Book Review: Wrong Bed, Right Girl

I know that I am not the only reader who likes a book better when she can personally relate to the characters and/or the situations they find themselves in. Rebecca Brooks’ new release Wrong Bed, Right Girl is totally that book for me.

Talia is a ballerina who ends up in the middle of a sticky situation solely because she sublets an apartment from a fellow dancer…who she also happens to be replacing as the lead in the ballet “Giselle.” Reed is the DEA agent who is looking for the other dancer, only to find Talia instead. The two meet VERY awkward, but it actually sets the tone for the rest of the book.

So what about it could I personally relate to? I used to be a ballerina (for over 15 years) before I moved into Musical Theater. I met my husband in a very interesting way, when he was lead narcotics investigator as part of joint task force. We should never have been compatible because our brains are wired differently, but we compliment each other in all of the right ways.

I saw a lot of us (not us now, really, but the “us” of when we met) in Talia and Reed, even down to the nosy family on Long Island! There were a few events that were extremely familiar – but I’m not sharing which ones those were! (wink wink) I will say that Reed’s fears for a relationship in his line of work are accurate and (unfortunately) common.

All of those things allowed me to enjoy the book on a personal level, but I think I would have liked it regardless. I thought the setup was unique, the characters were well-written. I loved how they helped each other without realizing that they were doing so – that’s often how it works in real life.

And can I just say that the sexy times about melted my Kindle? The author described a few well-placed instances in detail but didn’t feel the need to make it allllll about the sex. The casual references and allusions to their times together were enough to let the reader know how much they had progressed in the relationship without letting sex become the entire plot. I appreciated this because sometimes sex takes over a story and the plot gets lost. Not so here.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up…it’s a great set up, and the HEA will make you swoon!

Wrong Bed, Right Girl (Accidental Love Book 2)

Wrong Bed, Right Girl by Rebecca Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had me at narcotics (DEA) agent and ballerina. It would be difficult to find two more opposite people, but it spoke to me on a personal level for many reasons (former ballerina here, for one). The author hit the nail on the head with numerous details for both professions but was a little stronger on the DEA attitudes and worries. I would have liked to have seen a little more of Talia’s rehearsals to balance the war she felt with herself. Most primas I knew would never let a guy distract them from the lead in “Giselle.” But that’s being nitpicky, because oh holy hotness for the sexy time scenes! Wow! I thought everything was well-balanced and very realistic and would definitely recommend this book. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more of the reasons this was a personal one for me! Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary pre-release digital ARC.

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May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Book Review: The Night Before

I’m a fan of The Walking Dead. One of my favorite quotes of the entire series is Carol’s reaction when she first encounters the Kingdom.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on in the most wonderful way!”

That pretty much sums up how I felt reading the latest release from Wendy Walker.

First, there are so many meanings to this title that it’s difficult to cover them all.

It could mean a night that occurred a decade prior to the story, where the main characters lives (Laura’s in particular) were changed forever. Or, it could mean the night of Laura’s date, when her sister worries if she is ready to get back in the dating pool. Or a few other “nights before.”

The author also does a fantastic job of giving the reader just enough information to feel comfortable in the direction that the story is headed, only to change abruptly with a thoroughly probable event that sends it in a different direction.

Laura was one of the most complex characters I have read in a long time. There was so much to her, but she remained an enigma, even to her own sister. It isn’t until the end that there is a revelation which neatly explains nearly all of her behaviors, as well as reasons for being the way she is in general.

As always, no plot points here, but I will tell you that there are some “Holy crap, I had no idea” and “No WAY!” moments scattered throughout. It makes for one helluva story that you won’t be able to put down!

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. There were a lot of twists, a few red herrings, and a whole lot of guessing (and being wrong). The author did a phenomenal job of keeping the reader off-balance. Occurrences which sent the book in a different direction were plausible enough so that it didn’t feel forced. Everything felt like it could actually happen. I read this book in one day, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes. See my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for a more in-depth review. Thank you to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a pre-release digital ARC.

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May 1, 2019May 1, 2019

Book Review: The Invited

I have started putting notes into books as I read them, so I can remember what I was thinking or feeling at a certain point. It helps me with reviews later, especially when my mind is a jumble of all of the things I want to say – like it is right now with The Invited by Jennifer McMahon. I requested this one on NetGalley, and boy am I glad that I received approval!

