I Recommend ‘The Rest Falls Away’ by @colleengleason–Intense Romance Series #UrbanFantasy #Amreading #BookEscapeReviews

Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil…

Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.

In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.

But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria’s heart is torn between London’s most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget.

And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.

Book One in The Gardella Vampire Hunters series by Colleen Gleason

Thrilling and Intense Romance

I cannot believe I’m only beginning this terrific series. How did I miss it?

Wow.

The Rest Falls Way transcends usual paranormal romance. I couldn’t put it down. Max was an incredible character. He was strong and had downfalls. Victoria threw me for a loop. As I continued to read, there was twist after twist. This story moves quickly and is an excellent thriller with intense romance. I loved it, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski

Buy The Rest Falls Away on Amazon | Apple Store | Kobo | Barnes&Noble

Books #2-5 of the Gardella Vampire Hunters series

Book #2

Book #3

Book #4

Book #5

Colleen Gleason is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author who can’t seem to decide what type of book to write…so she writes a lot of different genres!

So far, Colleen has written everything from vampire hunters to dystopian romance, to steampunk, historical romance, and mysteries with a supernatural flair. One element, however, that appears in all of her stories, is that of partnership…whether it be professional, romantic, or both.

All of Colleen’s books feature strong heroines experiencing fast-paced adventures, danger, mystery, and of course, romance. But at the core of each story is the belief that every woman deserves a partner who accepts her for her strengths as well as her weaknesses—and vice versa.

Colleen lives in the midwest United States with her family and two dogs, and is always working on her next book.

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This Hunky #Firefighter Is More Than a Handsome Face! My #BookReview of @Ann_Roth ‘s e-book exlcusive MR. JANUARY #BookEscapeReviews #GreatReads

Senior Firefighter Adam Healey is a man with a mission: get promoted to lieutenant at the Guff’s Lake Fire Department. It’s time, but more important, the promotion will finally earn him the respect of his dying father. Single mom Samantha Everett’s deadbeat ex has left her to fend for herself, and she’s working hard to support her young son with her baking business. Neither Adam nor Samantha is looking for a relationship. But love has a way of surprising people…

A Beautiful Story and Sizzling Romance

The cover of this book piqued my interest, and when I found out it was a firefighter hero romance, I knew I wanted to read it!
Samantha has to decide if she’s willing to take a chance on the very sweet, tortured, and handsome Adam. Samantha had a smart and warm persona. She and Adam were a great couple and worked well together in finding a solution for what has the potential to tear their love apart.
William, Sam’s son, was adorable. It broke my heart how his biological father didn’t care enough to stick around or at least put forth an effort to be a responsible parent.
Adam’s yearning to make his ailing father proud was frustrating, but both Adam and Sam learn how to move past their misconceptions about themselves and those who have hurt them.
Mr. January is a terrific book that focuses on the characters growing relationships and embracing love and forgiveness. It is a beautiful story and sizzling romance.

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski. Also posted to Amazon, LibraryThing, Shelfari, and Goodreads

Published: April 3, 2015
Publisher: Ann Roth
Page Count: 284 pages

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Next book of the Heroes in Rogue Valley series:

Visit with the Rogues at Ann’s Website to learn more about their stories.

If you like the Heroes in Rogue Valley Series, you may also want to check out:

A Rancher’s Honor – Book #1 of the Prosperity, Montana miniseries

Several other American Romance books by Ann Roth are on her website. Sweet and sexy cowboys. Wonderful, touching, and romantic stories. 

 

I’m a bit of a voyeur. I love to stick my nose into total strangers’ business and observe how they deal with life’s hurdles and whatever obstacles fate throws at them. I can’t think of anything more challenging or interesting than delving into a character’s psyche to discover what makes her/him tick. The surprises and insights are amazing!

The people who interest me most are the ones I know will triumph despite life’s problems and challenges. For me, writing their stories is both rewarding and a whole lot of fun.

Whenever I’m deep into a story, I walk around and mutter to myself. I often drift off in the middle of a conversation, grab a pen and paper and madly scribble the amazing sentence or plot twist that just popped into my head. With that kind of behavior, people tend to think I’m somewhat eccentric or even crazy–until I explain that I’m a writer, and that paying attention to that muse is important. (Read more about Ann’s inspirational publication story.)

