Review: Saddle Up (Hot Cowboy Nights #4) by Victoria Vane

****3.5 Stars****

I'd like to start my review by expressing how much I admire Victoria Vane's writing. I've been fortunate enough to review a few of her books now - both in this series (Hot Cowboy Nights) and the Hotel Rodeo series - both of which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Although I absolutely loved this story I found the writing style changed in this book and I didn't feel that it flowed as well. It felt a little choppy to me.
It also ends quite abruptly in my opinion and is wrapped up so quickly that I felt slightly robbed.

That being said, Miranda and Keith are great characters and their tumultuous story pulls you in and begs you to root for this couple from different worlds.

Can two people who seem so different use the spark that ignites and blazes between them to overcome their differences? Or are their pasts destined to get in the way?

Despite any criticism, if you're looking for a sweet story, you'll not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Vivienne Kauffer 

Award-winning author Victoria Vane lets loose the fourth in the Hot Cowboy Nights series

WILD HORSES COULDN'T BRING THEM TOGETHER...
With exceptional talent and looks, cowboy "horse whisperer" Keith Russo once had the world at his feet - until his career was unwittingly destroyed by an aspiring filmmaker. After being rejected by his family for exploiting his Native American heritage, Keith has no choice but to turn back to his humble beginnings as a wild horse wrangler.

BUT MAYBE THEIR PASSION CAN...
Miranda Sutton always dreamed of making films, until wild mustangs captured her heart. But turning her grandmother's Montana ranch into a wild horse sanctuary proves harder than she thought. She needs someone who knows wild horses. Keith and the mustangs need each other. And while working together to save the herd, Keith and Miranda discover a passion as wild as the mustangs they love.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TdLXjl

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TbNBay

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Review: Never Give You Up (McCoy's Boys #2) by Shady Grace

****4 Stars****

Never Give You Up is the second book in the McCoy's Boys series. I read the first book, Beautiful Criminal and thoroughly enjoyed it.

We met Mary briefly in book #1 so I knew a bit of her back story. It is explained in this book but I recommend reading book #1 first.

Terry is a great character. Torn between what he wants from life and what is expected of him from his father, he can't seem to find his place.

When his father orders him to take a break, he finds himself face to face with Mary.
Mary is only just rediscovering herself after the dramatic events that took place on her mountain. Despite being attracted to Terry, she's wary and not eager to put herself or her feelings on the line.

There's plenty of drama backstabbing to keep you hooked. The sub-characters are great too and I hope to get Sam's story next.

All in all, an enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Vivienne Kauffer

A life of crime—or a lifetime of love?Mary Billing knows her solitary mountain life is over when a handsome stranger blows on to her land in an unmarked chopper. Terry McCoy is not only dangerous to the pretty widow’s shattered senses, he’s a hardened criminal no woman in her right mind would fall for. Yet there’s something tender about Terry—something that makes her surrender to his searing touch. Now Mary is in deep—deep enough to be taken hostage by a villain whose true target is Terry…

The son of a notorious crime boss, Terry is about to take over his murdered father’s multi-million dollar empire. But first there’s the little matter of avenging his father’s death—and rescuing the one woman he knows could turn his hard-bitten life around. Terry never wanted a life of crime, but suddenly he’s ready to do just about anything to bring Mary back…

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1VX1Xfz

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/23QPlWq

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Review: The Harder He Falls (Kick #1) by Lynda Aicher

****4 Stars****

This is quite an intense read as the main character is so damaged and intense.

We meet Grady at a low point in his life when what should have been the start of a promising new beginning for him is derailed be an accident that has left his cousin in a coma and a co-worker dead. He meets Micah, a volunteer patient visitor, at his cousin’s bedside in what could have been a quite humorous situation if he wasn’t wound so tight, and Micah offers to help Grady understand his cousin’s situation that he seems to have experience with.

Throughout the book we learn of the background Grady grew up in with an abusive father and a previous bad relationship that all lead to his lack of trust in those around him and in himself. Micah is also somewhat damaged but for very different reasons and as such they both avoid relationships. However, there is a pull between them both that Micah is ready to explore and Grady is feared by, and right through this book I was rooting for them to each overcome their issues to make the relationship work.

Poor Grady seems to be spiralling out of control and it takes others to step in and make him realise that he has to stand up to his fears to understand things are not what he always believes them to be. I loved the intensity of their relationship and though I did understand Grady’s fears, at times I wanted to shake him especially for not seeing how he was helping Micah. I loved Micah he is a good solid character that went after what he wanted in order to overcome his own issues.

