NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

This is a beautiful tale of two people getting a second chance when their professional careers overlap. Jillian Parks is working from home inventing and selling her homegrown speciality chilli peppers. She runs a regular podcast and has recently published a cook book which she's promoting.  Jack Reed is busy keeping the family ranch running and making money. To make ends meet he runs a cooking show and his good looks definitely brings the viewers in. Their producers convince them to do a collab - showcasing Jillian's spices and Jack's meat in what turns out to be a sizzling hot encounter which has the producers asking for more.  I loved the chemistry between Jillian and Jack, and how they both help each other to become happier.  Spiced Right by Gigi Templeton will be available at the end of January 2024, but can be preordered now. #SpicedRight #NetGalley

Forging Passion is the prequel to what promises to be a new series of amazing books covering the wider Stag family.  In her typical style, the book immediately hooks you in and if you've read any of Davis' previous books about the older Stag brothers, you will feel at home right from the start! I am guessing this prequel got created /fast tracked after the debacle at the Women's World Cup in soccer (football for us over the pond!). Very apt dedication too! I am looking forward to reading Forging Glory, the first book in the series, which hopefully will be out some time next year (tbc). Forging Passion - the prequel - will be available 9 November 2023 Forging Glory - book 1 - publication date TBC Whilst waiting for this new generation of Stags to be introduced, you can dive right into the first set of books: Sweet distraction Filled potential Fragile illusion A Stag family Christmas Beautiful game  #ForgingPassion #NetGalley

Lovely, laid back off-season Cornwall is the scene for The Harbour Lights Mystery written by Emylia Hall. It's the second book about the Shell House Detectives, but you can read it standalone (although you may like it as much as I did and read the first book in the series afterwards!). December in Cornwall and there are probably more locals than tourists attending when the famous Christmas lights are turned on in Mousehole harbour.  Ally, one half of the Shell House Detectives, is watching the lights with her friend Gus and she's worrying that he may be after more than friendship. Anything that was about to be said is abruptly stopped when there is a piercing scream ripping through the darkness. Joining the crowds, Ally finds out that someone has been brutally murdered and dumped in a fisherman’s boat. It turns out that the victim is the not so very popular chef JP Sharpe, but what has Ally and her detective partner intrigued is an unfinished letter found in Sharpe's coat p...

I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to read the full boxset of the McCallister Military Brothers series written by the writer collective known under the pen name of Leslie North. Thank you Netgalley for this eARC boxset! As usual, the books are engaging, some hot sex present and all comes to a satisfying ending.  From the three books, Chance is probably my favourite character, but Guarding Victoria the better book.  Book1: Protecting Mandy Mandy has taken over her father's car business, but unfortunately also his gambling bets - a considerable amount which she's been struggling to pay off for some time. The weasely collector has offered her some of the loas to be cleared if she agrees to share his bed... The oldest McCallister brother, Chance, is back from his SEAL duty and he still has feelings for his high school sweetheart Mandy. Chance feels like something is wrong with Mandy as she seems stressed out and he offers to help her at the garage; a perfect excuse to k...

The fake wife bit of this book is the start of the story, a story that goes from what appears to be a chance meeting in a hotel restaurant followed by a one night stand to kidnapping, dangerous driving, murders and many layers of intrigue and deception; all excepted when there is a politician involved... PC Garry Mizon, the 'forever' traffic cop and flower grower was my favourite character together with Lexy Thomas the Detective Sergeant allocated to the case. Olive is the lead throughout the book and the story is told mainly via her events - present and past.  Michael, well he's the politician, so not much more to say, is there? We also have Maddy and Eloise, Michael's ex-wives. Gwen, the ex mother-in-law and her granddaughters. After a rather cringeworthy and slow start, the story really takes off and we're treated to many layers of intrigue as we get more information about Olive, Michael, Maddy and Eloise - oh, and the meddling Gwen.   This title will be released...

I absolutely loved this book! Fast paced, unexpected, and clever, with great characters solving a believable case. What's even better is that there are another TEN books with Jon Reznick already published AND they are available on Kindle Unlimited! A Swiss intelligence agent downloads thousands of classified documents including information that could expose secret agents and other key information that the global intelligence community are keen to keep under wraps.  With not much to go on, favours are called in and finally a dying friend and a blip in a computer programme - a face that cannot be matched to any living being - gives Jon the break he needs, but it also drags his past into the light. Suddenly, it's become personal. Hard Exit, the 11th book about Jon Reznick will be published on 14 December 2023 - a perfect Christmas present! #HardExit11 #NetGalley #jonreznick

