Flashpoint by Skye Jordan

Cole and Evan are best friends and work together in their fire station. After a back injury leaves Evan addicted to painkillers, Cole warns him to tell his wife Natalie, also Cole's friend. It has started affecting their relationship and Evan's performance on fire calls. But when Evan dies in a fire, Cole suffers with the guilt of not helping him more. He takes care of Natalie through her grief for two years, but when she starts dating again, he can't keep his feelings for her a secret anymore. Natalie also feels a strong attraction to him, but her fear of losing another person she loves has her keeping him at arms length. She can't accept his dangerous career. But being a fireman is everything Cole has ever wanted. Can he seriously give up the career he loves to have the only woman he's ever wanted?
I love the snuggly, comfy feel of this best friends to lovers relationship. Cole is just the perfect, dependable best friend and hunky fireman that all girls dream of having. I look forward to reading about Cole's fireman friends in the rest if this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Billionaire Blooper by Lolita Thorne

What's an attractive island resort owner supposed to think when a single woman, carrying an entire suitcase full of questionable lingerie, invades his island? She must be a prostitute. But tracking her down on a small resort island proves more difficult than he imagined, and when he finally confronts her he discovers he was completely mistaken about her. Problem is, they're trapped together in a remote suite during a raging storm. One thing leads to another and they are discovered after the storm by Cade's key investors. Knowing this will damage his island's growing reputation as a high-end resort, Cade lies and tells them Emma is his fiancée. But as time goes on, he finds himself wishing that it was the truth.

I found the storyline of this book a bit unbelievable, but it's all in good fun. The setting is beautiful, the banter is hilarious, and the chemistry is hot. Overall it was a great escape for me from the cold and gloomy grey of winter. Cuddle up with a hot cup of coffee and your favorite blankie for this vacation escape!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Six by Carrie Thorne

Ryan works on the Coast Guard ship Valkyrie, but they're not just any crew. He's a demon hunter charged with protecting the coast of Alaska against some of the worst monsters. When a woman literally drops out of thin air near his ship, he rescues her from the freezing waters. He knows she's a demon hunter like him, but when she wakes up she has no memories. They must work together to fix her amnesia. But the closer Ryan gets to Quinn, the more he wants her past to stay hidden so she'll stay with him.

This book has a lot going on! Action, adventure, friendship, romance...and monsters. I do wish there had been more chapters about Quinn's team and their recovery from the fight and search for her throughout the book instead of just the end, but I guess that makes her amnesia stand out more. I would love to read a prequel about Ryan's past with his demon hunter team. The setting on a coast guard ship was interesting and unique and I like how his crew is so accepting of him and do their best to help fight the monsters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Undercover Outlaw by Gini Rifkin

After a misunderstanding during a stagecoach holdup,  Jesse kidnaps Trinity, who just happens to be running from her own problems.  Despite being afraid of the group of outlaws,  she's strangely attracted to Jesse.  When a flood traps them in the same town, Trinity discovers that Jesse isn't the bad guy he at first seemed to be. 

It's the wild west for women.  This was a sweet historical romance perfect for snuggling up with on a cold snowy night.

Overland by Ramcy Diek

Skyla Overland is the daughter of a wealthy insurance man. She seemingly has a perfect life, at least to a man that she ruined years ago with accusatilns of fraud. He kidnaps her for months and brings her to a remote mountain cabin to care for his children. Meanwhile, her family desperately searches for her, refusing to give up.

I like how Skyla has an almost immediate connection with these neglected children. She is determined to escape but not without saving all three children from their abusive father. This story was thrilling and terrifying at the same time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery

McKenzie Dienes is an elite winemaker that married straight out of college and began working in her husband's family vineyards. She lives with him on the compound and is very close to his family,  even best friends with her sister in law. The only problem: only blood family gets to own a share of Bel Après. So when she and Rhys decide to divorce, McKenzie is left with nothing to show for her 16 years at the vineyard but a paycheck. Can she give up her home and the only family she's ever known to pursue her own dream? 

This was a beautiful story of second chances for McKenzie to live her own dreams.  I love how supportive and loving Bruno is through the whole process.  Rhys seemed understanding and patient throughout the book but I thought he was as hateful as his mother by the end. 

Thank you to Susan Mallery and Harlequin books for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A Soldier for Suzie by D.E. Haggerty

I must admit I wasn't as excited about this book, as I found the character of Suzie over the top annoying in the first two books. But she quickly grew on me. I'm glad the klutziness was toned down a little. And Grayson....! I swear he's my favorite hero of the series! He has the patience of a saint to love her personality and hang around until she finally decides they're more than friends.

Now to wait for one of my favorite characters' story...Pops! He's been awesome throughout the whole series! I sure hope there will be a book about Wally too (hint, hint, lol)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Hate Vow by C. Hallman

As the adopted and pampered only child of rich parents, Penny is outraged when they take in another foster child, Ryder. From the beginning, she shows her dislike of him, but despite that Ryder is happy in the only place he's felt like home. But then Penny lies and gets Ryder kicked out and he's hated her ever since. When she owes money to his club that she can't repay, Ryder sees a way to take his revenge.