This was my first book by this author but I will definitely be reading more.

Reviewed by Vikki Ryan

Expert whitewater-rafting guide Grady Kelley lives for that rush of adrenaline: at work, as the newest employee of a Portland-based outdoor-adventure sports company, and off the river, where liaisons with anonymous men keep him satisfied. Grady prefers no drama and no strings attached, but when tragedy strikes, fate leads him to Micah Swaine. He’s hot, masculine, distracting—and offers the kind of deeper connection Grady has sworn off, no matter how badly he craves it.

Working at a leather bar, Micah meets a lot of guys, but Grady’s different—and he seems to feel the same way. The trouble is, anything beyond casual sex is too risky for Micah. He’s got secrets he doesn’t know how to share, secrets that would make any relationship a battlefield. No man, even one as compassionate as Grady, would stick around for that kind of trouble. And yet, as physical desire melts the walls they’ve put up, Micah and Grady discover that trusting each other is the most exhilarating adventure of all.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OrosXx

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1V2hFEV

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Review: Amber Fire by Lisa Renee Jones

****4 Stars****

This a short shifter tale, it would have been better had it been longer but for a short story it was very good. It was well written and engaging and I only say it could have been longer because the story had enough substance to it that it could make a full length book and still be a fab and engaging read.
Amber is in Nevada determined to continue her father's work of discovering the Yaguara, a race of Jaguar shifters. There she meets Jareth, a reclusive writer who she has an insane, intense connection with. Jareth is a sexy, over-protective and intense shifter, he's an easy character to fall for. Amber isn't particularly ballsy but she's no shrinking violet either, she doesn't like being told what to do and can be very stubborn, much to Jareth's dismay.
If you like a sexy shifter tale then pick up this short, easy but entertaining read.

Reviewed by Steph Lewis

Broad and all-powerful, a man who knows how to thrive in the wild--and bring to the edge of ecstasy the woman he claims as his own . . .

Determined to defend her late father's work, Amber Green heads into the heat of the Nevada canyons to prove the existence of the Yaguara, a shape-shifting race of jaguars. There she meets the one man more hell-bent on protecting the jaguars than she is: Jareth, a force of raw male nature to be reckoned with--an animal worth pursuing . . .

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TdP22Y

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1XrD5fi

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Review: Idol (VIP #1) by Kristen Callihan

*****5 Stars*****

If your a fan of rock band books then this is definitely a story for you. Killian James is guitarist and lead singer for Kill John one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Whilst taking a break in a far off little town in the middle of nowhere Killian ends up drunk and crashes his bike in to Liberty Bells front yard. Vomiting and comatose, Liberty takes matters into her own hands and decides to hose the culprit down like literally. Killian is quite surprised that she doesn't recognise who he is until he finally has to tell her under pressure when he is recognised whilst on a visit into town a few days later. Killian ends up acquainting himself with Liberty as friends initially since they are neighbours but when he hears her sing it changes everything. Liberty is quite shy and reserved and believed her parents when they said music is a hard act to follow and that she shouldn't go there. So when Liberty is persuaded to sing with Kill John can the limelight be to much and can a relationship with Killian persuade the fans that he isn't theirs to keep?

This is my first book by this author and it certainly didn't disappoint. It's fast paced with enough angst in all the right places. I'm generally not a huge fan of rock star romance but this is so well written it had me drawn in hook, line and sinker. The side characters from the rest of the band to their manager and publicist played a good enough part to get to know them and to where they fit in the story. I can't wait to read Scottie the band managers story as for me he was a character who was a bit closed off and it got me intrigued as to what his back story was to make him into the man he seems to think he needs to be.

Reviewed by Claire Lamb

Libby

I found Killian drunk and sprawled out on my lawn like some lost prince. With the face of a god and the arrogance to match, the pest won’t leave. Sexy, charming, and just a little bit dirty, he’s slowly wearing me down, making me crave more.

He could be mine if I dare to claim him. Problem is, the world thinks he’s theirs. How do you keep an idol when everyone is intent on taking him away?Killian

As lead singer for the biggest rock band in the world, I lived a life of dreams. It all fell apart with one fateful decision. Now everything is in shambles.

Until Liberty. She’s grouchy, a recluse—and kind of cute. Scratch that. When I get my hands on her, she is scorching hot and more addictive than all the fans who’ve screamed my name.

The world is clamoring for me to get back on stage, but I’m not willing to leave her. I’ve got to find away to coax the hermit from her shell and keep her with me. Because, with Libby, everything has changed. Everything.

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1XbD0xC

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1UazJrH

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