Live Out Loud - Marie Meyer

 Live Out Loud by Marie Meyer

Blurb:

I thought I'd live in silence forever . . . and then I met him.

I'll never be able to hear, but music has always been a source of comfort for me. Rather than listen to the rhythm, I can actually feel the beat pulsing through me. It's pure bliss. So the moment I saw Thorin playing his guitar, I was mesmerized. I'd never seen anything more beautiful . . . or intimate. I couldn't tell where his body ended and the song began. He's everything I need in my life . . . I'm falling fast, hard, and deep.

I want him more than anything. But while I live in silence, Thor lives in secrets. He's holding something back-something that's keeping this intensity, this longing from being real. And the silence may be too loud to bear . . .

I loved this book! I loved to see how Harper and Thorin connect despite everything that might stand between them. Thor's willingness to communicate with Harper, to learn how to sign made such a big difference and I just loved him for it. Oh, don't forget her friend Chloe, she is amazing as well. Even though Thor's willingness to learn how to sign meant even more to me as he is a musician, he is someone whose life revolves around music, around sound - the one thing that Harper will never be able share with him. She can feel music but she can't hear. And she doesn't speak.
The whole story is about living in silence and living with sound. Thor sometimes needs silence to settle down, to be able to create music and Harper's life is silent. Even her relationship with Harper's former boyfriend was defined by the difference between coming from a Deaf family and a hearing family.
It is amazing to read how Thor tries to overcome all those obstacles and how much of a diffrence that makes for Harper. How can you NOT fall for a guy like him? Well, that's what Harper thinks - right until the moment when it is not enough any more. Or is she not enough? Or...?
There were moments when my heart broke, right then and there, I was so upset and I just hoped that, well, you know, all this happily ever after? That's what I wanted for those two and for a while I was really worried...

A wonderful book that left me thinking about opening up to someone, about connecting with people, learning other languages (and checking out options to learn how to sign as "Signing for Dummies" that Thor uses is not available for the German sign language and did you know that there are even different sign for the UK and the States?) and so much more. I loved the story and I loved the characters - a lot.
My first book by Marie Meyer but definitely not the last.

★★★★★

Mine, Forever and Always by Tammy L. Bailey

Just a quick impression:

Mine, Forever and Always by Tammy L. Bailey 

Blurb:

Just shy of fifteen years old, and during a fake and impromptu wedding ceremony, Lily Scott married her best friend's brother, Henry Dalton.

It seemed harmless enough until he leaned in and whispered to her his true feelings, amorous words she has been unable to forget: Now you’re mine, forever and always. 

Unfortunately, growing up pulls them apart and transforms Henry into a pompous scoundrel. When they meet again at a house party hosted by Henry’s sister, will Henry remember his once faithful promise to Lily?

This book was a sweet read, I enjoyed reading it and will probably read it again even though it is not one of those books that kept me hooked to my reader. I read it and I didn't put it aside but there was something about the characters that made me want for more. More time with them, more about them. 
The hero and the heroine both remember very well that there was "something" when they were younger, one of them doesn't know what happened to tear them apart. When those two meet again at a house party, will those remnant sparks, that seems to light up every time they meet, be enough for them to find their way back to each other?

A simple but heart-warming story with very likeable characters - I liked it.

★★★

Storm: Phantom Islanders Part I by Ednah Walters

  Storm by Ednah Walters

Blurb:

 Pirates no longer roam the seas.
Phantom Islands don’t exist.

Nanny to a wealthy family, eighteen-year old Alexandria “Lexi” Greendale sends most of what she earns home to support her disabled brother. She is determined to help him get the surgery he needs to walk again. Her dreams come to an abrupt halt when she rescues a man from drowning. How does he repay her? Captain Storm Orath abducts her, claims her as his chosen mate, and takes her to a magical island that is centuries behind times with barbaric customs. For Lexi to make it home to her family, she must fight the lure of the man and the island he controls or stay trapped forever. 

Reading Order: 

Storm Part I  

Storm Revealed Part II (coming May 30th)

 Storm Unleashed Part III coming June 27th

This is Part I of a 3-Part Upper YA and New Adult Serial 

about a woman and her journey of discovery, adventure, and unforgettable love 
 

Okay, I must admit that I really love the books by Ednah Walters (you might have noticed that already if you have been following my blog for a while?) so I was already looking forward to this wonderful new series. And it is simply amazing! I really loved it and guess what - the time till part II is out can't be short enough because...well, just read the book, once you've read it and now where this part leaves you, believe me, you'll want part II as well. Like yesterday.

This book about Lexi and Storm is another wonderful and imaginative story that drew me in from the first page on and kept me glued to my reader. I really loved to explore the magical country where Storm takes Lexi and I loved to see how those two interact and get to know each other better even though Lexi still tries to escape. And, well, let's just say that I have a couple of ideas about things on the island and its inhabitants and I'm really really looking forward to find out if my guesses are true!

As in her Runes-Series but even more intense and more complex, Ednah Walters draws an exciting and colorful picture of a new world as part of our own world. This world lives by its own rules and in order to become a part of it Lexi has to learn those rules.  But is she willing to learn them? Is she willing to give up everything for Storm and his love?
Lexi and Storm are amazing and interesting characters in a fascinating and enchanting world - I really loved this book  - and I am so looking forward to part II and III of it!

Oh, and seriously - I love this cover! It is absolutely gorgeous! Definitely one of those books, where I need the print book as well as the ebook just "because".

★★★★★

Did I mention....

....that the new book by Karen Lynch will soon be out?

