Audiobook #Review: An Honorable Seduction (Westmoreland Legacies Book 3) by Brenda Jackson

Book Title: An Honorable Seduction (Westmoreland Legacies # 3)
Author:  Brenda Jackson |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance, Military Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: Audiobook, Mass Market Paperback
Narrator: Brian Hutchison 

Audio Service: Scribd
Hours in Book: 4 hours 50 mins

Cost: $20.00

Pages: 224

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: May 08, 2018
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Synopsis:

This Navy SEAL is on a top-secret mission of seduction ...David Holloway is used to hard assignments. Now he faces his most difficult yet: cozying up to the soft curves of Swan Jamison. He wants to know the island beauty ... in every way. But romancing Swan as part of his SEAL team's mission tests his honor, even as his feelings become increasingly real. Soon he must make a choice: duty ... or desire? (

Overall:
A military romance with mystery, intrigue, international espionage and sexy times. Where do I sign up?? Plus it's linked to the Westmoreland family sagas?? Yes, please.

Narrator:
Brian Hutchison. This is the first time I've listened to anything read by him and I enjoyed his narration. The story flowed and he was able to make each character unique enough for a distinction between them and I was hooked because of how he read the story as well. Well done!!

Story:
I grabbed this recently after being at home due to recovering after emergency surgery.  I didn't feel the urge to read but wanted something to keep me occupied while I was stuck in the bed. I decided I didn't want anything with crazy plot lines I wanted some good loving and great family dynamics and I was so glad I snagged this one.

Told using dual perspectives, we have the story of Swan & David. David known as Flipper to his friends is a Navy SEAL who is due for a vacation and is instead given the option for a top-secret mission., this mission is being asked of him by the top brass who he really respects and he decides to take the mission.  Swan owns a boutique in her mother's hometown, where she not only sells unique designs she makes herself but also rents out part of her shop to a successful tattoo parlor. Unbeknownst to Swan, she's being investigated for her part in the selling of US intelligence secrets to the Chinese.

David gets to the island to investigate and is surprised that when he meets Swan in the flesh he's beyond attracted to her. He has to keep this professional not just because her Uncles are his Superior officers, but because he can't afford to be distracted on the mission.

As with all Brenda's books, the chemistry was off the charts and the couple were hilarious together. Both were being cautious, Swan because she had learned the harsh lessons of the past from her parents' marriage and how they were treated by their families. While her parents had a happy marriage after what happens to them Swan has made the choice to never date military and to be extremely cautious about interracial dating.  David is trying to stay focused, finish the mission prove that Swan is innocent and get out of this mission without compromising his honor.

I really loved the story and it kept me intrigued, because not only did we have the mystery of who was selling the secrets if it wasn't Swan. I loved how they talked about what dating would look like and how they went slowly because David recognized that Swan needed the time and space to re-evaluate what was once on her never list. They are so many characters who could have been the ones responsible and some I didn't expect. Once we began to unravel the mystery and more information began to come out I was deeply hooked.

I enjoyed the mystery the romance and the final chapters. I loved how Swan reacted because honestly #Same, and I loved how Flipper got around her fears.

I skipped reading in order like I have been for the rest of the Westmoreland series, so I could read this. I didn't know all the characters David was connected to so I missed that "ahh" aspect when you read a series to the current books. However I still enjoyed the book, it wasn't necessary to know all the background of the characters as there was a brief description when needed. I loved this one especially because Flipper has such good friends. Now I'm going backward to go read those books.

 ★★★★☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The Westmoreland series by Brenda Jackson
• The Protector Series by Brenda Jackson

Happy Reading my loves, 

Book #Review: Blame It on The Billionaire (Blackout Billionaires Book 3) by Naima Simone .@Naima_Simone #blackoutbillionaires

Book Title: Blame It On The Billionaire (Blackout Billionaires Book 3)
Author:  Naima Simone |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Romance, Interracial Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 3
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 224

How I got it: Purchased 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Feb 04, 2020
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Synopsis:

A dramatic chemistry-filled contemporary romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone.

