BY THE BOOK by Julia Sonneborn

March 10, 2018

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Anne Corey is a struggling English professor. She has a huge pile of student loans to pay off and finally has a job that she loves, teaching English literature at a small, private college in California.

Then her dream job becomes a bit of a nightmare.  Unfortunately, this school really lives by “publish or perish” and Anne’s time is running out. If she can’t get a book published, she’s out. There is a new college president, Adam Martinez, who happens to be the man who dumped her on their graduation day from college – shortly after proposing to her.

The only bright spot is visiting professor Rick Chasen, an award winning author who is also really hot. They hit it off and start a casual relationship, and he even offers to help Anne get her book published. Anne is also dealing with her father, who appears to be suffering from dementia.

Seeing Adam on a regular basis is proving to be more difficult than she thought it would be, especially because he and Rick seem to be at odds. Then things go from bad to worse, and Anne is moving up and down the highs and lows of her life – until she reaches her happy ending.

This is a modern day retelling of Jane Austen’s classic Persuasion. You don’t have to have read it to appreciate this book, and it is so well done that even if you are a fan of Austen, you will still enjoy this contemporary story.

3/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

BY THE BOOK by Julia Sonneborn. Gallery Books (February 6, 2018).  ISBN 978-1501175183. 384p.

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BEYOND SCANDAL AND DESIRE by Lorraine Heath

March 8, 2018

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Sins for All Seasons, Book 1

Lady Aslyn Hastings was orphaned fairly young, and her parents best friends raised her to be the lady she was born to be, with the understanding that she would marry their son when the time came. But then she meets Mick Trewlove.

Mick is the bastard son of a Duke who won’t acknowledge him. Handed off to a poor woman who raised such children, he grew up tough and determined, attributes that served him well. He worked hard and became very wealthy, and then started plotting his revenge against the Duke that abandoned him.

No matter his wealth, Lady Aslyn knows she could never be seen with him as he doesn’t hold a title, but nonetheless he finagles his way into running into her again and again. Eventually she feels like must choose between the man she was destined to marry and the man she loves.

There are a few nice twists in this story and a truly shocking ending, but no fears, everyone gets their happily ever after. Don’t forget to read the author’s note at the end, her research was remarkable, fascinating and heartbreaking.

I loved this fast, fun and unexpected read – what a great start to a new series!

3/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

BEYOND SCANDAL AND DESIRE by Lorraine Heath. Avon (January 30, 2018). ISBN 978-0062676009.  384p.

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SURRENDER by Joan Johnston

March 7, 2018

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A Bitter Creek Novel, Book 16

Taylor Grayhawk is a pilot who drops smoke jumpers off into the fires of a national park. But her last jumper, Brian Flynn, also happens to be her old high school flame (no pun intended!) Not to mention their families have been feuding for years. As she flies in closer, she realizes that there is no where to drop him, and then the worst happens, she loses control of the plane.

Flynn forces her to jump with him, and in doing so saves her life as the plane crashes and burns. Somehow they find a small patch of green to land in but a grizzly bear appears out of nowhere and mauls Flynn’s leg. He manages to scare off the bear and realizes it came out of a cave nearby.

They decide to take shelter in the cave, but before he can drag all his equipment inside with them, fire takes out a huge tree which falls over, completely blocking the entrance to the cave and their only way out. Luckily, there is clean water running down the rocks inside but they don’t have enough food to last very long.

Brian and Taylor have nothing much to do other than take care of his wounds and rekindle their relationship. But can it last? Will Flynn survive his wound? Will they starve to death before they are found? All good questions to be sure, but I’m not telling. Go read, it’s a fast, exciting story with a bit of sex thrown in for fun.

Johnston did her homework and learning about smoke jumpers, forest fires and firefighting in general was interesting for sure and added to the story.

I am a little confused about this series though – I read book 15 (the last book,  BLACKTHORNE’S BRIDE) and it was historical. I’ve never read a series that jumped from historical to contemporary. Am I missing something?

3/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

SURRENDER by Joan Johnston. Dell (February 27, 2018).  ISBN 978-0399177767. 416p.

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ABOUT THAT KISS by Jill Shalvis

January 23, 2018

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A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

I’ve enjoyed every book in this series and this is another good one. After receiving some bad health news, I was looking for a light, funny escape and this fit the bill perfectly.

