The Architect of Deception by Debbie Baldwin

 

The Architect of Deception by Debbie Baldwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a new-to-me author so I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I sat down to read (actually devour) this book. I planned to sit and read for a couple of hours and take a break for life but found myself reading this one all in one setting.

It starts off slow, simply because there is a lot of background information to be laid. Kinda like a real life murder investigation...it has to start out slow but also with a sense of urgency so that the culprit doesn't get away. However, when it picks up, WOAH NELLIE!!! I wasn't quite ready for that roller coaster ride just yet. I was still warming up but these characters were like, Nah, we're going!

I made a list, checked it a few times for my suspects and I was still wrong. Every time. Every turn of the page came a new revelation that had me second guessing everything. There are plot twists you never see coming, a couple were suspected, and the story is not near what I thought it would be. It was so much better than that!!

Read this one and thank me later. It does contain R rated content, so keep that in mind when picking this one up. I wasn't aware that it would be like this. If you can block all of that out, it's still a great story overall.

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The Wrong Time for Love (The Anderson Sisters Book 3) by Jennifer Raines

 

The Wrong Time for Love by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've enjoyed every story that has been woven by Jennifer Raines so far. This is a shorter read and like most of her stories, I found myself wanting her to write just one more chapter or two in this story. She writes very authentic, emotionally gripping stories that have you feeling like the characters are your friends or members of your own family. The story of Helen and Bluey is no different.

Both Helen and Bluey have experienced devastating losses in their lives. They aren't doing the best with coping with these losses, as is the case in many situations. Helen is trying to keep her head and her farm above water while Bluey is working to ease the pain. They find common ground but at what expense to their families?

Buckle up and plan on reading this one all in one sitting!!

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Flash Point (Pinegrove FB Novel #4) by Libby Kay

 

Flash Point by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Javi Ortiz is well known around Pinegrove. He's a firefighter and heats up relationships faster than a 5 alarm fire to move on to the next lady with his casual dating style. He's quite the ladies man but has recently decided he's ready to slow down and maybe even settle down.

Lola Peabody and her daughter are looking for a quiet, quaint town to live in. Lola is a photographer trying to get herself established in her new life. She's not looking for love or drama!

Pinegrove is a very small community so it's almost impossible not to run into the same people everyday. Lola and Javi seem to find each other all the time and it's soon just easier to get over denial of the feelings and let the relationship go where it will.

A great series and each book can be read as a standalone. Characters from previous books in the series do make small appearances so if you're curious about the relationships, be sure to read them all! You should just read them all anyway!

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Dodging Mr. Right (Hooked In Series) by Anastasia Alexander

 

Dodging Mr. Right: A Novel by Anastasia Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tiffany is pretty happy with the life she has planned out for herself. Everything is going just as planned until the job promotion comes with an added bonus she was not expecting. Not only is she being promoted, but she now has to travel with the most annoying nephew of her employer.

Xander is very free-spirited, quite the opposite of Tiffany, and together they are going to travel around evaluating different accounts that are undertaken by the company that Tiffany works for. She's not sure she can handle this wild and crazy man in her life, she'd just assume do the work herself.

This is another fun read by this new-to-me author. This is third book I've read by her, but I have not read them in order. It's all good though because these are stand alone reads. This has been a great series and I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's works. She does a great job of creating characters that are realistic and could be your family and/or friends.

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Catching Mr. Perfect (Hooked In Series #3) by Anastasia Alexander

 

Catching Mr. Perfect: A Novel by Anastasia Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There probably aren't a lot of women reading this book that can avoid finding some common ground with Opal. She is the picture of most modern women today. She's hardworking and doing her best to stay afloat, all while balancing thousands of other things in the background. I am Opal!

Denver shows up one day and leaves a huge mess, which causes Opal loss of time and finances. He keeps coming back like a sore thumb wanting to help out and he asks a lot of questions. Opal just doesn't have the time but maybe if she made some for him, things would get better.

This book is very relatable with characters that feel like family and friends. This book is a stand alone in a part of a great series by this new-to-me author. I'm really enjoying her books!

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Whispers in the Night by J.C. Valentine

 

Whispers in the Night by J.C. Valentine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love a good book that keeps me so engaged that I can read it in one setting without missing a beat. This is one of those books! Harper walked away from her FBI career but there's a case just keeps haunting her. Too many similarities are popping up and she fears that she may know more than she'd like about the identity of the suspect. She puts her cap back on and decides to solve this one for good. However, she's met her match in Detective Silas Kane. He's quick to let her know she's not welcome here. Harper starts seeing his mistakes and does her best to work together with him. Together, can they solve this case before more women end up dead?

