Review - Bear Fur The Princess by Aya Morningstar

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of --

Bear Fur The Princess: A BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance (SHIFT Squad Book 4) by Aya Morningstar

Overall star rating --- 5

About the book:

Greybear Bjornberg is an ex-SEAL turned bodyguard. He’s tall and chiseled as a mountain, unstoppably powerful, and fiercely protective. Guarding people for cold hard cash is growing old, and he’s longing for the warm embrace of his mate—if he can ever find her. When his boss ships him off to Ireland to track down a killer, he figures it’s just another job. He loads his gun and hops on a plane, but when he runs across Nessa Cliffmoor and her luscious curves, he knows he won’t be firing blanks.

Nessa Cliffmoor is the heir to her clan’s throne. She’s an Irish dragon shifter with fiery red hair and a temper to match. When a traitor poisons her father, her clan wants to marry her off to an outsider and steal the crown. Just when she thinks she’s all alone, Greybear Bjornberg swears to protect her. He’s cocky and a total brute, but with those bulging muscles and that chiseled jaw, how can she refuse?

They join forces to fight for Nessa’s legacy, and their romance erupts and heats up hotter than dragon’s fire. Soon, Graybear will have much more to fight for, as the fate of the Cliffmoor clan rests on the shoulders of his unborn child.

Book creation ratings -- Max. total of 30 possible --

Overall total, out of 30 -- 30

-- Story & characters -- 10

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing & formatting -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The review --

Mix in dragon shifters and a bear shifter, one who is of an awesome height, and it makes for a fine mix. There's an almost forbidden attraction between the dragon shifter and the bear shifter, which makes for a most delicious read. Evil forces are poisoning her father and trying to steal the throne, and those are the forces they must fight against. In amidst it all, there is a growing attraction between the two that they can't resist. It's a great book that has a wonderful ending.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- paranormal romance

Age recommendations -- 17 plus

Sex content rating -- moderate to high

Violence rating -- moderate to high

Links for the book:

Buy it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Fur-Princess-Paranormal-Shifter-ebook/dp/B01GN7JIYC

Author's Amazon page

https://www.amazon.com/Aya-Morningstar/e/B017US4VPY/

Author's facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/ayabearnextdoor/

Author's website

http://www.ayamorningstar.com/

Review - Regulated for Murder by Suzanne Adair

Reviewed by -- Maegan        

** Note - this review is by a member of the review team that this blog used to have. Even though the team has been retired, I still have some reviews of theirs to share. ** 

Book Review of --

Regulated for Murder: A Michael Stoddard American Revolution Thriller by Suzanne Adair        

Overall star rating --- 5   

    

About the book:

For ten years, an execution hid murder. Then Michael Stoddard came to town.

Bearing a dispatch from his commander in coastal Wilmington, North Carolina, redcoat Lieutenant Michael Stoddard arrives in Hillsborough in February 1781 in civilian garb. He expects to hand a letter to a courier working for Lord Cornwallis, then ride back to Wilmington the next day. Instead, Michael is greeted by the courier's freshly murdered corpse, a chilling trail of clues leading back to an execution ten years earlier, and a sheriff with a fondness for framing innocents--and plans to deliver Michael up to his nemesis, a psychopathic British officer.

Book creation ratings

Overall total, out of 30 -- 29        

-- Story & characters -- 10        

-- Cover & title -- 10        

-- Editing & formatting -- 9        

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The review --

This story take place during the beginning of the United States of America. The author has done a wonderful job setting the story so much so that it feels like the reader has traveled back in time to witness the events first hand. The characters are wonderfully developed. The reader can truly understand how the characters are feeling as the story unfolds. I enjoyed how the author has the characters depend on someone who could easily be mistreated and underplayed due to being handicap. It shows that everyone has a role to play. This story is definitely a page turn so make sure to clear your schedule once you get into it you won't be able to put it down. There is some fight, flirtation, and murder scenes that could be much for younger readers.                