Romance Meets Addiction Recovery–Review of #CatherineGayle ‘s #romancefiction “Comeback” #hockey

Nicklas Ericsson is an addict. He’s also a star goaltender with the NHL’s Portland Storm, or he was until his addiction changed everything. Now he’s throwing himself into doing all the necessary things to pave his path to a comeback, both in his personal life and on the ice. Nicky’s run out of options, and now his sister and her children are in Portland. They need help he has no clue how to provide, though, and figuring it out might derail all the progress he’s made.

For a few years now, Jessica Lynch has been running the Portland office for the Light the Lamp Foundation. Between her work and several people from her past, she knows more than she’d like about addicts. One lesson she’s learned is that even when addicts try to turn their lives around, more often than not, they fail. That’s why she takes a hands off approach, keeping her heart well away from the addicts she works with, like Nicky Ericsson.

Nicky’s recovery efforts put him directly in Jessica’s path, and she can’t ignore his very real need for help. Where Nicky is concerned, she can’t separate her emotions. His niece and nephews further complicate her efforts to guard her heart. The attraction between Nicky and Jessica is instant and mutual, but she’s misplaced her trust too many times before. Can he prove that he won’t fall back into old habits in time to complete the perfect comeback?

Amazon * Kobo 

~ * ~ * ~ Review of COMEBACK — Portland Storm, book #6 ~ * ~ * ~

Romance Meets Addiction Recovery

Nicky (Nicklas), is a recovering substance abuse addict who plays pro hockey. I loved how his character gave insight to the challenges and triumphs of improving self-image issues and staying strong.
Nicky faced challenges and temptations throughout this book where he could have slipped back into his old ways of using pills and booze as a way out. One specific tragedy toward the end almost had me convinced Nicky was going to relapse and lose his family and the love his life…but he didn’t! He didn’t, and that is what I loved most about this story.
It is a book that shows him as a prospective success and less like a past “user-loser.” It breaks the barriers of stereotypes people going through a recovery program often endure. He works hard to mend broken relationships and is honest with himself, even when times are tough. Best of all, he comes through for his team and family when it would have been easier to go back to his old ways and give up. His story is inspiring and beautiful.

— An ARC copy of COMEBACK was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. —

Star Rating: Five of Five Stars * * * * *

Review by Laurie Kozlowski. Also posted to Goodreads.

Like this review? Why not “friend” Laurie on Goodreads and/or follow Book Escape Reviews @nextbookescape ? 🙂 If you’d like to be notified when a new review post is up, please sign up via email by clicking the FOLLOW button on this blog, inputing your email, then follow the prompts. Thank you and happy reading!

~ * ~ * ~ Recent / Upcoming Releases by Catherine Gayle ~ * ~ * ~ 

DROPPING GLOVES, Portland Storm Book #7, is available for pre-order at Amazon and Kobo. Release date is *April 23, 2015*. If you’re interested in reading more excerpts and to check out the entire Portland Storm series, be sure to visit Catherine Gayle’s website. She lists all of the books there, including her historical fiction books and short stories. 

A Beautiful Story of Romance and Goodwill–@LaurieKozlowski’s #BookReview of “The Homecoming” by Robyn Carr ( @RCarrWriter )

A Beautiful Story of Romance and Goodwill (Review of “The Homecoming” by Robyn Carr)

Iris works as a florist and Seth is a disabled but active cop, assigned to Thunder Point, a small town in Portland, Oregon. Thier romance blooms gradually though they haven’t seen each other in years, because of a grudge one of them holds against the other one.

I think I’m falling in love with the town as much as the characters. Everyone, every store, everything, has a story…that is why I think I always connect with Robyn Carr’s stories and the characters she writes. It was no exception that Seth completely won me over by being completely genuine and an all around great guy. In any other book, it would seem boring–but his life story is carefully drawn where I wanted things to work out for him. He was a hell-raiser in his younger days and took many things for granted, but in this story, it’s clear he wants to make amends.

I also admire Iris for being smart and careful with her heart after she’d been taken advantage of. She was determined not to be a victim of her past and took every reasonable approach to rise above the pain and loneliness. She works as a school counselor to teens–that I loved–and I liked how her mending heart wasn’t over-exaggerated like in some novels.

