Book Review - Blind Date Bet

Blind Date Bet
Nicole Flockton
January 2019

Never say never… 

After loving and losing a soldier once, Isabella Knowles made a vow: No more military men. She’s rebuilt her life and has a classroom full of fifth graders to love, which is more than enough even though her father doesn’t agree. When he sets her up on a blind date, she only goes to humor him -- never dreaming that the man she meets will tempt her to break her one rule. 

In theory, Ethan Masters is not opposed to the wife, kids and house with a white picket fence. But he loves his career as a K-9 handler in the air force, and a dream promotion dangles before him like dog tags. While contemplating his future, he accepts a drunken bet for a blind date, never dreaming that the captivating woman fits perfectly into his ideal, all-American dream. Only one problem. She's gun-shy about all things military. 

Can Ethan prove to Isabella love is worth the risk? 

Between The Pages 
I saw the cover of this book and immediately wanted to read it. Without seeing his face, the guy on the cover reminded me of Jason, the hunky guy, from General Hospital. The story line is written well with Isabella afraid to get involved with a military man, but upon meeting Ethan their attraction is instant. Their chemistry heats up the pages and leads to a sensual rendezvous. There are several interesting plot aspects within this story with Ethan’s promotion offer and Isabella’s relationship with her father. I wanted Isabella to stop flipping the switch on and off with Ethan and for him to not give up so easily. I also wanted more of Sam, the K-9 dog, to be further involved in the story. But the story had an easy flow and had a nice surprise at the end. Blind Date Bet was an enjoyable weekend read and the first book I’ve read by this author. I look forward to Next Door Knight which is book two in the Man’s Best Friend series and stars Ethan’s roommate, Caleb who the author did good job leaving subtle hints and making me curious about this secondary character.

Rating
4 Stars

Book Review - Desert Rose

Desert Rose
J. Arlene Culiner
November 2018

A secret life is the best protection against love… Men love Rose Badger, and if the other inhabitants of dead-end Blake’s Folly, Nevada, don’t approve, she couldn’t care less. With a disastrous marriage far behind her, settling down is the last thing she intends to do. Isn’t life for fun? Doesn’t a stable relationship always mean predictability and boredom? Well… perhaps things might be different with Jonah Livingstone, but he is off limits for anything other than friendship. Even though he’s started a slow burning fire inside her, he’s still entangled in a complicated past relationship. And Rose has another secret life—one that she’ll never give up for any man. The last person geologist Jonah Livingstone expected to meet in a semi-ghost town is Rose Badger. She’s easy-going, delightfully spontaneous, and Jonah is certain their attraction is mutual. But Rose is always surrounded by a crowd of admirers and doesn’t seem inclined to choose a favorite. Though Jonah has also suffered a failed marriage, he can’t help being drawn to Rose—and he dares to hope she may feel the same for him. But is Jonah too independent to settle into a permanent relationship again? He’s leading his own very private life, as well…and secrets are an excellent protection against love. Will he do what it takes to hold on to his Desert Rose? 

Between The Pages 
A fun story with a small town setting. Rose and Jonah have an immediate connection and it’s interesting to watch them through their journey to discover their love for each other. At times, I found Rose a bit too carefree with enjoying the attention of too many men. Even after wanting more of a relationship with Jonah, she tries to entice Lance. Thankfully, Lance was a gentleman and ignored her advances. Rose and Jonah have secrets and when they reveal them to each other is where the story gets stronger and ups the emotion and tension. The addition of Noodle, the dog, was enjoyable. The cast of secondary characters were interesting and living in the quaint town of Blake’s Folly, many of them could hold a story of their own, especially Lance, the veterinarian. The cover is beautiful with the mountains, the dog, and Rose, giving a peek at the setting of a good weekend read.

Rating 
3.5 Stars

Book Review - The Billionaire’s Convenient Bride

The Billionaire’s Convenient Bride
Liz Fielding
April 2019

The tycoon returns… …

with a convenient proposal! 

Since Kam Faulkner’s mother unjustly lost her job at Priddy Castle after his stolen moment with the owner’s granddaughter, Agnés Prideaux, Kam has dreamed of revenge. Years later, billionaire Kam is back to buy the castle—but finds Agnés has inherited the crumbling estate! A convenient marriage could solve both their problems, but their rekindling attraction is anything but convenient… Could this be Kam’s second chance with his first love?

Between The Pages 
A sweet story of revenge turning to a second chance. Agnes and Kam are great leading characters, having a strong childhood friendship that turns to more before they are torn apart. Kam is now very wealthy and Agnes owns a castle filled with debt. The author does a wonderful job placing you in the setting of the castle and its grounds. Learning of the castle’s history and its heritage of characters was very interesting. So many twists make this story an attention grabber from the bitter connection between Agnes’ grandfather and Kam’s mother as well as the inheritance clause of the castle. Reading the snippets of Agnes Prideaux’s journal at the beginning of the chapters was a favourite and a fun addition to the story. A strong and determined heroine, a billionaire hero, a solid plot, an emotional ride, and a couple of dogs had me immersed in the pages of this story.

Rating 
4.5 Stars

Book Review - Arresting Mason

Arresting Mason
Amber Daulton
April 2018

Once you're in a prison gang, you're in it for life. 

That's what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother--his parole officer--catches them together and doesn't approve. 

Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life. 

When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason's return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire? 

Between The Pages 
A steamy romance with plenty of action. This story is book one in the Arresting Onyx series and stars rough-around-the-edges hero, Mason who is trying his best to lead a clean life after a stint in prison from a robbery gone bad. The opening pages of the story grab the attention when Mia hits Mason with her car. Their chemistry is instant and many steamy scenes soon follow. After a good opening scene, I found the story slowed its pace with Mason and Mia trying to make their relationship work while avoiding members of organized crime. But the action soon returned with plenty of drama. The kidnapping scene is edge-of-your-seat with action and suspense and includes an interesting ending. An enjoyable weekend read.

Rating 
4 Stars

Book Review - Snowed in with the Single Dad

Snowed in with the Single Dad
Melinda Curtis
June 2019

Never trust a Monroe— 

Especially if she steals your heart! 

To mayor and single dad Mitch Kincaid, Second Chance, Idaho, is something of a time capsule, and he wants to keep it that way. His problem? Gorgeous pregnant redhead Laurel Monroe, who, along with her family, now owns the town. But sometimes all it takes is an unexpected opportunity—and a snowstorm—to turn Mitch’s bad first impressions into a second chance at love! 

Between The Pages
An enjoyable heartwarming romance that pulled me into the setting and the characters’ lives. Mitch is a strong leading man and he’s exactly what Laurel needs to give her the strength and independence she’s lacking, making them perfect couple. The author placed me into the town of Second Chance. The visual setting is a masterpiece. The beauty of the snowy paths, leading you through town and the homes and buildings, waiting to be explored. Following the journey of the main characters was enjoyable, but there’s also a secondary cast drawing me deeper into this town. Odette, Flip, and Roy are so much fun as were the growing pains of Mitch’s daughter, Gabby. The author mixes in a lot of humour and twists of suspense of what will happen next. One scene I felt went missing from this story is Laurel confession to her baby’s father, but maybe this will unravel in a story with her twin sister, Ashley. This is the second book in The Mountain Monroes and I am looking forward to book three starring Sophie Monroe and Zeke Roosevelt, who is clearly already smitten with Sophie. I also anxiously await Shane Munroe’s story – he’s one of my favourite characters. The Mountain Monroes is a must read series!

Rating 
4.5 Stars