This is an enemies to lovers style read and I really enjoy the ones where the relationships take time and a lot of work to get to that point. This is a great example of that. I really enjoyed the storyline and was kept engaged the entire time. I do want to go back and read the first book. This is a standalone series but there is an overarching between them all. I look forward to reading more by this author.

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Perfect by Maria Jane

 

Perfect by Maria Jane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a fun story to read! I love how Chloe grows and matures throughout and oh the choices she has to make!! This is a clean romance novel that you should probably devour in one sitting! I highly recommend this one!


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Highway to Happy: A Soulful, Heart-Tugging Romance by Kelly Fletcher

 

Highway to Happy: A soulful, heart-tugging romance by Kelly Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes you just need to go on a road trip...I can totally relate!! Get away, clear your head, fall in love....oh wait, that wasn't supposed to happen!

Keri is from a small town in Georgia and her first impression of Adam is that he's homeless and sharing his last bite with this dog. This is a touching, heartwarming clean romance that will have you wanting to jump into the pages and be part of this story. There are tender, emotional moments followed by some very raw, truthful ones too.

This is a story that you won't want to put down until you've finished it!

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His Last Christmas Gift: A Later in Life Romance Set in the Christmas Markets of France by Debra Borchert

 

His Last Christmas Gift: A Later in Life Romance Set in the Christmas Markets of France by Debra Borchert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a refreshing read on a really hot day!! I can read Christmas novels year round and get into all the feels of them. This story has humor and romance, along with the delights of France. Clair is such a fun character and I really enjoyed this story.

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Curve Balls and Commitments: Pickwick Pirate Queens Softball Romance Book 2 by Susan Boles

 

Curve Balls and Commitments: Pickwick Pirate Queens Softball Romance Book 2 by Susan Boles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been Tasha's dream to open up a dance studio. Her eyes is on the prize and the paperwork is submitted only to find out that someone else beat her to the punch and got her perfect location. As she begins the search again, during softball season of all times, a new guy arrives in town named Derek. He's handsome and definitely not from Pickwick Bend. She's also run into Eli, a local EMT who grew up in Pickwick Bend, left, and is now back. Both men start to woo her and she's having to figure out who to spend her time with. Softball is also her passion and as the pitcher for the Pickwick Pirates, she's got to be on her game.

It comes down to choices and who do you trust for Tasha. Will the town she loves back her up when the going gets tough? Will the Pickwick Pirates win this years championship? Will Tasha be able to find the perfect space to open up her studio?

This was a great short read that took me just under two hours to read start to finish. I do feel like the last 3-4 chapters were a bit redundant and unnecessary. Otherwise, a nice clean romance novel with a hint of mystery.

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Finding Cleo: A Sensual Romantic Suspense by Jennifer Raines

 

Finding Cleo: A Sensual Romantic Suspense by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Jennifer Raines and this book did not disappoint! It has everything you'd want in terms of emotions: happiness, sadness, worry, regret, love, anger, and the list goes on! She spends a good deal of time getting you emotionally invested in the lives of her characters to the point that you feel like they may be your next door neighbor. Then you just can't help but be sucked into the story and before you know it, a few hours have passed by and your done reading the story. This one is no exception!

Let's talk about this book cover first though....it's gorgeous! I love the setting and the colors. Book covers often times don't get enough credit. While I realize that they are rarely in the control of the author, they deserve some love too!

Cleo is doing everything she can to live her life without her father, who was "accidentally killed" while doing some research. For all intents and purposes, she's without her mother too but by choice after she moved on with her life and another man.

Jack is interested in the unsolved mystery of a Scandinavian man and soon learns the whereabouts of his daughter. He's interested in pairing up with her to see if they can put this mystery to bed....but Jake's also trying to see what, or who else, he can put to bed.

There are twists and turns, ups and downs and Cleo and Jack seek out answers about Cleo's dad. They learn more about each other and have an undeniable attraction that needs to be investigated as well.

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Lane and the Inventor by Amy Q. Barker

 

Lane and the Inventor: Small town, second chance, sweet and steamy romance by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a part of a series but can easily be read as a standalone.

If you're looking for a slow-burn romance that is full of deep emotion, this one's for you! It's a beautiful story of Logan and Lane. An adventurer and a recluse. A story of love lost and found. Some steamy moments, some tender moments, and sometimes you just want to smack someone moments.

Curl up and enjoy this story and come back for more of Ms. Barker's work!