HAVEN

Finally!!!

Coming May 2nd.

The wait is (almost) over!

This is Roland's story - and you'll love it! 

SEAL Guardian (Brothers in Arms #3) by Leslie North

SEAL Guardian by Leslie North

Blurb: 

Ex-Navy SEAL Jace Stevens has never shied away from trouble and with the madman framing the Brothers-in-Arms for murder still on the loose, Jace is ready to put an end to the killing for good. Only one person stands in his way: a tough-as-nails FBI agent who suddenly won’t let Jace out of her sight. But the dark-haired beauty is more than just a complication. Jace can sense there’s something special beneath her buttoned-up exterior, and he can’t wait to get his hands on it.

FBI agent Felicity Belasko always gets her man, and this case should be no different. She knows the SEAL suicides are really murders, and she’s sure there’s a connection to the Brothers-in-Arms. But are they suspects…or potential victims? When her investigation leads to Jace Stevens, she can tell the blond troublemaker is masking something even more dangerous. He wants to stop the killer on his own, but Felicity can’t let that happen. Wickedly handsome Jace may be making her wild, but she always plays by the rules.

As the heat flares between them, a killer plots his next move. Can Felicity and Jace find a way to work together, or will a madman continue to get away with murder?


Yep, I couldn't put down the last book in this series and guess what - I didn't put this one down either! It is a wonderful and equally gripping and captivating story and a great sequel to "Seal Protector" and of course - it is an amazing conclusion of this series. At least I think that it is the conclusion because..well, because, you know? no? Well...

Mark is still off duty, Vann is gone, protecting Mercy which leaves Jace as the only one of the owners of "Brothers-in-Arms", their boot camp for civilians on site at a time when their business is rather vulnerable. Jace himself has to deal with the blow of a friend's death at the hands of the killer who is behind all those mysterious "accidents" at  the boot camp and the deaths of several former Seals.
Enters the FBI aka Agent Felicity Belasko, a tough and competent agent and a woman who makes Jace want something more...

The chemistry between the two is amazing and I loved how those two find their way to work together, no matter how stubborn and protective both of them are. Throw in the other Seals and some very unnsavory villains and you get an amazing, fast-paced and convincing story that keeps you glued to your reader.
I loved it and can definitely recommend this book as well as the other books in the series - actually I'd recommend reading them in the right order even though all of them are stand-a-lones and can be read separately.

★★★★

Mad About The Baron (Matchmaking for Wallflowers Book 4) by Bianca Blythe

Mad About The Baron by Bianca Blythe 

Blurb:

A hopeless romantic...
Veronique Daventry absolutely believes in true love. When the baron she's corresponded with for years over long distance suggests they elope in Scotland, she eagerly assents. Perhaps she's never met him, but she's certain their souls are meant to be joined for eternity.

A notorious rogue...
Lord Miles Worthing is surprised when he is ushered to a chapel on a visit to Scotland and finds a beautiful woman. His happiness halts when her family discovers them in a compromising position.

A mistaken identity...
Veronique is devastated to have mistaken this stranger for her fiancé. She needs to find the correct baron at once, but the only person who can help her is the man who makes her heart race as it absolutely should not. 


I enjoyed reading this book very much! It kept me on my toes and I enjoyed every single page of it. There are some twists and turns, many charming characters, a wonderful hero and an equally wonderful heroine, some not so charming characters that I would have loved to tell my mind (and a bit more) because I was so upset.

And well, there are spinsters to sedu...oh, stop, spinsters, WHO seduce, at least they try to or...well, then there are marriage-minded barons and marriage-fleeing barons and of course, there's also the loving family. Well. Some of them....let's just say that I was very very upset with the way they treated Veronique even though they love her, somehow and don't even realize what they do. Seriously, right, I know that it is a fictional character but there are so many Veroniques out there and have been in every century, every country and every social class and they have suffered this kind of someitmes even loving but always hurtful treatment due to their heritage. Why can't a beautiful woman just be a beautiful woman no matter what the color of her skin? There is no shame in being "different", the only shame is in thinking that someone is inferior just due to the circumstances of his or her birth. And Veronique, well, even though I know that she is fictional, it hurt to read that such a wonderful, loving, life-embracing, sassy, courageous and strong person grew up knowing that she was considered a problem.

Alright, I guess my rant shows that the book really got to me, I felt with the hero and the heroine and I was very worried when I wasn't sure that the heroine wouldn't make a very big mistake and, well, I loved how  Miles, Lord Worthing, the other baron, the unexpected one, took her heritage for granted and loved her just because she was a wonderful person (and, well,  a good looking one as well). But then there is the other baron, the one that is Veronique's fiancé....

Okay, I hope I didn't give you the impression that this book is just about Veronique and the way she was looked at due to the color of her skin because that is definitely not the case. It is a great story with amazing characters, witty and captivating with some twists and turns, that made me smile, laugh out loud, upset me and made me, well, not cry but it made my heart go out to this sweet heroine.
I really really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely read it again. It's not the first book by Bianca Blythe that I've read and it won't be the last.

★★★★

The Danger of Desire by Elizabeth Essex

The Danger of Desire by Elizabeth Essex

Blurb:

An Unlikely Partnership and an Uncontrollable Desire. . .

Naval Captain Hugh McAlden is accustomed to taking on deadly, high-stakes assignments--and being rewarded handsomely for his success at them. But to accomplish his latest mission, he'll need someone more inconspicuous among his own ranks. Someone like the larcenous beauty who just relieved him of his pocket watch under his very nose. . .