One of my first notes in this book was “I am Helen.” It makes me so much more invested in the story when I can instantly identify with a character. Everything Helen did in this book, from her attitude about events to her motivations for her actions, was something that I could see myself doing. I loved her tenacity, her desire to find the truth and especially her love of history.

The foreshadowing and omens in this book were plentiful and entirely natural in the course of the plot. None of them were overtly apparent or seemed out of place as a way to play “gotcha” with the reader. The suspense built gradually and kept me turning pages quickly. There were nods to real historical events (Salem Witch Trials; Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire) that intertwined seamlessly with the mystery plot.

Most of all, I really liked how the author tied everything together. There were no loose ends, and the puzzle was solved piece by piece. I did guess a few points or at least had suspicions confirmed, but they weren’t totally obvious; it took some sleuthing on my own.

If you like twisty mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, you will love this book. My Goodreads review is below.

NOW AVAILABLE

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, which was kind of cool because the book kept surprising me at every turn. At times haunting and mysterious but always compelling, the story kept me riveted. The mood created by the author with the opening scene sets the tone for what is to come while making the whole story seem timeless. (The concept of a Salem, MA type of attitude in 1920s Vermont was genius!) It was a pleasure to be able to draw parallels and find connections as Helen uncovered information, and there were many “aha!” moments. This was a page turner that I cannot recommend highly enough. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more details. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

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May 1, 2019May 1, 2019

BOOK REVIEW: Nothing But Trouble by Amy Andrews

If you read enough books in any genre, they eventually all start to blend together. So, when you find one that stands out for any reason, it’s kind of like finding a diamond in the rough.

That’s how I feel about Nothing but Trouble by Amy Andrews. Even though it could easily fall into both the Sports Romance and Boss/Employee Romance categories, it’s much more than either one of those.

Cecilia (CC) has been the PA for former quarterback Wade Carter for nearly six years. As her contract is expiring, she is more than ready to leave the on-call 24/7 life behind and start a new life in California. Wade, however, has other plans. Fate probably has a little something to throw in as well.

I loved this book because it was different in quite a few ways. First, Wade is not the usual absolute monster/a-hole/jerk of a boss – more like just oblivious (which he eventually appropriately acknowledges). CC isn’t pining for him; she wants her contract to end so she can get on with her life. Both characters are thoroughly strong individuals.

I also liked the backstory that the author created to bring CC and Wade closer together. The plot point involving his home town was clever and unique. Even though I kind of sided with Wade initially, I loved how the author made her points about the strengths of females subtly. It all made sense when put into practice.

Some of my other favorite aspects of the novel:

The subplot concerning Wade’s brother, Wyatt, and a newcomer to town was poignant and well-written, adding a nice subtext to the overall story.
The snappy dialogue between CC and Wade. Their understanding of each other was apparent from the beginning and made me chuckle almost every time, especially during the “Gone With the Wind” references.
The author’s ability to create a picture for the scene at hand. A particularly moving passage was when Wade and CC were walking home from a party. The description of the streetlight and the sounds around them stands out.
The piglets

As I looked up the book for a reference, I noticed that it says “Credence, Colorado Book One.” I can only hope that we will get to follow Wade’s friends and some of the women in future books because Credence is a place I would love to revisit.

My Goodreads review is below.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Nothing But Trouble by Amy Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been on a roll lately, finding some excellent romances that have interesting characters and well thought-out plots. Nothing But Trouble is the latest that fits the bill. Wade is a former pro quarterback; CC has been his PA for the past five+ years. It’s a trope that has been used many times (the boss finally realizes feelings for employee), but this story seemed different to me. One thing that made this book stand out is that the romance doesn’t take center stage; it almost occurs in the background as other events occur – I loved this aspect because it allowed me to get involved with the plot and other characters, which made the story more interesting. I especially enjoyed the plan for his hometown. The counterpoint sub-story of Wade’s brother Wyatt was well done and touching. All motivations and character actions seemed natural, and the events were enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book. Please see my blog at firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review. This review was written based on a digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

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April 24, 2019April 24, 2019

BOOK REVIEW: Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake #3) by Rachel Caine

I read the first two books in this series before I started my blog, so I don’t have reviews on them, but believe me when I say that I eagerly await each new installment in this series.

SPOILER ALERT: I will warn you right now, if you haven’t read the first two books in this series, do not read any further. Not only are there references that you won’t understand, but there may also be plot points from the first two books that will be exposed. That being said, get over to Amazon or your bookstore of choice and get the first two books of the series. Be warned, there are twists, turns, and the exploration of the evil of human nature, but they are excellent thrillers!