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- Murder Mystery        

Age recommendations -- 16 due to sex and violence        

Sex content rating -- mild-mostly just flirting and such        

Violence rating -- moderate        

** The author's links **

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Regulated-Murder-Stoddard-Revolution-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005V334M2/

Amazon author page

https://www.amazon.com/Suzanne-Adair/e/B003WH8Q36/

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/Suzanne.Adair.Author/

Website

http://www.suzanneadair.net/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/Suzanne_Adair

Review - Dragonspell by Danyelle Leafty

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of --

Dragonspell (The Fairy Godmother Dilemma Book 0) by Danyelle Leafty 

Overall star rating --- 3.5

About the book:

A fairy godmother can never catch a break.

Nerissa should have been getting ready to celebrate another successful Happily Ever After. Instead, she has to track down her runaway DID—Damsel in Distress—who may or may not have been kidnapped by a dragon.

A dragon who happens to be a close, personal friend.

But time is running out. Her DID has attracted the attention of some very powerful winds bent on gaining their freedom—and they aren’t above using her DID to gain it.

So that’s one fairy tale temporarily on hold while Nerissa deals with a dragon, seven errant winds, and her DID.

Because if there’s one thing a fair godmother won’t tolerate, it’s an Unhappily Ever After.

Book creation ratings

Overall total, out of 30 possible -- 23

-- Story & characters -- 7

-- Cover & title -- 8

-- Editing & formatting -- 8

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The review --

The only character that I really liked was the long suffering fairy godmother. She got nothing but a raw deal throughout the book. The princess came off as selfish and inconsiderate, thinking mainly of herself and what she wanted. The other characters came off as somewhat selfish and mean. There isn't really any happily ever after to this book. It is a well written book, if you get into this type of story. It just never did really catch with me.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- fairy tale, fantasy

Age recommendations -- 12 and up

Sex content rating -- none

Violence rating -- mild

** The author's links **

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Dragonspell-Fairy-Godmother-Dilemma-Book-ebook/dp/B0167NGEBM/

Amazon author page

https://www.amazon.com/Danyelle-Leafty/e/B005MEQS6E/

Website

http://curiousleafpress.com/

http://www.danyelleleafty.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/danyelleleafty?lang=en

Review - Always Remember by Sheila Seabrook

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of -- Always Remember (A Rocky Mountain Contemporary Romance Book 1) by Sheila Seabrook

Overall star rating --- 5

About the book:

A midnight summons from rancher Nate Coltrane brings singer Jessie Adams back to the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Seventeen years ago, Jessie gave up Nate’s child for adoption and she hasn’t been home since. How can she sit by her mother’s side, surrounded by constant reminders of all she loved and lost? How can she face Nate without telling him the truth about the child he never knew existed?

Nate doesn't think Jessie has the guts to return home and face him, but when she does, he’s afraid of losing everything he loves…for the second time in his life. But he’s made a promise. Bring Jessie home. Give her mother one last opportunity to heal the rift with her daughter. Nate will do anything for Jessie’s mother because if not for her, he might never have known the love of his child.

But sometimes the truth turns out to be a lie…

Book creation ratings:

Overall total -- 26 out of a possible 30

-- Story & characters -- 9

-- Cover & title -- 8

-- Editing & formatting -- 9

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The review --

This is a great book with a great story, and there's good characters that you can get into. It's a page turner and will hold your interest from beginning to end. If you like romance novels, then this is a good one to add to your collection.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- romance

Age recommendations -- 18 plus

Sex content rating -- moderate to hot

Violence rating -- nil, none

Links for the book:

Buy it on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Always-Remember-Mountain-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B00EGPNEEO/

Author's Amazon page

https://www.amazon.com/Sheila-Seabrook/e/B0076ALJ2K/

Author's facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/SheilaSeabrookAuthor

Author's website

http://www.sheilaseabrook.com/

Review - Mad Shadows by Joe Bonadonna

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of -- Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser by Joe Bonadonna

Overall star rating --- 5

About the book:

Valdar is a city of swordslingers and necromancers, witch cults and halfhuman races. It’s a city in a world of darkness, black magic and creatures of the night . . . a city where demonic entities serve the needs of any witch or magicman who can open a doorway into their domain.