She fell into his arms... now she’s falling for his trap.
Will a blackout change everything for these unlikely lovers?

It was a night filled with secrets, lies…and soul-stealing passion. And now the blackout that turned lowly executive assistant Nadia Jordan and start-up billionaire Grayson Chandler into insatiable lovers leads to a proposal Nadia can’t refuse. As she steps into Grayson’s privileged Chicago world, will his matchmaking mother and vengeful ex destroy her dreams? Or will her fake fiancé make those dreams a reality?

What happens in the dark never stays in the dark... Don’t miss the family drama, secrets and passion in the Blackout Billionaires series:
The Billionaire’s Bargain
Black Tie Billionaire
Blame It on the Billionaire

I was super excited to get this one. It's the final installment in the series and I wanted to know how Grayson's story would shake out.  I was so hooked to this story that I was almost late to an appointment and when I left the appointment I sat in the parking lot and read until I finished the book.  I was just so invested it was awesome.

We meet Grayson Chandler, the second son of the great Chandler family in Chicago, who with his best friend Gideon created a company that is making strides in the Tech world is at the same ball with Gideon and is currently trying to outrun his mother's matchmaking and his ex's machinations when he runs into Nadia Jordan, small-town transplant who happens to work for his company; she's at the ball on her day off because her boss an executive in Grayson's company needed a shirt to replace the one he spilled on. While trying to run the errand she runs in the CEO of the company and just when she didn't things could go more awry the lights go down and they are stuck together.  When the lights are out it gives them a chance to drop their masks and not hide. They share details they wouldn't share with others and spend a night of passion they normally wouldn't indulge in.

The characters are well done and even the side characters are as well. I loved that even though the story really focuses on the growing relationship between Nadia and Grayson that their friends and family are seen a bit. I loved the sibling relationships that were shared and that they were loving and even when strained still filled with love.   Both Grayson and Nadia where characters you could root for because they felt so real. When they faced issues they dealt with them realistically, even when it would hurt. I loved that. I loved the chemistry between them, and how even in the moments of passion neither took the other's consent for granted, but in fact enthusiastically sought and given.  Even though both of them bore the scars of betrayal they still without really meaning to seek it in the other, even after they warned each other that this wasn't real. Ugh, that is my jam!! I loved the way the POV went back and forth between them allowing us to see the motivations that they each had and of course progressed the story as some scenes only included one of the characters.

I absolutely love how Naima writes her stories, her characters are well thought out, charismatic and they just flow so well. The chemistry, the realness of the conversations they should be having?!!! Just *chefs kiss* beautiful. I love how strong and yet vulnerable they both are. When Grayson finds himself in a tough spot he backs them into a bit of a corner and even though Nadia knows she's not from the same social stratosphere as the people in her new social circle she refuses to be cowed by it. She doesn't need to be rescued, she's got her own escape plan, but a partner in crime would be nice.

This is a modern romance, with a strong but vulnerable alpha who knows his privilege and power and doesn't abuse it. He, in fact, makes sure those within his employ never take advantage they shouldn't. A strong, vulnerable woman who knows her worth and isn't willing to settle for anything less than what she fully deserves. I loved how the story circled back to sacrifice and how no matter the social status some families require it. And what should sacrifice and happiness look like?? I cracked up because when I was reading I kept saying the "effing patriarchy" because the solution was RIGHT THERE and then, of course, our good guy figured it out!!

 ★★★★☆

Series In Order

• The Billionaire's Bargain
• Blacktie Billionaire
• Blame It On The Billionaire

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Tempted by the Temporary Wife by Jayci Lee

Happy Reading my loves, 

ARC Book #Review: Temporary Wife Temptation (Heirs of Hansol Book 1) by Jayci Lee #TemporaryWifeTemptation #NetGalley

Book Title: Temporary Wife Temptation (Heirs of Hansol 1)
Author: Jayci Lee |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $5.25

Pages: 224

How I got it: ARC via NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Feb 04, 2020
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Harlequin Desire: Be transported to the worlds of oil barons, family dynasties, moguls and celebrities. Get ready for juicy plot twists, delicious sensuality and intriguing scandal.