I’m glad I kept reading past the first few chapters, though I wanted to put the book down because at first I couldn’t believe Seth did what he did. If I hadn’t had read Carr’s books before I may have done just that, but I knew there had to be a reason for it. And there was.

Nice and easy storytelling, with sub-plots of a mysterious domestic violence case that was solved by the end, makes this novel another hit in the collection of Thunder Point novels.

Star Rating: Four Stars * * * * 

Review by Laurie Kozlowski. Also posted to Goodreads and Amazon.

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Thunder Point, Book Six

 Amazon * Barnes&Noble * Kobo

At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it all in a terrible accident that put an end to his professional football career when it had barely begun. The people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have been.

Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken. But now he’s been presented with an opportunity to return home and show his father—and the people of Thunder Point—he’s become a better, humbler version of his former self.

Winning over his father isn’t the only challenge. Seth must also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince the town, his family and especially Iris that he’s finally ready to be the man who will make them all proud?

RECENT BOOK RELEASES

Thunder Point, Book Four

Amazon * Barnes&Noble * Kobo

Thunder Point, Book Five

Amazon * Barnes&Noble * Kobo

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of almost fifty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series. Her highly anticipated new series, Thunder Point, will be released March 2013. Robyn and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr’s website at www.RobynCarr.com.

A Steamy Sports Romance with A Powerful Message– @LaurieKozlowski ‘s #BookReview of “In The Zone” by Catherine Gayle #BookEscapeReviews #amreading #hockey

There is something alluring about sports romance fiction series. The heroes are always hunky and strong, the heroines always seem to gravitate less to the “damsel in distress” and more toward equal partnership.

Then when I find out an author of one of these books has more books out like them…I sigh, do a little happy dance, and then Amazon one-click my brains out, regardless of wallet budget, to get my sports romance fix. I’ve found a great new-to-me series that I’m going crazy over.

The Portland Storm series by Catherine Gayle.

It’s a scorching hot hockey sports romance series, with delectable heroes and strong heroines. I love how she kept Brie soft mannered yet showed her kicking ass on the dance floor. If you love sports and romance…hot romance–damn! You’ll love this series.

Here’s my review of “In The Zone” by Catherine Gayle.

“In The Zone” Portland Storm Series, Book FIVE

Amazon * Kobo * All Romance eBooks * Smashwords * Barnes&Noble

Steamy Sports Romance with A Powerful Message

By the middle of the first chapter of “In The Zone,” I knew this book would have a sexy edge and important message.

Brie is a plus-sized heroine because she develops a thyroid issue, causing her to continue to overweight despite her diet restrictions. She keeps her insecurities well hidden, under frumpy clothes and a sweet spirit while teaching dance classes. Her former partner dumped her because of her weight (he was an ass) and to say her spirit had been broken by his emotional abuse would be sugarcoating it.

So she puts an ad in on Craigslist to hook up for the night with someone who could make her feel desirable. Most would think this to be “pathetic” or “desperate” behavior. But when you read the story, you’ll see the author’s voice only betrays this act of so-called desperation as a genuine act of Brie proactively dealing with low self-esteem. I thought she was brave.

Kieth (“Burnzie”), is a beast. The magnitude of his character within this book is amazing. He loves his family but deals with doubt from a painful past tragedy concerning one of his brothers. I loved how he took a teammate under his wing, how he gently guided Brie into a better place emotionally by being an excellent friend, and how he’s always thinking of others before himself. He stole my heart.

I probably don’t need to say this book is off the charts hot because there is more depth than meets the eye. “In The Zone” offers great insight into dealing with grief, mental health issues, and recovery. But I’ll let you decide for yourself if this one is a winner. It was for me, for sure!!

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski. Also posted on Barnes & Noble and to Goodreads.

Star Rating: Five Stars * * * * *

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BOOK BLURB FOR “In The Zone”

It was supposed to be one night of fake names, half-truths, and anonymous sex. Neither of them was prepared for it to turn into so much more. Keith Burns, star defenseman for the NHL’s Portland Storm, was just looking for a way to pass the time and ease the loneliness of his lavish lifestyle. Brianna Hayden wanted to find herself again after health issues changed everything. That one night turns out to be so much more than either Keith or Brie expects, but anonymity is the name of their game, and the rules were laid down at the outset. Pushing for the truth might land Keith a permanent spot in Brie’s penalty box, but it’s a chance he’s willing to take. Once he gets In the Zone, he’ll be on the forecheck—but Brie’s heart is the goal he’s seeking.