Okay, back to the review.

After the events of the second book, one would hope that Grace and her kids (and Sam) would be able to have a little bit of normalcy. Unfortunately, evil still exists and their lives once again get turned upside down.

I found Grace to be a fascinating character. She understands that her past will forever put a target on her back, and (by extension) on the backs of her kids. But she still also feels the need to help other people, which is how she gets caught up in the events at Wolfhunter River.

The author is especially good at creating moments that appear to be part of the overall plot, but sometimes they are not. I love this aspect of her writing because it keeps me (as a reader) off balance and questioning what I think I know.

I am a pretty good detective, and I did have suspicions about one part of the plot about halfway through the book that turned out to be correct (go me!). But the rest of the plot had some excellent twists that I didn’t fully guess on.

I did like her commentary (via Grace) regarding the online outrage and blame culture; I think that was spot on. However, there were a couple of mentions (Westward Invasion and a brief commentary on a 12 year old not calling adult women females) that seemed jarring and out of place. It felt like the author’s political beliefs took over for a few brief moments, and they took me out of the story.

All in all, however, this was another excellent analysis of the evil of man and how people can be so easily consumed by greed and hate – and how dangerous that can be when the beliefs are based on false perceptions or flat out lies.

I look forward to seeing where the series goes next because I have a feeling that Grace and Sam still have a way to go. It will also be interesting to see if friendships are repaired and trust can be regained.

My Goodreads review is below.

AVAILABLE NOW! (Released 4/23/2019)

Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been excitedly waiting for this book and could not wait to start reading. I was not disappointed. I could not swipe pages on my Kindle fast enough and read this straight through! After the events in the second book, I wondered where the author would be able to go with the main thread tying the books together, and she did a great job of creating a situation that will give her plenty of leeway for future novels. There was “hold onto your seat” action and a LOT of gut-tearing emotion. Both aspects are something the author has always done very well, and what will keep me coming back for future installments of the series. Another wild ride in a great series. If you want a more detailed review, visit my blog at firefliesandfreekicks.com. This review was written based on a pre-release digital ARC courtesy of NetGalley.

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April 21, 2019April 21, 2019

BOOK REVIEW: The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

When it comes to thrillers, there are several sub-genres: psychological, mystery, horror, etc. I usually go for psychological thrillers, because I like seeing if I can guess the twists, or predict the plot (I’m successful sometimes). The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth is more of a mystery thriller, although there is a touch of psychological in there as well.

The plot is laid out in both flashbacks and current time, as well as alternating viewpoints in the flashbacks. The author handles the switching back and forth with ease, and I never felt lost as to when I was or whose perspective I was reading.

The characters are very well-written. It seemed at the beginning that the story would be more along the lines of The Other Woman by Sandie Jones (new wife wants to bond with the mother-in-law, who is resistant to all attempts), but it quickly became apparent that there is a lot more going on with the two main characters that it initially appears.

Diana (the mother-in-law) is a strong character. The author does an excellent job of allowing the reader to discover her motivations without being smacked in the face with examples. In other words, the reader is allowed to draw conclusions based on events, rather than the author simply stating a character trait. I appreciate when an author does this because it allows me to become more invested in the story.

Lucy (the daughter-in-law) is also more complex than the reader is initially led to believe. The relationship between her and Diana takes many turns as they each discover new things about each other. Through these experiences, the reader also gains understanding of major plot points.

(Because it is a mystery, I’m not going to go any further than that in my analysis. Suffice to say that the plot did have enough twists and turns that I was constantly kept off balance. I loved it).

I did want to add, however, that the author handles the descriptions of a debilitating disease with accuracy and poignancy. My father passed away just about two years ago after a nine year battle with a little-known disease that falls under the Parkinson’s umbrella. It was unnoticeable at first, except for little things: he walked slower, took more time to do simple tasks…things like that.

Eventually, it became more pronounced. His ability to walk went first, then speech became slurred, then eating became a challenge. Eventually, he became completely bedridden, unable to communicate at all, and had to have a feeding tube. It was slow, painful, and difficult to watch. My mother was by his side the entire time.

The author brought all of this back through her descriptions. It was hard to read at times, but that’s because her writing brought real memories and emotions to the surface. It certainly made the book more personal to me, which in turn made me feel more invested in the story.