Much more than he bargained for…

“You want me to find you a wife?”

“No. I want you to be my wife.”

Garrett Song is this close to taking the reins of his family’s LA fashion empire…until the Song matriarch insists he marry her handpicked bride first. To block her matchmaking, he recruits Natalie Sobol to pose as his wife. She needs a fake spouse as badly as he does. But when passion burns down their chaste agreement, the flames could destroy them all…

This is one of my favorite tropes " the fake fiance/spouse" trope and Jayci executed this one well. For a debut author, the chemistry and the push/pull of the relationship is extremely well done.  The chemistry between Natalie and Garrett was off the charts.   Natalie is in a power struggle with an older couple to adopt her niece but being a single woman is working against her. Garrett's Grandmother won't turn over the reins of the family business until he marries the woman she's picked out for him. Garrett doesn't believe in marriage and happily ever after, so he makes a bid to outmatch his Grandmother by saying he already has a fiance.  Natalie works as the HR rep for the LA office of the business Garrett's family runs and when she messes up the chance to have a promotion that would have increased her earning potential as well as allowing her to give the courts a better chance for her to adopt her niece she is willing to take Garrett's proposal. Except she has a crush on him and he finds her irresistible. They make a bargain to keep this platonic except they can't seem to keep their hands off each other.

There are so many good moments within the story, from the moment when Garrett tries to rescue Natalie from his Grandmother and instead interrupts teatime?? I was cracking up. I loved that the fact that they were Korean played a big part in their romance and how their relationship along with the fake relationship was being shaped and shared. I loved that Natalie had a friend that had her back and was willing to teach her what she didn't know as well as help her out when she was feeling overwhelmed.  I enjoyed the way the two interacted and how they worked their way from being wary platonic compatriots to lovers to are we or are we not in a relationship??

After getting married to help accomplish their goals Garrett distances himself and Natalie works on getting her niece since that was her reason for being in this relationship. While they fake it for the cameras and family, the chemistry builds for them and they eventually work to a personal relationship. I really enjoyed Garrett's family as well, his sister seems like an interesting woman and I  can't wait for the developing stories in the series. Garrett has *as all the reluctant protags in these romances do* a few moments where he does the stupidest thing ever that risks the relationship and family. Natalie doesn't make it easy for him and I loved the grand gesture.

This is one of the first times I can personally remember reading a romance featuring two Korean characters and I loved it. I will definitely be adding Jayci into the rotation of must follow authors.

 ★★★★☆

Series In Order

• Temporary Wife Temptation (Heir of Hansol 1) 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Audiobook #Review: Tangled Threat by Heather Graham #TangledThreat #NetGalley

Book Title: Tangled Threat
Author:  Heather Graham |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Audiobook/ Mass Market
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky 

Audio Service: Hoopla (Library App)
Hours in Book: 5 Hours

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 256

How I got it: ARC From NetGalley & Pre-order from Amazon 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: August 20, 2019
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Synopsis:

Some things you can’t forget.

A body hanging from the infamous History Tree unraveled their teenage love. Now Maura Antrim is again tangled up with Brock McGovern. Twelve years later, they’re back where that murder occurred—where Brock had been arrested and then released, where Maura had run, too scared to stand by his side. But with two women missing, and Brock now an FBI agent, Maura is determined to help. Together, they’ll have to confront a threat that never died and see if their passion has withstood the test of time.

Overall:
As much as I love Heather, this was a very "meh" story. It just wasn't for me. I tried reading it as an ARC and wasn't hooked, then snagged a copy of the audio to listen to. While it flowed well, the story had too much history and not enough time spent on creating the tension in plot. There were supposed to be on the hunt for missing women and yet despite saying they were worried almost everyone seemed to just be blase' about it. Even a woman who would fit the description was a total idiot when being told to be careful.  The characters were supposed to be hot and heavy teens with their who lives figured out and when they deal with a tragedy it changes them and yet when they meet up again there is this absolutely no tension about how things were left, no resentment, no anger about how they were treated no hurt, just a easy acceptance without there being any tension one would expect, it just falls in so easy ( like way too easy).