Read full excerpt of In The Zone.

Upcoming Book Releases by Catherine Gayle

“Comeback” Portland Storm Series, Book Six, **Available January 15, 2015**

“Dropping Gloves” Portland Storm, Book SEVEN
**Available on April 23, 2015**

~*~*~ About The Author ~*~*~

www.catherinegayle.com

Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of Regency-set historical romance and contemporary hockey romance with a New Adult feel. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.

You can find out more on her website, her blog, at Red Door Reads, at Facebook, on Twitter, and at Goodreads. If you want to see some of her cats’ antics and possibly the occasional video update from Catherine, visit her YouTube account.

#BookEscapeReviews – @LaurieKozlowski ‘s Review of “Want Me” by Cynthia Eden ~ Suspenseful and Sexy #eroticfiction #amreading #lawyers #bodyguards

She doesn’t play it safe… Sophie Sarantos has a weakness for dangerous men. She doesn’t like safe lovers—she likes men with a wild, rough edge. But Sophie may have attracted a lover who is too dangerous, even for her. Someone is stalking Sophie, slipping into her home, watching her day and night. The stranger seems to know all of Sophie’s darkest secrets, secrets that should never be revealed. Out of options, Sophie turns to ex-solider Lex Jensen for protection. Lex is part owner of VJS Protection, Inc., and Sophie hires him as her bodyguard. She thinks Lex is one of the “good guys” out there, but she couldn’t be more wrong. He doesn’t play at all… Lex has his own secrets. Dark, deadly secrets. And as his feelings for Sophie grow, Lex knows that he is going to have to stop pretending to be a gentleman and, instead, he’ll have to show Sophie who he really is. A man trained to kill. A man too used to evil. A man who will take any risk…as long as he can claim Sophie. Because there is one thing that Lex wants in this world…one person he desires above all others…Sophie. And no one will hurt her, not on his watch.

PLEASE NOTE: the content and review posted are not intended recommendations for readers 18 or under. If you are under age 18, please DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. Thanks. ~ Laurie.

Full Excerpt of WANT ME.

* All Romance Books * Amazon * Barnes&Noble * Google Play* iBooks * Kobo *

🔸🔷🔸REVIEW🔸🔷🔸

Suspenseful and Sexy 

Sophie loves dangerous men and Lex is just the man she needs. Lex is hired on by her as a bodyguard after she has a near death experience. Everyone wants Sophie. She is consistently referred to as a dangerous and lethal female (not in those exact words.)

Lex was a hot Alpha, sexy and protective. The men he worked with had grown up with him in a group home. I liked the brotherhood they shared and would like to know more about them.

I didn’t catch on to Sophie’s character being a pit bull lawyer until a few chapters into the book, but I hadn’t read the first book, so I was a little lost. For the first few chapters, I thought she was an insecure victim. I felt bad for the terrible past she endured, and I’m glad she found justice. I wish her character had been stronger. She was “hardened on the inside” (emotionally), but I wasn’t convinced she was dangerous. Also, Sophie’s male companions kept telling Lex that he didn’t know the *real* Sophie, over and over, and confused me why the hero was doubted around every corner. I’m always sad to see an Alpha character slip into a Beta role as his love for the heroine is discounted. 

The suspense was wonderful, but I’m not surprised because this author has written many suspense books. “Want Me” is a good book for those who love suspense and hot romance, or those who love hot romances and want to read a book with an unpredictable, but great ending.

*** The author and publisher provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski. Also posted to Goodreads — Twitter — Pinterest — Facebook — Google Plus

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Star Rating: Four out of Five Stars * * * *

Book Specs

Publisher: Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc. 

Publication Date: January 21, 2015

Page Count: 168 pages

*~*~ More Books by Cynthia Eden ~*~*

http://www.cynthiaeden.com

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a two-time finalist for the RITA® award (she was a finalist both in the romantic suspense category and in the paranormal romance category). Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over fifty novels and novellas. Cynthia is a “hybrid” author. She has published extensively with New York (her New York publishers include Avon, Kensington, Grand Central, and Harlequin), and she has also enjoyed success in her indie writing career. Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.