If you are looking for a well-developed mystery with depth, don’t miss out on this one. My Goodreads review is below.

Expected Release Date: 4/23/2019

The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great mystery! This book went in no direction that I expected it to go in and kept me guessing throughout the entire story. But it is more than that; it is also an in-depth character study about the relationships between women, specifically mothers- and daughters-in-law. I thought that Diana was an incredibly complex person, and I loved the way the reader was allowed to figure that out through Diana’s actions (rather than just being told). Without giving away plot points, the situation that materializes with Tom and Diana hit very close to home as I recently went through something similar with my parents (not to the same extent, but close enough that I teared up reading through particular sections). Thank you to the author for addressing that issue with frankness, but understanding. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary mysteries and non-nonsense writing. This review was voluntarily written based on a pre-release copy provided by NetGalley.

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April 15, 2019April 15, 2019

BOOK REVIEW: Eighty-One Nights

I did not want this book to end.

That’s pretty much the review in a nutshell. (But I’ll give you guys a little bit more).

The beginning of this book reminded me of the Reba McEntire song, “Fancy.” In fact, through the first few chapters, I kept hearing the song lyric “Here’s your one chance Fancy don’t let me down” running through my head. Thankfully, the writer took the book in a much deeper direction than just a girl trying to earn money to get out of an undesirable situation.

Usually, a novel like this tends to focus on the young woman’s point of view and how she deals with this new world that has opened to her. This book is different because it focused equally on both perspectives, and this is what made the book more enjoyable.

I loved that I was able to understand Hutch’s point of view and how his past was affecting his decisions beyond the usual “I’m too broken to love” trope. He had a full backstory, as did Lou, which gave them depth. As a result, the story was much more fulfilling.

As Lou puts it, she is part of a beautiful illusion that she doesn’t want to end. I was right there with her. I was aware that I was nearing the end of the book, but I did not expect it to end where it did. As a result, I will be waiting eagerly for the second book in the duet, because this is one story that I cannot let go of easily.

My Goodreads review is below.

Eighty-One Nights (Beautiful Illusions Duet, #1)

Eighty-One Nights by Georgia Cates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wrecked. There’s no other way to describe how I feel after reading this book. I am absolutely wrecked. It is such a beautifully written and passionate story; I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. As a result, I didn’t realize how close I was to the end until, well, until it just ended. In my mind, I yelled “noooooooooooo!!!!!” because I didn’t want it to end, especially not where it did! The relationship between Max and Cait (Hutch and Lou) is full-on romance, in spite of the unconventional beginning of it. The story is interesting, the characters are compelling, and the writing is such that the reader feels what the characters are feeling. Oh, and can we say super-steamy as well? An excellent read, but I sure hope the second book is released soon, because I haven’t gotten enough of Hutch and Lou yet. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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April 11, 2019April 11, 2019

BOOK REVIEW: Eleanor & Grey

There is no point in mincing words: I loved this book.

Honestly, I don’t want to go into the plot, because it was so remarkable to see how it all unfolded. I don’t want to deprive anyone else of those feelings by giving away plot points.

The way the author handled a story of first loves, loss, redemption, and second chances was beautiful. It was written in a way that allowed this reader to feel and even experience the emotions of the characters. I think that’s one of the things that I appreciated most about it: I didn’t feel like I was an outsider watching the events happen, I was feeling them right along with the characters. I’m not sure that makes sense.

I guess it just really drew me in. With romances, it’s easy to sit back and just enjoy but remain outside of the story. That wasn’t the case with this novel. The author made me actually care what happened to Ellie and Grey.

In that regard, it wasn’t your typical “romance.” It was much more. I don’t usually cry when I read, but this author made me care enough to do so more than once. That’s why I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Seriously, don’t miss it. You won’t be sorry.

My Goodreads review is below.

Eleanor & Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every once in a while I come across a book that grabs me, and I just can’t put it down. “Eleanor & Grey” is one of those books. I can’t say enough good things about it. I wasn’t sure where the author was going at first; it seemed like it would be a “young love stays true” type of story. But then the author threw me for a loop and made me re-evaluate my perspective on the relationship between the two characters. I loved the way this was written. It was poetic at times, and haunting at others. The characters are fully formed, nobody came across as a stereotype or a caricature. I felt for and with these characters: I ached, I laughed, and I cried (and I do not usually cry at books). This was a wonderful story of heartbreak, loss, and redemption, and I loved every minute of it. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It was just that good. This is a must-read that should go on TBR lists immediately! This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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April 11, 2019April 11, 2019

BOOK REVIEW: My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding

Let’s cut to the chase: I enjoyed this book so much that I don’t know what part to focus on first.