Narrator: Eva Kaminsky

This is my first time with this narrator and she certainly tried to make the story flow well. Her inflections and narration helped to make the story much more interesting. When I expected something explosive it was truly based on the way she was reading the material, but when scenes fell flat it was because of the material.

Story:

For the first time in a long time with a Heather Graham book I was looking forward to the end and not because I wanted to get to the whole story, nope I just wanted it to end.  This is a second chance romance and I didn't feel like the characters were interesting, and with all the potential the story was boring.  There wasn't much chemistry, they barely talked and I don't know there wasn't any real tension about what her mother had done or how things were handled.  The build up of the locations and the way the history was being talked about I expected way more than we got.

I learned more about Florida's history and frankly very little of what we learned aided in the story. It wasn't until the last ten pages that the tension of the book even manifested. The villains and their motivation were very weak and I honestly just didn't care at the end. Someone can only be so dumb before you want them to be one of the people who goes missing.   The red herring we were giving would have been a better solution than the answer we were given.

When i started following along in the physical book and realized we were over half way through without the two star crossed lovers even really getting anytime alone I knew I was done.  Everyone was acting like him spending one night in jail was supposed to derail his life ( considering he never even saw the judge and no charges were pressed against him, and his family money and influence made sure he never faced any consequences, not sure how that was supposed to happen).  The idea that you loved someone so much that one night makes you turn away from them and neither of you show up to demand answers?? You followed your parents directive and made no attempt to reach out to the other person and then wondered why they didn't follow up???

For a couple that was supposed to be getting back together from a 12 year separation I didn't feel the heat of their relationship. they didn't really have any depth of feeling and While it only took 3 hours to listen to the story I wasn't hooked. When it ended I was like wait what that's it?? Where is the rest?? It felt unfinished.

 ★★★☆☆

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Heather Graham Krewe of Hunters series
• Sizzle Julie Garwood

Happy Reading my loves, 

Audiobook #Review: Vendetta In Death (In Death #49) by J. D. Robb

Book Title: Vendetta In Death (In Death # 49)
Author:  J. D. Robb |Website| Facebook| Pinterest
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Genre: Mystery/ Suspense, Romantic Suspense, SciFi Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 49
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Susan Ericksen

Audio Service: Scribd
Hours in Book: 12 hours 42 mins

Cost: $8.99

Pages: 356

How I got it: Scribd 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: Spetember 09, 2019
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

The predator becomes the prey in the newest thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series featuring homicide detective Eve Dallas.

She calls herself Lady Justice. And once she has chosen a man as her target, she turns herself into a tall blonde or a curvaceous redhead, makes herself as alluring and seductive as possible to them. Once they are in her grasp, they are powerless.

The first victim is wealthy businessman Nigel McEnroy. His company’s human resources department has already paid out settlements to a couple of his young victims—but they don’t know that his crimes go far beyond workplace harassment. Lady Justice knows. And in one shocking night of brutality, she makes him pay a much steeper price.

Now Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, are combing through the evidence of McEnroy’s secret life. His compulsive need to record his misdeeds provides them with a wide range of suspects, but the true identity of Lady Justice remains elusive. It’s a challenging case, made even more difficult by McEnroy’s widow, who reacts to the investigation with fury, denial, and threats. Meanwhile, Lady Justice’s criminal crusade is escalating rapidly, and if Eve can’t stop this vigilante, there’s no telling how much blood may be spilled…

Overall:
Good story, fantastic plot and I just love Eve's growth to this point. The narrator as always helps to make the book fly by and I can't say how much that enhances the reading experience.  Another reviewer pointed out that Eve needs something to shake her up and I believe that as well. She's learning how to make her found family work and how to work better with others, she is handling her past better each time, even if she panics at the thought of family events ( I mean who doesn't ) and her reactions to Bella are hilarious.

Narrator:
Fantastic as always, even though it's one actress doing all the voices, her inflections and accents make the cast of characters come alive. Her Roarke voice kills me each and every time. It's funny how you can tell Peabody's voice and I love it.  