Meggs Tanner's livelihood--as one of London's stealthiest thieves--depends on her remaining un-tethered and unnoticed. But when she is caught by an icy-eyed Scottish officer with an unusual proposition, she sees a chance to escape her life of crime forever. Ever wary, she accepts the job even as she plots her exit strategy, ready to cut and run at a moment's notice.

But as Meggs and Hugh come nearer to the danger of their shared mission, thoughts of betrayal and distrust begin to dissolve. . .overshadowed by a passion worth any risk. . . 


I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved the hero and the heroine, both are very unique personalities, convincing, complex and good at what they do - and proud of it. When they work together to find a traitor among the Lords Commissioners on the Board of Admiralty, both have to find a way to trust the other and, well, to keep their hands of each other. Alright, they are more successful when it comes to this trust thing than at the other part but it's not easy to resist when there are so many sparks flying around and all that, right? 

When Hugh McAlden hired the "street rats" Meggs Evans and her brother Tanner in order top help him find a spy, he didn't know that those two would change his life forever. Somehow this young woman and her brother get under his skin and what should have been strictly professional, well, it becomes so much more. 
But can Meggs become a part of Hugh's world or...might there be something more about her and her brother? 

As the story was also interesting, fast-paced and on the whole gripping and captivating, this is definitely a book that I will read again and I'll probably look for other books by Elizabeth Essex.

★★★★

Fated (A Mystic Academy book) by Ednah Walters

Fated is live - and it is amazing!

Fated by Ednah Walters

Blurb:

A witch
An Immortal
And the soul reaper

Lana Longhorn has a “special gift” that causes people to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. She thinks it’s the reason for the tragic accident that killed her parents when she was a child and has become an expert at hiding her ability from the world by age eighteen. That is, until a soul reaper from Hel walks into her life.

From the moment they meet, Syn Shabaka pushes Lana’s buttons. He is the first person she’s ever met who is immune to her gift, and the first person to offer her a way to be with other gifted people like her. The offer tempts her, but fear that he will discover the truth about her adopted family keeps her from accepting. Lana has already lost one set of parents, and she refuses to lose another.

As sparks fly between the pair, she must decide what is important, keeping her family safe or finding her happiness.


Okay, those who know me (or my reviews or my blog with my reviews) a bit, know that I love the books by Ednah Walters. I was really curious though when I found that her latest book is a novella because, well, novellas are not my favorite cup of tea, you know? The longer the better and all that stuff but - it is set in the Runes Universe. Irresistible, right? At least for me!
And I should have known better than to doubt even if it was just for a nanosecond: I loved this book! Lana is an amazing character and the chemistry between her and Syn, phew, not bad, not bad at all....

It was so sweet to see Lana enjoy the freedom of being with someone who is immune to her gift and to see how she slowly starts to trust him and to question the things her parents told her.
Her siblings are wonderful characters as well, I love how all of them watch out for each other, how much they care and how much they love each other.
When Syn invites Lana and her siblings to join Mystic Academy - yes, THE Mystic Academy Raine and the others had been talking about, the Academy for Immortals, Witches and their likes- it is tempting but is it tempting enough to risk exposing their family's secrets? Or is it essential for them to do so?
And in the end I loved to see how everything is linked and how Lana and her family are already a part of the whole story.

Another wonderful 

★★★★★

book by Ednah Walters for all those who just can't get enough of the 

 

A Fine Gentleman (The Jonquil Brothers #4) by Sarah M. Eden

  A Fine Gentleman by Sarah M. Eden

Blurb: 

London barrister Jason Jonquil has spent his entire life working to establish his identity as a gentleman, a man of refinement like his father and brothers. But when fiery Spanish beauty Mariposa Thornton walks into his office, he finds himself losing his grasp on his dignified character. The woman is infuriating, pushing him to the limit of his legendary patience. However, her case seems simple enough—a small matter of inheritance. Or so he believes.

Once a well-born lady, Mariposa fought to survive the brutalities of Napoleon’s war on Spain. She braved horrific perils and undertook dangerous missions on behalf of those fighting against the invading French army. But her greatest battle still lies ahead: after being separated from her family, Mariposa sets in motion a plan to reunite with her loved ones in England. To avoid drawing the attention of the French, Mariposa dons a carefully crafted persona to conceal her true purpose. 

As Jason and Mariposa are drawn together by the case, they come to know the people beneath the masks they both wear. When the truth of Mariposa’s quest is revealed, the couple is pulled into a mystery that will test the limits of their courage—and expose the true desire of their hearts.

 

Okay, this book and I? We had a really rocky start. The first third of the book I was a bit annoyed because I thought that a lot of the story was too constructed, I kept asking myself why, oh why she just didn't ask her good friend Stanley for introductions and why was Jason too stupid to realize who she was referring to and well, you get the gist, right?

And then, somehow, despite the never again mentioned prized stallion and other things that just....well, tickled my mind...the book drew me in and I didn't care about those things anymore because I enjoyed the story and those wonderful characters far too much!
From that moment on, I didn't put the reader down till I had the last page. And I know that I'll definitely read this book again. The story was nice. In the beginning it felt as if it was all set just for the effect of being funny but it began to feel more intense and the characters became much more complex and I really really wanted to know what had happened and what would happen and kept reading.

I loved that even the minor characters were interesting and well drawn and I simply loved Jason and Mariposa.

Our rocky start definitely led to more than a "mutual understanding" and I'm looking forward to other books by the author as well.