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Fabulously Flawed: A Small-Town Contemporary Romance (Keeney Builds Series #3) by Lynne Hancock Pearson

 

Fabulously Flawed: A small-town contemporary romance by Lynne Hancock Pearson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Carl and Sylvie have history together but neither of them are excited about reliving it anytime soon. Carl has made it clear that he's back in Keeney for as short a period of time as possible. He's devoted to caring for his grandmother but then finds himself working temporarily for the family business. Sometimes life has a funny way of putting people in your path (or back in your path) that you didn't know you needed.

Carl and Sylvie are easy characters to fall in love with! Enjoy spending a few hours in their story!

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Drama, Drama, Drama by Cori Cooper

 

Drama Drama Drama by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carmen is a character that most people will find that they easily identify with. Her parents have recently decided that the family is moving away from Los Angeles to a very small town with only one stoplight. Carmen feels like her life is over!!!

This book is full of humor on just about every page and you may find yourself rolling your eyes at the overly dramatic antics of Carmen. However, by the end of the story, you'll have a new appreciation for Carmen in the growth that she makes.

I am a fan of Cori Cooper! Her books are fun and witty and will leave you wanting to read more of her great stories.

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The General's Gift (The Swans of Paris #2) by Giovanna Siniscalchi

 

The General's Gift by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Giovanna Siniscalchi and this story in this series is probably my favorite of hers...so far!

Celeste is colorful, fun loving, care-free, and has no idea where she came from. Hawk sees life in black and white, is grumpy, and is charge of transforming Celeste into the person she's intended to be. Neither can imagine where all this is going and may be surprised by the outcome.

Giovanna has woven another beautiful story with poetry, humor, war, and so much more. Be sure to pick this one up and give it a read!

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Old Flames (Pinegrove FD Novel #2) by Libby Kay

 

Old Flames by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of Libby Kay and this book and series is no exception! She writes clean, quirky romance novels with great characters and plot lines. I'm loving this series because of the focus on emergency personnel, specifically fireman and firewomen this time around.

JJ has spent a good deal of time travelling with the Peace Corps and now she's realizing just how lonely she is feeling. Smithy is a Firefighter/EMT and loves his job but feels that something, or rather, someone, is missing from his life. An unfortunate event finds Smithy unable to work and JJ at his bedside. If they are given a second chance at love, will they take it?

If you're new to this series, it's not necessary to read the first book before reading this. There are characters that make appearances that you may want to know the back story on though. Prepare to fall in love with Pine Grove and it's residents too! It's a place I'd like to visit (if it actually existed) and JJ and Smithy are people I would definitely hang out with around town.

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An Independent Innocent: A Sweet Regency Romance by Meredith Bond

 

An Independent Innocent: A Sweet Regency Romance by Meredith Bond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Victoria Barrett is fearful she may never marry. Her parents have dismissed every suitor that has come her way and she's battling to find her way in life. The Lady inherits, rather unexpectedly, a country estate and she's finally feeling like she may be able to break free from her parents.

Her neighbor Thomas, Earl of Brentwood has an estate that is flooded and unfarmable. He's hoping to purchase the abandoned estate next door when Lady Victoria moves in. Life changes pretty quickly for the two of them and they find themselves unable to stay away from each other.

This is a great read that shows the independent nature of Lady Victoria. There are bits of wit and humor scattered throughout, and of course, a romance!

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The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

 

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very enjoyable book to listen to while I was out getting some fresh air. The narrators did a great job conveying the story of their characters. There were times that I became a bit confused about the storyline but overall, it was still enjoyable. The quest to find the missing manuscript was my favorite part of the story.

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Blackmailed (The Brown's of Butcher Hill #2) by Holly Bush

 

Blackmailed by Holly Bush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Holly Bush has a way of pulling you into the story and you find yourself reading an entire book in one setting! This is the second book in the series, and I strongly recommend you read these in order to get the proper backstory.

This is a very loyal, passionate, crime-fighting family who once again finds themselves in the midst of a mystery. Sarah finds a dead man at the back of the dress shop where she is employed. Virginia can't seem to get Phillip off her mind. Together, the three of them work to solve a mystery of death, but also of love, family, and the ties that bind.

I can't leave this review without commenting on the beautiful cover of this novel!! I love the yellow dress and the scene that is displayed! It's one thing that drew me to this book and this series.

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Montana Delta Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector by Debra Parmley

 

Montana Delta Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector by Debra Parmley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great read by Debra Parmley!

Emma Pearl (I love her name) is on the run from the Mexican cartels in Montana. She ends up changing her name (I still love her) and finds herself in need of a bodyguard. She finds herself in some precarious situations and with the help of Nathan and Destry, finds some solace.

I loved this story from beginning to end. There were a few slow spots but sometimes it's needed to allow for breathing. I love that there is a male nurse featured in this story. They don't get enough credit!

Great read!

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