Stealing someone's Lamborghini and getting away with it!!! Book store owner and cat lover Emma is on the run from her dangerous ex-boyfriend, but he has managed to find her in he middle of the desert and she needs to make a quick exit. Picking up the keys for a Lambo seems the logical thing to do...  Graham is a professional football player recovering from a near death sport injury and desperately looking for someone to marry before his next birthday - if not he'll miss out on a big inheritance which he's planning to give to his gay brother.  The Lambo belongs to Graham and he's come up with a genius plan - force the woman who stole his car to marry him and he won't press charges. Emma agrees, what else could she do after the Lambo is found crashed and Graham says she'd be liable to pay for it? Soon the sparks ignite between them and the arrangement may be more than an arrangement... Fabulous story, amazing writing and Emma was easy to love, whereas Graham grew ...

Forbidden Billionaire Daddy is a best friend's brother romance story. Two persons, or at least that's what Sasha wants the world to see: Ember Noir is all sultry, sexy and extrovert, loving the exposure whilst singing on stage - Sasha, the every day life persona is the student who keeps her head down and gets on with work and life. Meeting and making out with a really hot guy as Ember, to then realise he's the brother of your best friend? It definitely creates some complications especially when you find yourself sharing the home of your friend and her brother.  Not entirely believable - what was it with the kidnapping bit?? - but still an enjoyable read especially if you van pick it up on Kindle Unlimited. Forbidden Billionaire Daddy by Scarlett Score is availabel on Kindle Unlimited now.  #ForbiddenBillionaireDaddy #NetGalley

Returning to their childhood beachside home for the first time since their father's death they are hoping to create happier memories this time around - it's Hallie's wedding day! Hallie is head over heals in love with her husband to be, or at least she should be but she's not really feeling it. Is it just nerves or something else? Coming back home brings mixed feelings for middle sister, Amy as she fears standing face to face with the childhood crush, the man who left her to marry someone else. Finally, oldest sister Claire does not believe in ever after - she works as a divorce lawyer and had seen more than her fair share of bad relationships and even worse breakups. Her plus one, is her "work husband", someone who quickly becomes a firm favourite with the rest of the family. With the wedding as the catalyst the sister finally get time and courage to share what has troubled them for quite some time. This was an amazing tale - hopeful, heart warming and inspir...

This novel hooked me in and I quickly got lost in this beatiful and emotional story where chose family, secrets and forgiveness play large roles. As the story develops, multiple layers are revealed making the characters more complex and developed than they first appear.  Angela Marie has been groomed from very young years to take over Meadow Falls, a farm that’s been in her family for generations. Not given a choice to do something else she has reluctantly accepted her duty, but when her parents pass away the world opens up to her. Getting help from her old nanny, and her old friend she is looking optimistically at the future - she'll continue doing peanut farming, but her way and with the help of people she loves and trusts. Heartwarming and positive - a fantastic story yet again by Ms Brown!   Meadow Falls will be available on 9 January 2024, but can be pre-ordered now. Other books by Carolyn Brown which I've reviewed on this blog: The sandcastle hurricane - link to my ...

Summer holiday best friends Phoebe and Suze were inseparable until resentment and lies tear them apart at the end of their teens. They both built their own lives following their childhood dreams - Suze as a successful actress and Phoebe as an artist and illustrator.  Following an attempt on Suze's life, Phoebe tries to reconnect, but the time is not right. Later on they are both back at the coastal town in Oregon where they spent summers as children. Well-kept secrets come to the surface and yet again test their friendship but by working together they are both stronger - and surrounded by friends. The Starfish Sisters is an emotional and beautiful story of complicated friendship, how we sometimes get so stuck in our own grief and fail to see the bigger picture - and reach out to those that need us.  The Starfish Sisters by Barbara O'Neal is available now. #TheStarfishSisters #NetGalley

Agent Kim Maxwell is working under cover in France during the Second World War. She is  investigating the death of Bernard Leblanc, a local SOE leader. It's made to look like an accident, but Kim's experience tells her it is not. Reporting to her lover and fellow agent Foxy at the Bistro Le Renard Rouge (The Red Fox) she is progressing her investigations of the suspicious death. As she and Foxy start digging, the uncover a German operation with code name Enthaupten. Beheading.  Not knowing who to trust, Kim and Foxy work together to get as much information as possible before it's too late. Fast moving, engaging and unexpected including Foxy managing to get married and buried in less than a week. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written historical novel. Hilary Green is amazing at bringing history to life (adding a fictional twist, or two)! PS. This is the second book in the series, and it worked as a stand-alone, although I'd suggest you read Operation Lighting Bolt first...