 ★★★★

Die Liebe in diesen Zeiten von Chris Cleave

 

   

 

Die Liebe in diesen Zeiten von Chris Cleave

Inhalt: 

Eine große Liebesgeschichte in Zeiten des Krieges

Mary North ist jung, hübsch und aus guter Familie. In ihrem ganzen Leben musste sie noch nichts Schwereres heben als ein Cocktailglas. Zu Beginn des Zweiten Weltkriegs meldet sie sich impulsiv und voller Enthusiasmus in London zur Truppenunterstützung. Sie wird allerdings ganz unheroisch nur als Hilfslehrerin an einer Schule eingesetzt. Dabei lernt sie Tom kennen, der bei der Schulbehörde arbeitet. Sie fühlen sich sofort zueinander hingezogen ... Aber ihre Verlobung begegnet größeren Hindernissen als nur dem Widerstand von Marys Familie. Denn eines Tages kommt Toms Freund Alistair, der sich freiwillig gemeldet hat, auf Heimaturlaub, und sein Zusammentreffen mit Mary löst in ihnen beiden heftige, nie gekannte Gefühle aus. Doch sie werden einander so bald nicht wiedersehen. Briefe sind ihre einzige Möglichkeit, in Verbindung zu bleiben. Und bald überschattet das Drama des Krieges alles andere. Mary und Alistair sehen sich Erfahrungen ausgesetzt, die in ihrem Grauen fast unwirklich erscheinen. Wie lange werden sie noch aneinander Halt finden können?



Puh, ich habe es mehrfach versucht, aber irgendwie bin ich nicht in dieses Buch reingekommen, auch wenn mir das sonst eher selten passiert. Gerade bei Rezensionsexemplaren und dies

Eigentlich habe ich kein Problem mit einem etwas lockeren Schreibstil, der nicht zu ernsthaft ist, auch bei ernsthaften Themen nicht, wenn der Ton dabei insgesamt respektvoll bleibt, aber...und das ist ein großes Aber, in diesem Fall wirkt durch den Stil lediglich die Protagonistin sehr naiv und jung, die vermutlich gewünschte Leichtigkeit bleibt dabei aus.

Ich muss gestehen, auch wenn es vermutlich dem Denken oder der Ausdrucksweise der damaligen Zeit entspricht, dass ich auch ein Problem damit habe, wenn eine Lehrerin über einen dunkelhäutigen Schüler spricht und diesen als Nigger bezeichnet und irgendwie sind mir einfach zu viele Momente da, immer mal wieder über das Buch verteilt, so weit ich gekommen bin zumindest, wo ganz einfach beiläufig abwertend über Schüler oder andere Menschen gesprochen wird. Auch wenn das natürlich nicht das Buch und die Handlung ausmacht, aber für mich ist es ein Problem, immer wieder über solche Stellen hinwegzulesen, die mir dann auch sozusagen die Stimmung verderben.

Insgesamt gefielen mir letztlich weder die Geschichte, noch der Schreibstil oder die Personen wirklich, so dass ich es einfach nicht geschafft habe, dieses Buch weiter als bis zur Hälfte zu lesen. Vielleicht hätte der Rest das Ganze dann gerettet, dazu hätte sich aber noch sehr viel tun müssen, um das zu erreichen.

Vielleicht lese ich das Buch zu einem (viel) späteren Zeitpunkt noch einmal und finde es dann besser, aber zu diesem Zeitpunkt kann ich nur sagen, dass es leider absolut nicht mein Fall ist. 

 ★★

 

Oh, guess what...

...is coming soon?

   

with some seriously awesome authors

who have written

a couple of new novellas that are all set in the World of the 

Runes-Series by Ednah Walters

Sounds great?  That's what I think!

 Coming April 18th!

 

   

  Fated is one of them....

By Her Touch (Blank Canvas #2) by Adriana Anders

  By Her Touch by Adriana Anders

Blurb:

He Will Always Bear the Scars

Undercover cop Clay Navarro left the Sultans biker gang a changed man. Its ringleaders may be awaiting trial, but he wears the memory of every brutal act he was forced to commit tattooed across his skin. He doesn't have space in his messed-up life for anything gentle--not now, maybe not ever.
Dr. Georgette Hadley is drawn to the damaged stranger's pain, intimidated but intrigued by the warmth that lies beneath Clay's frightening exterior. But when the Sultans return looking for revenge, she finds herself drawn into the dirty underbelly of a life forged in violence...that not even her touch may be able to heal.
 

Wow, I just wanted to sneak a peek...and couldn't stop reading till the end. Loved it!
I already loved "Under her skin", the first book in this series where we meet Dr. Georgette Hadley and her friends and neighbours for the first time but "By Her Touch" was at least as good as that one, maybe even a bit more intense.
Usually I'm a bit wary when it comes to books that are marked as dark tales but this book deals with dark emotions and dark happenings while giving hope and showing how people get to heal.
The reader catches glimpses of the terrifying events that lead to Clay's flight to this small town where George and her friends live. Due to book n°1 we already know that this town, no matter how small it is, has already seen a number of things happen and we know that there are some very compassionate, very helpful and loyal people living here. Clay  -and George - will need them.

Clay had been a part of the Sultans, a very brutal biker gang, for a very long time when the police finally make their move. Torn between the loyalty to his job as an undercover cop and to his "brothers" in the gang, he carries the reminders of his time around. Those scars that are visible, are not necessarily the worst....and those are already, well, let's just say, that it won't be easy for him to win a beauty contest right now.
And when he learns that he can't trust anyone at his office any longer....right. Sometimes it's a pretty good thing that there are some amazing people around in this small town who have your back, even if they don't know much about you.