This was darker romance than I usually read and I really hated the general attitude of the other club members against women. But I loved how protective Ryder was of her even in the beginning when he still hated her. And his dog Mojo... . He was my favorite character of the whole book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Splintered Stars by Rachel Madbury

This book drops you right into the action as Haley Quinlan and her sister Penny are attacked and Penny is kidnapped. When a mysterious stranger holds her back from trying to save her sister and ultimately getting herself killed,  Haley is at first furious with him.  But realizing there was nothing else she could have done,  Haley goes with Lucas to his home to plan her Penny's rescue. Haley learns the hard way that she is a witch,  and quite a powerful one. Lucas, as her protector and part of the Seven, must teach her the history and practice simple spells with her. But after they rescue Penny, will Haley decide to stay in her new life,  or go back to her normal boring innocent life before she knew that she was the most powerful witch in her generation? 

Lucas is such a great character. Even before they got close,  he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe and teach her what she needs to learn about her history no matter the danger to himself. I'm so excited this is a series!  I can't wait to find out what happens next! Thank you to Rachel Madbury for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch

"Six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back.

That one of us will be me."

Riley, Sammy, Mia and Scarlett met and became friends in college.  They're all artists and decide to take a vacation for a couple months to a private island in Alaska to concentrate on their art. Whisper Island belongs to a friend of Sammy's brother Rob,  and they can stay rent free. But things begin to sour before they even pack their bags when Mia finds out Rob will be coming along.  Not only was this supposed to be a girls retreat,  but Mia and Rob dated before he broke her heart and she still has feelings for him. When they arrive on the island, they discover that Rob arrived early along with an unexpected guest,  his girlfriend Opal. The house and outbuildings are a lot more dilapidated than expected and the whole island just gives of a creepy vibe. When a human skull is discovered on the property,  the friends decide they've had enough. But when they try to leave they discover their boat,  the only way off the island, has been destroyed. Vacation turns to nightmare after one of the girls is brutally murdered. With no way to call for help and no way to escape,  will any of them survive? 

By the first sentence in this book,  you know who survives and how many,  but what actually happened and why had me on the edge of my seat! What a thrill ride! I loved this creepy book.  Thank you so much to Carissa Ann Lynch and HarperCollins One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this book.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Take a Chance on Me by Beth Moran

Emma Donavan is the eldest of five daughters, and the only one not married or engaged. She makes cakes for everyone else's happily ever afters and has almost given up hope on having her own. But when her neuroscientist sister Bridget comes up with a project to match a couple by their DNA and a compatibility test, have them marry and agree to be filmed for 9 months for science, Emma decides to give it a try. But when Emma is paired with her sister's best friend Patrick, life becomes even more complicated.
Patrick has been secretly in love with Bridget for years but now that she's getting married, Patrick decides to join her compatibility project. He fudges the results in order to be paired with Emma. But will being married to the wrong sister help him forget Bridget or did he just make the biggest mistake of his life?
This one was just too unbelievable. First thing, I got lost with the introduction of too many characters, spouses, and children and it was a bit overwhelming. And while I understand the frustration and heartbreak of an unrequited love, why would you pair yourself with their sibling, being forced into constant connection within their close family group? And Emma, knowing that Patrick still has a crush on her sister, goes ahead with the marriage anyway! I just don't get it. I'm sorry but this one just gets a meh! from me.

The Shadow Man by Helen Fields

This sinister story begins in the graveyard. The Shadow Man visits this gravesite,  always the same one. "Sometimes he would dig a coffin up,  and sometimes he would bury it...until the grave was little more than a revolving door between one world and the next."

The Shadow Man,  or Fergus,  collects people,  but he doesn't keep them safe. The variety of the kidnappings has the detectives stumped so they bring in forensic psychologist Connie. She has an odd and unique way of analyzing the case, and together with DI Baarda, they must find the victims before it's too late.

I couldn't put this book down! I loved the strong character Connie and the dynamic between her and her partner Baarda. And Fergus was more twisted than any bad guy I've read about in a while. 

Thank you to Helen Fields and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A Protector for Phoebe by D.E. Haggerty

Yay, I finally found out what's up with Phoebe! From the previous book in the series A Hero for Hailey, we know Phoebe has a secretive past. She wants to become a PI like Hailey but she can't take the test if she can't pass a background check. With a little help from "Uncle" Wally she has a new identity, but the digging into her past life brings her more trouble. After a stakeout gone wrong, she's rescued by a hot bounty hunter, Ryker. But he has secrets all his own. Can Phoebe trust him with her past...and her heart.

Ooo, I love this hot bad boy. In the words of Suzie "We're busy staring at the scary dude go all gentle when he looks at you". I love Pops and the uncles in this series. They're tough and protective but also loving and absolutely hilarious! I can't wait to find out what happens next in the series

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Hero for Hailey by D.E. Haggerty

Hailey's had a crush on Aiden since high school, but years later when they literally bump into each other, he doesn't even know who she is. But after some time together, he proves that he wasn't as unaware of her as she thought.

This book was full of really great humor, from the funny texts starting every chapter to pops and the "uncles" jokes and antics. The relationship between Hailey and Aiden was sweet and sexy. I can't wait to find out why Phoebe is so shy and secretive about her past. And as a fellow klutz, I sympathize with Suzie's character. She is bubbly and fun, but the over the top klutziness is a little hard to believe. I hope it's toned down a bit in the third book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this free copy through Booksirens. The views and opinions in this book are completely my own.