The title accurately describes the basic plot, and in fact, does have a few things in common with the similarly named movie. But at the same time, the story felt totally unique. I think that is due largely in part to the characters.

Tori is a veterinarian who is more comfortable with animals than people. Josh is a people person. She lives on a farm in Iowa, he is from the bayou in Louisiana. There are several more “opposites attract” examples, but you get the picture. What makes this story work is that the author doesn’t dwell on those things too much.

You know what, I’m overthinking this and trying to be analytical. That’s not right for this book.

If you want to soak up some N’Awlins Mardi Gras fun, get this book. If you want a taste of the Bayou, get this book. If you like hot, sensitive, funny guys who are full of charm and surprises, get this book. If you want a romance that builds slowly and gives you that delicious pit of anticipation in your stomach to the point where you want to yell at one or more of the characters to just give in and stop thinking so hard, GET THIS BOOK!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Landry family. These were some of the most colorful characters I have found in a book, especially Josh’s grandmother, Ellie. The whole family personifies the true meaning of “family” in that they annoy the heck out of each other and try to embarrass each other, but they also love each other fiercely and always have each other’s backs.

I found myself wanting to spend more and more time with the Landry family in Autre, and I was very happy to see that this is the first in a series. Well, at least one other book so far, but I’m hoping we get to cover all of the Landry brothers, and cousins, and second cousins….

Yeah, I pretty much want to move to Autre.

Seriously, though. Go pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.

P.S. My only complaint about this book is the cover. There is no way in hell that Tori would be wearing a dress like that, and I don’t think the cover truly captures the characters, a pattern I’m seeing more and more of in books.

But that’s another post for another day.

My Goodreads review is below.

My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding (Boys of the Bayou Book 1)

My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding by Erin Nicholas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am happy to announce that I have found my new book boyfriend! Josh Landry is everything a girl could hope for: funny, charming, a little rough around the edges, super-sexy and full of surprises. Josh was great, but Tori was a perfect match. She is the type of girl I love to see in a romance: unassuming, and open to whatever happens. She’s someone who would be totally cool to hang out with. In fact, it would be great to be able to hang out with the entire Landry family, because they seemed like a LOT of fun. Ellie was a real kick, I literally laughed out loud more than a few times when she was involved (plus she gave me some new terms I’ll have to try out). The plot of the story didn’t go exactly the way I thought it would. It didn’t have the drama and misunderstandings that usually accompany a romance like this. I could see the turning point coming a mile away, but the author did surprise me with the way she handled it overall, which I appreciated. I really enjoyed this book, and can’t wait for the second one to come out so I can return to Autre, LA. This review was based on a complimentary pre-release copy.

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April 9, 2019April 9, 2019

NEW RELEASE: My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding

My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding, an all-new sexy standalone in the Boys of the Bayou series from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available now!

Josh Landry is one of the hottest bartenders in New Orleans. He’s shown many a female tourist that things are definitely big and easy down here.

And he’s now been celibate for a year. Because he finally met her.

Yes, her. The One.

But, after nothing more than a hot goodnight kiss and a promise to meet up again next year if they’re both still interested, she went home to Iowa.

It’s been a long year.

But now it’s Mardi Gras again and he’s ready for his happily ever after.

If she shows up.

***

Oh, she shows up. For her best friend’s wedding.

But Tori is a terrible bridesmaid because all she can think about is her knight-in-shining-Mardi-Gras-beads from last year.

Well, and because she accidentally lays a hot kiss on her BFF.

Aka, the groom.

Unfortunately, no one believes that it was a case of mistaken identity. So, now she has to convince everyone she has no intention of ruining the wedding. She’s going to need a crazy-about-her boyfriend ASAP. Even if he’s just faking it.

Well there’s only one other person she knows in Louisiana…

Josh is all in. In fact, he’s thrilled. And he’s not faking anything.

But the groom isn’t faking his sudden case of cold feet either.

And now Tori might have a choice to make.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UBLtPk

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VkWIZ4

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MardiGrasErin

Nook: http://bit.ly/2WRqc1M

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YTnZoj

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2TXbuo0

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2WWEVIT

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2BRrdPo

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters. Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).