I loved the story and I loved the chemistry between our hero and our heroine - and I loved this wonderful, small town with its meddling and loyal citizens. And, well, I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series, "In His Hands", that will be out at the beginning of August!

★★★★

 

 

 

Left Hanging by Cindy Dorminy

 Left Hanging by Cindy Dorminy 

 
Blurb:

As a nurse and single mom, Darla Battle hides her loneliness behind a smile. But when she discovers that the new cute doctor everyone is talking about is her daughter’s father, she knows she needs to keep her distance from the man who abandoned her and their child, Stella.

When Theo Edwards returns to Nashville to finish his medical training, he never expects to run into Darla, a girl he spent one night with seven years ago. For reasons he can’t fathom, her attitude toward him is frosty, but he still hopes to ignite the spark they once felt.

Once Darla realizes Theo doesn’t know he’s Stella’s father, she has no idea how to tell him the truth. And the longer she waits, the more difficult it becomes. When the situation spins out of control, can the two come together for the sake of their daughter? Or is forgiveness out of reach? 


Ohhhh, I loved this book! All those wonderful and meddling Edwards' and all their friends, all those people who help and support Theo and especially Darla and - well, I must say that I was so happy when I found that the reason why, was not the obvious one but just one of those things, you know. One of those stupid things that just happen.
As I said there are so many really wonderful characters in this book, I really loved them.

Alright, that doesn't mean that I like Theo's girlfriend, like, at all, but the rest of the people around them, well, I like them, a lot. And Stella - who wouldn't love someone like Stella? She is amazing and so sweet and I was so very very upset when things got rough and I might have cried a bit (or more) and I might have turned the pages faster and faster because I just had to know.... You know. Oh, No, you don't know. Well, perhaps you should read this book, then you'll know!

Well written, gripping and sweet and with many many amazing characters - I can definitely recommend this book!

★★★★★

Whatever You Need (The Haneys #2) by Barbara Longley

  Whatever You Need by Barbara Longley

Blurb: 
  
In the second novel in award-winning author Barbara Longley’s sweet and sexy Haneys series, an introverted electrician rewires a young widow’s apartment—and attempts to mend her heart.
Painfully shy electrician Wyatt Haney is a pro at complex wiring jobs, but when it comes to women, he just can’t seem to make a lasting connection. If he had even half the courage of the superhero he penned for his comic book series, he’d finally be able to talk to his beautiful neighbor, Kayla—and stop hiding behind a hoodie. When an electrical fire breaks out in Kayla’s apartment, Wyatt comes to the rescue, sparking an attraction neither of them expected.
Kayla Malone has had enough surprises. First an unplanned pregnancy at eighteen, then losing her husband in war, and now a fire in her apartment. Thank God her hot neighbor has the skills to help. As Wyatt repairs Kayla’s apartment and forges a relationship with her son, he also makes inroads to her heart. It’s clear that Wyatt has fallen for Kayla, but is she willing to risk another heartbreak—or will she ignore the electricity between them and miss her happy ending?



Seriously, is there any guy sweeter than Wyatt? He is so caring and sweet and this shyness? Well, I loved it see him overcome it and see him connect with other people  - and his hood? That had to go and I loved to see it happen.

When Wyatt hears the fire alarm go off in Kayla's kitchen, he doesn't know that this fire will change his life for ever. Getting to know Kayla and falling in love with her, well, that was something he had hoped for but due to his extreme shyness it wasn't something he would have thought possible. But - things change and so do people. And when the reward is worth it, well, sometimes people can surpass themselves and Kayla definitely is worth it.

Kayla's life hasn't been easy up to now, not everyone is a widow and single mum at the ripe old age of 24, right? And that her husband wasn't too pleased to have been forced to marry her because of their son Brady, well, let's just say that her marriage wasn't one of the best. So one could say that she is a bit gun-shy when it comes to men and love. But Wyatt's caring and friendly way, his love for her son and last but not least, his talent when it comes to drawing marvelous comics - it's not easy to stay hard, when someone like him comes along.

When everything threatens to fall apart, it's Wyatt again who fights to keep everything together. Will it be enough? And will it be enough to convince a certain young lady that she should trust him with her heart as well?

I loved Wyatt and Kayla and their families and I loved all those lovingly painted minor characters. The story is really nice and well plotted, it captivated me from the start. A very enjoyable read and a book that I can definitely recommend.
 

★★★★

Finding Kate by Maryanne Fantalis

   

Finding Kate by Maryanne Fantalis

Blurb:

Kathryn's strong will and sharp tongue have branded her a shrew in her small town. Now, not even the generous dowry offered by her wealthy father can tempt any man to court her. But when Sir William rides into town on his magnificent war horse, Kathryn's world turns upside down.

William is like a burr in Kathryn's side from the very beginning. Even the way he insists on calling her "Kate" irritates her thoroughly, yet she can't keep from listening for his voice. Though he claims he is the only man for her, she is certain he only wants her rich dowry. When he proposes marriage, she accepts as a way out of her miserable home.

Freed from her cruel family and judgmental town, Kathryn must decide whether she will continue her battle of wills with the sometimes charming, often maddening Sir William. Will she remain the shrewish Kathryn or find a way to be Will's Kate.


It wasn't easy to rate this book. On the one hand I didn't put it down, I just kept reading ....and reading....and reading... On the other hand I was really upset with William because I felt that Kate had already suffered enough with her stupid family and especially with her stepb...east of a sister. Oh, and don't forget all those charming people in her village.