This is my city. This is my world.

With a special dowsing rod, I can detect the ectoplasmic residue of any supernatural presence or demonic entity and sense the vestiges of odylic power and vile sorcery used in the commission of crimes. I hunt anyone and anything that poses a threat to the people of my city. My name’s Dorgo. Folks call me the Dowser.

From infernal depths where lost souls mutate into hell-spawned devils, from the other side of the veil that separates the earthly from the unearthly, from an ancient land whose borders cross into other dimensions, Mad Shadows—The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser, will transport you to a world where sentient shadows, vengeful vampires, malevolent puppets, and raging werewolves haunt the night . . . a world where life is cheap and souls are always up for sale.

Book creation ratings:

Overall total -- 30 out of a possible 30

-- Story & characters -- 10

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing & formatting -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The review --

Just from the cover of this book, and the description, I wasn't sure if I would like it. But I did, I loved it! This is an excellent, very well written book. If you like science fiction and fantasy, you'll like this. The connecting thread throughout all the stories is that of the main character of Dorgo. I love this character. He's everything you would want of a main character. The author has surrounded the main character of Dorgo with a wealth of other characters that are equally as fascinating as Dorgo. The book combines elements of fantasy and paranormal, all into one wild land.  For me, this was one of those 'can't put it down' books that I devoured until I reached the last page. 

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- science fiction, fantasy, paranormal

Age recommendations -- 15 and up

Sex content rating -- minimal

Violence rating -- quite a bit

Links for the book:

Buy it on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Shadows-Weird-Tales-Dowser-ebook/dp/B004NNUYLK/

Author's Amazon page

https://www.amazon.com/Joe-Bonadonna/e/B009I1KYIK/ 

Author's facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/BonadonnasBookshelf/ 

Author's website

http://dorgoland.blogspot.com/ 

Review - Love, Christmas by various authors

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of --

Love, Christmas - Holiday stories that will put a song in your heart! by various authors

Overall star rating --- 5

About the book:

Put a song in your heart with 20 all-new Christmas Romances from NY Times, USA Today, and national best-selling authors. Each brand-new title is inspired by a Christmas carol and will lift your spirits and bring on the holiday cheer.

We Need a Little Christmas by Leanne Banks - Can a handsome cynic become a Christmas believer? 

Frosty the Snowman by Mimi Barbour - Stranded in an Alaskan snowstorm, strangers Hali and Terry are forced to rely on each other for survival.   

Last Christmas by Joan Reeves - Annabelle gave him her heart, but Rick threw it away. He wants redemption, she wants revenge. 

Holly Jolly Christmas by Mona Risk - Pregnant at 18. Adoption would save the baby's future but may cost her the man she loves.

Do You Hear What I Hear? by Patricia Rosemoor - Live-in-lovers Shelley and Jake are now in a cold war of their own over Christmas.

White Christmas by Rebecca York - Was she in a coma, or was she in a Christmas fantasy?

So This is Christmas by Denise Devine - He was her child nemesis, now he's her best friend forever. 

Grown Up Christmas List by Donna Fasano - All she wants for Christmas is to feel safe... then she meets her guardian angel. 

Blue Christmas by the Sea by Traci Hall - Alone for Christmas, Tamsyn helps mystery writer Evan find his mojo--love is a gift neither can refuse.

Santa Baby by Taylor Lee - Lily's only hope was that this time, he wouldn't be able to find her.

Let It Snow by Stephanie Queen - A stranger and a snow storm on Christmas Eve create the ultimate test for Dane & Shana.

Merry, Did You Know? by Jennifer St. Giles - Can a Christmas Miracle change the future of a woman who doesn't believe in love and a man who can't love again?

O Christmas Tree by Alicia Street - Can Piper convince Cody to let go of his painful past and embrace the hope of Christmas and possibly love?

