about her life before Satin. After Satin, she learned quickly how to become a distract, how to steal, and how to make a living on the streets. You do what you must in order to survive.

Just as Marlow's about to do her job, she's taken by two men. One of the men had already spoken to her that day, claiming she's the daughter of highborn parents and he was hired by her parents to track her down.

Then he leaves her with his brother - who isn't quite sure what to do with her. Dane isn't amused at being left in charge of a street urchin with no manners. Marlow isn't amused at being kept against her will, even if the food is amazing. Their strong personalities push and pull against each other until it's clear something has to change.

My Thoughts: I love this start to a new series and I can't wait to read more from it. 

Lots of banter between Dane and Marlow - clever, funny, annoying. They made me giggle and smile with happiness at the end. 

The moments between Marlow and the Dowenger Countess made me laugh - a lot. Perfect scenes.

The moments between Marlow and Susanna were both funny and sweet. I like how they made each other grow.

The horrors of life for those less fortunate pulled at my heartstrings. I liked how Marlow kept telling Dane about the realities of living on the streets and how it wasn't the life most people would chose.  I like how he finally started listening to her after witnessing it first hand. 

The horrors Marlow had to face during her time in gang made her tough, strong, and able to handle almost anything - but it's still sad she had to go through it.

Final Thoughts: Fantastic book filled with humor, friendship, and love. If you read historical romance, don't miss this book. And if you don't read historical romance, try it starting with this one. You can't go wrong.

Adult Review: True Spies

* Sequel to Lord and Lady Spy * 

Lady Elinor Keating is tired of her husband. He's absent more often than not and he's terrible at keeping his promises. She wants more. She contemplates an affair -with a man who claims to be a spy and who might need her help. The excitement of becoming a spy outweighs her sense of betrayal.

Just when she decides this, her husband Lord Keating becomes interested in her. She's never been able to resist him, but she's never been quite so angry with him.

When she leaves to meet her potential lover, he follows her. He can't believe the lies this man is telling his wife. And he outs himself as a spy. At first she doesn't believe him. The discovery happens at a garden party, where the enemy has come looking for Lord Keating.

Her anger deepens when she realizes the truth behind his absences and all the lies he's told over the years. Worse, his job as a spy has put herself and her daughters at risk. Lady Keating is swept up in the drama when she's kidnapped. Will her husband save her or will he neglect her like he's done for their entire marriage?

My Thoughts: A fantastic blend of thriller, humor, and romance; I devoured this book. I love seeing Lord and Lady Smythe again. I enjoyed Lady Keating's fierceness and her determination. I love how she threw herself into the mission, wanting to help.  I liked watching Lord Keating realize that he loved his wife after all and do what he could to win back her affections.  I can't wait to see what happens next with England's best agent! 

Cover Thoughts: I love it
Source: my Library