Alright, I knew the story, I mean, who doesn't, right? I knew that (I was always furious, when I read Shakespeare's version) Will has to behave like an ... idiot... and even though I was still upset with him and I felt so sorry for Kate because she wasn't really acting like a shrew and there he was, crushing all her hopes for a better life and at last some love with his stupid actions. He shows some redeeming qualities and it is obvious that he isn't happy with the way he acts as well but nevertheless I still hated him. And I had a real big lump in my throat all the time while he acted like that.

Which, usually, shows that the book itself isn't bad, right? Because a bad book wouldn't make me cry or get upset (or simply furious) or grin like a fool - best proof that this book is not just "not bad" but quite the opposite - usually it is actually really good. I just don't like some parts of the (classic and well-known) story but I liked that Will had certain ideas of the way a marriage should be.
And I liked him as well despite his actions and the fact that I would have loved to kick him more than once. He is a man, so it probably isn't his fault that his logic is flawed, right?

Soooo....if you don't mind getting upset and ranting against men, stepsistern, mother-mountains and other people as well as getting heartsick and a bit teary-eyed and all that, this book might be just right for you.

★★★★

Don't Kiss the Messenger - Katie Ray

  

 

Don't Kiss The Messenger by Katie Ray

Blurb:
 

For most of her teenage life, CeCe Edmonds has been dealing with the stares and the not-so-polite whispers that follow her around Edgelake High. So she has a large scar on her face—Harry Potter had one on his forehead and people still liked him.

CeCe never cared about her looks—until Emmett Brady, transfer student and football darling, becomes her literature critique partner. The only problem? Emmett is blindsided by Bryn DeNeuville, CeCe’s gorgeous and suddenly shy volleyball teammate.

Bryn asks CeCe to help her compose messages that’ll charm Emmett.CeCe isn’t sure there’s anything in his head worth charming but agrees anyway—she’s a sucker for a good romance. Unfortunately, the more messages she sends and the more they run into each other, the more she realizes there’s plenty in his head, from food to literature. Too bad Emmett seems to be falling for the wrong girl…

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book involved one fiercely scarred girl who wants the new guy in town, the new guy who thinks he wants the new girl, and the new girl who really isn't sure what she wants, and the misunderstanding that bring them all together. You'll laugh, you'll swoon, you'll fall in love.

Wow, this book drew me in! From the first page on I was hooked and didn't put the book down till the end.
I can't even tell what I felt exactly, because due to the unusual circumstances (and some insecurities and some stupidity and...well, you get the point, right?) my feelings changed every other minute. I was sighing and grinning foolishly, was really really upset the next minute, started ranting and swearing am second later and would have loved to kick somebody or other - well, sometimes.

Take  CeCe, you just have to love her - and I was so upset when people reacted badly to her scar and I just would have loved to hug her - while kicking somebody's back. And then Bryn - clueless, sweet, egocentric, beautiful - every guy's dream. At least as long as he doesn't want to dig too deep and doesn't try to look for more. Together -  they are irresistible, aren't they? Is it possible to fall, hard,  for someone's inner beauty instead of the obvious beauty on the outside? Or is it really just beauty that matters?

When Emmett falls for Bryn, he can't believe his luck - perfection on the outside and a perfect character, all in one. Well... There might be something else - or rather someone else. How is it possible to fall for one person, to feel so close to her and somehow it never really adds up? Something is off and he is desperately trying to find out what it is and how to really connect with the wonderful woman Bryn promises to be. At least, ...well, read for yourself, it's definitely worth it!

I loved how strong Cece was and I loved to see her rattled and realizing that sometimes life may have more in store for you than you can imagine.
This is a wonderful book about getting to know somebody, really getting to know somebody, it's about self-acceptance, insecurity, peoples' strengths, their weaknesses and about finding the one with whom you feel just right. The one who loves you and who doesn't care whether you have a scar, are big or tall or -whatever because you are just right, just the way you are.

Sometimes it takes a bit longer and the way to happiness may be a bit longer and a bit less straightforward than you may have wished for but love is worth the fight and worth the wait.
I really loved this book, I liked the First comes love and Awaken series that the author wrote as Katie Kacvinsky but this book is much more intense and I just couldn't put it down.

So, no matter what, don't shoot kiss the messenger, you never know if he (or she) is really the one behind the message!

★★★★★

Meant for You by Michelle Major

  Meant for You by Michelle Major

Blurb:

Single mom Jenny Castelli has a temper to match her red hair. When the former mean girls of her high school insult her son, Jenny fires off a big lie—that she’s engaged to a rich, handsome guy and is bringing him to their ten-year reunion. Now she needs to find the perfect fake fiancé for one night. And only one man fits the bill.

Geek turned tech entrepreneur Owen Dalton already had his heart broken by Jenny Castelli. Still, he finds himself agreeing to her proposition—even as he struggles to remember that the chemistry sparking between them isn’t real. But when Jenny’s ex makes a play for custody and Owen is forced to deal with the family who always treated him as “second best,” their arrangement suddenly becomes very personal. And that lie they’ve been telling everyone? It isn’t nearly as big as the one they’ve been telling themselves.

 
Oh my.... Seriously, you just have to love Jenny! How can one woman, even a red-headed one, create so much chaos? Well, not exactly chaos, but, you know - it is not every day that a girl ends up taking a fake fiancée to a reunion and it is not every day that the same girl ends up taking in the mean girl from, well, the past or posing as a fake fiancée -again- but when Jenny is around, everything is possible.