Sleigh Ride by Katy Walters - Miss Sophia Vale faces poverty. Enter the Earl of Breconbridge, renowned as a rake hell with a conscience.

Deck the Hearts by Rachelle Ayala - Can Holly's jolly Christmas spirit help Grinch Gordon Gills save the town of Christmas Creek?

Silver Bells by Jacquie Biggar - Can a Christmas wish bring two stubborn souls together and give a little girl the gift she wants?

Hark the Herald Angel Falls by Michele Hauf - To earn her halo, angel Merit must convince the person who holds her earthly soul in limbo--her husband--to stop loving her.

Little Drummer Boy by Dani Haviland - How could a mere drummer boy help those stranded in the worst winter storm of the 18th century?

I'll Be Home For Christmas by Nancy Radke - When former a former Navy SEAL plucks a woman from the Mediterranean Sea, he discovers a fighter tougher than he.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Cynthia Cooke - A big city girl reunites with a small town boy--magic. A Santa in need of an elf--Christmas magic.

Book creation ratings --

Overall total, out of 30 -- 30

-- Story & characters -- 10

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing & formatting -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The Christmas Quotient --- 7

** The scale runs from 1-7 trees, and rates Christmassyness. **

The review --

This is a very delightful Christmas box set. All the stories are inspired by Christmas songs! That's so neat and so different. Another thing that makes this box set different is you have a blend of genres, as there is historical romance stories too.

It's wonderful collection of stories by a great group of authors, several of whom I'm familiar with. This is a great box set for any time of the year, not just Christmas. And there's not a clunker in the set, as all books are 3 stars and better. Many are 5 star stories. I enjoyed reading it and highly recommend this box set. You definitely get your money's worth, and get to meet several different authors.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- romance, historical romance

Age recommendations -- 17 plus

Sex content rating -- mild

Violence rating -- mild

Links for the book:

Buy it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYLBF86/

Review - Sweet Christmas Kisses 3

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of --

Sweet Christmas Kisses 3: A Bundle of 17 Wholesome Holiday Romances

Overall star rating --- 5

About the book:

Ring in the holiday season with 17 all-new, stand-alone stories from New York Times, USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Sweet Christmas Kisses 3 takes you around the globe from small-town USA, to London, England, and even to Africa. Don't miss out on this sweet romance boxed set that's sure to touch your heart, make you smile, and put you in the mood for Christmas.

Mona Risk, On Christmas Eve

Christine Bush, Christmas Holly

Lyn Cote, Mistletoe and Sage

Denise Devine, A Merry Little Christmas

Raine English, The Christmas Gift

Shanna Hatfield, Untangling Christmas

Ciara Knight, A Christmas on Miracle Mountain

Milou Koenings, The Kampala Peppermint Twist

Magdalena Scott, The Road Not Taken

Roxanne Rustand, A London Christmas

Alicia Street, Her Christmas Secret

Kristin Wallace, Falling For You at Christmas

Merrillee Whren, Second Chance Christmas

Cindy Flores Martinez, Christmas Eve Wedding

Victoria Pinder, Secret Wish

Josie Riviera, Candleglow and Mistletoe

Pat Simmons, Couple by Christmas

Book creation ratings -- Max. total of 30 possible --

Overall total, out of 30 -- 28

-- Story & characters -- 8

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing & formatting -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The Christmas Quotient --- 7

** The scale runs from 1-7 trees, and rates Christmassyness. **

The review --

This is a fun box set to read, whether at Christmas or any other time of the year. There's a great group of romance stories here, from an esteemed group of writers. If you like romance, this is one to grab and read, especially since sometimes these box sets like this are available for only a limited time.