Kylie is a woodworker who learned from the best, her grandfather. But he was killed in a terrible fire that also took much of his work. She has a special gift from him, a hand carved penguin that is such a treasure to her that she carries it with her. One day after work, she picks up her bag and notices it is open and everything spilled out, and the penguin is gone.

She is desolate, and mentions it to her boss who barely responds. Then she gets an envelope pushed through her mail slot that has a picture of the penguin in a precarious position, and she is determined to find it.

Kylie reluctantly approaches Joe Malone. He works for a private investigating company and is a real bad ass. They have a bit of history – one night at a party, she was drunk and kissed him. It was a life changing kiss for her, but he never followed up so she gave up on him. Nonetheless, she needs his help and he hers – he wants her to make a carved mirror for his sister. A deal is struck, but Kylie isn’t content to sit back and wait for Joe to find it, she insists on coming with him every step of the way.

You can see where it goes but who cares, the journey is the fun part. Another excellent entry into the Heartbreaker Bay series.

1/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ABOUT THAT KISS by Jill Shalvis.  Avon (January 23, 2018). ISBN: 978-0062741769. 272p.

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THE DUKE OF HER DESIRE by Sophie Barnes

January 15, 2018

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Diamonds in the Rough Series, Book 2

Amelia Matthews became a Lady when her brother inherited a dukedom. But he goes off on his honeymoon, asking his best friend and neighbor, Thomas Heathmore, Duke of Coventry, to not only keep an eye on his sisters but help shepherd them through society. It’s important that Amelia makes a match as that will clear the way for her younger sister to do so the next season.

What Thomas didn’t know when he agreed to this was that Amelia is quite stubborn, and has a secret plant to turn a crumbling old home on the edge of a bad neighborhood, into a free school for poor children. Thomas ends up having to help her and they both end up in danger more than once. Of course, they also fall in love but both are too stubborn to do anything about it, until they have no choice.

This was not my favorite Barnes book but I did enjoy it.

1/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE DUKE OF HER DESIRE by Sophie Barnes. Avon (December 26, 2017). ISBN: 978-0062566829. 384p.

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DARKER by E. L. James

January 11, 2018

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Fifty Shades Darker as Told by Christian

The second entry in the Fifty Shades trilogy was my favorite. It is the most like a traditional romance, albeit a contemporary, highly erotic version, so when James released the “Christian” version, I was all in.

This is from the publisher:

E L James revisits the world of Fifty Shades with a deeper and darker take on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the globe.

Their scorching, sensual affair ended in heartbreak and recrimination, but Christian Grey cannot get Anastasia Steele out of his mind, or his blood. Determined to win her back, he tries to suppress his darkest desires and his need for complete control, and to love Ana on her own terms.

But the horrors of his childhood still haunt him, and Ana’s scheming boss, Jack Hyde, clearly wants her for himself.  Can Christian’s confidant and therapist, Dr. Flynn, help him face down his demons? Or will the possessiveness of Elena, his seducer, and the deranged devotion of Leila, his former submissive, drag Christian down into the past?

And if Christian does win Ana back, can a man so dark and damaged ever hope to keep her?

If you’re a fan of the books, you’ll enjoy this one. If you’re not, this won’t change your mind. I enjoyed it.

1/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

DARKER by E. L. James.  Vintage (November 28, 2017). ISBN: 978-0385543910. 560p.

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IF EVER I SHOULD LOVE YOU by Cathy Maxwell

January 3, 2018

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The Spinster Heiresses, Book 1

The Earl of Rochdale unexpectedly inherited the title, which came with a large estate in serious disrepair and some gambling debts. Short of cash, the Earl realizes the best way to settle his newly acquired debts and fix up the crumbling house and estate is to marry rich.

The three “Spinster Heiresses” are recommended to him, and to his surprise, he knows one of them. Years earlier, Leonie Charnock had found herself in dire straights, and Rochdale saved her and her reputation, to his own great harm. Now he feels like she owes him.

Those dire straights really soured Leonie on men and marriage, not to mention her own parents and the bad example they set with their tumultuous marriage. Nevertheless, she reluctantly agrees to marry the Earl, but keeps insisting that he promise that she won’t have to sleep with him. He ignores her and the wedding takes place.