Of course, it doesn't help much that Owen and her chemistry are definitely something else and that he gets along that well with Cooper, Jenny's son. That should be a jackpot, shouldn't it? Yep, things could be easy -  if we weren't talking about two people who have been burnt by love before and who tend to be somewhat destructive in order to protect themselves.

Sometimes, though, it just needs another perspective or perhaps the one or the other missing detail to fully understand your past and then things might start to look much better.
Jenny and her friends as well as Owen and his family are wonderful characters and I really really enjoyed the time I spent with them. This book is well written, sweet and charming and I loved it.

★★★★

SEAL Protector (Brothers in Arms #2) by Leslie North

  SEAL Protector by Leslie North

Blurb:

 Ex-Navy SEAL Vann Highrider has given everything to Brothers-in-Arms, the boot camp he owns with his teammates. He’s facing his toughest mission yet—someone is framing the SEALs for murder. It’s up to Vann to clear their name to keep their business afloat…and his Brothers out of jail. The last thing he needs is more bad press from a stupid accident. So when he finds a petite brunette failing miserably at his survival course, the Cherokee tracker wants to send her packing. Yet there’s something about her he can’t say no to…. But if she wants a second chance, she’ll have to follow his every move.


Restaurant heiress Mercy Conde may be business savvy, but she’s always lacked physical prowess. If she wants to take her family’s empire overseas, though, she has to prove she can take care of herself. Brothers-in-Arms’ survival training seems like the perfect fit, but it doesn’t take long for this deep thinker to realize she’s in over her head. When tall, dark, handsome Vann offers to take her under his wing, she agrees to play things his way…especially when his way has her under more than just his wing.


Vann is used to being a lone wolf, but he’s eager to boost Mercy’s confidence both on the boot camp course and in the bedroom. But when their training becomes a real life or death situation, they’ll have to put their skills to the test if they want to survive.



I really enjoyed reading this story and didn't put the book down till I had turned the last page. It is a thrilling and gripping story that not only includes a wonderful, really hot hero but also a very tough female heroine who finds her power and learns to trust herself and her own abilities.

I loved the chemistry between the main characters and, seriously, Vann is just amazing. He is not just hot and loyal and sweet and ...well,  a whole bunch of other positive attributes but he is also a really good teacher and understands Mercy perfectly. Even if he blows it. More than once. I loved that you could always feel how much he cares for her and how much he wants to help her and to do what is best for her.
Mercy is tiny but tough and I really liked how she tried so hard to succeed despite everything that happened. I was upset with her family and the way they made her fight for everything. On the one hand her parents fears are understandable but, well, they should see that their girl is great and competent just the way she is.

The story was well developed and I liked that no matter what happened, Mercy and Vann stayed real. They never turned into Superman or Supergirl they just used their training to save themselves or those around them and no matter how bad ass they were, both of them had weaknesses as well and had to deal with them in order to achieve their aim.
Oh, and did I mention the chemistry? Phew, that wasn't bad either, believe me but I might have mentioned that before...

Well written, great and captivating story and amazing characters - I really enjoyed reading this book and I'll definitely read the other books in this series as well.

★★★★

The Hermitage by Sharon Sobel

 

 Just a short note:

The Hermitage by Sharon Sobel

 Blurb:

When an unspeakable secret is revealed, threatening to destroy the Earl of Westbridge’s tranquil life, he seeks refuge while he plots an honorable course of action. Disguised as Robbie Darkwood, he finds sanctuary as a hermit on the newly acquired estate of Mr. George Gardiner. His obligations as a hermit are to be seen but not heard, to resist any interference from others on the estate, and to provide a romantic presence at an unobtrusive distance. His duties seem simple until Miss Laurel Gardiner, Mr. Gardiner’s spirited daughter, returns from the London season bored and disillusioned, wanting nothing more than the sanctuary of her secret library in her father’s hermitage. When she finds her sacred space occupied by a handsome and enigmatic hermit, she decides to set aside her passion for reading and invest that energy in something infinitely more pleasurable: to remake the common hermit into a gentleman and a romantic interest for her recently jilted friend. The Earl of Westbridge does his best to avoid Miss Gardiner, but she’s a force to be reckoned with, and soon he finds himself falling in love with her. But he knows that his love is ill-fated, for no respectable woman will have him when his unspeakable secret is revealed . . .
 

This book was nice to read even though it was a bit too forseeable and I had no problem to put it aside every now and then.
I understood that the Earl of Westbridge was distressed and even horrified when he discovered the truth, this one secret that is just too horrible to even think of it. But, well, a hermit? Seriously?
Some coincidences are really astonishing like Miss Laurel Gardiner befriending Miss Penelope Croyden...and everything that results of it. Nevertheless I really liked the characters and I enjoyed to read how every Jack finds his Jill.

A nice book, not something that I'll read again that soon, but nice nontheless.