Story:

This one felt a little too easy. Like we knew who it was we just had to prove it, also fuck this villain. A little bit of a spoiler here, but the villain is aware that one of their intended targets to kill is a serial rapists and instead of protecting the women she sees him getting ready to victimize or even turning that information over to the SVU team she lets it happen and then uses it as an excuse to kill him. Yeah fuck that you could have protected two other women but your vendetta mattered more?? Fuck you you're no hero, you're a coward.

This case rushed close to Eve's history and it made her realize just how far she had come from when she first remembered and how far she needs to go. The last few cases have had a few brushes against her history and this one especially makes her think of what she would have done without the people who surrounded her. I fell in love with Captain Feeney even more once we realized just how good a guy he was.  I totally understand her devotion to him now because she's right he could have made her swallow it back and keep moving.

I love the care that was given to talking about the survivors and how the group helped them and seeing the different woman & how they aligned with survivorship because not everyone comes out swinging and ready for vengeance, some just want to forget, some don't want the fight and want to move on. None of those are wrong and I love that one way of survivorship wasn't pushed as being the only way.  As for the reasoning of the villain what a dumb bitch like how about getting back at him by being better??? You went to this group saw how so many were struggling to deal with real pain and you got bitter??? Bitch if you don't sit your ass in a corner. Now look at you, sitting in a box, allowing that piece of dog feces of a husband to determine what happens to you. Again. Dumbass.

I love that for a while there her genius when it comes to electronics really kept her from being detected easily and that the team had to work at it. Also she's so badass that the e-geeks wanted to stay and play with her toys after the bust.  Eve cracks me up because she is so clueless when it comes to celebrities unless it's in baseball. Her response to Peabody when she didn't know any of the baseball players had me cracking up in the store while I walked around pretending to do my groceries. The clues began to pile up but again only because you had to dig around. The work the villain put it was stellar and made Eve work for it.  I called the killer maybe 10 % in?? Even before Eve began to lean a certain way, and of course once Eve gives it to us, we know who it is and work on bringing them in.

Sometimes Eve can be harsh to other women, but the last few stories and especially in these as each woman is introduced she's shown her growth in how she handles them. Even the wife who refuses to see the truth because it would destroy her world view.  I also love that Eve is growing enough that she's learning that the politics of it isn't all bullshyt and she's no longer talking like she's the only good cop in this world.  Pretty good story and plot. It moves quickly and I absolutely love how Eve uses her reqorces in this one. Sometimes even a cop can't get be the one to bring about justice doesn't mean there aren't other avenues to bring it about. 

 ★★★★1/2☆

Series In Order

• Naked In Death       Glory In Death         Immortal In Death
• Rapture In Death     Ceremony In Death    Vengence In Death
• Holiday In Death     Midnight In Death 7.5   Conspiracy In Death
• Loyalty In Death      Witness In Death          Judgement In Death
• Betrayal In Death     Interlude In Death  12.5      Seduction In Death
• Reunion In Death     Purity In Death      Portrait In Death
• Imitation In Death    Big Jack 17.5        Divided In Death
• Vision In Death        Survivor In Death  Origin In Death
• Memory In Death     Haunted In Death 22.5      Born In Death
• Innocent In Death     Creation    In Death           Eternity In Death 25.5
• Strangers In Death    Salvation In Death             Kindred In Death
• Missing In Death 29.5      Fantasy In Death        Indulgence In Death
• Possession In Death 31.5  Treachery In Death    New York To Dallas
• Chaos In Death 33.5          Celebrity In Death     Delusion In Death
• Calculated In Death           Thankless In Death   Taken In Death 37.5
• Concealed In Death        Festive In Death       Obsession In Death     
• Devoted In Death     Wonderment In Death 41.5   Brotherhood In Death
• Apprentice In Death  Echoes In Death   Secrets In Death
• Dark In Death   Leverage In Death   Connections In Death 

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Heather Graham, Maggie Shayne, Jory Strong 

Happy Reading my loves,