This couple has major communication problems, but no fear, they reach their happily ever after. Maxwell tells a good story with some humor and sensual scenes. A very interesting subplot deals with alcoholism, and not in the usual way, as in men in their “cups.” I’ve noticed lately that serious issues are being addressed in some historical romances, which I find adds depth to these stories.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series, A Match Made in Bed, which doesn’t come out until April, 2018.

12/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

IF EVER I SHOULD LOVE YOU by Cathy Maxwell. Avon; Reissue edition (December 26, 2017). ISBN: 978-0062655745. 368p.

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THE ART OF RUNNING IN HEELS by Rachel Gibson

December 27, 2017

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Lexie Kowalsky had the bright idea to get herself on TV. She landed a part on “Gettin’ Hitched,” the fictional country cousin of “The Bachelor.” And being the competitive beauty that she is, she wins which means she gets hitched on live TV. Instead, she leaves her groom at the altar and jumps onto the first plane out of town, piloted by a friend.

When she lands in the plane, she is surprised to see that she is not the only passenger. In fact, the gorgeous man sitting there has paid for passage home to a small town, Sandspit, Canada, and Lexie is going along for the ride.

The gorgeous hunk is the Seattle Chinooks (a fictional hockey team’s) newest star, Sean Knox. In an odd coincidence, Lexie’s father is the coach, but because she’s been busy with reality TV, she hasn’t even seen a game this season and doesn’t recognize Sean.

This is a match made in heaven, but first, they have to get through a lot of bumps along the way. It’s a super fun, sexy read and I’m happy to report this is the first book of a new series. I’m really looking forward to the next!

12/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE ART OF RUNNING IN HEELS by Rachel Gibson.  Avon (December 26, 2017). ISBN: 978-0062247476. 384p.

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BEAUTIFUL LAWMAN by Sophie Jordan

December 26, 2017

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Devil’s Rock, Book 4

Once again I start a series with the most current book rather than the first book. But it didn’t seem to matter, I loved this book anyway.

Piper Walsh grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Her family has an awful reputation which she just can’t seem to outrun, not as long as she stays in Sweet Hill. But with her brother in prison nearby, she just can’t leave. So she tries her best to take care of her younger sister and pay the bills, but it’s getting tougher all the time.

Hale Walters was one of the golden boys in high school, and is now the Sheriff of the small town. When Piper’s sister gets arrested, she is mortified, especially when she has to deal with Hale. But he has a different perspective on the Walsh family, and is willing to give them a chance if he can get past the enormous chip on Piper’s shoulder.

This was a terrific romance with Jordan’s legendary smokin’ hot loe scenes. But more than just the sex, there is a lot of heart here, and plenty of emotion. I loved it and have just checked out the first three books in the series from my library – I have a vacation coming up next week, guess what I’ll be reading?!

12/17  Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

BEAUTIFUL LAWMAN by Sophie Jordan. Avon (December 26, 2017). ISBN 978-0062666567. 368p.

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SO OVER YOU by Kate Meador

December 20, 2017

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The Chicago Rebels Series, Book 2

Ice ice baby! The Chicago Rebels are a fictional NHL hockey team whose owner has died. He’s left the team to his three estranged daughters, all from different baby mamas, with the caveat that if the team doesn’t make it to the playoffs, it will be sold off.

Hockey is one of the mysognistic sports for sure, so women owners are a rarity. In this case, Isobel Chase  is the middle sister and the one her father favored. He raised her to play professional women’s hockey, but in her first game she got seriously injured and had to leave the game. She is trying to work her way up to coaching the Rebels, and her first assignment is to work with their new left wing. Vadim Petrov, nicknamed the Czar of Pleasure, not that Isobel would call him that. He was her first lover when they were both teenagers, and she didn’t tell him she was a virgin so it was not a wonderful deflowering.

No one knows about their history until one of the players overhears her conversation about it with her younger sister. He blabs, and the gossip is thick. Meanwhile, the Czar of Pleasure has been in love with Isobel since they were together the first time, not that she knows it and he barely admits it to himself. Nonetheless, they find their way back to each other with a lot of hot sex and some real bumps in the relationship along the way.

Another Meador romance so hot the ice can’t cool it off!

12/17  Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

SO OVER YOU by Kate Meador. Pocket Books (December 19, 2017). ISBN 978-1501180897. 400p.

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