 ★★★

Embracing Love (Once broken #1) by Alison Mello

  Embracing Love by Alison Mello

 Blurb:

McKenzie McCormick moved back home for one reason only, and falling for a soldier isn’t it…
Fort Stewart is only a few miles away, which means her hometown has its fair share of soldiers. But Kenzie chooses to steer clear of them, as she still struggles to cope with the grief of losing her father to war. All she wants to do is help her aunt take care of her ill grandmother—until a gorgeous green-eyed Army Captain moves back into town.
The last thing Captain Remington Bennett expects to find is a pretty brunette while out on his morning run…
Intrigued by the woman he passes almost every morning, Remy is determined to get to know the brown-eyed beauty. Kenzie is reluctant to get too close, but his persistence in pursuing her slowly breaks down her defenses, turning what started out as nothing more than a nod and a shy smile into something neither of them could have predicted.
War has already taken too much from her, and Kenzie can’t afford to lose her heart to a soldier…
Even though the mutual attraction becomes too strong to ignore, Kenzie keeps fighting her feelings for the handsome Captain. But when Remy is called out on a mission and she’s faced with the possibility he might not come back, Kenzie realizes she may have let her only chance at love slip through her fingers.
Now that Kenzie is finally ready to embrace love with the kind of man she has spent her entire life avoiding, it might just be too late…


This book was one of those books that you just open to take a peek, then run around the whole day with your reader in hand because you just have to know... 

Do you know that kind of book? It's the kind where everything just adds up and results in a wonderful book with amazing and complex characters and an intriguing story. The writing is thrilling and gripping and you just feel with your hero and your heroine and you cry and you laugh and you have this silly, goofy smile on your face when they are just so sweet and of course sometimes you just want to kick them and tell them what to do, because, seriously, how can they fail to understand how deeply they care for each other and...  In short - that kind of book that takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and won't let you get out till you reach the end.


I loved it and it is definitely one of those book that I will read again and even though it was the first book by this author that I've read, it won't be the last.

★★★★★

To Tame a Highland Laird by Tarah Scott

 To Tame a Highland Laird by Tarah Scott

Blurb: 


A man torn between two worlds. Both need him… neither wants him.
Groomed for a life amongst the English aristocracy, Lord Erroll Rushton is unexpectedly thrust back into his father’s Scottish world when the Englishwoman he compromises refuses to marry him.

No gentleman breaks into a lady’s bedchamber...but then, no lady sleeps with a pistol under her pillow.
Miss Eve Crenshaw will marry for love or won’t marry at all. When London’s most notorious rakehell breaks into Eve’s bedroom in the dead of night and compromises her beyond repair, she plans a daring elopement that shocks even the earl.



When I started reading this book I was a bit irritated because everything sounded very familiar. Well, it was. The book was first published in 2014 - and I really enjoyed reading it. And once I knew why it sounded so familiar I enjoyed reading it again.

It is a charming (and sometimes a bit frustrating, although in a positive sense) story with interesting characters, well written and very entertaining. I giggled and laughed, I rolled my eyes and sometimes I even got a bit worried. Of course I never gave up hope that true love and so on but...well, it is always good to know that true love really wins, isn't it?

Eve Crenshaw is an amazing character and Lord Rushton, let's just say, he grew on me and I must admit that I could understand that he was a bit upset at the beginning after everything Grace had done.
Of course, on the whole there was a lot of kidnapping going on...and on...and on...but in the end everybody ended up exactly where he was supposed to be so all is well that ends well, right?
I loved how Eve slowly learned to trust her rake and I loved that, well, let's just say that Rush didn't make THAT mistake.

As I already said - I really enjoyed reading this book and I can definitely recommend it.

 ★★★★

My One True Highlander (No Ordinary Hero #2) by Suzanne Enoch

 

  My One True Highlander by Suzanne Enoch

Blurb:

Rugged highlander Graeme has one thing on his mind—take a stand against the horrible Englishman Lattimer and he will be rewarded with enough money to be set for life. But when his reckless younger brothers take it one step too far and kidnaps a young woman on her way to see Lattimer, Graeme has to intervene. He cannot send the lady back without his kin getting in trouble. And when a damsel this beautiful is dropped into your lap, it’s hard to let her go...

Marjorie should be terrified she’s been captured by highland scoundrels, but it’s hard to live in terror when your captor is a devilishly handsome and sinfully tempting as Graeme is. She cannot stay by his side forever—no matter how her heart may pound at the thought—but Graeme seems to have other plans. This wicked highlander is out to seduce her and doesn’t plan to stop until she’s in his arms...forever...


I loved this book because the characters were so amazing! Oh, and the story was sweet and nice as well. Well, who wouldn't love such a sweet boy like Connell and also his brothers, even grumpy Brendan, are very loving, very warm and thinking of a house with those guys around, well, that sounds like a happy house to me.

Graeme had to take over as chieftain and father/brother at the age of 20 when his parents died and left Graeme and his three younger brother behind.  Money being tight as it was, that did also mean that he had work hard alongside his tenants to make things work.
Marjorie and her brother are orphans as well and due to their former circumstances and their newly allevated status as a duke and his sister, Marjorie has lived a very simple life where lonelyness was her constant companion.

When she is being kidnapped by Graeme's brothers, Graeme finds himself in a dilemma - how can he protect his stupid well-meaning brothers from the consequences of this more than stupid action and how can he protect the young lady that they had kidnapped as well without being caught in the crossfire.
Well, marriage sounds like a charming prospect - or not.
Somehow the situation changes and Graeme and his prisoner/guest/whatever start to enjoy each other's company ...and more. Will Marjorie return to her dream of a respectable life in London or might Graeme be able to convince her of his feelings?

I really loved all those wonderful characters, the wonderful, animal-loving-and-rescuing "duckling" Connell, proper Mrs. Griswell who may or may not have found a reason to stay in the Highlands, Greame and his fierce protection of his brothers and all those who depend on him, Dhugàl and Brendan and, of course, Marjorie. Oh, and don't forget Sir Robert.

The book is well written and the story well spun. It is the first that I've read by Suzanne Enoch but it won't be the last.

★★★★