Anything But Mine (When You're Gone Trilogy Book One) by Taryn Elliott

Anything But Mine

(When You're Gone Trilogy Book One)

Taryn Elliott

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 5 teacups

Recommended: Yes, Yes, Yes

Book Club Worthy: Only for romance clubs 

                                       (adult)

Review

Will hot rock star sex turn into something more for Izzy and Logan, or does his past ruin everything?

This is a great start to a new Adult series and makes me hope that the other two will also receive 5 star ratings. There are hot sexual scenes, but not excessively so in the novel. I love that this novel is not the same old plot of rock star meets girl then some angst before they fall in love. This plot has some great unexpected treats to throw your way. The book kept my interest from the very beginning and I loved the characters in the book.

As it is the first of a trilogy, there is a huge cliffhanger. I have to admit that I am already anxiously awaiting book two to find out some of the answers that Elliott has unanswered for us on purpose. It even has some great suspense interwoven with the romance. So, if you like mystery, thrillers, hot and steamy sex, and rock and roll romance you are definitely going to be quite happy with this novel.

                                   

Disclosures

*I would like to thank Fido Publishing via NetGALLEY for giving me an unreleased copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

*If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW).

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

Five Days Left a novel by Julie Lawson Timmer

Five Days Left

a novel

Julie Lawson Timmer

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 5+ teacups

Recommendations: Yes

Book Club Worthy: Yes, I am putting it on my 

                                        book club calendar.

Review

Is 5 days enough time to say goodbye to the ones you love?

This novel had me so caught up in it from the first words that I forgot it was fiction. I cried probably a quarter of the way through the book. I would have to say that it was worth the emotional rollercoaster and the at times desperately sad parts for the story in its entirety. The plot was so unique to take Mara and Scott down two drastically different roads yet intertwined so smoothly. Both story lines came down to the wire and Ms. Timmer held her cards quite closely about the final results for Mara and Scott.

Timmer definitely deserves a 5+ for this riveting work that at times shows such love and such heartbreak that it does feel like a true story as you are reading it. For me, when a fiction work reads as nonfiction there is nothing better an author can achieve in fiction. If this is her first offering, I am anxiously awaiting novel number two. So, if you can take some serious love, serious heartache, are willing to face the possibility of crying, and willing to see what people may do for those they love, then this may be one of the best reads you will ever experience.

                                        

 Disclosures

* If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW).

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel

The Life Intended

Kristin Harmel

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 4 1/2 teacups

Recommendations: Yes

Book Club Worthy: Yes, it is going on my book

                                        club calendar

Review

After twelve years of being Patrick’s widow, Kate is ready to move on or is she?

Harmel packs quite a punch from the beginning of this, at times, heart wrenching novel (my way of saying you may cry in parts). It seemed to be over quickly as the plot was filled with so much action and indecision for Kate. Once she starts to make her decisions they come quick and fast. The romance is fraught with suspense and it takes a while to know which way to root, or root at all.  

Harmel's wild emotional ride is definitely worth the ride. Even though I gave this book a 4 ½ on my blog I am adding it to the calendar to my book club. I recommend this book highly and only dock ½ star as I think that Kate is a little too weak in the beginning of the novel. So, if you do not mind a little paranormal with some harsh reality both with personal loss and the Foster Care System of New York City spiced with dicey and the best romance ever, this is your book.

Disclosures

*I would like to thank Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via NetGALLEY for giving me an unreleased copy for an honest and fair review.

* If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

The Perfect Mother by Nina Darnton

The Perfect Mother

Nina Darnton

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 5+ teacups

Recommendations: Yes, Yes, Yes

Book Club Worthy: Yes

Review

How well can you really ever know another person, even a mother regarding her own daughter?

I would rate The Perfect Mother higher than 5 if that were available as a score. I literally did not sleep until I finished this novel. It is incredible. The plot, while perhaps partially taken from the pages of today’s news, has kinks and curls with a development or two that you just cannot imagine coming.

The beautifully written work shows the strain of the relationships in the family as the investigation goes on in Spain. The difficulties Jennifer faces while trying to help Emma makes her question if she even knew her daughter. This emotional ride Jennifer takes to help prove Emma’s innocence is definitely a musts read. Darnton hits a perfect balance of plot, characters, suspense and readability that allows this fiction to read as if it is non-fiction, which is the best that it gets. Do not miss The Perfect Mother.

Disclosures

*I would like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Plume via NetGALLEY for giving me an unreleased copy for an honest and fair review.

* If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

The After House by Michael Phillip Cash

The After House

Michael Phillip Cash

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 4 1/2 teacups

Recommendations: Yes, and I would include                                                 paranormal lovers.

Book Club Worthy: Yes, perfect for Romance, 
                                        Mystery, Thriller, or 
                                        Paranormal clubs.

Review

Will the 300 year old house be Remy’s downfall or does she have another enemy she must overcome?

The back cover leads you to believe that something paranormal is going on with that 300 year old house. Thus, I think that it belongs in the paranormal category also as there is quite a bit included in the plot. I really enjoyed the book after the set up for the plot. Once that was over, the plot was great with its twists and turns that you do not see coming, believe me. I got sucked in about ¼ of the way into the book and could not stop reading. 

The reason that I gave this book a four is because the romance portion of the book while quite charming also felt a little too contrived for my taste and our hero almost ran the town single handed, well not quite, but it almost feels like that when you are reading the novel. I do recommend it as it was a really did enjoy reading it, with the caveat that the romance seemed a little too unbelievable with the perfect new man for her love interest and that you need to get past the set up for the plot. After those considerations, which are really minor, the book is really a good read. 

Disclosures

*I would like to thank Red Feather Publishing via NetGALLEY for giving me an unreleased copy for an honest and fair review.

* If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

Loves Legacy by Joan Avery

Love's Legacy
Joan Avery

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 5 teacups

Recommendations: Yes

Book Club Worthy: Only for Romance group

Review

Will Geoffrey realize Elizabeth is Worth overcoming his past or send her away for her protection?

In this, the third offering in The Worth Brothers Series, Avery does not disappoint. It has everything to make any historical romance reader fall in love. There is the daring, super sexy, emotionally damaged and seemingly unattainable hero. The strong heroine who has been through so much and is not sure if she will be accepted when all of her secrets are revealed. Both of their pasts show up, whether to help or harm, you have to read the book, as I give no spoilers. And the fate of a young girl hangs in the balance throughout the novel. The outcome is superb and had me sucked in from page 1. If you are a historical romance fan this is your book and I cannot recommend it high enough. In fact, I am off to read the prior two novels, making this definitely worthy of a 5+ rating.

Disclosures

*I would like to thank Entangled: Scandalous via NetGALLEY for giving me an unreleased copy for an honest and fair review.

* If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW).

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

The Sons of Molly Maguire by Mark Bulik

The Sons of Molly Maguire:The Irish Roots of America's First Labor War

Mark Bulik

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 3 teacups

Recommendations: Only for Scholars of Irish           

                                         History

Book Club Worthy: No

Review

I was so excited to see this title as I am part Irish, and love Irish history, politics and come from a labor family. This fits in a very rare category for me. I could not finish this book. I wanted to very much, however, there was just too many history facts jumbled together in such a way that the prose did not flow enough that the average history buff would enjoy this book. 

It is my strong belief that as a College Text or a Reference in Academia it would be a 4 and an excellent reference with many facts. So my recommendation would be no for the casual Irish history fan. If you are an Irish Academic or need an Irish Text than this is your book.

Disclosures

*I would like to thank Fordham University Press via NetGALLEY for giving me an unreleased copy for an honest and fair review.

* If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.