I really enjoyed reading this one, and of course, as with any box set, there are some you enjoy more than others. But, there wasn't a clunker in the set at all. All books in the box set are 3 or above. It's an excellent box set that makes for great reading any time of the year.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- romance

Age recommendations -- 17 plus

Sex content rating -- mild

Violence rating -- mild

Links for the book:

Buy it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Christmas-Kisses-Wholesome-Romances-ebook/dp/B01JV3L154

Review - Find Me a Home by Mimi Barbour

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of --

Find Me a Home (Holiday Heartwarmers Book 3) by Mimi Barbour

Overall star rating --- 3

About the book:

Wheelchair bound, Amelia Lloyd is embarrassed when the neighbor calls the police to deal with her out-of-control brother. Her old dog tries to protect her but it takes the combined efforts of a handsome police Sergeant and a crabby puppy to put a stop to her sibling’s shenanigans. At first, she hates to be caught in such a situation. But then she accepts an important truth. The big-hearted man, her savior, wouldn’t have come into her life otherwise.

Sergeant Harley Carlton is exhausted from dealing with a car accident where everyone is killed except for the darling cherub who decides she’s his daddy. How can a man with a heart as big as his, correct the precious little orphan? Within a few hours, he gets a call to save a blonde-haired beauty from her crazy brother. So how can a man fall in love twice in one night?

Book creation ratings -- Max. total of 30 possible --

Overall total, out of 30 -- 25

-- Story & characters -- 7

-- Cover & title -- 9

-- Editing & formatting -- 9

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The Christmas Quotient --- 1

** The scale runs from 1-7 trees, and rates Christmassyness. **

The review --

Okay, this book ranked real low on my Christmassy scale because it gets off to a rather gruesome start; an accident where 2 people are killed. The story gets better as it goes along, but the beginning of it doesn't win me over. There is a rather sad theme that runs through it, although it does have a nice enough ending. But it's not a real Christmassy book, and not one of my faves.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- romance

Age recommendations -- 18 plus

Sex content rating -- moderate

Violence rating -- moderate, gruesome accident scene

Links for the book:

Buy it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Find-Home-Holiday-Heartwarmers-Book-ebook/dp/B0192MR6GW/

Author's Amazon page

https://www.amazon.com/Mimi-Barbour/e/B0051EAN52/

Visit her blog at

http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com

Sign up for her monthly newsletter

http://mimibarbour.com/contact.html#newsletter

Follow Mimi on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page-203964072966134/

Follow her on Twitter

https://twitter.com/MimiBarbour

Review - Gingerbread Bride By Jude Knight

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of --

Gingerbread Bride By Jude Knight

Overall star rating --- 5

About the book:

Lieutenant Rick Redepenning has been saving his admiral’s intrepid daughter from danger since their formative years, but today, he faces the gravest of threats--the damage she might do to his heart. How can he convince her to see him as a suitor, not just a childhood friend?

Travelling with her father’s fleet has left Mary Pritchard ill-prepared for London Society, and prey to the machinations of false friends. When she strikes out on her own to find a more suitable locale to take up her solitary spinsterhood, she finds adventure, trouble, and her girlhood hero, riding once more to her rescue.

This novella first appeared in the Bluestocking Belles box set Mistletoe, Marriage, and Mayhem.

Book creation ratings --

Overall total, out of 30 -- 30

-- Story & characters -- 10

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing & formatting -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The review --

He's rescued her, so many times, that it's become second nature for him to rescue her. And she doesn't intend to get into the fixes she does, but still, she finds herself there. This is a deliciously wonderful romance novel with an air of fun and danger about it. I love it!

The characters are bright and crisp, and leap off the page. This is such an enchanting story. She so surprised when he shows up to rescue her, and he's not surprised to find her in need of rescuing. A wonderful book with a great ending, one you'll definitely want to read.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- historical romance

Age recommendations -- 17 and up

Sex content rating -- none

Violence rating -- mild

Links for the book:

Buy it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Gingerbread-Bride-Golden-Redepennings-Knight-ebook/dp/B01ETPM1VC/

Buy it on smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/632513

Author's Amazon page

https://www.amazon.com/Jude-Knight/e/B00RG3SG7I/

Author's twitter

https://twitter.com/JudeKnightBooks?lang=en

Author's website

http://judeknightauthor.com/